Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are appropriately called the “Land of Giants.” These California parks are home to the world’s largest trees and towering mountains, deep canyons, and vast caverns. So you should definitely take a road trip to Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon.

Tips for Visiting Popular National Parks

Nearby Yosemite often overshadows these parks, but Sequoia and Kings Canyon are worth the drive up into the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Here’s how to plan an epic road trip to Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon!

When To Go

The parks are open year-round, but June – August is when all areas of the parks, shuttle services, and accommodations are open and accessible. Outside of these months, services become more limited, and some parts of the parks become inaccessible due to weather. Sequoia and Kings Canyon are two of the best summer destinations in the U.S.

In September – November, the Mineral King and Cedar Grove areas close, light snow is possible, it will be cold at night, there are fewer ranger programs, and many facilities reduce their hours and operations.

From December – March, you have a great chance of experiencing the beautiful snow-covered parks, but there’s no guarantee of snow. Tire chains are usually required during these months, the Sequoia shuttle service still runs between the Giant Forest Museum and the Wuksachi Lodge and Restaurant, but there’s no shuttle service in Kings Canyon.

Wildflowers and the alpine fields are the reasons to visit in Spring. Full shuttle services restart in May, and many facilities and accommodations will begin to re-open with limited hours in April. Temperatures will still be chilly, especially at night, so have plenty of layers.

What To Do

Hikes: Panoramic Point to Park Ridge Fire Lookout (moderate); Congress Trail, which includes General Sherman (easy); Moro Rock (moderate); General Grant Tree Trail, which includes the Fallen Monarch (moderate); Rowell Meadow (moderate); Mitchell Peak (difficult, but worth it); Seville Lake (moderate – difficult); Redwood Canyon (moderate).

Scenic Drives: Drive through the Tunnel Log, Panoramic Point Road (RVs and trailers aren’t allowed on this road), Kings Canyon Scenic Byway, Majestic Mountain Loop, which is a three-day driving itinerary of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and Yosemite National Park.

Tours and Rentals: Guided Tour of Crystal Cave, Fly-fishing lessons and trips, Ranger-led snowshoe tours, Sequoia Field Institute custom guided tour, Horseback ride.

2-Week California National Parks Road Trip

Know Before You Go

These side-by-side parks have an elevation range of 1,370 – 14,494 feet, so they’re more challenging to reach than many other national parks, and you’ll need to factor in how the higher elevation will affect your breathing and pace during your trip.

Both parks are only accessible from the West (no roads into the parks from the East).

This is bear country, so have bear spray on hand at all times, and make sure all food is stored correctly in your backpack, car, and lodging.

Because of the high elevation, you’ll want socks, long pants, and a jacket for the mornings and evenings, even in the summer. You’re also closer to the sun than you’re probably used to, so sunscreen is a must year-round.

There are restaurants in several of the parks’ lodges, but I recommend packing-out your lunch so that your schedule isn’t constrained by having to find a place to eat. Here’s a list of dining options in the parks. Many of these places are only open seasonally and are subject to closures and hourly changes. So always check ahead of time if an eating place is open or requires a reservation.

Where To Stay

As with all U.S. National Parks, I highly recommend staying inside the park. This will save you driving time, let you start your day earlier and end later, and often, the in-park lodging has exclusive benefits or access to the park.

I stayed at Sequoia High Sierra Camp. The hike-in glamping site is the perfect blend of luxury and rustic living. Your spacious canvas tent is lit by gas lamps and furnished with plush beds and antique furniture not too far from the bathhouse. You’ll enjoy a five-course meal every evening from the best sunset spot in the park.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks have various accommodation options – tent sites, RV parks, lodges, motels, and log cabins. And you usually need to book well in advance to secure lodging inside the park. There are also vacation homes inside and near the parks.

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This post is not a sponsored post, and, as always, the thoughts and opinions expressed in this article about a road trip to Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon are entirely my own. Some of the links in the post about a road trip to Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon are affiliate links, and, at no cost to you, I may earn a small commission from this post about a road trip to Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon.