Note that some of the smaller roads like the road to Kings Canyon Panoramic Point are closed in winter. All individual tours come with lifetime validity. Past the falls trail (which also features great overlooks and wildflowers patches), youll arrive at Amphitheater Point and Generals Highway Lookout, the first of many astonishing vistas along your route. 5 reasons why Death Valley should be the next national park you visit. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. The Giant Forest Museum should be your first stop with kids to learn about the history of Sequoia National Park. Cheers, Julie. I had planned to take my two but decided against it after learning about some questionable handrails. 93% of travelers recommend this experience. Sequoia National Park is home to the General Sherman tree, the largest tree in the world. While Moro Rock, one of the most famous hikes in the park is closed during winter, you can still hike along the road in search of Auto Log and Tunnel Log. With 12 tours across the state, our value-for-money California bundle (priced at just $39.99) gives you the flexibility to see all the top sights in the state at your own pace. Junior Ranger Remember to pick up a Junior Ranger booklet for kids ages 5 and older to complete during your time in the park for a Junior Ranger Badge. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it also houses a gift shop. If you are looking for more seclusion and off the beaten path adventures, consider Kings Canyon. We aim to inspire families to explore where and when they can even if its in their own city! Along the way, you can stop at the Grant Grove Restaurant (Kings Canyon) or at the Lodgepole Deli (Sequoia) for lunch. Driving in Sequoia National Park in Winter, 7 Things to Do in Sequoia National Park in Winter. As you tour this jaw-dropping primeval forest, you'll learn about the area's early inhabitants, from the Paiute tribe to . Witness the giant sequoias in all their majesty, including General Sherman, the most massive living thing on the planet. These giant trees attract quite the crowd. Even if you stay right outside the park entrance, you still have over an hour of elevation to conquer to get to the big Sequoia trees, switching back and forth, making complete u-turns next to giant RVs and cars pulling boats. After that, youll arrive at Moro Rock, a 300-foot dome sticking out of the forest, which provides a stupendous opportunity for unbeatable views. During our visit, even a week after the last snowstorm, there were areas of the road towards the Lodgepole Market and beyond that were still a bit icy. In this itinerary, the most crowded spots will be the General Sherman Tree, the General Grant Tree, and Moro Rock. Wolverton Meadows is about 2 miles from the General Sherman Tree. Changing travel date? Our day started in Mariposa, located just outside of Yosemite National Park. I did, with several of my stupid friends! Learn how to plan for a wait at the entrance station. However, be prepared for somewhat narrow lanes compared to other major national park roads, construction delays and steep drop-offs on the sides of the road with no guardrails : |. Fresno to Sequoia National Park - Sequoia Shuttle No visit to Sequoia National Park in winter or summer is complete without stopping by to say hello to General Sherman. Our adventure to Sequoia National Park with kids was the highlight of the year! For those wanting to center their visit around the giant sequoias, its good to note that this trail has almost no sequoias. Take I-80 E to I-580 E. Continue onto I-205 E, merge onto I-5 N. Take CA-120 E to CA-99 S. Then take exit 133B onto CA-180 E. Continue to the Big Stump entrance of Kings Canyon National Park. The Generals Highway is the main (and only) paved road running through Sequoia National Park from the north to south entrances. If you visit during a snowstorm, expect even colder temperatures. Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks sit side by side in central California. Is the drive to Sequoia National Park scary? We are a GPS-enabled app-based tour that narrates information based on your location right on your phone. Take I-80 W towards Sacramento. To get to Sequoia National Park from Kings Canyon, drive south past Grant Grove and follow the signs for Sequoia National Park. Box 89, Sequoia Rentals of chains are available in Three Rivers if you are arriving from that area. Overall, we had the best time at Sequoia National Park. What restaurants are near Generals Highway? Take exit 133B onto CA-180 E. Continue to the Big Stump entrance of Kings Canyon National Park. We visited Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park on a road trip through California. During our recent visit we had chilly 32 degree mornings with warmer afternoons reaching up into the low 50s. Otherwise you will have to drive to Grants Grove in Kings Canyon NP to the next restaurant (25 miles north of Wuksachi). Here you can visit the General Grant tree. 4. Is it worth it? Sequoia groves and snowplay areas are located at higher elevations, often with icy, slick conditions in the morning. Not only is the General Sherman massive in size, it will also be the tree with a crowd of people standing around it. The 50-mile route, which is full of twists and turns, takes visitors into one of the deepest canyons in North America. Continue to the Ash Mountain entrance of Sequoia National Park. For maps, detailed descriptions and driving itineraries, see the National Park Service's Sequoia & Kings Canyon website, and navigate to its Summer Drives and Viewpoints pages. There is a possibility the Generals' Highway might still be closed, though. How scary are the roads in KCNP and SNP? - Sequoia and - Tripadvisor If you are visiting during winter you have to be prepared for both sunny, clear days as well as cloudy, overcast snowy days. You start at the iconic Sequoia sign, past tunnel rock and then twist and climb up the mountain. 47050 Generals Hwy # 10, Three Rivers, CA 93271, Tour of California Self-Guided Driving Bundle, Joshua Tree National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour, Ultimate Lake Tahoe Self-Guided Driving Tour, Pacific Coast Highway & Big Sur Self-Guided Driving Tour. Learn how to plan for a wait at the entrance station. You dont need to get all fancy and order Sorel boots (but you can if you want! Across the highway is the trailhead for the hike to Buena Vista Peak (one mile).The drive continues southeast, reaching Stony Creek Lodge in seven miles (groceries and gas available). The transit was nice because of the big windows; everyone got a great view, and we even took pics out of the windows. Waterproof Outer Layers: If you plan on doing any winter hiking, or snow play, you will want waterproof hiking pants (these are also great) and a waterproof jacket. If there is snow falling or fresh powder, considering bringing ski goggles as well to keep your eyes clear during sledding! One of the best drives in the NPS. 47050 Generals Highway Its home to General Sherman, the worlds largest tree. This is a great time to visit California! Visitors call it breathtaking and beautiful, but they also caution that. Crescent Meadow is a quiet meadow located at the end of Crescent Meadow Road. From the world's largest trees to a gorge deeper than the Grand Canyon - adventure awaits in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks. Continue to the Ash Mountain entrance of Sequoia National Park. Travel Bloggers Influencer Network #TBIN, What to Pack for Winter in Sequoia National Park, Holiday Volunteering in Los Angeles with Kids, Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide For Outdoor Kids For 2022, 7 Unique Things to Do at Fishermans Wharf in San Francisco, 13 Affordable But Spectacular Things To Do In Page Arizona, Ultimate Guide to the Best Hiking in Los Angeles (2023), Yosemite in Winter: Everything You Need to Know to Visit Californias Most Popular Park (2023), Hiking the John Muir Trail: Everything You Need to Know for 2023. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. The highway is notoriously steep, narrow, winding, and difficult to drive, especially its southern section from Hospital Rock to Giant Forest within Sequoia National Park. This is one of the roads that runs through the two parks, you have to take this road to see any of the vistas, hikes, attractions. Were planning a trip to Pinnacles, Kings Canyon/Sequoia, Yosemite, Death Valley, and Joshua Tree this spring very late March to early April. The actual park entrance is about 4 hours away, but it takes about 1 hour of driving through the park to get to the central area where most of the campgrounds/sites are. Learn about the wildlife you might find in the park, both great and small. We were here on a Saturday so we had to take the shuttle. Snow Boots: One of the most important things to have during any winter visit to Sequoia is decent winter boots. Vehicle length limits and advisories are in place on many park roads, including the Generals Highway from the foothills to Giant Forest. Alternatively, there are plenty of spots to capture photos of Moro Rock, rather than climb it. Check our our USA Road Trip Guide for travel ideas and sample itineraries. Use Highway 198 to enter Sequoia National Park, and Highway 180 to reach Kings Canyon National Park. Its easy to get disoriented while spending your time looking around at the scenery. Cedar Grove and Zumwalt Meadows are located in the valley of Kings Canyon. We liked being here since there were a lot of restaurants to choose from and the next day we drove to San Diego. n audio guide, map, and tour book all in one app! Layers, layers, layers is what everyone always says for any winter destination and Sequoia is no different. How do rate a park road? Stroll a lovely meadow trail and hear how it got its name. There are interactive sign boards along the walk that explain the area during the summer (its a marsh!). To the south, explore the Giant Forest Museum, Visitor Center and Moro Rock. Arrive early to avoid crowds. It may seem obvious, but make sure your car is filled up before entering the park as youll be doing a lot of mountain driving. During high season, the lines can be super long. Warm Under Layers: Under your waterproof outer layers, make sure to have your wool thermals, wool socks and perhaps a sweater or fleece depending on the temperatures. In less than 10 miles, the road loses more than 3,000 feet in elevation, and the air temperature rises substantially. A travel obsessed mom and a nature obsessed son exploring at home in Southern California as well as throughout the world looking for adventure, nature and a little luxury too! Trek to a grove filled with plenty more ancient and enormous sequoias. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Park rangers will turn guests away once the park reaches capacity, so it is advised to go early especially on weekends or holidays. It is roughly 50 miles from the south entrance to the road junction leading to the north entrance/exit (which is actually in Kings Canyon National Park). There are two areas within the park for snow play and sledding depending which side of the park you are on. 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Driving to Sequoia National Park is not for the faint of heart or stomach. Driving to Sequoiascary ASF? : r/Bakersfield - Reddit Overall, this drive must be completed on any trip to Sequoia National Park. No gasoline is available in the national parks, though nearby national forests have gas stations. Hear how park rangers keep the wildlife of Kings Canyon safe from extinction. Not to be missed is the Foothills Visitor Center, which opens at 8 am and is just a short drive after entering the park. This audio tour provides interesting facts and history for both parks. Find out why obsidian has been so important to archaeologists working in the Sierra Nevada. Id like to do some late-night astrophotography from Moro Rock this summer. The National Park Service charges $35 for a vehicle pass. Take I-805 N or I-5 N to CA-99N toward Bakersfield/Fresno. Drive four miles south to Redwood Mountain Overlook and stop to look southward over the 3,400-acre Redwood Mountain Grove, the worlds largest remaining stand of sequoias. There are two main sections to Kings Canyon: General Grant Grove and Cedar Grove/Zumwalt Meadows. 93271, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Avoid routes that direct you onto unpaved roads, which may be rugged, gated, closed seasonally, or only suitable for 4WD or AWD vehicles. Although summer is the best time to . USA ROAD TRIPS: Planning your next big adventure in the USA? In addition to shoes and socks that will hold up to water and hiking, make sure everyone packs a lightweight jacket or zip up for when they get chilly in the shade, in caves or at higher elevations.