One Day in Sequoia National park Itinerary

Looking to see the biggest trees in the world? Spend One Day in Sequoia National Park and check this one day itinerary. This Itinerary also includes highlights of Kings Canyon National Park.

Sequoia National Park is home to the General Sherman tree, the largest tree in the world.The Sequoia trees are so big and you’ll feel tiny in front of them! This shows how EPIC Sequoia National Park is!

Apart from largest trees in the World, park is filled with alpine peaks, deep canyons, and the valley, you can easily spend several days here. However, if you only have one day, you have just enough time to visit the highlights of both the Park.

We visited Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park on a road trip through California.Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks sit side by side and we were able to see a lot in one day. We started our trip from San Jose,CA and visited Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon for one day and ended our day in Oakhurst town. Next day we continued our road trip to Yosemite National Park. It is possible to visit these three national parks in one trip.

This One Day In Sequoia National Park itinerary will help you to plan your visit, best things to do, easy hikes, where to stay and places to eat for your complete one day Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park Itinerary.

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Travel Tips For Your One Day In Sequoia National Park

How Many Days Do You Need in Sequoia National Park?

Ideally One full day in the Sequoia National Park is enough to experience the major highlights of the Park including best sightseeing attractions like General Sherman Tree, Moro Rock and few hiking trails.

But to fully experience the Park, I recommend at least 2-3 days to visit all the places including nearby Kings Canyon National Park for the best experience.

Best Time to Visit Sequoia National Park

Summer Months of July to September are best time to visit Sequoia National Park when weather is warm and entire Park is accessible! During this time weather will be nice for hikes. We visited in September and it was perfect temperature wise!

However, make sure to avoid weekends if possible! Weekends and holidays in summer months tend to be crowded. You’ll get longer lines for shuttles. So a weekday would probably be best if possible.

If you’re planning to visit it during the winter months, make sure to check the road conditions before planning your one day trip to Sequoia National Park. Due to snow, you’ll still need to bring tire chains or traction devices because the weather could change through the day.

Map Of Sequoia National Park

Before visiting, it’s recommended to print out a map of Sequoia National Park. You can click here to do that. Also, you can get a paper Sequoia map when entering the park and there are maps posted everywhere for you to easily take a photo of with your phone.

Hours of Operation

Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks are open 24 hours a day 365 days per year. No Reservations needed to enter the Parks. However, road closures due to snow will limit access to several areas of the Park from October through May.

Park Entrance Fee

The National Park Service charges $35 per vehicle. This fee includes both Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park and is valid for up to 7 days. I suggest to buy America the Beautiful Pass if you’re planning your National park roadtrips throughout the year.

How to Get to Sequoia National Park

The Sequoia National Park entrance is about 3.5 hours from Los Angeles and 4.5 hours from San Francisco. Most people fly to LAX or SFO for their roadtrip.But you can also fly to Fresno, and it’s an hour drive from there.

There are TWO Main Entrances to visit the Sequoia National Park:

1. Highway 198 from Visalia via Three Rivers, CA
2. Highway 180 from Kings Canyon National Park via Fresno, CA

Inside the parks, Highway 198 becomes the Generals Highway, which connects 198 to 180. We took the Highway 198 entrance as we were coming from San Jose,CA, and left via Kings Canyon Hwy 180 via Fresno. Also note that beyond the entrance station, the HWY 198 road is narrow and winding.

Also Read: One Day in San Francisco Itinerary

Getting Around for your one day Sequoia National Park itinerary

You have only one day in Sequoia National Park, you should maximize your time in the Park. For this reason, you will spend a good amount of time both in your car and on shuttles.

Having your own vehicle is recommended, as it gives you flexibility when it comes to creating your itinerary for Sequoia and allows you to explore on your own time.

If you need to rent a car, I highly recommend using Rental Cars to quickly compare your rental options. They gives the best options !

Keep in mind, Parking is very limited at different walking and hiking trails. Also, visiting certain areas will be better via shuttles. We parked our car near the Visitor Center for the day and used free shuttle to get around the Park.

You can find full information on routes and schedules here.

Since you want to see and do a lot during the day, leave early and consider the shuttle times between activities.

There are No shuttles in Kings Canyon National Park, so you’ll need your car here.

Where to Get Gas in Sequoia and Kings Canyon

Gas in/near Sequoia Canyon National Park: The only gas station near Sequoia National Park is on Generals Highway at Three Rivers,CA. Be sure to fill up when you enter the Sequoia National Park.

Gas in/near Kings Canyon National Park: If you need to refill your gas tank, there’s only one gas station near the park without having to drive all the way down the mountain. It’s at Hume Lake, which is a man-made lake and camp on national forest grounds, about 11 miles from Grant Grove. Its gas station, general store, picnic areas, and cafe are open to the public. Other parts of the camp are exclusive to guests.

Where to Stay near Sequoia National Park

Wuksachi Lodge : Located in Sequoia’s Giant Forest area, this is a great spot to stay overnight near the giant trees. It’s nestled into the forrest and they have a dining deck, full-service restaurant, fire pits on the patio and a gift shop.

Grant Grove Cabins : If you’d prefer cabin-style accommodation, these are also located in Kings Canyon’s Grant Grove area.

Cedar Grove Lodge : Open from spring through fall, this accommodation is located in Kings Canyon’s Cedar Grove area and features comfortable rooms as well as an onsite snack bar, market, and gift shop.

There are also camping options inside the national park you could reserve, and would be really fun for a summer camping trip.

You can Also check out the Three Rivers, closest town to Sequoia National Park. There are plenty of budget options and just short drive from the Park. Lazy J Ranch, and Sierra Lodge are best budget options with highly rated reviews.

Visalia, California is the closest big city near Sequoia National Park. It offers affordable lodging, dining and activities for youe day trip to Sequoia National Park.

One Day Sequoia National Park Itinerary

Let’s start planning your ideal one-day itinerary for visiting Sequoia National Park. It’s perfectly paced for you to enjoy a cup of coffee, sit under the trees with your lunch, and enjoy the scenic drive through the mountains.

While there are a lot of things to do, I think this one covers all the highlights well and I felt perfectly content with what we prioritized to see. So I definitely recommend following this One Day Sequoia National Park itinerary, and surely you customize it as per your interests!

I’d recommend to Start your day very early or spend the night of your park visit at a hotel near Sequoia National Park.

7 AM : Breakfast in Three Rivers

Before starting your perfect one day in Sequoia National Park, fix your caffeine for the day! There’s nothing more satisfying than a cup of coffee to start your day.

Grab coffee and breakfast at Sequoia Coffee & Co. Their griddle donuts are to die for! They also serves delicious breakfast sandwiches and avocado toast. Dine in options is available or you can opt for take away.

If you prefer to dine in for breakfast, Kaweah Coffee Roasters is cozy with good coffee. Their breakfast tacos are very popular for a reason!

After a quick breakfast, we drove straight to the Ash Mountain entrance of Sequoia National Park. You’re greeted by the National Park Welcome sign, where you can pull off to admire the stunning mountain and river view before entering the park.

Park your car at Foothills Visitor Center to get the more idea about the Park. If you want your National Park Stamp, this is your chance to get it.

Afte that continue driving on Generals Highway. The drive from the Park entrance to the top of the mountain where the sequoia trees are takes almost 45 minutes. You’ll encounter lots of curves as you drive past Hospital Rock. The road is quite narrow, with lots continuous switchbacks, and most cars would have to drive slowly here!

There are a few stops along the way to make your drive easier. Here are some best stops along Generals Highway, starting from the base at 1,500 ft all the way to 6,400 ft.

• Foothills Visitor Center
• Tunnel Rock: One of Sequoia National Park’s wheelchair-accessible attractions, Tunnel Rock is a giant stone that forms an arch or gateway by resting on a neighboring rock. It’s a great spot for interesting photos.
• Hospital Rock: You can see rock paintings and view exhibits on the Native Americans who once inhabited these lands. Additionally, you can take a short hike to a waterfall.
• Amphitheater Point Viewpoint
• Vista point
• Eleven Range Overlook
• The Four Guardsmen

9 AM to 2 PM: Explore Sequoia National Park

Visit the General Sherman Tree

The General Sherman Tree is the world’s largest tree, by volume, and one of the top attractions in Sequoia National Park. If you only do one easy hike in Sequoia or Kings Canyon, be sure that you make it to the General Sherman Tree!

A few fun facts about the General Sherman Tree include:

• 275 feet tall (almost as tall as the Statue of Liberty) 
• 52,500 cubic feet in volume
• 1,385 tons in weight
• 102-foot circumference at the ground
• growing for 2,300 to 2,700 years!

You can just imagine how much human history has taken place during this one tree’s lifetime.Sequoias can live for thousands of years, which is how some of these trees are so large!

Seeing General Sherman in person was kind of overwhelming. It’s insanely massive! Take some time to appreciate this incredible natural wonder.

The General Sherman Tree is located in the Giant Forest.The Park Shuttle drops you off at General Sherman Tree Loop, a super easy half-mile loop. You’ll not only see General Sherman, but several other impressive sequoia “Twin Trees” here.

You’ll see lots of people standing in line to get a picture in front of General Sherman tree. Walk the General Sherman trail, pose for some photos — either by waiting in the long line or heading to the less-crowded back of the tree.

There are many other trails around here, too. In fact, if you’ve still got some energy you can continue on the Congress Trail, a short 2-mile loop showcasing huge sequoia trees.

Take Shuttle to the Big Tree Forest Museum

After meeting the famous General Sherman and exploring the giant Sequoias nearby, take shuttle to to the Giant Forest Museum to see exhibits on the park.

Alternatively, you can hike from Congress trail to Alta Trail, which is 2 miles long. Along this route, you’ll pass by the McKinley Tree & President trees, the Lincoln tree, a log tunnel and a beautiful meadow.

You’ll learn about the history of the trees and park here. There is a gift shop selling books, maps, and postcards, as well as a schedule of events in case you’d like to take part in a ranger-led program or hike.

Right outside of the museum there are also a few natural landmarks, like Sentinel Tree, a giant sequoia that is the 21st largest tree in Sequoia National Park. Don’t foregt to stop here in your one day Sequoia National Park Itinerary.

Across the street you’ll also see the Three Graces, a group of three giant sequoias that are extremely close together.

Hike the Big Trees Trail

The Big Trees Trail is a 1-mile paved wheelchair-accessible loop right near the Giant Forest Museum that is absolutely stunning. You’ll hike around Round Meadow, which is hugged by towering sequoia trees. It’s also considered an educational trail as there are signs sharing interesting information along the way.

Hike the Moro Rock

Apart from General Sherman Tree, hiking Moro Rock is a must on your day trip to Sequoia National Park. Moro Rock is a short but strenuous hike to a fabulous viewpoint in Sequoia National Park. The effort is well worth it for the views at the top!

To get to the top, you will climb 400 steps (0.6 miles round trip) to the summit of a granite dome.The stairs were enclosed almost the entire way up with cement or chains. We saw all ages and various capabilities at Moro Rock making it up to the top and enjoying the views.

Getting Here: On weekdays, you can drive directly to Moro Rock on Crescent Meadow Road, but Parking is limited. Consider taking the free shuttle from the Giant Forest Museum. On weekends and holidays, the road is closed to private vehicles and the only way to get here is via the shuttle. During the winter months, the road is closed, so the only way to get to Moro Rock is by hiking the 2 miles to it from the Giant Forest Museum.

Drive through the Tunnel Log

Tunnel Log is a passageway that was carved into a fallen sequoia tree. In 1937, a 21-foot-wide sequoia tree fell across the road. As it was too heavy to move, a hole was cut through it to create an arch you can drive through, hence the name Tunnel Log.

You can drive through this tunnel, but only on weekdays when Crescent Meadow Road is open. We were lucky to visit on weekday, so were able to drive through it. Otherwis you can view it from the shuttle.

You can also walk from Moro Rock. It is a 0.75-mile walk one way and should take about 15 minutes to get there.

Continue hiking to Crescent Meadow

There are so many easy hiking trails in the Sequoia National Park and this one is my absolute favorite one. The Crescent Meadow is a quiet meadow located at the end of Crescent Meadow Road. The best thing is this hike is very short and not crowded.

The hike is total 3-miles long, leisure walk through alpine forests and a meadow filled with wildflowers during the summer months.This way, you’ll get to see Cattle Cabin, Chimney Tree, Tharp’s Log, and Squatter’s Cabin.

You can continue hiking on the Huckleberry/Alta Trail and finish at Giant Forest Museum. You’ll be immersed in towering sequoia trees, verdant green meadows lush with grasses and flowers that provide an important habitat for amphibians, birds, and bees.

If you’re wondering what to do in one day in Sequoia National Park, trust me when I say you won’t want to miss this stunning trail full of natural beauty and interesting Sequoia National Park attractions!

1:30 to 2 PM: Lunch at LodgePole Visitor Center

Parking and food options are limited in the Park. The Lodgepole Visitor Center has a market where you can buy snacks, and a quick service restaurant to grab a bite to eat. You can quick have quick grab-and-go from the Peaks Restaurant at Wuksachi Lodge.

Alternatively, bring your packed lunch or sandwiches to enjoy at the picnic area outside the visitor center which is a great scenic and sunny spot to enjoy the lunch.

2 PM: Drive the Generals Highway to Kings Canyon National Park

To get to Kings Canyon National Park from Sequoia National Park, drive North from the Lodgpole Visitor Center and follow the signs for Kings Canyon National Park. Now you will be driving on Generals Highway, the scenic road that connects the two parks together.

The drive from last stop in Sequoia to first stop in Kings Canyon, Grant Grove is about 27-miles and takes 40-45 minutes of time. Along the way, you can stop at the Lost Grove, Redwood Mountain Overlook, and Kings Canyon Overlook for the views.

Kings Canyon National Park

There are two main sections to Kings Canyon: General Grant Grove and Cedar Grove/Zumwalt Meadows.

General Grant Grove is home to the largest sequoia trees in Kings Canyon National Park, including General Grant, the second largest tree in the world. Cedar Grove and Zumwalt Meadows are located in the valley of Kings Canyon. These are very s is a gorgeous place to visit in Kings Canyon.

3 PM to 6 PM: Explore Kings Canyon National Park

General Grant Grove

The only vehicular entrance into Kings Canyon is at the west side of the park near General Grant Grove. General Grant Grove is located near the entrance to Kings Canyon. The General Grant tree is the world’s second largest tree. Walk the 0.3-mile loop and feel tiny as you stand next to these giants.

Kings Canyon Panoramic Point

After walking around Grant Grove, cross Highway 180 and drive on a very narrow and curvy road to Kings Canyon Panoramic Point. It takes about 30 minutes of driving round trip to get to this point and enjoy the view.

Drive the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway

The Kings Canyon Scenic Byway is Highway 180. It is 50 miles long, starting at the Hume Lake Ranger District to Cedar Grove.

The drive from Grant Grove to Zumwalt Meadows on this road is 30 miles long and takes between 45 minutes and an hour. It is a stunningly beautiful drive, but don’t expect the wide, awe-inspiring panoramas you would see at Yosemite or Yellowstone.

The road winds along the mountains, descending down into Kings Canyon. There are several spots for photos at the scenic overlooks.

Zumwalt Meadows and Cedar Grove

At the end of the Scenic Byway is a parking area. Park your car and walk the flat trail into the Zumwalt Meadows. You are now down in the heart of Kings Canyon, with the mountains all around.

From Zumwalt Meadows, travel back on kings Canyon Scenic Byway and arrive at The Big Stump Grove.

Big Stump Grove

This is one of the best short hike in Kings Canyon National Park.The trail is famous for Mark Twain Stump.The big tree itself was cut down in the early 1900s, and after that, a small set of steps was added to it to make it the picnic tree stump that is affectionately known as today. 

Dinner at Grant Grove Restaurant

To finish off your one day in Sequoia National Park, you can choose to have dinner at Grant Grove Restaurant or drive to nearby town Fresno. As we were driving to Yosemite, we we chose the later.

Exit the Park

From Grant Grove, we drove west Generals Highway, via Ekings Canyon Road, and exited the Kings Canyon National Park, and drove to Fresno. Fresno is big size Californian town with lots of options for accommodations and restaurants, very close to the Park entrance.

Sequoia National Park Tours

Looking to explore Sequoia National Park and its surroundings with a guide? Here are a few highly-rated experiences:

Have More than One Day in Sequoia National Park?

If you’ve more than one day in the Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park, consider these more hiking trail options:

• Crystal Cave : This is one of the best parts of Sequoia National Park! Open in summer only, visitors can go into a stunning marble karst cave. It’s mandatory to buy tickets to the cave at least 36 hours in advance.
• Tokopah Falls : This moderate 4-mile out-and-back trail takes you to a beautiful (seasonal) waterfall.
• Beetle Rock : This easy, paved 0.5-mile trail takes you to Beetle Rock for beautiful views of the western edge of Sequoia NP and the San Joaquin Valley below.
• Little Baldy Trail: This moderate 3.3-mile out-and-back trail is known for its beautiful wildflowers and stunning 360-degree views from the top.
• Sunset Rock : This easy 2-mile out-and-back trail takes you to a granite dome offering panoramic views that are perfect for sunset.

Frequently Asked Questions about one day sequoia National Park Itinerary

Are Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks worth visiting?

Yes, absolutely. The Sequoias are one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited. These big, beautiful trees will stay in your memories forever!

Can I Visit Sequoia National Park In One Day?

Yes, it is possible to visit Sequoia National Park in one day. You can expereince the park’s best sightseeing places and few hiking trails in a day. If you have more time, you can continue exploring more of the park.

What is Better, Sequoia or Kings Canyon?

I will say both the Parks are better each of their own! While Sequoia National Park is all about giant trees, Kings Canyon is more about valleys, waterfalls and Peaks. And the Generals Highway will take you directly from Sequoia National Park into Kings Canyon. Also, with one entry Pass you can visit both the national parks.But personally, I loved Sequoia more.

What is the prime attraction of Sequoia National Park?

Sequoia National Park is famous for its giant sequoia trees, including General Sherman tree,the largest tree on Earth by volume. The General Sherman tree is located in the Giant Forest, where there are five of the ten largest trees in the world! You can’t miss this biggest attraction of the Park.

Are the Redwoods National Park and Sequoias National Park the same?

Sequoia National Park is located in central California, and is known for having the largest tree by volume, General Sherman. The Redwoods National Park is along the north western coast of California, and is known for having the tallest tree in the world. The two are often confusing, but they are over 500 miles apart.

How far apart are Sequoia and Kings Canyon?

Both the Parks sits right next to each other. However, it takes about an hour to drive the 30 miles between the main parts of either park, from General Sherman tree in Sequoia to Grant Tree in Kings Canyon.

Can You Drive From Sequoia to Yosemite?

During the summer months, the Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks are connected by Generals Highway. During the winter Generals Highway remains closed. It is 3 hrs drive from Foothills Visitor center to Yosemite Valley.

Can you do Yosemite and Sequoia in a day?

Absolutey NO! I don’t recommend this. Both the Parks 3 hours drive apart but their area is very large. You can’t see even highlights in just one single day! You’ll just sit in the car whole day if trying to do this! You’ll need atleast 2-3 days to visit both.

Where is the Best Place to Enter the Sequoia National Park?

Ash Mountain Entramce via Three Rivers is best place to enter the Sequoia National Park(HWY 198). Alternatively, you can enter via Kings Canyon through Big Stump entrance.

Is there a scenic drive through Sequoia National Park?

Yes, there is Sequoia Scenic Drive. It is a 47-mile long that passes through Sequoia National Park in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains via Generals Highway. This route takes you past the largest trees on Earth, including General Sherman Tree, and provides stunning views of deep canyons and sparkling lakes. It starts at foothills visitor center in Sequoia National park and ends at Kings Canyon Visitor Center in Grant Grove Village.

Can you visit the Sequoia NP in the winter?

Yes, you can visit the Sequoia National Park in winter months and see some of the main attractions and stunning views! However, you should check for road conditions and be prepared for potential chain requirements. Snow can fall suddenly at high elevations, so it’s important to be extra prepared.AWD or 4WD vehicles are prefrred for winter drive.

Concluding 1-day Sequoia National Park itinerary 

There’s nothing like getting close with these giant Sequoias through various hiking trails. You can either follow the easy trails, or include more notable trees and meadow loops. It is perfect for every type of traveler. If you’re visiting it for one day, just follow this itinerary for the best experience.

If you have more than one day, consider checking out more hiking trails in Sequoia National Park. The Park is great to add in your California Roadtrip Itinerary.

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