We experienced the best sights on a Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park day trip after our 3 days in Yosemite National Park. The two parks are located roughly an hour east of Fresno in northern California. If you want to take your time and see both parks in their entirety, then you should split this trip into 2 separate days. However, if you want to see the parks as a busy Kings Canyon and Sequoia day trip, follow this itinerary to see the highlights of both parks. To meet this task, be prepared to wake up early and get back late.
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Free Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon Itinerary
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How to Get to Sequoia and Kings Canyon from Yosemite
During our Yosemite trip, we stayed at the Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn at the South Entrance of Yosemite. We stayed at this location because it is the closest to Sequoia and Kings Canyon. Even so, it takes a full 2 hours to drive from the South Entrance to Kings Canyon. Therefore, I highly recommend that you pull away from your hotel no later than 6:00 am. Head south on CA-41 for about an hour until you reach Fresno, California. From here, head east on CA-180 until you reach the entrance of the parks.
How Much Does it Cost to Enter Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
The entry pass into Sequoia and Kings Canyon is $35 per vehicle and is good for 7 consecutive days. Sequoia and Kings Canyon parks are connected, so you only have to pay one entry fee for both parks. Depending on how often you visit U.S. National Parks, you may want to consider purchasing an annual America the Beautiful park pass, which will allow you into all national parks for a year. Also, if you have a 4th grader in your household, you can get a family pass to the national parks that is good for a year. Find out more about that benefit here.
General Grant Loop Trail
Start your day with a short, 0.5-mile walk among the giant sequoia trees. Here you will find General Grant, the second largest tree in the world by volume. President Coolidge proclaimed this tree to be the nation’s Christmas tree in 1926. Also on your walk, see the historic Gamlin Cabin and walk through a hollow, fallen tree.
Panoramic Point
One of the best parts of Panoramic Point is the drive to get there. Two-way traffic driving on a one-lane dirt road, up the side of a mountain with hairpin turns make this drive quite the adventure. Then, walk a short 0.5-mile loop to Panoramic Point for views of Kings Canyon and Hume Lake.
Kings Canyon Scenic Byway
From Panoramic Point, begin driving the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway for 50 miles of spectacular views of the canyon and Kings River below. Allow plenty of time for pullouts and marvel at the massiveness of this lesser known canyon. You will drive along this road to and from Zumwalt Meadows.
Zumwalt Meadows Loop
Zumwalt Meadows trail is an easy 0.8-mile loop near Road’s End on the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway. On this hike you will cross Kings River, climb granite walls, meander by lush meadows, and view tall granite mountains. This was my favorite hike of the day. After completing the hike, we ate an early packed lunch at the picnic area near the parking lot.
General Sherman Tree
The General Sherman Tree is the world’s largest tree by volume. General Sherman stands at 275 feet tall and 36 feet in diameter at its base. Be sure to stay on the paved path to protect these iconic trees and their root systems from soil erosion.
From the main parking area, the General Sherman Tree trail is 1-mile roundtrip and is the pinnacle of your 1 day in Sequoia National Park. The walk to the tree is all downhill which means you will have an uphill climb to get back to your car. There is a closer parking area for people with disabilities that has a wheelchair accessible trail to the tree. During shuttle season, you can take a shuttle to this closer parking area to reduce your walking time.
Moro Rock
This popular granite dome offers great views of Sequoia National Park. Even though the walk is only 0.4 miles, it is not an easy hike. You will have to traverse over 350 stone and concrete steps to reach the top of Moro Rock.
Tunnel Log
The fallen Tunnel Log of Sequoia National Park fell across the Crescent Meadow Road in the 1930s due to natural causes. A tunnel was cut through the fallen tree as a tourist attraction, and visitors can drive their vehicle through the giant log. The tunnel is 17 feet wide and 8 feet tall. If your vehicle is too large to drive through, you can take the bypass road that loops around the tree.
Crescent Meadow Loop
Finish your Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park day trip with a nice 1.7-mile loop by Crescent Meadow and through giant trees. You will pass by Tharp’s Log, which is a log cabin built in a fallen Sequoia tree in 1861. For your safety, however, you cannot enter the cabin. You will also pass by Chimney Tree where you can sit inside the tree for great photo opportunities.
As your day comes to an end, enjoy the drive back to your hotel whether you are staying in Fresno, near Yosemite, or wherever your next destination takes you.
Believe it or not, I liked Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks better than the more popular Yosemite National Park. Kings Canyon was so impressive, and the giant Sequoia trees were more plentiful here than in Yosemite. If I had to do over again, I would stay longer than just a Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park day trip to fully explore the area.
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