Things To See in Sequoia and Kings Canyon: 2-Day Itinerary
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Kings Canyon and Sequoia are two majestic national parks in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. The two parks and the adjacent Sequoia National Forest combine to create a superpark that is roughly twice the size of Delaware.
Things to See in Sequoia and Kings Canyon: (Jump To)
With over 800 miles of trails, it would truly take a lifetime to explore the entirety of both parks. We only had a weekend to see the parks from our hotel based in the small nearby town of Porterville. Be prepared for loads of driving. If possible, it’s well worth the extra expense to get a cabin or bed and breakfast inside the park.
Here is a list, in no particular order, of the top sights we encountered during our brief visit.
Avalanche Canyon
After traversing a seemingly impassible terrain California State Route 180 finally calls it quits at the entrance to Avalanche Canyon. From here many backwoods explorers and multi-day hikers leave for days in the expansive wilderness beyond the canyon.
From the parking area at Kanawyers, we took a four-mile trek via the Bubbs Creek Trail through the canyon to the Bailey Bridge and then looped back. The flat hike on the canyon floor is surrounded by a 360-degree mountain panorama.
Roaring River Falls
A gushing waterfall that you can hear long before you can see it, Roaring River Falls is easy to see following a 0.3-mile hike on a paved path from a parking area along SR 180.
Grizzly Falls
Depending on the season and the prior year’s snowpack and precipitation the flow of Grizzly Falls can be quite epic. During our late summer visit, the flow had dwindled to a trickle. It was fun to imagine the massive falls at full flow. We used the small picnic area to eat the lunch we packed for the day.
Junction View
Junction View is a great roadside pull-off in Kings Canyon. From here you can see the Kings River at the base of the valley along with a view of both forks of Kings Canyon. It’s the last stop on the top of the canyon before driving the winding and steeply graded road to the canyon floor.
General Grant
The parks are home to some of the biggest trees in the world. It is literally impossible to comprehend the size of these trees until you stand beneath them. Photographs cannot properly capture the massive scope and size.
The Grant Grove is located in Kings Canyon. A short and easy trail is accessed from an expansive parking lot. The grove is home to many large Sequoia trees. The General Grant Tree, the second largest tree in the world, is on full display as it has been for over 16 centuries.
The tree was declared the Nation’s Christmas Tree about 100 years ago by President Coolidge. Sadly, no one bothers to cover it with lights for the holidays.
General Sherman
Not to be outdone, just down the road, you’ll find The General Sherman Tree. By volume, it is the largest living tree on the planet. At its base, the tree’s diameter measures a staggering 36 feet with a circumference of 103 feet. It is an astonishing sight.
Congress Trail
Beyond the General Sherman, the Congress Trail is an easy paved loop and a must-see in the park. Nowhere else in the world can you see so many enormous trees in such a small area. Along the way, signs mark the named trees that hold both historic significance and those that hold records for size and girth. The #3 largest tree, The President, is along the trail among others.
Crystal Cave
A surprise in a park best known for its above-ground features, Crystal Cave is an underground marble canyon that can be explored on guided group tours during the summer months. Tickets are best purchased online in advance.
Crescent Meadow
Crescent Meadow is a pleasant 1.7-mile loop trail following the tree line around a green meadow near the Three Rivers region. During the quiet and flat hike, we encountered beautiful wildflowers and an adorable black bear rummaging in the forest.
Moro Rock
Climbing to the top of the granite-domed Moro Rock is not for the faint of heart. It’s a largely unshaded steep but short 350 steps. The trail is lined with handrails making it easy to climb safely. The unique hike and the views from the top make the heart-pounding climb worth the pain.
Another great Southern California National Park is Death Valley. Check out our two-day road trip Itinerary.
Things To See in Kings Canyon and Sequoia:
Avalanche Canyon
Roaring River Falls
Grizzly Falls
Junction View
General Grant
General Sherman
Congress Trail
Crystal Cave
Crescent Meadow
Moro Rock
