The parks are more noted for the stands of
Giant Sequoia, which are also located in the surrounding Sequoia National Forest. Along with your fellow
visitors, you will gaze in awe at these trees -- the
largest living things on earth. In addition to the
gigantic trees, the parks abound with scenic splendor:
deep, wide canyons; racing mountain rivers; 14,000 foot
peaks; 900 miles of trails. The two parks offer many
chances for recreation, including riding, camping, and
Nordic skiing.
How to Get There
The parks are accessible from two
directions. The easiest road for driving is the northern
route, via Highway 180, which leads from Fresno. The
southern access route is Highway 198, from Visalia. The
extremely steep ascent on the southern highway has many
sharp switchbacks. For RV and Trailer owners, it's much
easier on the nerves (and the health of you and your
vehicle) to stick to the northern access road for coming
and going. For people with cars and pickups, the route
down the mountain from Sequoia National Park is a fine
adventure.
What to See and Do
Kings Canyon National Park
Three major areas in the parks attract most
visitors, and all are accessible by car. As you enter
Kings Canyon National Park, from the west on Highway
180, you're quickly in Grant Grove, which was
originally named General Grant National Park (in 1890),
and renamed when the park was expanded in 1940. This is
the home of General Grant Tree, named the
"Nation's Christmas Tree" by Congress. Ceremonies are
held at the tree each December.
Named El Rio de los Santos Reyes, The
River of Holy Kings, by Spanish explorers, the Kings River has two forks which rage through their
own canyons. Only the south canyon is easily accessible
to visitors, and the King's Canyon Highway leads
east to the South Fork and the Cedar Grove area.
This is mountain drama of high excitement, with the South
Fork descending through the Grand Canyon of the
Kings. Above the 4,500 foot line, the gorge becomes a
flatter glacial valley, with Cedar Grove Village situated here. The 36-mile drive to the "End of the Road"
turnaround offers temptation to spending several days in
this area.
Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park covers a vast area of
High Sierra peaks and canyons, with only tiny sections
accessible by car. The most popular site, the Giant
Forest, is located along the General's Highway, south
of Kings Canyon National Park, via a short stretch of
highway that runs through Sequoia National Forest. The
star of this grove is the General Sherman Tree --
the world's largest. Visitor facilities are located in
this area, including the Lodgepole Visitor Center,
and facilities in Giant Forest Village. Attractions in
this part of the park include guided tours of Crystal
Cave, an underground delight which is open during the
summer months. Tickets for the tour are purchased at
Lodgepole Visitor Center. There's a picnic area on Moro
Rock/Crescent Meadow Road, 2.6 miles from Giant Forest
Village. Facilities in this area are being moved and
rebuilt, in keeping with the Parks Service policy of
removing overnight lodges and other facilities from the
most scenic areas, so it is best to phone ahead for
information, and to make reservations (go to Where
to Stay)
Off the Generals Highway, via a 30-mile
road, is the Mineral King Area. This excursion
offers a great backroad drive to an alpine valley which
was the subject of intense controversy in the 1960s.
Previously, the valley had been a mining region, and then
a rustic vacation community, but when the Walt Disney
folks got together with the Forest Service to plan a huge
destination ski resort, tempers rose. Many people felt
that such a small, fragile valley could not support
developments on that scale. After more than a decade of
acrimony -- with the Sierra Club weighing in for the
battle -- Congress decided to end the issue by annexing
the Mineral King area to Sequoia National Park. The
unique natural beauty of the valley, with its chains of
small lakes, and breathtaking views, has been preserved
for all to enjoy.
Kings Canyon Trails
For panoramic views, climb the Buena
Vista Trail, leading west from the Generals Highway
-- the trailhead is south of Kings Canyon Overlook. This
is a one-mile hike to the top of the peak, with views of
the Sierra Crest, Kings Canyon, and Redwood Canyon.
The Mist Falls Trail starts near
Zumwalt Meadows, in the eastern end of the Cedar Grove
area. This 4-mile trail passes The Sphinx, a massive
stone formation, and ends at the wispy waterfall.
For hardy hikers, the ten-mile walk along
the Sugarbowl/Redwood Canyon Trail, through
impressive Kings Canyon country. The hike begins on
Sugarbowl Trail, connecting with Redwood Canyon Trail,
passing the Hart Tree -- at 280 feet, the tallest of the
Giant Sequoias -- on the Hart Tree Loop.
Sequoia Trails
From the trailhead at the Lodgepole
Campground, the Tokopah Falls Trail runs through
Tokopah Valley, following the flow of the Marble Fork of
the Kaweah River. Pear Lake Trail also begins at
this campground, climbs beside Emerald Lake, and through
meadows to a valley filled with small lakes.
Fine views of the Sierra peaks are
available from Little Baldy, reached by a trail
that starts at Baldy Saddle, along Generals Highway, 1.1
miles south of Giant Forest.
For communing with giant sequoias, you can't beat Muir Grove Trail. Start from the trailhead just
beyond the Dorst Campground, north of Lodgepole. Walk for
two miles through a magnificent grove of the giants.
The Mineral King area is a wonderful place
to walk, with two trails available, beginning at the same
trailhead near the end of Mineral King Road. Sawtooth
Pass Trail leads three miles, following Monarch
Creek, to Groundhog Meadow, where the trail crosses the
creek and climbs through pine forest to the Monarch
Lakes. Timber Gap Trail leads four miles through a
red fir forest, crosses a ridge, and then enters
beautiful meadow lands beside Meadow Gap Creek.
Camping in the Parks
Kings Canyon -- Grant Grove Area
Azalea, Crystal Springs, and Sunset
campgrounds are found at Grant Grove. Azalea has a dump
station, and groups may reserve at Sunset. Otherwise, all
campgrounds are filled on a first come, first served
basis.
Cedar Grove Area
Four campground are located in this area,
to the east of Grant Grove, in the Kings Canyon scenic
region. These are Sentinel, Sheep Creek, Canyon View, and
Moraine. Canyon View takes reservations for organized
groups. Sheep Creek has a dump station.
Sequoia -- Southern Foothills Area
Buckeye Flats, Potwisha, and South Fork
campgrounds are found in this area, accessed by the
Generals Highway. Potwisha has a dump station.
Sequoia -- Mineral King Area
Atwell and Cold Springs campgrounds are
both found along Mineral King Road, west of the ranger
station. No trailers are permitted at either campground.
Sequoia -- Lodgepole Area
Lodgepole and Dorst campgrounds are here --
off the Generals Highway. Both campgrounds have dump
stations. Lodgepole sites can normally be booked.
Special Camping Note:
A reservations service is in effect for
campsites in many national parks. For information, go to this page.
