Looking for the most comprehensive 1 day Sequoia National Park itinerary? We got you! Living just 4 hours away from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, we decided to squeeze both parks into a day. We visited the park in October to avoid the summer crowds. This was a 3-day trip, with 1 full day to explore the park and the other 2 days spent on the road.
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1 Day Sequoia National Park Itinerary
Being the oldest national park in California, Sequoia National Park also has some the oldest sequoia trees in the world. Here’s what we did in a day and when we drove to each stop:
- Giant Forest Museum – 9:30am
- Moro Rock Trail – 10:00 am
- Tunnel Log – 10:40 am
- General Sherman Tree – 11:15 am
- Lunch at Peaks Restaurant in Wuksachi Lodge – 12:00 pm
- Lost Grove – 1:50 pm
- Kings Canyon Overlook – 2:15 pm
- General Grant Tree – 2:45 pm
- Panoramic Point Trail – 3:30 pm
- Redwood Mountain Overlook – 4:20 pm
- Amphitheater Point Viewpoint – 5:30 pm
- Hospital Rock – 6:00 pm
- Tunnel Rock – 6:20 pm
1. Giant Forest Museum
We recommend visiting the Giant Forest Museum first. Check out exhibits like the life cycle of giant sequoias as well as the rich history of the area.
You can also stand inside an exhibit that looks like a burnt Sequoia. The museum also has a gift shop and an info desk where you can ask questions to the park rangers.
There are flush toilets on the right side of the museum. I have a phobia for vault toilets so I’m always on the lookout for flush ones.
⏰ Stop Duration: 15 – 20 minutes
🚘 Drive To Next Stop: 6 minutes
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2. Moro Rock Trail
Next on our itinerary is the Moro Rock Trail, a short but challenging hike with over 350 steps to the top. Moro Rock is a granite dome that stands alone at 6,725 feet or 2,050 meters.
The entire hike is only 0.5 mile but with 183 feet of elevation gain. It is a workout! I was out of breath on the way up. But the 360 panoramic views at the peak are breathtaking, especially on a clear day.
As you hike up to the top of Moro Rock, you’ll navigate narrow areas, making way for hikers coming down and with views of the valleys, canyons and distant horizons. Even though this hike is intense, it’s one of the BEST hikes in SEKI.
⏰ Stop Duration: 30 minutes
🚘 Drive To Next Stop: 4 minutes
3. Tunnel Log
Tunnel Log is a passageway carved out from a fallen sequoia on Crescent Meadow Road. People and vehicles can drive through the log. We drove from Moro Rock parking lot area to Tunnel Log but you can also hike there.
Tunnel Log doesn’t have a parking lot (you just park along the side of the road) so if there aren’t any spots, you can just walk from Moro Rock – it’s a 15 minute walk one way. For a better photo, climb on top of the Tunnel Log.
⏰ Stop Duration: 10-15 minutes
🚘 Drive To Next Stop: 15 minutes
4. General Sherman Tree
The General Sherman Tree is the world’s largest living tree. This tree is 275 feet tall and 36.5 feet wide at the base.
There are 2 options to walk to the General Sherman Tree: the Sherman Tree Trail from the general parking lot or a shorter trail from the parking lot in front of entrance. The General Sherman Tree trail is an easy 1.2-mile out and back trail with 196 feet elevation.
The entrance parking lot has accessible spots and will take you to General Sherman Tree on a paved trail. Luckily, we found a spot at this parking lot so we could get to this attraction quicker.
There was a long line if you wanted to a solo picture with the General Sherman Tree so if you want a photo, account for an additional 15-20 minutes. We just took a quick selfie and a couple of photos of the attraction then walked back.
On the way back, stop at the Sequoia Tunnel – it looks like a mini Tunnel Log. The trail might be slippery due to rain or snow so walk cautiously.
If you’d like to explore the area more, you can hike the Congress Trail. It’s 2.9 miles with a 462 feet elevation gain. It might be difficult to fit this trail into the 1 day itinerary since there’s more to do but if you’re spending 2 days or more, add it in!
⏰ Stop Duration: 30 minutes
🚘 Drive To Next Stop: 15 minutes
5. Lunch at Peaks Restaurant in Wuksachi Lodge
We decided to have lunch at Peaks Restaurant in Wuksachi Lodge as it was on the way to our next stop and we wanted to save time by eating in the park.
If you go there for dinner, you can enjoy your meal inside the restaurant. But when it’s lunchtime, you’ll be eating outside on their deck. This will change in the winter season but since the weather was warm in October, the deck was open.
For our lunch, we each got a chicken salad sandwich that was wrapped in a spinach wrap, a house green salad and a fruit cup. I wouldn’t say it was delicious but it gave us energy for the next few hours. The place has other choices like pizza that’s yummier but it looked too large for us to finish.
Peaks Restaurant can get pretty busy around lunchtime. Be ready to wait in line to order your food, wait for your order number to be called, and then eat. Plus, you can find restrooms inside the lodge. There’s also a gift shop while you’re there.
⏰ Stop Duration: 1.5 hours
🚘 Drive To Next Stop: 20 minutes
6. Lost Grove
Lost Grove is an old sequoia grove that you can see right from the road. When you’re driving through, the giant sequoias start to pop up out of nowhere, and before you know it, you’re surrounded by these massive trees.
Lost Grove is a good place to take photos without a bunch of tourists around, since most of them just drive by. The trees are right behind a fence, but you’ll usually see some tourists walking past the fence to get a closer look.
It’s definitely worth stopping the car for a few minutes to enjoy the view. You might also see deer around the grove.
⏰ Stop Duration: 10 minutes
🚘 Drive To Next Stop: 15 minutes
7. Kings Canyon Overlook
At this overlook, you’ll see a display that points out mountain peaks to look out for like the Spanish Mountain, Tombstone Ridge, Mt. Reinstein, and Mt. Goddard. Sometimes it gets foggy, but King Canyon Overlook still looks pretty in a mystical kind of way.
If you’ve got another day to spend here, think about hiking up the Buena Vista Peak Trail. It’s a 2-mile out-and-back trail with an elevation of 393 feet. The starting point is just across the road from the overlook, and when you get to the top, the views are even more amazing!
⏰ Stop Duration: 10 minutes
🚘 Drive To Next Stop: 15 minutes
8. General Grant Tree
The General Grant Tree is like a celebrity of the forest – it’s the 2nd biggest tree on Earth and people call it the nation’s Christmas tree. It’s massive, standing at 267 feet tall, and it’s really wide too, with a circumference of 107.6 feet. This tree has been around for about 1,650 years!
In October, this spot was popular, but it’s not super crowded. It’s easy to visit, with broad paths that slowly go uphill, making it a slightly moderate walk. The trail to see the General Grant Tree is a 1/3-mile paved loop trail.
On your way there, you’ll find the Gamlin Cabin, which has been around since 1872. It was made by Israel Gamlin and his brother who looked after cattle in the mountains. Later on, it became a storehouse for the U.S. Cavalry and then home to the very 1st park ranger.
Then there’s the Centennial Stump, which is a tree stump with a 24-foot diameter. Back in 1875, they cut this tree down and sent a piece of it to a big exhibition in Philadelphia, but people didn’t believe it was real – they thought it was a “California hoax.”
It’s got a history of its own, including being a spot where children from a nearby logging camp had their Sunday school.
Don’t miss the Fallen Monarch – it’s my top pick in the whole park! I didn’t expect this attraction at all. It was fascinating to walk through a hollow burnt tree. It really shows you how tiny we are next to these enormous sequoia trunks!
⏰ Stop Duration: 30 minutes
🚘 Drive To Next Stop: 15 minutes
9. Panoramic Point
Panoramic Point has a trail that’s only half a mile long, but it goes up about 98 feet in elevation, which can feel pretty steep. At the point, you’re at 7,520 feet above sea level.
Driving to get there can be a bit tricky because the road is really steep and has a lot of twists and turns, so make sure to drive slowly and carefully.
Once you’re at Panoramic Point, you’ll get a vast view of Kings Canyon National Park and the forests around it. If you look down, you’ll spot Hume Lake, a small lake with a bit of history in the Sequoia National Forest.
They’ve got a parking lot, picnic tables and restrooms (vault toilets 😞). When we went there, the air was full of smoke, and it smelled so strong that even our face masks couldn’t block out the smell.
We tried to hike up the trail, but the smoke was too much, and we had to turn around after a couple of minutes.
⏰ Stop Duration: 30 minutes
🚘 Drive To Next Stop: 20 minutes
10. Redwood Mountain Overlook
This overlook is worth it only if it’s a clear day – you’ll get to see one of the biggest sequoia groves. You can see the top of the trees in the Redwood Mountain grove. But if it’s a cloudy or smoky day, you won’t see much.
⏰ Stop Duration: 10 minutes
🚘 Drive To Next Stop: 1 hour
11. Amphitheater Point Viewpoint
At this viewpoint, you get 180-degree views including Moro Rock. Right across the canyon, you can see the rugged outlines of the Castle Rocks.
Getting here is pretty easy because it’s right off the Generals Highway with a parking lot. When you’re leaving, be extra careful. Cars tend to go fast on the highway and it can be tough to see them coming.
⏰ Stop Duration: 10 minutes
🚘 Drive To Next Stop: 15 minutes
12. Hospital Rock
The Native Americans call this rock “Pah-din,” which translates to “place to go through,” but it’s also known as Hospital Rock. It’s made of quartzite. It’s important to remember that this is a sacred spot, and we should all be respectful when we visit.
The pictographs painted on Hospital Rock are sacred to the Native American communities around here. Local tribal members say that it tells a story about the history of their people and remind them of how special this place is even now.
This area used to be a village where hundreds of people from the Mono, Yokuts, and Tubatulabal tribes lived. These tribes don’t live in the park anymore, but they stay in communities nearby and keep practicing their traditions.
⏰ Stop Duration: 10 minutes
🚘 Drive To Next Stop: 10 minutes
13. Tunnel Rock
Tunnel Rock is a giant boulder turned into a tunnel near Generals Highway. There’s a paved path that goes right under this huge rock.
If you’re up for a challenge, you can climb on top of Tunnel Rock. Be cautious because it’s risky and there’s Poison Oak around this area.
⏰ Stop Duration: 10 minutes
🚘 Drive To Next Stop: 10-15 minutes
Sequoia National Park Entrance Fee
The entrance fee for Sequoia National Park is $35 per vehicle. If you have the America the Beautiful National Parks Pass, this park is included.
⭐ Pro Tip: With this pass, you’ll save money if you do 3+ national parks a year. We also skipped the longer lines of tourists who have to pay the fee upon entry.
How To Get To Sequoia National Park
The most common way to get to the park is by car. Here’s the google maps directions to Sequoia National Park from Los Angeles and from San Francisco.
There are no direct public transportation options to the park but there’s a free shuttle during peak times.
Remember, your GPS might not work right in the park, so download offline maps on Google Maps or use a park map to help you get around. And if you’re driving in winter, you’ll need to carry snow chains for your tires.
Always check the latest road conditions by calling (559) 565-3341 & press 1. You won’t find gas stations in the park, but some lodges have places to charge electric cars.
For flying, the closest airports are in Fresno and Visalia, and from there you can rent a car to get to the parks. For better options, fly from LAX, SJC or SFO.
If you prefer the bus, Greyhound goes to Visalia and Fresno, and in the summer you can catch a shuttle from Visalia to Sequoia.
If you’re coming by train, the nearest Amtrak stations are in Hanford and Fresno, and you can rent a car there or take a bus to the parks.
⭐ Pro Tip: If any of the non-driving options sound intimidating, we recommend booking a tour to Sequoia National Park from a major city.
Sequoia National Park Map (With All The 13 Stops)
Where To Stay In Sequoia National Park
During our trip, we stayed at this airbnb in Three Rivers, but we recommend staying inside the park to save time driving.
Budget-friendly: Wuksachi Lodge (inside the park)
Mid-Scale: John Muir Lodge (inside the park)
Dining In & Near Sequoia National Park
Peaks Restaurant: Basic lunch options but tasty dinner options. For dinner, I got the Teriyaki Chicken Breast and my husband got the Baked Acorn Squash but I liked his option better.
Grant Grove Restaurant: A newer restaurant that uses local ingredients.
Other options include Lodgepole Deli, Market, and Snack Bar, Cedar Grove Snack Bar, Montecito-Sequoia Lodge, Stony Creek Lodge and Silver City Resort. Check if your preferred dining option is open. Most are open seasonally.
Three Rivers: If you’re looking for more options outside the park, The Gateway Restaurant & Lodge is a good option.
⭐ Pro-Tip: On the way back, we bought extra food at Peaks as takeout for dinner to eat as breakfast the next morning to save time for the drive back home.
Frequently Asked Questions
May to October is the best time to visit Sequoia National Park. The park gets a lot of snow during the winter season so there are road closures and trail closures.
Yes, you can see the highlights of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in one day. Start early with a well-planned itinerary to visit all the main attractions. But if you’re interested in more attractions, it’s best to spend 2-3 days there.
We recommend these stops in this order: Giant Forest Museum, Moro Rock, Tunnel Log, General Sherman Tree, lunch at Peaks Restaurant, Lost Grove, Kings Canyon Overlook, General Grant Tree, Panoramic Point Trail, Redwood Mountain Overlook, Amphitheater Point Viewpoint, Hospital Rock and Tunnel Rock.
Yes, you can see both parks in one day though it’s not the entire park. But with this itinerary, you’ll see the best sequoia groves and canyon views.
Depending on traffic and road conditions, driving straight through Sequoia National Park without stopping can take ~1-1.5 hours from the Ash Mountain Entrance in the south to the boundary with Kings Canyon National Park in the north.
It’s possible to drive from Yosemite to Sequoia (or vice versa) in a day since it’s around 4 hours but it’s not recommended if you’re planning to visit the attractions on the same day. It’s too rushed and you’ll be tired after driving through all the curves, inclines and drops. It’s best to spread it out by spending at least a day in each park.
Giant Forest Grove (includes General Sherman Tree), Grant Grove (includes General Grant Tree) and Lost Grove.
Final Thoughts
While it’s a huge list of things to do in 1 day in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, it is possible! It’s tried-and-tested by us – we used the exact same itinerary to cover both parks in one day and we didn’t feel overwhelmed or underwhelmed at the end.
While we couldn’t visit Crystal Cave due to its current closures along with other road/trail closures, we’ll plan to visit again when the other attractions are open!
Deciding whether to visit Yosemite or Sequoia? Check out our post where we go into detail how whether Yosemite or Sequoia is better for you and why.
Read More From Bae Area and Beyond
Best Time To Visit Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
13 Best Hikes In Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Yosemite vs. Sequoia: Which Is Better from a Hiker
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