If you’re looking for a weekend escape packed with natural wonders, giant trees, and breathtaking views, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks make the perfect duo. You can explore both parks in just 2–3 nights and still experience a ton of their beauty. We went in July—the days were hot, especially midday, but the weather was ideal for hiking and even better if you happen to find a cool watering hole to dip into.
Key Highlights
This post covers the best trails, waterfalls, and scenic viewpoints in both Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. I’ll also share a few personal tips to help you plan the perfect weekend itinerary.
Day 1: Exploring Kings Canyon National Park
We started our adventure with Kings Canyon—less crowded than Sequoia but just as magical. The scenic drive down Kings Canyon Road alone is worth the trip. It’s one of the deepest canyons in North America, with towering granite cliffs and river views that had us pulling over for photos every few minutes. Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite are all part of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California, and therefore share similar geography like giant granite cliffs and high alpine peaks.
Hike to Zumwalt Meadow
The peaceful Zumwalt Meadow trail was a favorite and is apparently the place to go if you want to spot a bear. We lucked out and spotted a black bear! Always keep a safe distance from bears, never approach them, and follow bear safety rules like:
- Make noise on trails if hiking alone
- Don’t leave food unattended
- Store food in bear boxes when camping
The trail winds through serene greenery and rugged rock formations with views of majestic mountains in every direction.
Check out Roaring River Falls & Grizzly Falls
A short 0.3 mile paved trail leads to Roaring River Falls, a powerful, thundering waterfall. The mist was a welcome break from the heat, and the sound of the water was hypnotic.
Grizzly Falls is right off the road. This is a quick and easy stop, but the cascading water and surrounding boulders make it a must-see.
Take a tour of Boyden Cavern
Even if you’ve been in caves before, don’t skip this one. It’s truly impressive with it’s winding chambers and incredible formations. You can only enter this cave as part of a tour. Just make sure to book your tour ahead of time, especially in summer—it fills up quickly!
Walk the General Grant Trail
Walking the General Grant Trail through this grove of massive sequoias is humbling. The General Grant Tree is the second-largest tree in the world, and the peaceful 0.7 mile trail is perfect for an afternoon stroll.
Take in the view at Panoramic Point
We timed this for sunset and were rewarded with golden light on the granite peaks. It’s a short hike, but the views are expansive—totally worth it.
Pinehurst Lodge Bar and Grill
We ended the day at a not so nearby restaurant Pinehurst Lodge Bar and Grill, that serves Indian and American fare. It was the only restaurant open late for dinner and drinks. The food was surprisingly good for a remote park location—hearty, flavorful, and the staff were super friendly. It’s exactly what you’d expect in a national park hub—rustic, a little gritty, but satisfying after a full day of adventure.
Day 2: Discovering Sequoia National Park
Walk Big Stump Trail
Big Stump Trail was a nice surprise—this 1.7 mile trail takes you past sequoias that were cut down in old logging days. There’s something surreal about climbing inside the stump of a massive tree. It gives you a real sense of the size and age of these ancient giants.
The most famous stump on this hike is the “Mark Twain” tree, now a stump that was cut down in 1981 to display as a spectacle around the world to people who didn’t believe trees could ever get so large.
Hike to Tokopah Falls
Tokopah Falls trail is a scenic 4-mile hike through forest and along a river, leading to a beautiful 1,200-foot waterfall. The granite walls surrounding the falls are massive and dramatic. There’s a swimming hole at the bottom of the waterfall, I’m sure the water is quite chilly but it could be welcome on a hot summer day!
Walk Congress Trail to see the largest tree in the world
You can’t visit Sequoia without standing in awe of the General Sherman Tree—the largest tree in the world by volume. The Congress Trail loops you through more stunning sequoia groves with whimsical names like The Senate and The House. No other trail in the park has so many large sequoia clusters in such a short distance.
Drive through Tunnel Log
The iconic fallen sequoia you can drive through. It’s a classic national park photo op and just pure fun.
Hike Moro Rock
The climb up Moro Rock is a short but steep climb up 0.5 mile of stairs carved into the rock leads to panoramic views of the Great Western Divide. It’s not for the faint of heart if you’re afraid of heights, but I’ve heard the views are unbeatable. We didn’t have time to make the trek but I did snap this shot below of the dome bathed in light.
We wrapped up the day with casual (but delicious) pies at Pizza Factory—a great stop for refueling and relaxing after a full day in the park. Also nearby if you’re craving Mexican instead go to Casa Mendoza.
Where to Stay
We split our stay to minimize driving in this huge park, starting in the northern area of Dunlap near King’s Canyon and then making our way down to Three Rivers.
Up near King’s Canyon, we went for a cheap option and stayed at Genas’s Sierra Inn. It was bare bones, a step up from camping but no frills. If you want to stay somewhere more comfy and modern there is a cabin nearby you can book. Just make sure you download all info before heading into the park where there’s no service.
After we drove down exploring Sequoia we stayed in Three Rivers, a small town just outside the southern entrance of Sequoia. It’s a convenient base with a few lodging options and restaurants, and a good spot to rest before heading out the next morning. We loved Meadow Landing, a guest room at someone’s house that’s blocked off and has it’s own entrance. It felt very private and we were only there to sleep so in my opinion, a great option for the price. There’s also a larger 3 bedroom, 2 bath cabin called Momma’s Paradise if you’re going with family or friends.
If you want to stay more centrally located you can book Montecito Sequoia Lodge, it’s right between the two parks so you can stay for the entirety of the trip and head north to Kins Canyon one day, and south to Sequoia the next.
Final Thoughts
Sequoia and Kings Canyon offer giant trees, granite cliffs, and the raw beauty of California’s Sierra Nevada. From driving through ancient trunks to standing beside roaring waterfalls, this weekend was a great way to unwind in nature—one that’s wild, peaceful, and humbling all at once.
Have you explored these parks or found a favorite trail or hidden spot? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments below!
Want to explore more of California’s incredible national parks? Check out my posts about Yosemite, Joshua Tree, and Death Valley for more epic adventures.