2 Days in Sequoia & Kings Canyon

The world's biggest trees and a mile-deep canyon, done in a long weekend.

By Chris Hayworth, Nestward

These are two parks managed as one, and they sprawl across a huge range of elevation: hot foothills, sequoia groves, and alpine peaks where snow lingers into summer. Two days is enough to see the headliners in both parks, but not much more. The catch: the parks are big, no road crosses them east to west, and the drives between highlights eat real time. Plan tight and you'll be fine.

Before you go: the logistics that trip people up

Two highways enter the parks. Highway 198 from Visalia climbs through Three Rivers into Sequoia; Highway 180 from Fresno heads into Kings Canyon. Inside, the Generals Highway connects them. A few things worth knowing up front:

• The Generals Highway is steep and winding. If your vehicle is over 22 feet, the park recommends entering via Highway 180. In winter, the stretch between the two parks often closes, and tire chains may be required anywhere.
• Entrance is $35 per vehicle, good for seven days and both parks. An America the Beautiful pass covers it too.
• It's one entrance fee for two parks, so don't let the "two parks" thing intimidate you. It's one trip.

Day 1: Giant Forest and the big trees

Spend your first day in Sequoia's Giant Forest, the heart of the park and home to its most famous trees. Start at the General Sherman Tree, the largest living tree on Earth by volume. The paved trail down to it is short but the walk back up is at 7,000 feet, so pace yourself and the kids.

From there, work the nearby loop of highlights:

• Giant Forest Museum. A small, well-done stop for exhibits, a bookstore, and orientation. Good place to grab a Junior Ranger booklet.
• Moro Rock. A historic stairway of roughly 350 steps to a granite dome with panoramic views from foothills to peaks. Short, steep, and a little vertiginous; great payoff for kids who can handle railings and heights.
• Crescent Meadow. An easy, flat loop John Muir reportedly called the "gem of the Sierra." Calm after Moro Rock, and good for spotting wildlife in the early evening.

If you reserved ahead, Crystal Cave is a worthwhile add: a marble cavern open only by guided tour, with tickets sold in advance, not at the cave. It's a separate winding drive and a walk down to the entrance, so it's a commitment. Skip it if your day is already full.

Day 2: Kings Canyon and the scenic byway

Head north into Kings Canyon. Start in Grant Grove with the General Grant Tree, the nation's official Christmas tree and a short, mostly flat loop, easier than Sherman and just as impressive. Nearby Panoramic Point is a quick detour for a wide look at the high country, and Big Stump tells the sobering logging-history side of the sequoia story, which older kids tend to find genuinely interesting.

Then commit to the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway (Highway 180) down to Cedar Grove and Road's End. This is the drive that earns the second day. It's about 30 miles each way of dropping into one of the deepest canyons in North America, past Roaring River Falls (a five-minute walk) and Zumwalt Meadow (a flat loop along the river beneath granite walls). If you have energy left, the trail toward Mist Falls from Road's End is a longer out-and-back for stronger hikers.

Budget for the drive. The canyon road is slow, closes seasonally in winter, and there's no shortcut back. You return the way you came.

Doing it with kids

This is a forgiving park for families because the marquee sights are short walks, not endurance hikes. General Sherman, General Grant, Roaring River Falls, and Zumwalt Meadow are all manageable for small legs. Moro Rock is the one to gauge by temperament. It's exposed and steep, with railings the whole way, so confident climbers love it and nervous ones don't.

• The elevation is real. Kids may tire faster and sleep harder than usual the first night.
• Bring layers. Foothills can be hot while the groves stay cool the same afternoon.
• Pick up Junior Ranger booklets at the Giant Forest Museum or a visitor center. The activities map neatly onto this two-day route.

Is two days enough?

For a first visit, yes. Two days lets you stand under the world's largest trees, climb Moro Rock, and drive into Kings Canyon, the experiences most people come for. What you'll skip is the backcountry: the alpine lakes like Monarch and the Mineral King area are a separate, harder trip on their own dead-end road. Save those for a return visit and don't try to cram them in.