Location
The parks are located in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, about 200 miles north of Los Angeles, 220 miles south of Yosemite Valley, 275 miles south of San Francisco, and 375 miles west of Las Vegas.
Fees
Admission is $35 per vehicle and valid for 7 days. (The fee includes both Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.)
Gas
There’s one gas station in Sequoia, located in front of the Stony Creek Lodge in the middle of the park.
Cell Service
Cell service is highly limited within the parks. On a few of the outer trails like Buena Vista Trail, I’ve been able to get signal. Otherwise, cell service is not available.
Where to Stay
There are several lodging options in the park ranging from camp grounds, basic hotels, cabins, and one high-end hotel. There are also a few vacation rentals outside the parks.
My favorite place to stay is at the Stony Creek Lodge. Ideally situated in the middle of the park, it offers charming rooms. And, as there’s only 11 rooms, there’s not a mess of people so you can enjoy the quiet of the Sequoia National Forest around you.
Another great option is the Grant Grove Village. It has it all – hotel, rustic cabins, and a large campground. Rooms in all the lodging in the park fill up months in advance, especially during peak seasons.
There are also more hotel options in Three Rivers, just outside the park.
Booking.com
Psst: Here are 15 of the best places to camp on the West Coast.
How Long to Spend in the Parks
If you want to do Sequoia and Kings Canyon properly, plan on spending at least two days there. Though, you can easily spend a week there and still not see everything. Yes, it’s possible to visit both parks as a day trip, but you’ll miss 90% of both. Don’t short change yourself. Sequoia is my favorite national park in the US. It’s my happy place. And, if you take your time with the park, it may become yours, too.
Best Time to Visit
I love visiting the park in September or October. The crowds have thinned and being out in the fresh, cool mountain air is highly invigorating for hiking. During the winter months, a lot of the park is closed due to snow. However, there are some trails that you can snowshoe. And, seeing the red of the sequoias against the white snow is pretty awesome.
Weather and Elevation
The main portion of Sequoia National Park is around 7,000 ft/2100 m. Make sure that you stay hydrated and have plenty of water with you. The valley floor of Kings Canyon is around 5,000 ft/1520 m and is always at least 10 degrees warmer than Sequoia.
Wildlife
The American Black Bear can be found throughout both Sequoia and Kings Canyon. Unless provoked, they most likely will not be interested in you. However, keep a wide berth from bears (at least 100 yds). If hiking in the back country, you should have bear spray handy. In the lower portions of Kings Canyon, rattlesnakes can be found. Again, do not provoke the snakes. If they’re on the trail, wait until they have cleared.
The Beachfront Resort & Spa
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Pros
- Free airport shuttle bus.
- Luggage storage.
- 24-hour front desk.
- Access to the beach.
Cons
- Pets are not allowed.
- Street parking: Public parking is possible at a location nearby (reservation is not possible) and costs AUD 15 per day.
