Visiting Kings Canyon & Sequoia National Parks

August 29, 2021

From Visalia - Get off on the 198 in Visalia, then take the 63 (which has a couple of zigzags in it, but it’s marked). It’s straight roads out through orchards and farmlands with occasional four way stops to the 180 in Squaw Valley. 81 miles from Visalia to Lodgepole Campground.

Day 1 - 10/4 - Check In to Lodgepole Campground - https://goo.gl/maps/xbMiJMt4Je8Xwf1F9

  • General Sherman Tree - 1-mile round trip
  • The Congress Trail - General Sherman Tree - 3.3 miles round trip
  • Crescent Meadow & Tunnel Log - 1.3 miles round trip, or Tharp’s Log is further out
  • Moro Rock Trail - 0.50 miles round trip
  • Big Trees Trail - Giant Forest Museum - 0.60-mile loop
  • Sunset Rock - Giant Forest Museum - 1.4-mile round trip. Popular for sunset

Day 2 - 10/5 - https://goo.gl/maps/c6RiCccPJrctFKCC8

  • Little Baldy - Dorst Campground - 3.4-mile loop - Best views
  • Panoramic Point - Near John Muir Lodge - 0.50-mile loop
  • General Grant Tree Trail & Grant Grove - Near Kings Canyon Visitor Center/Grant Grove Village - 0.5-mile loop
  • Additional hikes in Grant Grove Area:
    • North Grove Loop - 1.5 miles in and back
    • Big Stump Loop Trail - 1.8-mile loop
    • Big Baldy Ridge - 4.5 miles with 60 feet gain - Great views of Redwood Canyon
    • Mist Falls

Day 3 - 10/6

  • Kings Canyon Scenic Byway - https://goo.gl/maps/GT51hju9KCXufpKj9
  • Zumwalt Meadow - Cedar Grove Area - 1.5 miles round trip - Can combine with Roaring River Falls to get a 5-mile hike
  • Roaring River Falls Trails - 0.3-mile walk
  • Grizzly Falls - 0.1-mile walk

10/7 - Check Out

  • Tokopah Falls - Lodgepole Campground - 3.4 miles round trip

Tuesday

  1. Big Stump Grove @ Big Stump Picnic Area – Big Stump Loop Trail - 1.8 mile loop
  2. General Grant Grove @ Near Kings Canyon Visitor Center/Grant Grove Village – General Grant Tree Trail - 0.5 mile loop
  3. Panoramic Point Trail - 0.50 mile loop

Wednesday

  1. Green Bus to Giant Forest Museum – Visit Giant Forest Museum – Big Trees Trail - 1.4 mile loop
  2. Grey Bus to Moro Rock – Moro Rock Trail - 0.50 miles round trip
  3. Grey Bus to Crescent Meadow via Tunnel Log — High Sierra, Tharp’s Log, and Crescent Meadow Loop = 1.8 miles ~150 ft elevation gain
  4. Grey Bus back to the Giant Forest Museum – Sunset Rock Trail – 1.4-mile roundtrip. Popular for sunset
  5. Green Bus back to Campground

Looking for other things to do in California? Take a look at our California articles.