Top Things to do in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park
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Things to do in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park: The Best Sights & Landmarks
This park's main draw, the forest of Giant Sequoias, is home to the largest living things on Earth.
1. Buck Rock Lookout
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By roadtrip_ken_2017 - Oakland, United States
Judging from the relatively small number of reviews, the Buck Rock Fire Lookout seems to be not well-known, but it rivals more famous Moro Rock as an essential viewpoint to visit in the Kings Canyon / Sequoia National Park area. It's located slightly outside of the national park boundaries, in Sequoia National Forest. While Buck Rock is only a few miles off the main Generals Highway route through the national parks, it does require a short (a little over 2 mile) approach along a dirt road. It's not a difficult road at all, but it will be helpful to drive it in an SUV or other higher-clearance vehicle - it was an easy drive in my Subaru Forester. There's a small area for parking not far from the base of the rock, with a short walk there. Looking up at the fire lookout on top, it seems nearly impossible that there could be a way up. Once you reach the base of the rock, you'll find a very short trail that leads up to a series of stairways which go to the lookout on top. It's exposed for sure, but all of the stairs had very good railings on both sides. The route looked much scarier from a distance than it did actually climbing up or back down - still, I wouldn't recommend it for those with a fear of heights. Once at the top, the vistas in all directions are vast and spectacular. Since this is a working fire lookout, there was a ranger at the top who lives there during fire season, and she was most helpful in identifying the many peaks within view, ranging from Mt. Goddard to Mt. Clarence King to Mt. Brewer and the Great Western Divide, and beyond. The visit to Buck Rock was one of the most memorable ones I had in the Kings Canyon / Sequoia National Park area - very highly recommended!
2. Kings Canyon Scenic Drive
3. Generals Highway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 426 reviews
A 30-mile scenic drive at 7,000 feet.
Reviewed By sdbctb - Brooklyn, United States
Incredible views on southern portion which get more amazing with every turn as you go from south to north building up excitement as you watch the terrain and trees change.
4. Kings Canyon Scenic Byway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 334 reviews
A 30-mile scenic drive between Grant Grove and Cedar Grove Village.
Reviewed By RandSand - Poway, United States
This is a beautiful drive with great hikes and incredible scenery. We went in August, though, during the heat wave--and the temperature in Kings Canyon as over 100 degrees. So, maybe consider doing this other than the peak of summer.....
5. General Sherman Tree
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,162 reviews
An 249.9 foot ancient tree believed to be between 2,300 and 2,700 years old.
Reviewed By ELKW
you can drive to go there or take shuttle bus (in summer time), if you drive, you need to park in a more remote parking lot, and need to walk a long way to the Sherman tree, but we take the bus, can get off at the bus stop where is wheelchiar-accessible trail head, so with a short walk, you can go to the Sherman tree. It's the biggest tree (by volume) in the world, so worth to take a look. by the way, there is a fallen tree truck with a hole, so you can walk through the tunnel, it's quite interesting, and both adults and kids love to go through it. It's a point of interest besides the Sherman tree, so if you go to this National park, it's a MUST to walk this trail and to take a look to the Sherman tree, also there are several giant red wood trees can be seen in this trail
6. Grant Grove
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 358 reviews
Inside Kings Canyon National Park is this grove of giant Sequoias.
Reviewed By roadtrip_ken_2017 - Oakland, United States
Grant Grove, featuring the General Grant Tree among other notable trees, is a short distance from Hwy. 180 not far from the main park visitor center. The trails around the grove are fairly short and easy, suitable for nearly everyone. The General Grant Tree itself is impressive, and the the Fallen Monarch tree that you can walk through was interesting and will be fun for kids. This is the type of place where you could spend a half-hour or a couple of hours. Of course there is the Giant Forest area in Sequoia National Park a bit farther south, but the Grant Grove is well worth a visit whether you're also going to the Giant Forest or not.
7. The Parker Group
8. The Fallen Monarch
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By archlav - Glenmoore, United States
This tree gives you great perspective of how large the sequoia actually is. You can actually walk right through it. Its such a sturdy tree. We really enjoyed the experience.
9. The Tough Twins
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By LiketoeatCincinnati - Cincinnati, United States
These trees are near the General Sherman trail and represent how trees grow after a fire. They are massive and very beautiful.
10. Cedar Grove Village
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 34 reviews
Village in Kings Canyon National Park where you will find basic lodging, dining and a store.
