Sequoia and Kings Canyon Audio Tour Self Guide National Park Tour

From the picnic area an easy two-mile loop leads to Big Stump itself, which is what’s left of the Mark Twain Tree. Before it was chopped down and put on display in the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the British Museum in London, the tree was a whopping 16 feet in diameter, and over 300 feet tall.

Pull up to Redwood Mountain Overlook to see Redwood Mountain Grove. Spanning almost 2,500 acres, it’s the biggest sequoia grove in the whole world. Below the overlook in Redwood Canyon, hikes include the Sugarbowl Loop at 6.8 miles, or 11 kilometers long, and the Hart Tree Loop at 7.3 miles, or 11.8 kilometers long. To reach the trailhead, drive about a half mile east from the overlook and follow the signs for Redwood Canyon. Then it's a 2 mile drive on a dirt road to the trailhead.

You don’t need long hikes to see breathtaking views in this park. And at Kings Canyon Overlook, you just have to pull up for a gorgeous panoramic view. Yup, it overlooks the park’s namesake natural wonder, Kings Canyon itself. The park’s claim to fame is that it’s almost 2,000 feet deeper than the Grand Canyon! While Kings Canyon reaches 8,200 feet, or 2,500 meters deep, the Grand Canyon’s depth maxes out at just 6,000 feet deep.

At Kings Canyon Visitor Center in Grant Grove Village, you can learn all about the park and watch a short film about it. It has a Sequoia Parks Conservancy Store that also sells maps, books, and souvenirs. Next door is the Grant Grove Market, which sells basic necessities and food. The Grant Grove Restaurant is also there, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Here's where you see the General Grant Tree, AKA the world’s second-largest tree. It’s also home to the Fallen Monarch, Gamlin Cabin, and the Centennial Stump. The General Grant Tree is 268 feet tall and 107 feet around. You can reach it on a third of a mile, easy, paved loop trail.

Here’s a great look at Kings Canyon without the need to drive into it. This high-elevation view also includes Hume Lake. The view is only a few steps away from the parking lot. If you want more alpine scenery, then check out the trail to the Park Ridge Fire Lookout. This is a 5 mile, or 8 km, moderately difficult hike to a fire lookout tower. There may even be a volunteer fire observer to say hello to.

Here’s another great view! While looking down from McGee Vista Point you’ll see the damage done by the Rough Fire. During the tour, you’ll learn more about the unique relationship between wildfire and sequoia trees.

At Junction View, you’ll be treated to a panoramic view of the Western Sierra all the way to Mount Whitney, which is the tallest peak in the lower 48 states. The overlook gets its name from the view of the junction of the Middle and South forks of the King River, and a view of Kings Canyon.

The drive into the canyon is a long, twisty one, so take advantage of another scenic overlook to get out of the car and get another great look at the Sierra Nevada. This overlook sits above the Kings River.

own as marble, that runs through the park. Look for the gray stone in contrast to the surrounding ground cover.

Take a guided tour of this incredible marble cavern, filled with stalactites, stalagmites, and other rock formations. Guided tours are 45 minutes to an hour long. Tours of the caverns are run by a small company and charge a small fee for entrance. Keep in mind there is a short, but steep walk from the parking lot to the cave entrance.

t 80 feet down in a shaded part of the forest. The falls are a short walk from the picnic area and the parking lot, and it’s a great place to eat lunch. Restrooms make it a convenient stop, but the waterfall is a must-see.

The second and last visitor center of the day is the Cedar Grove Visitor Center. It’s located in the heart of Cedar Grove Village. It offers information about the area’s natural and cultural history, and is open seasonally, from around Memorial Day through mid-September. The Sequoia Parks Conservancy Store inside the visitor center is a good place to pick up souvenirs, clothing, and other knick-knacks.

Go back in time at Knapp’s Cabin and get a gorgeous view of the canyon. This riverside cabin belonged to a man named George O. Knapp, who brought friends on fishing trips here. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is reachable via a short trail from the parking area.

It doesn’t get any more peaceful than spending time by Roaring River Falls. It’s reached by an easy, nearly third-of-a-mile, out-and-back trail. From there, you can continue to Zumwalt Meadows on a four-mile, or 6 kilometer trail.

ark Sign and a trail that leads down to the river. If you’re not in the mood for a hike yet, the view from the parking lot is amazing on its own.

The Foothills Visitor Center is a great place to get even more of an idea about what the day ahead has in store for you. It features common visitor center finds like a souvenir shop, displays about park history and wildlife, restrooms, and a water bottle filling station.

Tunnel Rock is a park highlight that you can’t miss on the left side of Generals Highway. The highway used to go right under it, but was redirected and the rock now served as a popular spot for photo ops. Visitors can climb on the rock, or walk under it.

The highway used to go right under it, but was redirected and the rock now served as a popular spot for photo ops. Visitors can climb on the rock, or walk under it.

This popular stop features Potwisha Native American rock art on a huge riverside rock. Nearby are the grinding mortars, where it’s believed Potwisha women ground acorns into flour. Picnic tables and restrooms are also available for use here.

Visitors can see Moro Rock looming on the top of a cliff, and other peaks and ridges. This is one of the best views in the park.

Another great, roadside view of Sequoia’s Beauty. Just pullover, and take a few minutes to take in the view. It kinda sneaks up on you, so keep an eye on the map on your way.

Otherwise, slow down as you drive between the four giant sequoia trees that line up across the highway welcoming you to the Giant Forest.

Aptly named, the Giant Forest is home to so many big beautiful, giant sequoias, including the famous General Sherman Tree. We stop at the Giant Forest Museum, which is a good launching point for area hikes. Our favorite is the Big Trees Trail, which is an easy half mile hike past a meadow and sequoias.

The trail may be short, but thanks to its incline, can be pretty tiring. The view from the top of the rock really can’t be beaten, and it feels like you’re standing on top of the world.

This log is another park feature that was in the way of traffic, so workers carved right through it. Today, cars eight feet tall can drive in it, while others must drive around. Another fun photo opp.

It’s also the starting point for several trails. An easy, 1.5 mile hike loops around the meadow. It’s also about 1.5 miles to Tharp’s Log, on an easy trail. Lastly, you’ll see the trailhead for the long and strenuous High Sierra Trail. You can’t do the whole thing today, but just over a mile and a half round trip takes ya to the stunning Eagle View.

This is the star of the park! The General Sherman Tree’s claim to fame is being the world’s largest living tree, by volume. An easy, paved 1-mile trail takes you there from the parking area and weaves through a giant sequoia forest, with benches and other notable trees along the way. If you have time, you can continue from the General Sherman Tree on the Congress trail. It’s also paved and easy, just under 3 miles round-trip, and takes you to two groups of mature sequoias.

visitor center’s presentations on the park’s natural and human history. Lodgepole Market is right next door as well, where you can find food and other necessities.

The Tokopah Falls Trailhead is at the end of the road near the campsites. The trail is a mix of shady forest and open mountain views, all the way to a gorgeous waterfall. The hike’s almost 4 miles (6km) with an easy incline. The waterfall is a whopping 1,200 feet, or nearly 400 meters tall, and really flows heavily in early summer from glacial melt. But by late summer, it might be down to a trickle.

There are two restaurants with full menus and a wonderful outdoor deck and seating area and a souvenir shop with grab-and-go snacks.

Its picnic tables and expansive greenery is easily accessible and is a wonderful place to relax and ponder your next steps when the tour ends.

This trail is a favorite with many visitors because of its amazing views at the top of the dome. The trail’s just over three miles, or five kilometers, round-trip climbing a couple switchbacks to the top. It’s considered moderately challenging. At the end, you’ll get to take in panoramic views of the Great Western Divide and beyond.