I first visited Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks when I was 16 with my parents and extended family. We had gone camping. It was my first time, after having immigrated to the United States. I recently returned to both National Parks this past weekend to reminisce and re-discover what it felt like to walk amongst the giant sequoias. Driving through this area in early April is also delightful because of the beautiful wildflowers that are starting to bloom. So I highly encourage you to plan a trip this month! Here are all the things to do in Sequoia National Park right now!

Where to Stay in Sequoia National Park:

Three Rivers/Lemon Cove

Because of limited campground availability, I decided to rent an Airbnb with my friends in Three Rivers, a small town and gateway to Sequoia National Park. When we arrived to the Airbnb we realized it was actually 15 minutes away from Three Rivers, in another small town called Lemon Cove. The drive from Lemon Cove to Sequoia National Park is about 30-45 minutes. One of the things to do when in Sequoia National Park is to visit at least one fruit farm/shop in Lemon Cove! My recommendation is the Mesa Verde Ranch. It’s a small fruit shop on the side. Look for the big Orange. There is no one at the shop but prices are posted on the wall, so be sure to indulge in fresh fruits and local honey. There is a money slot where you can leave your cash.

Camping

For the 2021 season, campgrounds will require advance reservations, which can be made up to one month in advance. As of early April, here are the campgrounds that are open:

1. Potwisha Campground: By reservation only
2. Buckeye Flat Campground: By reservation only
3. Sentinel Campground: Opening tentatively on April 23. Reservation only.
4. Lodgepole’s Log Bridge and D Loops: Opening tentatively on April 21. Reservation only.
5. Azalea campground: Scheduled to fully open May 26. Reservation only. Right now, Azalea has 40 sites for walk in available which will change to reservation only by May 26.

Spring Blooms

Where to find Spring blooms

Driving from San Francisco, we first headed to Kings Canyon National Park via Fresno. The drive took us about 3 hours 45 seconds. Entering Kings Canyon, we were greeted with tons of yellow and purple wildflowers on the drive. I stopped many times along the way to take pics! In Kings Canyon, if you have time, notable stops include The General Grant Tree (don’t miss the Fallen Monarch and Centennial Stump), Zumwalt Meadow and Hume Lake (perfect for a picnic). The drive from King’s Canyon to our Airbnb in Lemon Cove via the J21, a narrow and extremely scenic backroad, was also filled with farms and wildflowers. I saw yellow, white and purple flowers on this road. You will also see purple and yellow flowers while driving into Sequoia National Park so keep your eyes wide open and be prepared to pull over 🙂 For those wondering the famous scenic road (Generals Highway) between Kings Canyon and Sequoia is now open.

Whether you have a day or a weekend, here are the things to do in Sequoia National Park right now:

General Sherman

General Sherman is the world’s largest tree, measured by volume. It stands 275 feet (83 m) tall, and is over 36 feet (11 m) in diameter at the base. Parking for the Main Trail is off the Wolverton Road. From the parking lot, it’s about half a mile through a small tunnel or a paved trail to get to this tree. You will see patches of snow here and there if you’re going this coming weekend, but because the temps have been in the 80s-90s, much of the snow has melted. The Sherman Tree is in the Giant Forest sequoia grove. Remember to stay on the paved trail and not climb over the fence that protects the shallow roots of the Sherman Tree. If you have time, definitely hike the Congress Trail. This is a 2-mile loop that begins near the Sherman Tree and offers excellent opportunity to see other notable trees. Hiking to General Sherman Tree is one of my favorite things to do in Sequoia National Park.

Hiking Big Trees Trail in Sequoia National Park

One of THE things to do in Sequoia National Park is to hike the Big Trees Trail. This trail is super close to the Sherman Tree and has a convenient parking lot. The trail itself has plenty of snow, but hiking boots are all you need right now. Watch out for the icy patches. This is a great trail for beginners and is a one-mile loop around a lush meadow. It also has interpretive exhibits about the natural history of giant sequoias and a cool opening in one of the trees (at the entrance to the trail) that you can walk into.

Tunnel Log in Sequoia National Park

Tunnel log is a must on your list of things to do in Sequoia National Park. This should be your next stop after the Big Trees Trail. The road to Tunnel log is currently closed so you will need to park at the Giant Forest Museum parking lot and hike 3 miles round trip to Tunnel log. The road to Tunnel log usually opens in May and that’s when you can drive your car through the opening in the log! Until then, the hike itself is pretty awesome. The fallen log came into being when a sequoia fell across the Crescent Meadow due to natural causes. Later, a tunnel was cut through the log as a tourist attraction. Nowadays, as we begin to realize that national parks represent the last primeval landscapes in America, the goal is to let nature run its course with as little human interference as possible!

Moro Rock in Sequoia National Park

The road to Moro Rock trailhead is also closed. But you can park in the Giant Forest Museum lot and hike to Moro Rock. In fact, I recommend if you’re going to Tunnel Log, you can do Moro Rock right after, as it’s close by. Moro rock is a massive granite rock and offers great views! To get to those views you have to climb 350 steps to the top. If you’re afraid of heights, just know that there are railings the entire way to the top. But do keep a close eye on small children as there are steep dropoffs to the top (even though there are railings). As you ascend, the Great Western Divide of the Sierra Nevada peaks become visible. You’ll see panoramic views open up from the foothills and San Joaquin Valley to the west, to deep into wilderness to the east. Don’t forget to look over the railing to see the Kaweah River and the Generals Highway, thousands of feet below you. The best time to head to Moro rock is at sunset and is one of my favorite things to do in Sequoia National Park. Tip: Don’t go on this hike if there is a chance of rain (gets slippery) or thunderstorms (exposure to lightening).

Tokopah Falls in Sequoia National Park

If you have an extra day, add Tokopah Falls to the list of things to do in Sequoia National Park! 1,200 feet long, this is the tallest waterfall in Sequoia. It’s a fairly easy 4.2 mile round trip hike to the falls. You’ll see a long series of steep picturesque cascades at the end of your hike. To get to the trailhead, take Generals Highway to the turnoff for the Lodgepole Visitor Center (4.5 miles north of the Giant Forest Museum) and drive east toward Lodgepole Campground. Park in the large lot near the nature center and bathrooms and cross a bridge to the north side of the river where the trail begins. The road to Tokopah is open.

Crystal Cave in Sequioa National Park

I would have loved to explore Crystal Cave but unfortunately it is closed for the season due to the pandemic. I have heard this place is awesome but you also need to make a reservation. If you are planning to go, check the website to be sure to plan ahead.

Conclusion

Whether you’re coming up from Southern or Northern California, Sequoia is only approximately 4 hours away so it makes for a great weekend getaway! Walking amongst the giants is amazing, and it is an experience you don’t want to miss. If you’ve been to this national park before, I would love to hear your favorite things to do in Sequoia National Park in the comments below! P.S. – Remember to pack out your trash and leave no trace.