Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks

Giant Forest

A rolling plateau between the Marble and Middle Forks of the Kaweah River holds the largest unlogged giant sequoia grove, with more exceptionally large trees than any other grove. The General Sherman Tree, the largest living tree by volume, stands here. The moderate Congress Trail is a 2-mile loop that starts at that tree and passes mature giants such as the President Tree and the House and Senate groups. Hiking trails range from one-to-two-hour walks to half-day outings, and the Crescent Meadow Loop is a popular option. Moro Rock offers views, while scattered meadows and trees support wildlife watching. The Giant Forest Museum is a good first stop, with interpretive exhibits and a park store. Decades of prescribed burning have left open forest and clumps of young seedlings.

Grant Grove

The General Grant Tree, celebrated as the nation's Christmas tree, stands among giant sequoias where a higher share of mature trees reach ten to twenty feet in diameter than in any other grove. A paved loop of about a third of a mile leads to the tree and passes the Gamlin Cabin, the Fallen Monarch, and the Centennial Stump. Hiking options extend to the 1.5-mile North Grove Loop, past meadows and creeks. Stumps from 19th and early-20th century logging can be seen along the trails, and Big Stump and Panoramic Point are named features here. Grant Grove Village has a restaurant, market, post office, gift shop, and lodging, and a pack station near the tree offers horseback riding by the hour. At 6,500 feet, the area is usually snow covered in winter.

Cedar Grove

A glaciated valley of towering cliffs and tumbling waterfalls, this area is shaped by the powerful Kings River, whose canyon gave the park its name. Zumwalt Meadow is one of its best-known features, and picnic tables are scattered throughout the canyon. Riverside trails range from easy to strenuous, with Roaring River Falls and Muir Rock among the nearby highlights. The area also serves as a gateway to the High Sierra wilderness, and backcountry permits are issued at the Roads End permit station. The historic visitor center sits in a small cabin beside the South Fork of the Kings River, and the village nearby has a gift shop, market, and snack bar.

Foothills

Spring is when the Foothills look their best, with green hills rolling toward distant snowcapped peaks and wildflowers blanketing the slopes. Oak woodland, chaparral scrub and river canyons crowd into this lower country, which supports a wider range of species than the cooler zones above it. Winters are mild and wet, while summers run hot and dry. Hike the Marble Falls and Paradise Creek trails through the hills, and keep an eye out for black bears, mule deer, bobcats and many bird species. At Hospital Rock, a picnic spot in oak woodland beside the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River, outdoor displays recount the lives of the Native peoples who lived and traveled through this country. Campers can stay at Foothills Campgrounds, and the Foothills Visitor Center has maps, books and exhibits on local ecology and history.

Mineral King

Subalpine valley scenery is the draw here, with granite and shale peaks rising above forests of pine, fir and sequoia. The Mineral King Road climbs a narrow, winding route past chaparral, oak woodlands and old mining towns with historic cabins. Hikers can head out on the Eagle and Mosquito Lakes Trail or the Timber Gap Trail, while campers can stay overnight at Cold Springs or Atwell Mill campgrounds. The Mineral King Ranger Station sits in a mixed-conifer forest and offers exhibits on the valley's human and natural history, plus maps and wilderness permits. Marmots live here and may try to get into car undercarriages, so it's wise to shield the bottom of your vehicle with a cover.