You will beat the crowds into the park, be able to stay late, and generally spend less time driving around. Buy a pass from REI. You can also print out pages with a travel map. At the foothills of Mammoth Mountain, the town lays at an elevation of 7,880 feet, and it is the gateway to the scenic mountain, and to the Devils Postpile National Monument. Home > USA Parks > Yosemite National Park > Yosemite or Sequoia National Park? Plan Your Visit | Sequoia & Kings Canyon Sample Itineraries Cell service in both parks is spotty, so dont rely on your phones during your visit. The more famous of the two parks, Sequoia was busier. This vista point is just minutes away from Yosemite Valley Visitor Center and draws in crowds all year round due to its spectacular views of the El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall. flight time from Sequoia National Park to Yosemite National Park. However, if you have the time, the long trek is well worth it as you get breathtaking views of the Kings River, impressive glacial walls, and the large cascading waterfalls at the end. It ends up being about a half-an-hour shorter, but you will miss out on the General Highways amazing sights. It makes the visitors time more enjoyable, while keeping the park healthier. By which I mean youve hiked other 14,000+ elevation peaks. April 27, 2023 5:00 PM. I would suggest checking both directions to see which flights are cheapest. This is one of the best caverns in Northern California that you should check out. Yosemite vs Sequoia: Which is Better? How Do I Choose? If you want to stay inside the park, book as far ahead as possible, as reservations tend to fill up quickly during peak season. Please stay on trails: hazards may exist off trail in the Mariposa Grove. What is the IKON Ski Season, Utah is well known as one of the must visit states that national park enthusiasts need to travel to. Are you looking to drive from Yosemite to Sequoia National Park? distance from Yosemite National Park to Sequoia National Park, elevation from Sequoia National Park to Yosemite National Park, drive from Sequoia National Park to Yosemite National Park. Check rates and availability here. To visit Yosemite in one day, you definitely need to arrive prepared, otherwise you risk wasting your time. If you go, pace yourself, especially on the way back up from the famous tree. Unlike the Tunnel Log, you cant drive through the Tunnel Rock. Start by reading the Trippy page on where to stay in Yosemite National Park. I could see an itinerary looking something like this depending on your flight . It ends in Visalia, California. Stop by Visalia to fill up on gas, as options are limited and more expensive at Three Rivers, and there are no gas stations inside the park. Looking for ideas for more destinations within driving distance of Sequoia National Park? Take a short detour from the main highway and drive to the Kings Canyon Panoramic Point. Remember though, Tioga Pass is only open in the summer, and since its opening dates vary depending on they snowfall in any given year, you need to check the parks website for updates. Along the way, you can stop about halfway in Modesto, CA for a bite to eat. Upon reaching the lookout, youll have 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains. Not only will you see breathtaking views of the mountains, but you also get a clear look at the confluence of the South and Middle forks of the Kings River. Another recognizable feature at Yosemite is the Half Dome, which is further into the park, near the Yosemite Valley Visitors Center. This 4.7-mile roundtrip hike is considered relatively easy, and if you want to get away from the crowds, this is a great hike to follow as its not exactly one of the popular trails in the park. The drive between Yosemite and Death valley takes approximately 4-5 hours and covers between 231 miles and 300 miles depending upon the route. View amapfor details. The western portion of the Perimeter Trail (from the Galen Clark Tree to near the Grizzly Giant Loop Trail). Be sure to arrive early, as parking lots may fill up as soon as 9am. Giant Sequoias - Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park Forum the results with the flight time calculator to see how much By Martie Bowser. If you need help organizing overnight stays and intermediate stops during the long journey from Sequoia to Death Valley, read the article below: Where to stay between Sequoia and Death Valley. And if you know Sequoia National Park well, please help your fellow However, if you want more variety and want to check out canyons, mountain peaks, rivers, and falls aside from trees, then Kings Canyon is better. In my opinion, the best part of Kings Canyon National Park is the Generals Highway. Check out out road trip guide from San Francisco to Yosemite. Even the room interiors were designed to reflect the surrounding nature perfectly. You can easily spend a day or two just exploring the area, but if you have less than a day, you can pick among the highlights listed below and save the other for another visit. The entire loop is marked with fallen trees and stumps, evidence of what once was a lumber mill in the area. open-ended. Another great trail you can take to see Giant Sequoias is the Big Trees Trail. For only $80, you have a full year of access to all National Parks in the country. From convenient shuttle stops, it's an easy stroll right up to the base of double-tiered Yosemite Falls, the continent's highest . Size: Large, #7 in North America Code: SFO Visit Website. Of course, Trippy is the perfect place to ask questions If it's a real road trip, you might want to check out interesting places along the way, or maybe eat at a great restaurant. Sequoia National Park is much closer to Los Angeles than Yosemite, but if youre heading to Las Vegas or Death Valley, Sequoia wont be on the way and youll be forced to take a detour. This time in the summer though, I would suggest just drive along on your road trip to Yosemite. The road through I-40 is only about 23 miles longer, but you can also drive through San Diego, in which case youll add about 125 miles to the trip. Vail Resorts created the EPIC ski pass in 2008. Yosemite National Park and Sequoia National Park are two of the main national parks in Sierra Nevada, the mountain range that separates the "green" part of the Golden State from the deserts of California, and the other parks of Arizona, Utah and Nevada. Or is that too much and redundant? Camping along the way? How to Choose According to the Itinerary? From: Box 89, Sequoia National Park, CA 93262 If you're planning a road trip to Yosemite National Park, you can research locations to stop along the way. Includes access to Kings Canyon. Unfortunately, when we visited, in early June, the National Monument wasnt open for the season yet. With temperatures hovering above the 100F (over 38 degrees Celsius), summer is not the ideal time to visit this park, but a short stop is still worth it. Finally, drive for about 1 hour and arrive at Yosemite National Park. Yosemite or Sequoia National Park: how to choose? Sure, its establishment as a national treasure in 1890 only preceded Yosemite by six days, but it was right up there with the most country's famous national parks. . 3:48 pm Yosemite. After appreciating impressive sights above ground, how about checking a marble cavern? Gabriels passions include trail running and hiking on California's incredible trails, camping in the redwoods, and exploring the golden state from the Eastern Sierras to the rugged North Coast. and leave at 4:48 pm. to double check the weather. A short interpretive trail starting at the Visitor Center gives you more choices to explore the surroundings. There are multiple starting points of trails in this valley as well, including the popular Mist Trail. Read our guide that contains reviews of hotels and strategic tips for finding accommodations near major attractions: Travel in USA 2012-2023 All Rights Reserved. who wants the trip to end? With the diverse natural landscapes in the region, you could easily spend 3-4 days (or a lifetime) exploring the trails, rock climbs, and attractions. Travelmath helps you find the driving The park is massive, so you wont get to cover the whole place even if you spend an entire week there but visiting the absolute highlights should be enough for your first visit. View a map with driving directions So what do you do in this scenario? Directions to Sequoia High Sierra Camp from Yosemite National Park Read More Lake Tahoe to Yosemite Road Trip Itinerary [The Best Stops]Continue. Like Sequoia, one full day should be enough to drive through and cover the highlights in Kings Canyon National Park. As you plan your West Coast Road Trip, you never want to get to the point where you ask yourself this question! It can be done in 4 hours amongst the shortest routebut its much better to take your time and experience the breath taking scenery. This airport is accessible via direct flights through almost every carrier, and ticket prices werent excessive. Should I get the America the Beautiful Pass? Home to Redwood Canyon, the largest remaining grove of sequoia trees in the world, Kings Canyon is worth at least a few hours to visit. This can also help Lake Tahoe to Yosemite: The Perfect Road Trip Itinerary - Travel Cami (The one-mile hike back to the parking lot gains 500 feet and is strenuous.) If you have time, and you are there at the right time of the year, enjoy a few hikes through the park. The distance from Yosemite to Sequoia National Park is 138 miles. the flight planner: Trippy has a ton of information that can help you plan your trip to Yosemite National Park. There are several ways to visit this 2,200-year-old, 275 feet tall, and 36 feet wide giant. How long is the drive from Sequoia National Park to Yosemite National Park? Besides traveling, my interests include literature, prog music and good food,. Or maybe it was just good timing. Restrooms are located at the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza and areas within the grove. Best Months: May, June, September & OctoberHours: Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a yearEntrance Fee: $35 per vehicle, valid for 7 days. Phone: (209) 372-0200. Entrance fees still apply, this is just a way to ensure you can actually enter the park. Since we would pass right by it on our road trip to Yosemite, we felt we needed to stop and enjoy some time on the mountain. Parking is limited. Though both parks are open all year round, there can be limitations when visiting during certain seasons, such as winter, late fall, and early spring. You can not enter the park without one of these reservations. There are plenty of hiking trails to take, waterfalls to see, and even a cave to explore. Bearpaw Specific Reservations: (877) 436-9726. He was born and raised in California and has worked as a professional restaurant chef for over 20 years. Best family activities 2 day trip to Yosemite? stay for about 1 hour and leave at 2:25 pmdrive for about 1.5 hours, 3:48 pm Yosemite Make sure your vehicle isnt taller than 8 feet; otherwise, youll have to use a bypass. You may have to rent a car with all-wheel drive if driving in the winter. View amapfor details. . The Majestic Mountain Loop is a new route created from existing highways that sets up a three-day driving itinerary of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, as well as Yosemite National Park. Thankfully, Sequoia and Kings Canyon are so close, that even the entrance fee covers both parks! This cozy stone-and-timber retreat is open seasonally and provides its guests a quiet accommodation in the heart of Kings Canyon National Park. Middle Fork Trail (3 mi/5 km): takes you past views of Moro Rock and Castle Rock and leads to Panther Creek Falls. from the airport, based on how far the airport is from downtown. The main road through the park leads through a few famous landmarks and large patches of Joshua Trees. Looking for accommodations for your trip from California to other parts of the Southwest? El Capitan is the feature that actually launched the National Park Service over a hundred years ago. This same pass is valid for both parks. Since it is a night bloomer, the gorgeous white saguaro flowers were still open in the morning, when we set off on our adventure. We also covered the drive to Kings Canyon National Park and the best things to do there, which covers the entire Majestic Mountain Loop, in case you want to add it to your itinerary. Your trip begins in Yosemite National Park, California. In 2021 Yosemite introduced a reservation system, still in place a year later. With over 631 square miles to explore, Sequoia National Park can be as intimidating as the giants it houses. Lodging options inside Yosemite National Park are managed by Yosemite Hospitality, and range from simple tent cabins at the High Sierra Camps to deluxe rooms at The Ahwahnee. recommended restaurants, hotels, and things to do along At the same time, it is not easy to give conclusive advice, because we are talking about two exceptional parks, each with its own particular features. 1 Driving through the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts.