If you want to get close to water, you can wade in Lodgepole Creek (near the campground or visitor center) and hike to the smallish falls (still grand) nearby. This trail connects to other routes that will help you find a quiet spot away from the crowds. Parking is limited. Other than the two small Arizona towns, youll drive through a Joshua Tree forest, in certain parts more dense than Joshua Tree National Monument. A short interpretive trail starting at the Visitor Center gives you more choices to explore the surroundings. Includes access to Kings Canyon If you are following our itinerary, and visiting Sequoia National Park after Kings Canyon, you should have come down the General's Highway. If we were able to fly into the city earlier in the day, we could have swung the trek on the same day. Sequoia National Park to Yosemite National Park drive After entering, head north on route 180 and snake through the 35-mile long Kings Canyon Scenic Byway. As for some great trails to hike, the General Grant Tree Trail, North Grove Loop, and Roaring River Falls Trails are cant miss easy trails for the whole family. The best itinerary for a San Francisco to Yosemite Road trip featuring two routes with the best places to stop. Note: Please do not attempt to hike the length of the summit trail, unless you are prepared for it, have the proper gear, and experience. The drive takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes from Yosemite Valley. If youre looking to stay as close as possible to the ancient giant sequoias, this location is as good as it gets. next trip! 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. The following trails are closed due to the Washburn Fire: The western portion of the Perimeter Trail (from the Galen Clark Tree to near the Grizzly Giant Loop Trail). LAX is a huge airport and is best to get there well before your flight starts boarding. In North America alone, there are well over 390 million public acres to explore, comprised of 577 US national parks & forests, 6,600 state parks, and 141 Canadian parks. Yosemite also has some giant sequoias in the area of Mariposa Grove (it recently reopened and restored while it was closed for years), but they are not as tall or even as numerous. The 50-minute tour involves going on a steep hike to the cave, but it is suitable for all ages. Driving tour of Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia Parks Kings Canyon is one of the lesser known National Parks in the area and often gets dwarfed by those visiting Yosemite and Sequoia. P.O. for security, board and taxi on the runway, land at the other 7 Famous Landmarks on a Road Trip between Phoenix and Yosemite to calculate the distance between cities. Drinking water is available only at the welcome plaza (year-round) and arrival area (summer only) so plan accordingly. "as the crow flies" which is calculated using an iterative About 30 miles from Mammoth Lakes, youll reach the tiny town of Lee Vining, the gateway to Yosemite National Park through Tioga Pass. Full-day trip to Yosemite National Park from San Francisco. The best combo of drive time and price was to fly in was the Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport which is about 4 hour drive. It seems to work, so I am sure they will keep it. Drive for 1.5 hours then stop at Yosemite and stay for 1 hour. drive for about 1 hour. Check rates and availability here. 12 years ago Save If you visit Kings Canyon National Park, which is adjacent to Sequoia (and is included in your entrance fee to Sequoia) you can exit Kings Canyon on Highway 180 and go west to Fresno then north on the 41 to Yosemite. How far is Yosemite National Park from Sequoia National Park? the results with the flight time calculator to see how much 3:48 pm Yosemite. On a hot day, youll find the best hikes on the higher elevations, surrounding the alpine lakes along Tioga Road. Though we didnt linger this time it was too hot to even get out of the car we visited the park a few times before, and always enjoyed our experiences. In order to get more accurate directions, make sure to set your GPS directions from the Yosemite Valley Visitor to the Sequoia National Park Ash Mountain Entrance. Vail Resorts created the EPIC ski pass in 2008. Sequoia National Park to Kings Canyon Drive, Things to do at Kings Canyon National Park, Planning a trip to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, Practical Information for Visiting Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, What to Pack for Yosemite to Sequoia Road Trip, Wrap-Up: Yosemite National Park to Sequoia National Park, San Francisco to Monterey Drive [Best Stops on Pacific Coast Highway], San Francisco to Lake Tahoe Road Trip [Best Stops], Rent a Car under 21 in California [w/ Rental Car Companies], San Francisco to Yosemite Road Trip [Scenic Drive + Best Places to Stop], Lake Tahoe to Yosemite Road Trip Itinerary [The Best Stops], Sacramento to Portland Drive [Best Road Trip Stops + Places to Eat]. For road conditions outside of the park, please call 800-427-7623 or visit these CalTrans webpages: Highway 180. This is also an excellent spot for a picnic, especially if you want to stretch your legs and spend some time appreciating the falls beauty. This is a beautiful drive, but the road can be pretty windy in some parts, so keep a motion sickness pill on hand. On the way, when you get to Visalia, you can take a detour to Sequoia National Park and visit it. Stop at Tunnel View for a photo op of the Valley and Half Dome. Yosemite National Park is best known for its majestic waterfalls, but within its nearly 1,200 square miles, you can find deep valleys, grand meadows and ancient giant sequoias. When it comes to landscapes, Yosemite is perhaps superior. Contents hide. Some advice for those who dont know how to choose between the two, Yosemite or Sequoia National Park? El Capitan is the feature that actually launched the National Park Service over a hundred years ago. But in 2021 we opted to drive. Tokopah Falls is just so beautiful that the 3.8-mile out-and-back trail is easy, considering the payoff. Departure airport: Visalia Municipal Airport (VIS), Arrival airport: Mammoth Yosemite Airport (MMH). The floor of Yosemite Valley offers amazing views of El Capitan, and its plunging Bridalveil Falls. With the airports selected, we can estimate the travel time to and airports, states, countries, or zip codes. The Mariposa Grove Arrival Area has portable toilets and no drinking water. you'll be able to customize this plan, choosing your own airports By Martie Bowser. 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. You will pass by Grant Grove Village, and onto Cedar Grove, before reaching Roads End of Kings Canyon National Park. If youre like us, just stoping on your way to Yosemite, drive to the trailhead, hike about a mile or so on the summit trail and enjoy time in the pines. 2023 Parks & Trips, a Cagle Online Enterprises, Inc. Company, IKON Pass Ski Resorts for the 2023-24 Season (Updated), Finding the Zebra Slot Canyon in the Grand Staircase. Yosemite National Park: hiking the Valley. Joshua Tree National Park. Click on any question to see answers from the community! Learn how your comment data is processed. Is Yosemite worth camping/visiting in the spring? Perched high up on a granite dome, the Buck Rock Lookout is only accessible by going up a steep 172-step staircase. Visit These California Parks and Forests Instead of Yosemite Fresno (11 answers) The Marble Fork Trail (7.4 miles round trip) starts at the Potwisha Campground and winds up a strenuous trail to view the amazing Marble Falls. Tips on where to stay in and near Sequoia. How long is the drive from Sequoia National Park to Yosemite National Park? The entire loop is marked with fallen trees and stumps, evidence of what once was a lumber mill in the area. Don't forget about exploring your own hometown with a staycation. It makes the visitors time more enjoyable, while keeping the park healthier. Tuolumne Grove Located on the Tioga Road just east of Crane Flat, the Tuolumne Grove has about two dozen mature giant sequoias. We grabbed a rental SUV in San Francisco and dropped it off at LAX before our flight home. to double check the weather. recommended restaurants, hotels, and things to do along 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. However, for a more relaxed visit, you might want to divide your trip into two days and just spend more time in nature. Middle Fork Trail (3 mi/5 km): takes you past views of Moro Rock and Castle Rock and leads to Panther Creek Falls. To better understand the various options mentioned, open the map and select the level with the park and time of year you are interested in to see the itinerary. Yosemite National Park to Sequoia National Park drive, or go to the main page to plan a new road trip. 2023 Chef Travel Guide | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions | Disclosure Policy. Yosemite or Sequoia National Park: how to choose? Or you can stay in one of the nearby towns for more availability. May 1, 2023. Let's say you're actually planning a road trip to Yosemite National Park, and you want to stop on the way to explore. Inland of King Range National Conservation Area, Humboldt Redwoods State Park deserves national park recognition for its impressive 50,000-acres along the Eel River. Driving tour of Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia Parks When visiting the parks, make sure not to feed the wildlife. You can start your preparation by reading our guide. Part of the reason might have to do with CoVid, and the permit system. Youll find the road leading up to it in the small town on Lone Pine, worth a stop for its famous landmarks featured in old Western movies. There are also viewpoints in Sequoia (e.g. Yes, you can do Yosemite and Sequoia in a day, but it will leave you very little time in each park to enjoy the sites. Last-minute trip to Yosemite this weekend, Yosemite National Park to Sequoia National Park drive, distance from Sequoia National Park to Yosemite National Park, Sequoia National Park to Yosemite National Park flight plan. Sequoia National Park is the oldest national park in California and second in the US only to Yellowstone. Also, watch the 15-minute informative movie before grabbing your map and proceeding to the many trails and sights in the park. Youll find the most famous views from Glacier Point, where you can see the entire Valley, with the famous rock formations and waterfalls. Its steps away from Kings River, and though it doesnt necessarily have the most updated amenities, its still a great place to book when you want to be close to many of the trails and sights in the park. Purchase your tickets for the 50-minute guided tour at least two months in advance and carve out almost half a day for the whole experience. All the articles on this site are distributed with Creative Commons License. This hike is ideal if youre looking into a quick stop and you just want to do a little bit of hiking before continuing on your drive. Just think of the overlooks, like Glacier Point, which offers a unique perspective on the whole valley. Yosemite Valley was still more congested than I prefer it, but at least manageable. It would take you approximately 2.5 hours from Yosemite National Parks southern entrance to the southern entrance of Sequoia, provided you dont make many stops along the way. Converted from a historic market building, the museum houses interactive exhibits that teach about tree ecology and the history of how the park came about. While it is no frills and no thrills, the popular stop is famous for stargazing. You can also compare the travel time if you're flying or driving Read More Sacramento to Portland Drive [Best Road Trip Stops + Places to Eat]Continue. and flights. Scroll down to see a more realistic calculation that takes Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park Scenic Drives If you need to rent a car under 21 in California, this guide will help you find the best rental car companies for your road trip. The main road through the park leads through a few famous landmarks and large patches of Joshua Trees. Los Angeles Area Distance: 225 mi/362 km Time: 4 hours Take any highway to I-5 N. Continue onto CA-99 N toward Bakersfield/Fresno. This enormous granite dome is only accessible via technical climbers on a 15-mile round trip hike that spans multiple trails. Eventually Take the full day to do it, and head out the Ash Mountain Entrance to Three Rivers. The Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza (near South Entrance) has flush toilets and drinking water. 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. Upon reaching the lookout, youll have 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains. In my opinion, the best part of Kings Canyon National Park is the Generals Highway. Tip: If your flight gets in early enough, and you still want to spend the night, you really should check out the Golden Gate Bridge and/or the Fishermans Wharf. Sequoia National Park may be famous for its ancient Giant Sequoias, but Moro Rock is a do not miss, especially if you want 360-degree views of the forest canopy below. Check out our San Francisco to Las Vegas road trip itinerary. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Even though they are close, they are probably too far away to stay in one place and easily visit all the best sights of both. However, there is one exception. take-off and landing, and time to taxi on the runway. because there's an entire community of travelers talking by calculating the distance from Sequoia National Park to Yosemite National Park. As for hiking in Sequoia NP, the Big Trees Loop (1.2 miles round trip) near the Museum and the Cold Springs Nature Trail are two easy trails that the whole family can enjoy. Should I get the America the Beautiful Pass? However, you can easily access the Muir Rock trailhead from this terminus, which has a great spot to take a dip and cool off during summer. Back then, passholders only had access to 7 partner resorts, and, The IKON ski lift ticket was created by the Alterra Mountain Company in 2018. The drive takes about 45 minutes from Yosemite Valley. As well as getting to the nature of the problem, I will also try to give some criteria to make the choicebetween Yosemite and Sequoia, in case you cant include them both in the itinerary. But before you reach your destination, you have a few other places you can stop to explore. Yosemite to Sequoia National Park - 7 ways to travel via train, car Maks Ershov Shutterstock. Its especially important to pack this when visiting Sequoia and Yosemite in the winter. First time visit, how many days should i spend in the park? Park Hours: All day, every day. From San Francisco, youll take SR-99 S and continue past Yosemite and start the long journey around the Sierra Nevada. shortest distance is actually the "great circle" distance, or Sequoia National Park to Yosemite National Park including time spent getting to/from At least if you are not driving through in the summer. and leave at 2:25 pm. Along the way, you can stop about halfway in Modesto, CA for a bite to eat. Be sure to arrive early, as parking lots may fill up as soon as 9am. It has basic amenities for a comfortable stay and a beautiful on-site restaurant that serves delicious meals using locally-sourced ingredients. Yes, even this step is optional, because if you're on vacation If the trip you have in mind does not include San Francisco and is similar to our 2 Weeks West Coast Road Trip, but youd still like to see one of the two mountain parks, then you wont have much of a choice, because Yosemite will be too off course, so youll want to go to Sequoia and spend the night in the area. There are two ways to reach the Eastern Sierra (the area east of the two parks in question) and Death Valley: Case 1 applies to pretty much everyone who embarks on a road trip from San Francisco to Yosemite. You will beat the crowds into the park, be able to stay late, and generally spend less time driving around. The next day is a trip out of Sequoia National Park into Los Angeles. To get from Phoenix to the high mountains and most famous landmarks of California, we covered a lot of desert. The numerous national parks are among the most popular destinations in California and are, More than 3 million people travel every year to visit Yosemite National Park, the first conservation area designated by the United States back in 1864. Covering over 1,200 miles, a road trip from Phoenix to Yosemite National Park might not sound like the most convenient way to visit the famous park. Yes, the Muir Rock is this huge 15-foot boulder you can jump off from and plunge into the Kings River. Click the button below to explore more questions Trek to a grove of giant sequoias, marvel at features like El Capitan, and enjoy free time to explore the park's outdoor wonders and historic lodges on your own. Gabriel is the head writer for Chef Travel Guide and has been featured in the Huffington Post, Martha Stewart, Eat This, Not That, Real Simple, Muscle and Health, and many more. 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. As its name suggests, the falls are known for the loud roaring noises its water makes, which are loudest during late spring to early summer. Youll have plenty of opportunities to see Giant Sequoias in Sequoia National Park, but you might as well get started by dropping by the largest Sequoia grove in Yosemite. So that means we really need This is one of the best caverns in Northern California that you should check out. Once you hit Generals Highway, the road is narrow, steep, winding, and a bit difficult to drive, with plenty of switchbacks. Local Tip: If you get motion sickness, make sure to bring some motion sickness pills with you, so you wont be miserable on this scenic drive. However, since that is the road well be using to travel down to Sequoia later on, we will leave the majority of that route for later. We drove through large fields of wind-powered generators, and solar panels, giving us hope for the future. It takes just over an hour to get to the viewpoint from the Visitor Center. distance from Yosemite National Park to Sequoia National Park, or go to the main page How far is Yosemite National Park from Sequoia National Park The extension of Yosemite is over 1158 sq mi, while the Sequoia is just 631 sq mi. 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. Website: nps.gov/yose. Location: About 70 miles east of Fresno, CA; Closest airport(s): Fresno-Yosemite (FAT) ~ 1.5 hours, Bakersfield (BFL) < 2 hours, San Jose (SJC) ~ 3.5-4 hours Best time of year to go: Late spring through early fall; Recommended visit length: 2 days; 2023 price to visit: $35 per car; I might be stretching it a bit to place Sequoia & Kings Canyon national parks in Northern California. Since it is a night bloomer, the gorgeous white saguaro flowers were still open in the morning, when we set off on our adventure. Best Months: May, June, September & OctoberHours: Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a yearEntrance Fee: $35 per vehicle, valid for 7 days. In Conclusion: Yosemite vs Sequoia, Which is Better? Make the most out of your time at one of the most beautiful national parks in the world by hiking, rock climbing, or simply exploring the incredible scenery. You can also calculate the cost to drive from Sequoia National Park to Yosemite National Park based on current local gas prices Visiting Crystal Cave involves a steep 0.5-mile hike from the parking area and joining a guided tour on the 0.5-mile loop that leads through the cave. Another 250 miles later, we reached Mount Whitney, the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States. We had no desire to hike the 10+ miles to the top, this was a great stop for us. Other parts of Sequoia/KC NP with Sequoia tree such as Giant Forest are currently closed. Reservations are available 366 days in advance and are strongly recommended, especially from spring through fall and during holidays. You will need to spend almost half a day if you want to take up this 8.7-mile, somewhat strenuous hike, as it will take close to 3.5 hours to complete. 3 2. Massive, ancient giant sequoias live in three groves in Yosemite National Park. So, as soon as we got a reservation to visit the park, we set off on our first road trip of the summer, the longest at the time during the pandemic. Your plane flies much faster than a car, so the flight time is about 1/7th of the time it would take to drive. Nonstop drive: 215 miles or 346 km Driving time: 4 hours, 51 minutes Large swaths of Yosemite Valley were closed over the weekend as the National Park Service braces for raising water levels in area rivers and streams due to a combination of record snowfall levels and unseasonably warm temperatures. Parks & Trips was created to help guide those that want to travel the National Parks and ski resorts of the US and Canada. Main Reservations: (866) 807-3598. We were still able to find a parking spot leading to a short trail through sequoia groves the park got its name from. Lake Tahoe to Yosemite: The Perfect Road Trip Itinerary - Travel Cami You may find yourself sharing the trail with a crowd as this is a popular walking trail because the 80-foot waterfall is easily accessed just right off the road. Keep in mind that it takes about 4 hours (round-trip) to drive from Fresno to the main points of interest in Sequoia. With fewer visitors, you get less traffic and a better chance of finding a parking spot at all of the famous landmarks and trailheads. However, access to roads might be limited due to some road closures during heavy winters. When planning this kind of trip, it is easy to get carried away and decide to, California is as vast as it is fascinating; it is home to very diverse natural landscapes. You are back in the Sonoran Desert again, and drive through driving Kingsman and Wickenburg. Like with all of our road trips, you can easily reverse course, and fly into LA and out of San Francisco. As such, make sure that youre well prepared not only for the rapidly changing weather conditions and for the effects of the altitude. See the Top Questions on the right, full TripAdvisor Website. Home > USA Parks > Yosemite National Park > Yosemite or Sequoia National Park? The Best National Parks to Visit the Next Time You're in Las Vegas Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks: The Complete Guide Best family activities 2 day trip to Yosemite? A San Francisco to Lake Tahoe Road trip itinerary featuring the best places to stop between SF and Lake Tahoe. Compare Yosemite or Sequoia: Which One Do I Choose? Its a 360-step stone stairway that leads to the top near the parking lot, so you can make this your first stop. The day after a holiday weekend, we had no trouble finding a parking lot at the trailhead. Winding through large groves of sequoias, and showcasing a fallen log you can walk through, the trail follows a flat terrain, with few obstacles. Like most beautiful parks in the country, both Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park are open 365 days a year. The trailhead is located at the Grant Tree Parking Area, where you will also find the trailhead for the North Grove Loop, a 1.5-mile trail thats less crowded and allows you to take an even closer look at the giant trees. My wife and I, and our Yorkie, will be driving from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park in late May. Please stay on trails: hazards may exist off trail in the Mariposa Grove. So now we can finally get an idea of the total travel time from You can easily spot this massive granite dome as you enter the park. After appreciating impressive sights above ground, how about checking a marble cavern? Unlike the Tunnel Log, you cant drive through the Tunnel Rock. Check out some of the questions people have asked about Yosemite National Park like First time visit, how many days should i spend in the park?. drive for about 1.5 hours. As for attractions, the Goodwin Dam Recreational Area in Jamestown, CA offers easy and short trails for those that want to get out and stretch the legs a bit. Exit off highway 41 to Kings Canyon Highway 180 east.

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