Tucked away in the California mountains is a treasure of natural wonder. Our adventure to Sequoia National Park with kids was the highlight of the year! Here’s our complete guide, all the things to do in Sequoia National Park, as well as our best tips to making your own family travels seamless and fun.
Sequoia National Park with Kids
For this trip, we decided to splurge on a little house in Three Rivers, the gateway town to the park, through Airbnb. There’s a lot to see at Sequoia NP and the adjoining park, Kings Canyon National Park, and we planned to stay at least 3 nights so camping was not in the cards this trip. We wanted our young kids to be rested and ready for long days of hikes and exploring. We definitely hope to camp at Sequoia eventually though!
We entered the park through the Ash Mountain Entrance through Three Rivers up the winding road of stunning views. The cost per vehicle is $35. You can buy online or at the entrance. Expect to drive an additional 1-2 hours up winding mountain roads to arrive at the most popular Sequoia National Park attractions.
Not to be missed is the Foothills Visitor Center, which opens at 8 am and is just a short drive after entering the park. It’s a great spot to get your bearings, use the restrooms and plan your itinerary for the day. The park rangers are great and give wonderful recommendations based on your kids’ ages, interests and what you would like to see that day. Often an attraction will be closed because of weather or other factors, so checking in with the rangers each day is a good idea.
Sequoia National Park History
Once you arrive, you’ll see why this park is a state treasure! With an area of 629 square miles of forest in the Sierra Nevada region of California, Sequoia National Park is adjoined by Kings Canyon National Park to the north/northeast, with the eastern boundary being at Mount Whitney (the highest mountain in the lower 48 states at 14,949 feet).
Sequoia National Park was established in 1890 to protect groves of the big trees, which are among the world’s largest and oldest living things. It’s home to General Sherman, the world’s largest tree. Sequoia National Park preserves most of the remaining groves of big trees – or giant sequoias – not already federally protected.
Los Angeles to Sequoia National Park
The drive from Los Angeles to Sequoia National Park is about 4 hours heading north past Bakersfield via the I-5 northbound. Going further into Kings Canyon National Park will add about an hour or so to your drive time. The road is well maintained, especially during winter, but as you enter Sequoia NP the many switchbacks can give some kids (and adults!) problems. Plan accordingly if you tend to get car sick.
Is the drive to Sequoia National Park scary? I definitely thought so! Driving to Sequoia National Park is not for the faint of heart… or stomach. Even if you stay right outside the park entrance, you still have over an hour of elevation to conquer to get to the big Sequoia trees, switching back and forth, making complete u-turns next to giant RVs and cars pulling boats. I’m serious people… we were scared! But if we can do it, so can you!
My tip: start your day as early as possible! Plan to head back to camp to end your day well before dark. The kids will be tired from a long day of adventure, anyway. Don’t over-schedule and run the risk of driving past sunset. Pack your vehicle with plenty of water and snacks (although don’t leave your car unattended with food inside – use the bear boxes!) to keep the kids hydrated and happy during your adventures.
Sequoia National Park Weather
The weather in Sequoia National Park is what you’d expect at such high elevations: mild summers with highs in the 70s and low 80s, while the evenings get colder in the 50s. Winter in Sequoia NP is a completely different story, with temperatures near freezing and lots of snow.
The elevation at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks range from 1,370 feet to 14,500 feet… so lots of variances to consider when planning your visit!
What to Wear
Though kids don’t specifically need hiking boots, I found that my little ones survived the long hikes and rock scrambling with quality shoes. In addition to shoes and socks that will hold up to water and hiking, make sure everyone packs a lightweight jacket or zip up for when they get chilly in the shade, in caves or at higher elevations. Dress in layers because temps do get chilly as you head up the mountain!
Also, be sure to wear plenty of bug spray, sunscreen, a hat, drink lots of water and maybe pack a bathing suit and/or a change of clothes. We found so many creeks and swimming holes while adventuring around the national park and I was glad the kids had dry clothes to change into.
Tip: If you have space, carry a pair of small binoculars during your visit. We saw so many birds and even a family of bears… twice! Having binoculars made the experience even more exciting for the kids.
Tips for visiting Sequoia National Park
The park is divided into three general zones: low-elevation foothills, mid-elevation montane forests nad high-elevation alpine mountains. Each area of the park has varied weather, things to do and plenty of distance between top destinations.
Junior Ranger – Remember to pick up a Junior Ranger booklet for kids ages 5 and older to complete during your time in the park for a Junior Ranger Badge.
Shuttles – If you don’t want to deal with the mountain driving, take the shuttle. It’s $15 round trip per person which includes your entry fee into the park. There is also a free in-park shuttle if you don’t want to worry about parking. They stop at Lodgepole, General Sherman, and the Giant Forest Museum. During high season, the lines can be super long.
Fill gas tanks – there are no gas stations within the park. It may seem obvious, but make sure your car is filled up before entering the park as you’ll be doing a lot of mountain driving.
Altitude Sickness – Altitude sickness is not fun! My friend traveling with us suffered from altitude sickness and had to skip the entire day. Drink plenty of water the day before your visit and stay well hydrated while there too. Watch the kids carefully to see you need to descend a bit. If you are prone to altitude sickness (or even motion sickness), come prepared with the medication or gear you need.
Sequoia National Park Itinerary
Things to Do in Sequoia National Park
The Giant Forest Museum should be your first stop with kids to learn about the history of Sequoia National Park. The museum is fairly small, with a few interactive exhibits. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it also houses a gift shop. The museum is free of admission.
The General Sherman Tree is the largest tree, by volume, in the world. It’s also one of the most popular sites within Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Arrive early to avoid crowds. It’s a half-mile hike down on a paved road to the spot and people line up to take pictures in front, although it’s nearly impossible to capture the giant tree in one photo!
The Giant Forest is a must-do trail and where people go to truly experience Sequoia National Park. This is also where you’ll find General Sherman. The centuries-old trees, some of which are the largest in the world astonish families at every turn… especially kids! Drive along paved roads, and stop to hike and enjoy a picnic lunch in the greatest of the great outdoors.
Moro Rock is a massive hike — 400 steps, to be exact — with steep elevation, but the trek is worth the awe-inspiring views including the High Sierra and Great Western Divide. There are areas to stop along the way, but this hike might be best for families with older kids. I had planned to take my two but decided against it after learning about some questionable handrails. Alternatively, there are plenty of spots to capture photos of Moro Rock, rather than climb it.
Crystal Cave is an educational tour in Sequoia National Park. Tour guides lead groups through each “room” in the cave, explaining the history and geology of the magnificent formations. In some cases, guides might turn off flashlights so visitors can take in the peace and quiet of the cave; if this might pose a problem for someone in your family, let your tour guide know in advance. Read more about our tour experience below.
Related: Crystal Cave at Sequoia National Park
The Trail of 100 Giants is quiet and less crowded in comparison to other attractions within Sequoia National Park. We spent an entire afternoon exploring, climbing and enjoying our picnic here. Visit the trail for amazing views, photo ops and opportunities to walk on top of or climb through the sequoia trees!
Sequoia National Park Things to Do
Sequoia NP
Overall, we had the best time at Sequoia National Park. Wrapped in the gorgeous trees of California, my little family bonded while we conquered fears, explored new lands and learned so much about the state we call home. Whether you stay in an Airbnb in the surrounding areas, camp in Sequoia National park or just outside, there are so many things to do with your family and kids of all ages.
