Nestled in the heart of mountainous central California, Sequoia National Park and King’s Canyon National Park are unparalleled sanctuaries teeming with snow-capped Sierra peaks, mesmerizing marble caves, and enchanting alpine lakes. These parks are sanctuaries for the world’s largest trees, Sequoiadendrum giganteum, or as they’re popularly known, giant sequoias. Here, you’ll find the best views of these magnificent, wooly-barked giants that reach towards the sky.
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Designated as national parks in 1890 and 1940 respectively, these two public lands are now jointly governed as a single park unit. Each offers unique features making them both worth visiting. Sequoia Park is particularly automobile-friendly, boasting scenic drives through chaparral-laden foothills, immense trees, and deep river-carved valleys. On the other hand, King’s Canyon, with over 93% of its land designated as wilderness, offers an unspoiled, tranquil experience for hikers and nature-lovers. These lands also carry a rich cultural heritage as the ancestral home of the Mono/Monache, Yukut, Tübatulabal, Paiute, and Western Shoshone peoples, many of whom continue to reside nearby and care for the land within the park boundaries.
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Summer brings the peak season for both Sequoia and Kings Canyon, with warm days and mostly melted snow unveiling the wilderness trails. The parks draw crowds to popular trails near sequoia trees and the Giant Forest area, making it a splendid time for scenic drives, camping, hiking, and fishing.
Spring comes at varying times due to the parks’ diverse elevations and biozones. The Foothills region welcomes spring with vivid wildflowers in April and May, while high alpine landscapes don colorful hues in June. By autumn, the parks quiet down, though hiking and backpacking remain popular activities. It’s important to note the heightened wildfire risk during this season due to climate change, which often results in campfire restrictions.
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As winter sets in, most parts of Sequoia and Kings Canyon shut down due to heavy snowfall. However, select areas remain open for winter activities such as snowplay at Grant Grove or Wolverton Snowplay Area. Cross-country ski and snowshoe rentals are available at Wuksachi Lodge for those eager to further explore the winter landscape.
Reaching the parks is straightforward, with Fresno Yosemite…
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