Road-Tripping California's Giants: A 2-Day Sequoia & Kings Canyon Itinerary

Park early here to catch the free park shuttle into the Moro Rock and Crescent Meadow corridor, where narrow roads and tiny parking lots make driving larger vehicles difficult.

Climb the 350 stone steps carved into this granite monolith to reach the 6,750-foot summit, offering sweeping 360-degree vistas across the Great Western Divide and the Kaweah River drainage.

Walk among this striking cluster of eight mature sequoias growing in close proximity. Step up to the base to experience the thick, spongy bark and hollowed trunks up close.

A fallen giant sequoia spanning across Crescent Meadow Road with an 8-foot-tall, 17-foot-wide tunnel carved through its trunk. Vehicles under 7 feet 3 inches can drive under it, while hikers can walk right through.

Stand before the largest living tree on Earth by volume, measuring over 52,500 cubic feet. Follow the paved Congress Trail loop branching out past the tree to escape the main crowd and view tranquil forested streams.

Hike the 3.4-mile round-trip trail from the rear of Lodgepole Campground, tracing along the Marble Fork Kaweah River up a glacial granite canyon to a dramatic 1,200-foot cascading waterfall.

A quiet, wooded campground in the Grant Grove area shaded by mature conifers and sequoias. Some sites feature significant slope, so levelers and blocks are helpful for camper setups.

Walk the paved trail through Grant Grove to see America's Christmas Tree—the second largest sequoia by volume and the widest known trunk—and walk through the hollow interior of the historic Fallen Monarch log.

Pull off along Highway 180 to take in this panoramic viewpoint overlooking the confluence of the Middle and South Forks of the Kings River, showcasing the sheer 8,000+ foot drop from the Sierra crest into the canyon.

A refreshing roadside stop located directly off the scenic byway where a powerful 75-foot waterfall thunders down a granite wall, creating an invigorating cool breeze in the shade of the trees.

Take the short paved path over the river bridge to this enclosed rock amphitheater where the Roaring River crashes violently into a vibrant emerald-turquoise plunge pool.

Cross the suspension bridge over the South Fork Kings River to explore the trail beneath soaring granite walls reminiscent of Yosemite Valley. The sandy riverbanks make an idyllic spot to spot native trout.

Located at the literal end of Highway 180 (Road's End), this massive flat granite slab juts out over a calm, crystal-clear bend of the Kings River—a beloved local spot for sunbathing and cooling off in the Sierra water.