Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are technically two separate parks that have been jointly managed by the National Park Service since 1943. Both Sequoia and Kings Canyon are home to towering sequoia trees, pristine alpine lakes, and snow-capped peaks. Located in the mountainous interior of Central California with  13,135 feet of elevation change, Sequoia and Kings Canyon possess the largest vertical rise of any protected area in the United States. From the summit of Mount Whitney at 14,505 feet to the Kaweah River over 13,000 feet below, Sequoia and Kings Canyon is home to a diverse and enchanting landscape ripe with adventure potential. 

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks 

• Sequoia National Park was signed into existence by President Benjamin Harrison in 1890, making it the nation’s second oldest national park behind Yellowstone. 
• Kings Canyon National Park was designated in 1940 by FDR, and the two parks have been jointly managed since World War II. 
• Over the past 125 years, these parks have grown to include 1,353 square miles of which 97% is designated and managed as wilderness. 
• Visitors must pay an entrance fee of $35 per vehicle. 
  • It takes approximately 3 hours and 35 minutes to travel the 203 miles from our  Los Angeles location to Sequoia National Park.  
  • It takes approximately 4 hours and 21 minutes to drive the 262 miles to the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks from our San Francisco location. 

If you’re looking to explore more of California’s coastline, start with this epic LA to Big Sur itinerary.

Why rent a campervan for a trip to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks?

The perfect blend of mobility and comfort: A camper van gives you unparalleled mobility and comfort and allows you to explore deep into Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks. Traveling in an RV means you are limited on where you can park and camp. A camper van offers the best of both worlds–camping made comfortable and easy meals on the go. Navigate narrow mountain roads with ease, get to remote dispersed campsites, and enjoy all the freedoms of camper van travel. 

Easy to drive: Unlike giant RVs, camper vans drive just like normal cars, fit into regular parking spots, and are easy to use both in nature and in the city. Camper vans are unrivaled when it comes to dispersed camping. Access remote campsites and trails in the far corners of the park and easily navigate the streets of LA or San Francisco.  

Flexible Camping: Since camper vans don’t require electrical or sewer hookups, you can camp in tent-designated campsites and remote dispersed sites.  

Convenient and fun: With dozens of add-ons and several spacious models, our camper vans make spending the night in nature easy and enjoyable. You can pack everything you need for a multi-day and multi-activity adventure in your van and not waste time setting up a tent or looking for RV-designated camping/ parking. 

Preparing for a Trip to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks 

Gear

Sun Protection: The Sun is always a factor in California. Bring ample sun protection, including sun hats, sunglasses, UPF clothing, and plenty of sunscreen.

Layers: The weather can change without warning in the mountains. The days can be sunny, but the night temperatures can drop quickly as soon as the sun goes down. Remember to bring layers for chilly nights, even in the summer.

Water & Food: A camper van allows you to take everything you need on the road. Escape Camper Vans has everything you need to chef it up on your camping trip, consider adding a kitchen kit to your camper van to complete your booking.

Campsites

Easily Find Campsites: Camper vans fit in almost every standard-sized campsite and don’t require electrical or water hookups, making camping easy. 

Dispersed camping vs. campsites: A van makes dispersed camping easy. You can disperse camp for free on federal and BLM land. Plenty of apps help you find a dispersed camping site on your route. If you’re considering booking a campsite, either in a national/state park or a private campsite, make sure you book at least a few months before your trip.

Navigation

Phones & Chargers: Navigation is integral to your trip’s success. Make sure you bring a smartphone or GPS device and a charger.

Downloaded Maps: You never know when you’re going to lose service in the mountains. Download maps of the region offline in case you lose service.

Must-See Sights, Events, and Places in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks  

Climb Moro Rock: See Sequoia from new heights by climbing Mora Rock. As you enter the park, Moro Rock towers above. While the granite dome reaches 6,725 feet, the climb only encompasses the last 300 feet. While the climb is short, it leads to stunning views of the surrounding foothills and the San Joaquin Valley. 

Visit Crystal Cave: Crystal Cave is a massive marble cavern in Sequoia National Park. The cavern is explored using a half-mile loop trail, however, guided tours are the only way to visit the cave and access the cavern. Tours are offered from the spring through the fall by Sequoia Parks Conservancy. 

Tackle the Mighty Mount Whitney Trail: Mount Whitney is the tallest mountain in the Lower 48, standing at 14,505 feet above sea level. While climbing Mount Whitney is a technical mountaineering feat, a long and difficult day hike puts trekkers face-to-face with Whitney’s massive peak. A permit is required to climb and hike in the Mt. Whitney area, even for day hikers. Permits are granted through a lottery system. Find out more here. The Mount Whitney Trail stretches for 10.7 miles each way, making the total hike 21.2 miles out and back. The trail begins from the Whitney Portal. This hike is incredibly strenuous and requires technical gear, like crampons and ice axes. 

Drive or Walk through the Tunnel Log: In the early days of the park, shortly after the completion of the Moro Rock/ Crescent Meadow Road, a giant sequoia fell and blocked the road. The tree was too large and heavy to move, so workers carved a tunnel through the massive trunk. Park visitors have been driving and walking through the Tunnel Log since 1935. The Tunnel Log is located just half a mile past Moro Rock.  

Hike the North Grove Loop: Located in the Grant Grove of Kings Canyon National Park. The short 1.7-mile trail is lined with giant sequoias and takes trekkers through a diverse landscape, from thick forest canopies to burned sequoias. The hike gains 347 feet of elevation and is a great option for snowshoeing in the winter. 

Climb Big Baldy: Summit one of King Canyon’s most notable granite peaks, Big Baldy. The highest point of Big Baldy sits at 8,209 feet of elevation and can be reached with a moderate 6-mile out and back that starts from the Generals Highway (CA 198).

Drive the ​​Kings Canyon Scenic Byway: This scenic drive begins in the Sierra Nevada foothills near Dunlap and travels 50 miles to Roads End along Highway 180. The byway travels from the foothills near Fresno into the beautiful Grant Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park before descending into the Sequoia National Forests and terminating in the Cedar Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park 

Visit the Grant Tree: The General Grant Tree is located in the Grant Grove of Kings Canyon National Park. This 0.3-mile trail leads to the massive sequoia with a truly incomprehensible size. The Grant Tree reaches 270 feet high with a 107-foot base circumference and must be seen to be believed. 

Camping in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks 

There are plenty of options for campers in both Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park. With 14 park-maintained campgrounds and dispersed camping in the nearby Sequoia National Forest, you should have no trouble finding a spot to park your van and camp for the night. While most of the park’s campgrounds are open seasonally, two remain open year-round. Expect fire restrictions if you’re camping in the foothills and other low-elevation sites. Find out more about dispersed camping in the Sequoia National Forest here. 

Azalea Campground: Located centrally in the Grant Grove of Kings Canyon National Park, Azalea is one of the two year-round campsites in Sequoia or Kings Canyon National Park. There are 110 sites, each with a picnic table, fire ring, and food storage. Reservations are required during late spring, summer, and early fall. Campers have access to flush toilets and potable water. Additionally, the campground is near Grant Grove Village, where Kings Canyon Visitor Center, a restaurant, a gift shop, a post office, and a market are located. 

Crystal Springs Campground: Located in the Grant Grove area near the Grant Grove Village, Crystal Springs offers 35 sites with picnic tables, fire rings, and food storage. Campers will have access to flush toilets and potable water. Crystal Springs reservations begin in June and last through early fall. 

Buckeye Flat Campground: Located in the heart of the Sierra Foothills in Sequoia National Park, Buckeye Flat Campground offers 27 campsites perched above the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River. This Sequoia campground is shaded by large Live Oaks and comes with picnic tables, flush toilets, drinking water, fire rings, and food storage lockers. 

Lodgepole Campground: Located on the banks of the Marble Fork of Kaweah River, centrally between both parks, Lodgepole offers campers flush toilets, picnic tables, food storage, and fire rings. The campground is just 2 miles from the Giant Forest Grove and the mighty General Sherman Tree. This Kings Canyon campground opens in June and stays up through the fall. 

Dorst Creek Campground: Located just north of the General Sherman Tree, Dorst Creek offers RV-friendly camping with paved roads, flush toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, and food storage. This Kings Canyon campground offers 33 RV sites and 12 tent sites. The Lodgepole Village is nine miles away. Campsites are available by reservation only. 

Sentinel Campground: Nestled in the Cedar Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park, the Sentinel Campground offers camping in one of the deepest canyons in the United States, along with meadow views and the soothing sounds of the King River. Each site has a fire ring, a picnic table, and food storage with access to flush toilets and drinking water. The Cedar Grove Visitor Center is just down the road, offering a convenience store, snack bar, hotel, showers, and laundry facilities.

Cold Springs Campground: Perched high in the park in the Mineral King Area, this campground sits at an elevation of 7,500 feet above sea level. If you’re looking for a true alpine camping experience, the Mineral King Area is for you. This Sequoia campground is only accessible during the summer and is located at the top of a winding mountain road. 

Potwisha Campground: This Sequoia campground offers year-round camping along the Markbe Fork of the Kaweah River, just four miles from the park entrance in the Sierra Foothills. Reservations are required all year. Campsites include picnic tables, fire rings, food storage, and access to restrooms and drinking water. 

When is the best time to visit Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks?

Unlike other popular California destinations, Sequoia experiences all four seasons. The summers are hot and full of sunshine, while the winters are chilly and bring ample snowfall. The temperature in the park varies significantly with the elevation. At the upper reaches of the park, winter weather is constant. In the lower elevation around the foothills, travelers can expect mild winters and hot, dry summers. Wildfires are common in the region. To avoid wildflower danger and smoke, visit the park in early spring, late fall, or winter. 

Best time to camp in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Summer: Summer days are hot and long in the foothills and comfortable in the Sequoia groves and higher elevations. Summer is the most popular time to visit the park, so expect crowds. Backpacking in the summer requires a special wilderness permit, with a limited number granted each day. Summer is perfect for exploring higher elevations. The Sequoia groves will see temperatures into the mid-70s during the day and low 50s at night. The foothills will reach the mid-90s during the day. 

Spring: Travelers can expect mild temperatures in the spring accompanied by chilly nights. Spring is the rainiest time of year, specifically in March and April. At higher elevations, snowfall may occur through May. By late spring, wildflowers are blooming in the foothills as winter weather continues at higher elevations. Visit Sequoia in the spring to avoid crowds, but prepare to encounter winter weather. 

Fall: Temperatures drop in the summer in Sequoia, but the dry conditions remain through October. The first snowfall of the season typically occurs in late October or early November high in the mountains. Temperatures will range from the upper 40s to the low 70s during the daytime, with nighttime temperatures dropping as low as 30 degrees during late fall. 

Winter: Winter brings plenty of snow and chilly temperatures. Expect road closures in the park due to winter weather. The road from Cedar Grove to Kings Canyon National Park, Crystal Cave, and Mineral King remain closed all season. While you’ll need to prepare adequately, visiting during the winter is a great way to escape the crowds and see the park in a new light. Expect highs in the 40s and lows in the 20s in the Sequoia groves, with highs in the 50s and lows in the upper 30s in the foothills. 

Reserve with Escape Campervans for your trip to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks 

The perfect blend of mobility and comfort: A camper van gives you the ultimate blend of mobility and comfort and allows you to explore deep into the mountains. While an RV may have a similar level of comfort, you’re limited on where you can park and stay. A camper van offers the best of both worlds–camping made comfortable and easy meals on the go. Navigate winding mountain roads with ease, get to remote, dispersed campsites, and enjoy all the freedoms of camper van travel. 

Easy to drive: Unlike giant RVs, camper vans drive just like normal cars, fit into regular parking spots, and are easy to use both in nature and in the city. Camper vans are unrivaled when it comes to dispersed camping. They make accessing remote campsites and mountain trails a breeze without compromising the ability to explore the city. 

Flexible Camping: Since camper vans don’t require complicated electrical or sewer hookups, you can camp in tent-designated campsites and remote dispersed sites.  

Convenient and fun: With dozens of add-ons and several spacious models,  our camper vans make spending the night in nature easy and enjoyable. You can pack everything you need for a multi-day and multi-activity adventure with you in your van and not waste time setting up a tent or looking for RV-designated camping/parking.