Alta Winter Trail
The Alta Trail descends nearly 1,000 feet from Wolverton to Giant Forest and connects with several other trails. This is a difficult ski with steep terrain and many trees.
6-8 Hours
National Parks · CA
Things to do in Sequoia & Kings Canyon
The National Park Service lists 60 things to do at Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks. 59 have no extra fee, 59 need no reservation, and 6 allow pets. Each listing links to the full NPS page. Data is from the NPS snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.
Updated · NPS Data API
Bear Hill Winter Trail
The trail follows the old Bear Hill Road and travels under the shade of giant sequoias and mixed conifers. Bear Hill Road is wide and easy to follow with a moderate grade.
1-2 Hours
Become a Junior Ranger
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Big Stump
The first resting spot after the park entrance station on Highway 180, this picnic area makes this a perfect stop to get your bearings after the drive from the San Joaquin Valley.
Big Trees Trail Wildlife
Park wildlife are often seen along the Big Trees Trail, an easy and accessible path that starts at Giant Forest Museum and takes you around a meadow lined with mature sequoias.
1-2 Hours Year-round
Bike the River Road
Explore this little-known dirt road in Kings Canyon National Park: the River Road in Cedar Grove. The traffic on the road is light, so it is good for biking, walking, running, or walking your dog. And it's a great place to escape the busier spots in the park.
1-5 Hours Summer, Fall Pets allowed
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Clover Creek Winter Trail
This one-way trail is currently marked to the Twin Lakes hiking trail junction. Return to Wuksachi on the same trail.
2-4 Hours
Cold Springs Nature Trail
The Cold Springs Nature Trail is a great option for visitors looking for an easier trail and staying at the Cold Springs Campground. Many of the hikes in the Mineral King area are long and steep.
Crescent Meadow
The Crescent Meadow Trail is an ideal place for photography and a relaxing walk. Follow the flat, 1.5-mile (2.4-km) loop trail around Crescent Meadow, where bright green vegetation contrasts with the red bark of giant sequoias.
Spring, Summer, Fall
Crescent Meadow Road Winter Trail
The most popular of the Giant Forest’s ski trails, Crescent Meadow Road begins at the west end of the Giant Forest Museum Plaza. The entire route is an unplowed road with gentle to moderate grades and lots of giant sequoias.
2-3 Hours
Crescent Meadow Wildlife
Keep your eyes and ears open for wildlife as you hike along the Crescent Meadow in trail Sequoia's Giant Forest.
1-3 Hours
Crescent Winter Trail
The trail connects the General Sherman Tree with the end of Crescent Meadow Road (see Crescent Meadow Road Trail). The trail passes through the heart of the Giant Forest.
4-6 Hours
Crystal Cave
A tour through Crystal Cave will give you an inside look at the complex world that lies beneath our feet. Spend time with a guide and learn about the unique geologic features and animal creatures found within the cave.
Summer Reservation required Fee applies
Caving
Discover a Winter Meadow
With easy access from Giant Forest Museum, this trail goes along the Moro Rock – Crescent Meadow Road. This gentle sloping trail will take you by dozens of sequoia trees, including the famous Tunnel Log.
2-4 Hours Winter
Discover Sheep Creek Cascade
Visit Cedar Grove, in the heart of Kings Canyon. Once there, take a hike through a forested ravine to a shady glen and a small cascading waterfall called Sheep Creek Cascade. You’ll also see views of the Monarch Divide.
1-2 Hours Summer, Fall
Discover the Lodgepole-Sherman Tree Trail
Explore the Giant Forest on your way to the General Sherman Tree. Take the 2.8 mile Lodgepole-Sherman Tree Trail from the Lodgepole Campground, then catch the Green Route 1 shuttle back to the parking lot.
2-5 Hours Summer
Discover Tokopah Valley and Falls
The Tokopah Falls Trail is great place to see the “classic” Sierra Nevada landscape. Sheer granite cliffs, a dense conifer forest, and a rushing river create a peaceful mountain scene.
Spring, Summer, Fall
Eagle and Mosquito Lakes
Both Eagle and Mosquito lakes offer beautiful views of Mineral Kings alpine landscape. Eagle and Mosquito Lakes trails share the same route for the first 2 miles. The trail for both is 10 miles out and back with over 3,000 feet of elevation change.
Enjoy a 360-Degree View at Little Baldy Dome
Hike on a lesser-known trail in Sequoia National Park. The Little Baldy trail takes you through a mixed-conifer forest to the top of a granite dome. Once there, you can take in a 360-degree panoramic view.
2-3 Hours Summer, Fall
Explore Hidden Sequoias at Muir Grove
Take a hike to a sequoia grove that is tucked away from the road. Muir Grove provides a quiet experience among these giant trees. If you find other sequoia groves to be a bit crowded, take a walk to experience Muir Grove.
2-3 Hours
Explore Sub-Alpine Landscapes at Mineral King
In Sequoia National Park visit Mineral King, a beautiful valley at 7,500 feet. This area can be used as a basecamp for day hikes to lakes and alpine wonderlands.
1-3 Days Summer, Fall Pets allowed
Explore the Winter Forest by Foot
There is no better way to see the snow covered Giant Forest than to get out on the trails and walk around. Whether you rent snowshoes or bring your own, snowshoeing around a sequoia grove is a fun experience for people who are well-prepared.
1-4 Hours Winter
General Grant Tree
The General Grant Trail is an easy, 0.5 mile loop through the Grant Grove of sequoias. The General Grant Tree is not one of the oldest, but it has the advantage of growing in a spot with bright sunlight and plenty of water, so it grew larger quickly.
Grant Grove Loop Winter Trail
Visit one of the world's largest living trees. President Coolidge proclaimed the General Grant tree the Nation's Christmas tree in 1926, making it the perfect place to visit for the winter.
30-60 Minutes Winter
Hike Among the Giants
There is no better way to explore the Giant Forest than by going out on the trails. Try a stroll on the Congress Trail, a 2-mile (3.2-km) loop that starts from the General Sherman Tree and takes you into the heart of a sequoia grove.
Year-round
Hike the Wuksachi Trail
Head out on the Wuksachi Trail to Lodgepole for a walk through fir forests, meadows, and creeks. Venture into the wilderness by connecting to the Twin Lakes Trail for Cahoon Meadow, or continue to Lodgepole, where you can catch the Purple Route 2 shuttle back…
1-6 Hours Year-round
Hike to a Bird's Eye View
Take a short hike to little-known viewpoint, called Eagle View. This vista is just as spectacular as Moro Rock, but with fewer people. Enjoy the bird's-eye view of the Sequoia Kings Wilderness and the High Sierra.
1-2 Hours Spring, Summer, Fall
Learn about Giant Sequoias
Before you investigate the area, stop here at the Giant Forest Museum to learn about giant sequoias and area history.
Year-round
Learn the Inside Story at a Ranger Program
Discover the parks with an expert! Learn more at an all ages ranger program.
15-60 Minutes Summer
Mist Falls
An 8-mile round-trip walk to this spectacular cascade makes a great all-day walk. The first miles are relatively flat and open; in the last mile the wooded trail gains 600' in elevation.
Monarch Lake
Upper and Lower Monarch Lakes are gorgeous alpine lakes that lie at the base of Sawtooth Peak. You can hike this 10-mile route as a day hike or an as an overnight backpacking trip, but be aware that camping is only allowed several miles into your route.
Moro Rock
A stone and concrete stairway leads to the top of Moro Rock, a granite dome that towers over the Generals Highway. From the top, enjoy sweeping views of the hills below and the wilderness to the east.
30-120 Minutes Spring, Summer, Fall
North Grove Loop Winter Trail
The North Grove Loop travels through a magnificent grove of giant sequoias. Skiers will find it easier to follow this loop trail counterclockwise to avoid some of the sharper downhill curves in the road.
1-3 Hours Winter
Old Lodgepole Road Winter Trail
This old road connects the Lodgepole Visitor Center with the General Sherman Tree. The skiing is easy, except for a steep grade as the trail approaches the General Sherman Tree.
3-4 Hours
Panoramic Point
Look outward from Panoramic Point across hundreds of miles of Kings Canyon National Park and neighboring national forest lands
Panoramic Point and Park Ridge Winter Trail
One of the most popular winter trails in this area begins at the village and follows the unplowed road to the top of Park Ridge. Panoramic Point offers spectacular views of the snow-covered mountains in Kings Canyon.
6-8 Hours Winter
Panther Winter Trail
Taking its name from Panther Gap (8,600 feet), the Panther Trail is part of a difficult loop for experienced skiers. Steep grades and dense forests guard the great views from Panther Gap.
4-6 Hours
Paradise Creek
Explore Paradise Canyon in the Foothills of Sequoia National Park. This gentle trail parallels Paradise Creek, taking you past waterfalls and pools.
1-2 Hours Year-round
Pear Lake Winter Trail
The Pear Lake Trail is the most challenging of the marked ski trails in Sequoia National Park. The trail climbs steeply through dense fir forest, then ends at the Pear Lake Winter Hut.
6-8 Hours Winter
Picnic Among the Giants
Gather around a picnic at these spots from Giant Forest to Grant Grove.
Pets allowed
Play in the Snow at Wolverton
Sitting at 7,250 feet (2,160 m) above sea level, snow transforms Wolverton Meadow into a winter wonderland. This is a great place for people of all ages and abilities to play in the snow.
Winter
Snow Play
Road's End
Road's End is the last stop in the Cedar Grove area, at the literal end of Highway 180. This area is the jumping off point for many high Sierra hiking trails, but also is an access point for easy trails in the valley.
Roaring River Falls
This is a short, paved walk to a cool waterfall (literally and figuratively!) On a hot day, it’s a great place to stop because the powerful falling water creates its own wind!
See the General Sherman Tree in Snow
Enjoy an up-close experience walking around the big trees, including the largest tree on Earth.
15-60 Minutes Winter
Sequoia Historic Entrance Sign
Stop by this historic entrance sign to take pictures and learn about its unique significance to Sequoia National Park.
1-15 Minutes Pets allowed
Ski Through the Sequoias
For skiers with more experience, the Trail of the Sequoias is a great opportunity to find some solitude among the big trees.
3-6 Hours Winter
Snowshoe with a Ranger
Our popular ranger-guided snowshoe walks are a great way to explore snowy trails. Snowshoe programs are usually offered from December through March, as long as there is at least 8 inches of snow on the ground.
2 Hours Winter
Sunset Rock Winter Trail
This easy trail leads through a mixed-conifer forest of red firs, Jeffrey pines, sugar pines, and incense cedars to a large granite dome. Once there, take a seat on the dome and enjoy the sweeping views of a deep canyon that was carved by the Kaweah River.
1-2 Hours
Take a Short Hike to Buena Vista Peak
Would you like to hike, but don’t have a lot of time? Head to Buena Vista Peak, which is only a 1-mile hike to a spectacular viewpoint. You’ll be rewarded with views of Redwood Canyon and the Kings Canyon high country.
1-2 Hours Summer, Fall
The General Sherman Tree
The General Sherman Tree is a must-see while visiting the Giant Forest. It is the largest tree in the world by volume.
Year-round
Tokopah Falls Wildlife
Keep your eyes and ears open for wildlife as you hike along the Tokopah Falls trail.
3-5 Hours
Trail of the Sequoias Winter Trail
A challenging alternative to the Crescent Trail, the Trail of the Sequoias explores the eastern edge of the Giant Forest. This trail is not for novice skiers.
4-6 Hours
Tunnel Log
Since 1935, people have been driving through Tunnel Log. You too can join in on the novelty of driving through a fallen Sequoia.
5-10 Minutes Spring, Summer, Fall Pets allowed
View Sunset from Sunset Rock
Are you looking for the perfect spot for sunset? Head to Sunset Rock in the Giant Forest. This less trafficked trail is a great option for escaping the crowds and enjoying the colorful sunset.
1-2 Hours Summer, Fall
Visit the Foothills Visitor Center
This visitor center is one mile past the Ash Mountain entrance station along the Generals Highway. Stop here for information, maps, books, gifts, and restrooms.
5-75 Minutes Year-round
Visit the Kings Canyon Visitor Center
At the Kings Canyon Visitor Center, learn about three regions in Kings Canyon National Park: giant sequoia groves, Kings Canyon, and the High Sierra. Watch a 15-minute movie (English/Spanish). A park store sells books, maps, and educational materials.
5-75 Minutes Year-round
Visit the Lodgepole Visitor Center
With brand new museum exhibits, a Park Store, and a wilderness information counter, the Lodgepole Visitor Center is the place to be.
5-120 Minutes Year-round
Winter Driving and Snow Chains in Sequoia National Park
In winter, you must be prepared for snowy or icy mountain roads and cold temperatures. Tire chains can be required on any park road at any time from fall through late spring.
Winter, Spring, Fall Pets allowed
Auto and ATV
Wolverton Winter Trail
This short trail connects the Old Lodgepole Road with the Wolverton Parking area. This steep hillside route requires considerable control for downhill travel when skiing away from Wolverton.
1-2 Hours
Zumwalt Meadow
Zumwalt Meadow is one of the park's most iconic, scenic meadows. Explore a 1 - 3 mile trail that begins near the Kings River, crosses a riparian corridor, and then climbs gently along a rocky hillside.
Before you go
Check current alerts and closures, entrance fees and operating hours for Sequoia & Kings Canyon. Programs and tours can change with the season or be cancelled on short notice — confirm on the NPS page before you plan around one.
Things to do at nearby parks
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Sources
- National Park Service Data API — things to do, snapshot of Oct 28, 2026. Descriptions are short excerpts; photos are NPS photos shown from nps.gov with their credit.
- Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks — things to do on nps.gov