Picture this: Winding roads, towering trees, and some of the most breathtaking views in the world – all in one road trip!
This 5-day adventure from Sequoia National Park to Yosemite National Park is an unforgettable road trip that will reignite your love for the great outdoors. It certainly did for me.
Ready to hit the road? This article will help you plan your trip to Sequoia and Yosemite, including places to stop, hikes to hike, and where to stay.
Pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable adventure! This suggested 5-day road trip from Sequoia National Park to Yosemite National Park will take you through some of California's most stunning natural landscapes.
Along the way, you'll explore ancient towering Sequoias, hike breathtaking trails, and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of some of America's most iconic national parks. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a first-time explorer, this guide will ensure you make the most of your trip.
Getting To Sequoia National Park
If you're flying into the area to rent a car before you go, you may prefer to go through San Francisco instead of Los Angeles. You may save some time on the traffic from LA if you opt for San Francisco.
Day 1 - Discovering Sequoia National Park
Morning:
Start your adventure by entering Sequoia National Park bright and early. If you are entering in the afternoon, that is no problem either! Your first stop should be the visitor center to grab maps (just in case your smartphone dies), get information, and stretch your legs before the action really begins.
Your first day is all about getting your bearings; not too intensive, but it will give you a great initial feel of the park and sense of accomplishment that you made it there. You may still get a bit of muscle ache if you take the Moro Rock hike, but the idea is to space everything out so you have an enjoyable trip overall.
Moro Rock
Kick off your day with a hike to Moro Rock, a dome made of solid granite that offers a short but steep hike and will reward you with panoramic views of the park. The trail is well-marked and can be completed in an hour. I would recommend grabbing a snack to eat at the top of Moro Rock, and make sure to pack out everything you bring in! If you are arriving in the afternoon or evening, plan on catching sunset from the top of Moro Rock. It is phenomenal! But don’t make the same mistake as I did, and instead arrive early enough that you don’t have to sprint up the trail to be in time for sunset. For more details, check out the Moro Rock trail on AllTrails.
Afternoon / Evening:
Head to Lodgepole Campground to set up your tent or check into the Wuksachi Lodge if you prefer a more comfortable (though more expensive) stay. I would also recommend the Buckeye Flat Campground, Potwisha Campground, or Dorst Creek Campground
Both options provide excellent amenities and a great base for exploring the park. During popular months, the campgrounds and lodges in Sequoia book up quickly, so make sure to use Recreation.gov to book your campsite when your date becomes available for booking!
Day 2 - Hiking in Sequoia National Park
Morning:
Wake up nice and early to beat the hordes of nature lovers these parks attract, and start your day with a series of hikes that showcase the park's giant Sequoias before everyone else. Solitude among the Sequoias is an experience unlike any other. When I was there, I felt incredibly grateful and peaceful amongst the immense trees.
Sherman Tree, Congress, Trail of the Sequoias, and Tharp's Log Loop
These interconnected trails will take you through some of the most awe-inspiring groves of giant sequoias within the Sequoia National Park.
The Sherman Tree is the world's largest tree by volume, while the Congress Trail offers a peaceful, scenic loop. The Trail of the Sequoias and Tharp's Log Loop provide a deeper exploration of the park's natural beauty. Find more details on AllTrails. You can’t go wrong here just wandering around (on the trails), as there is so much beauty to behold.
Afternoon:
After a morning of hiking and lunch at the lodge (we did chicken fingers of course), hit the road again and start your journey to Yosemite National Park. Yosemite National Park has 4 different entrances. From Sequoia, the shortest route is through the south entrance. It’s roughly a 3 hour drive, on average. Make sure to check NPS.gov for road closures throughout the seasons.
Travel via CA-41 N and enter Yosemite through the South Entrance. Settle in for the night at Wawona Campground or opt for a hotel stay at the Wawona Hotel. You can enjoy a nice dinner, or packed sandwhiches like we did, on the Adirondack chairs of the Wawona Hotel, chatting with fellow explorers, and watching other guests arrive.
Day 3 - Exploring Yosemite National Park
Morning:
Begin your Yosemite adventure with a visit to Mariposa Grove of the Giant Sequoias. This grove is home to over 500 mature giant sequoias, including the famous Grizzly Giant and it's the largest of the three groves. You may have just come from Sequoia National Park, but the recently restored Mariposa Grove (thanks to the great work of the Yosemite Conservancy) is absolutely worth a visit. The Grizzly Giant might just be the crown jewel of Sequoia trees!
Enjoy a leisurely picnic lunch surrounded by these ancient giants. Take it all in for the last time, as the remained of your journey includes much shorter tress, but much taller rock formations! For more information on the Mariposa Grove hike, visit AllTrails.
Afternoon:
Drive to Glacier Point for an afternoon hike. If you have never been to Yosemite National Park, this is my recommended starting point. This iconic viewpoint offers a stunning panorama of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, and the High Sierra. The hike to Glacier Point is one of the park's most popular trails as it is very short after driving your car up the hill. For trail details, visit AllTrails. If you are arriving at a peak time, like a Saturday, save Glacier Point for Day 5 and head straight to Yosemite Valley. One of my favorite arrival strategies is to ask a Park Ranger what hikes they would recommend with the time you have left in the day!
Set up camp at Upper Pines Campground or book a room at the Yosemite Valley Lodge or The Ahwahnee. for a more comfortable night's rest. Personally, camping works great for me, but the hotels in Yosemite Valley are unbelievable themselves, so they are definitely worth checking out!
Campgrounds at Yosemite are notoriously hard to book, so check Recreation.gov for when your dates will become available for booking. The morning they become available (usually 5 months in advance) campgrounds book up within minutes, so have your eyes on multiple campsites, including Upper Pines, Lower Pines, North Pines, or Camp 4 (which is typically only reservable closer to the actual stay dates). This advice is also true for your first night at the Wawona Campground!
Day 4 - Yosemite Valley Adventures
Option 1: Easy / Moderate
Today, you'll spend your day exploring the Yosemite Valley Loop and Mirror Lake. These beginner trails offer relatively easy hikes with breathtaking views of iconic landmarks like El Capitan and Half Dome. For more information, check out Yosemite Valley Loop on AllTrails and Mirror Lake on AllTrails. If you prefer to start your day riding a bike, I would definitely recommend renting a bike in Yosemite Valley from Yosemite Valley Bike Stand or Curry Village Bike Rental. There is also a good chance of wherever you end up lodging having rental options. Alternatively, you can utilize the free Yosemite Bike Share program that allows you to ride around the park for up to 2 hours at a time! You just need to download an app of the same name that is free and it is an easy sign up process. That will allow you to bike around the Yosemite Valley Loop, and most of the way up to Mirror Lake (although you will have to park your bike before you get to the lake). A good route for a bike ride would be to start in the valley, check out the Ahwahnee Hotel if you are not staying there, head over to Yosemite Falls, before riding over for views of El Capitan. After that, ride over to the Chapel before heading back to Curry Village! There are many great places to stop along the Merced River, which would be great for a packed lunch with views of Half Dome. I could spend 4-6 hours biking around the valley easily.
I would recommend bringing a bike lock if you prefer to ride around, as this will ensure your bike remains where you left it while you are out exploring! Many of the bikes in Yosemite Valley look the same, so you won’t want anyone accidentally swapping onto your bike while you are having a look around. There is a large amount of paved trail in Yosemite Valley, which is perfect for the morning biking around. Those bike trails tend to lead right up to hiking trails and have places to park your bike.
Option 2:
If you are up for more of a challenge, it is a great adventure to hike the Vernal and Nevada Falls Trail. This hike rewards you with stunning waterfall views so make time for taking proper photos. Be prepared for a strenuous climb, although the experience is well worth the effort. For trail details, visit AllTrails.
This hike is no joke! It is 100% worth the climb, and the views of both falls are excellent. Be prepared to get wet on the Mist Trail if you are visiting from Spring to mid-Summer, as you hike in the shadow of a massive waterfall (Vernal Falls). I would recommend hiking up the Mist Trail on the way up, and once you reach Nevada Falls, hiking on the John Muir Trail on the way down for a less strenuous, varied hike.
This hike will take a significant portion of your day, and sets you up for an afternoon nap before grabbing a pizza at Curry Village Pizza Deck, or visit the Curry Village Dining building for your choice of several other restaurants.
After this day, you can enjoy the stars from Cook’s Meadow before settling back into your accommodations. I personally recommend booking accommodations for Day 3-5 all in the same place, just to make your journey easier, and you only will have to find parking in Yosemite Valley once!
Day 5 - Sunrise and Farewell
Early Morning:
Rise early and make your way to Glacier Point for sunrise if you have not already visited. Watching the sun light up the valley in real time is a truly unforgettable experience. Glacier Point may be my favorite location in the park, so either starting or ending there is my ideal recommendation!
Breakfast and Departure:
Depart Yosemite National Park via CA-140 W, stopping at El Portal for a hearty breakfast. Take in the last views of the park before heading home or continuing on with your California adventure.
Consider Adding Kings Canyon National Park Before Yosemite
Do you have an extra day? Maybe you would like to vary your experience a little more and take one day out of Yosemite? One great spot to stop on the way from Sequoia to Yosemite is Kings Canyon National Park.
It is quite literally right on the way, and there are some unbelievable sights there as well! King’s Canyon is slightly less visited than Yosemite and Sequoia, so this is an excellent destination if you would like to break away from the crowds for some serene nature.
Some highlights of Kings Canyon include:
- First stop at Kings Canyon Overlook, then make your way through Boyden Caverns
- There is a great option to horseback ride along Kings River Cedar Grove Stables. They are usually open June through mid-October if that is an experience you would like to try out!
- Grizzly Falls and Roaring River Falls are both a short walk worth enjoying
- If you're traveling with kids, consider Zumwalt Meadows as one of the park’s most scenic viewpoints.
- Camping at Kings Canyon is first come, first serve. Grant Cove Cabins are rustic and functional, Sheep Creek has entertainment for the kids; choose your destiny
Travel Tips for Your Trip:
- Plan During Off-Peak Times: Avoid crowds and secure camping spots by planning your trip during the shoulder seasons (spring and fall).
- Check nps.gov for entrance passes, reservation requirements, and updates on road closures and weather conditions.
- Pack Smart: Prepare for variable weather with warm layers, water-resistant clothing, and sturdy hiking shoes.
- Stay Hydrated and bring plenty of snacks for your hikes. A first-aid kit is also essential.
- Download the AllTrails App for real-time updates on trail conditions and user reviews.
- Make Campground Reservations well in advance, especially during peak seasons.
- Practice 'Leave No Trace' Principles to protect the parks and wildlife.
- Download Maps and Guides to your phone or bring printed copies, as cell service can be limited in some areas.
- Pack Food for the road and your campsite, as dining options can be limited.
Where to Stay:
Camping Sites:
- Lodgepole Campground in Sequoia National Park offers tent camping, RV sites, and amenities including restrooms, showers, and a visitor center.
- Wawona, Upper Pines, North Pines, Lower Pines, Housekeeping Camp, and the Camp 4 Campground in Yosemite National Park all provide a great camping experience with easy access to hiking trails.
Lodges and Hotels:
- Wuksachi Lodge in Sequoia National Park offers rustic yet modern accommodations, ideal for those who prefer comfort and amenities.
- The Ahwahnee in Yosemite National Park is a luxurious hotel with stunning views, perfect for a more upscale overnight stay.
Conclusion:
This 5-day road trip from Sequoia National Park to Yosemite National Park offers a perfect blend of adventure, natural beauty, and relaxation.
From hiking iconic trails to exploring ancient Sequoia groves, you'll create memories that will last you and/or your family a lifetime.
Ready to plan your trip? Visit AllTrails for detailed trail information and recreation.gov to book your campground reservation.
Reach out to me at tomcapsdesigns@gmail.com or in the comments below with questions or your suggestions of how to adventure!