Muir Woods National Monument is located in Marin County in Mill Valley, California. With over 6 miles of maintained trails, a day hiking in Muir Woods is a great way to escape the busy city life and find peace in nature. Some of the best hiking trails in Muir Woods are accessible and kid-friendly, making for a great family day. Reservations are required for parking, so you will have to plan a bit. But setting aside some time to explore the beauty of these redwoods on a Muir Woods trail is highly recommended.
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO TO MUIR WOODS NATIONAL MONUMENT
MUIR WOODS HOURS OF OPERATION
Depending on the season, the park opens at 8 am and closes at 5 or 6 pm. The café and gift shop are open 9 am-4 pm. The visitor center opens at 8 am and closes about 30 minutes before the park. You can check current hours and closures here.
RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED TO PARK
Advanced reservations are required to park at Muir Woods National Monument. Check this link for the reservation page. For $9.00/vehicle, you choose a 30-minute arrival window for parking, and you are welcome to stay as long as you would like. You can also opt to pay your $15/person entrance fees during this reservation process. Muir Woods is part of the National Park system, so do not pay the fee in advance if you use one of the National Park Annual Passes to enter Muir Woods.
THERE IS NO CELL SERVICE
There is no cell service approaching the Muir Woods National Monument entrance. This is important to consider when planning a day in Muir Woods. Your parking reservation needs to be downloaded or printed in advance to show the attendant. You will not be able to pull up your email to show the attendant. Also, if you are taking rideshare to get there, such as Uber or Lyft, you will need a plan for leaving. You will not be able to request your ride home with no cell service.
MUIR WOODS SHUTTLE
A shuttle runs from Mill Valley and Sausalito to board and take to the park. Unfortunately, we did not use the shuttles, but you can find current information about the shuttles here.
PLAN FOR WEATHER
Muir Woods is located in Marin County, known for having cooler, foggy/cloudy days. Due to the canopy of the redwood forest, the sun can barely peek through the trees, making shade abundant. This naturally brings the temperature down, so I highly recommend layers for everyone in the family during a Muir Woods hike. When temperatures are high, the forest remains cooler with the shade. After heavy rains, the forest can be incredibly muddy, so plan accordingly with little kids!
DINING OPTIONS
There is no eating allowed in the forest area of Muir Woods National Monument. We had packed a delicious picnic packed and realized quickly we would not be enjoying it during our hike. There are many benches outside the entrance for picnicking, which we did. We had picked up the delicious Sweet Affair bakery in Walnut Creek and I wasn’t about to pass up my favorite sandwich (turkey on butter crust) and cookie (peanut butter chocolate chip) combo!
If you plan a longer hike that heads into Mount Tamalpais State Park, you will be able to picnic in the state park. In addition, there are no garbage cans anywhere along the trail. Therefore, if you snack or have a beverage, make sure to pack out ALL of what you bring in.
MUIR WOODS TRADING COMPANY CAFE
Muir Woods has a small cafe and gift shop right at the entrance. The Muir Woods Trading Company Cafe serves a variety of lunchtime-style sandwiches and salads. Check out the menu here. You can also pick up a coffee or pastry if visiting early or in chilly weather.
HIKING TRAIL ETIQUETTE
When you visit Muir Woods, it is important to respect the beauty of the forest. Redwood trees are some of the tallest trees in the world and have very fragile and shallow roots. Therefore, it is essential to stay on the hiking trails in Muir Woods to protect this beautiful place. The trails are well maintained and marked, so you will not be confused. It pains me to see people blatantly ignoring signs and hopping over fences to get their perfect Instagram picture. The fragile state of the forest is also why there are no bikes or pets allowed in Muir Woods. In addition, be aware of poison oak warnings all over the forest, especially with littles. Please make sure to respect the forest so it will be here for future generations.
THE JUNIOR RANGERPROGRAM
As you know from my blog, I love the Junior Ranger programs at National Parks. This program was great because it was much shorter than the large National Parks, and my son could complete the activities during our visit. In addition, I love the info in the books and how we all learn about the park more as he works through his activities. You can download the activities ahead of time or pick up a book in the visitor center or when you pay your entrance fee ($15/adult when we were there in 2020 and 2022).
THE REDWOOD CREEK TRAIL – THE MAIN MUIR WOODS HIKE
The Redwood Creek Trail is the main trail through the redwood forest. This is where you will start a day in Muir Woods, and you can add to the adventure from this trail. The trail is a wooden boardwalk that is well maintained and wheelchair accessible. The trail follows the creek and has four bridges that cross over each side. Since we visited during COVID, the trails were designated one-way, so we could not travel back and forth, although that option would have allowed more back-and-forth to see everything. The bridges offer you three different options for looping through the forest. Bridge one is right by the cafe at the entrance. Once you start up the creek into Muir Woods, you have several options for expanding your hike.
LOOP TO BRIDGE TWO
The first option for your Muir Woods hike is to only walk up to bridge two, a 1/2 mile, 30-minute loop through the start of the forest. This loop gives you an exquisite taste of the forest and is an excellent option for those not looking to walk too much. There is very little elevation gain on this trail. This loop starts at the Muir Woods visitor center and takes you through Founder’s Grove and the Pinchot Tree.
This tree is one of the largest in the grove and is dedicated to Gifford Pinchot in 1910, the first chief of the U.S. Forest Service. Pinchot lobbied President Roosevelt to save these redwoods. This first loop offers beautiful views of the creek and towering coastal redwoods above. The beginning of the Canopy View Trail is to the right of this loop.
LOOP TO BRIDGE THREE
The loop to bridge 3 is pretty short and will turn your walk into a 1 mile, 1-hour tour of the grove. You can enjoy the giant redwoods of the Bohemian Grove trail on this portion of the walk. As you approach bridge 3, you can either cross the bridge to loop back towards the Visitor’s Center or continue for more adventure.
LOOP TO BRIDGE FOUR
If you continue to bridge four, you will create a two-mile loop through the redwood forest that is well worth it. This portion of the main Redwood Creek Trail takes you through Cathedral Grove, a beautiful, quiet part of the trail. As I mentioned earlier, the wooden boardwalk and trails are very well-maintained. They are even adding a portion of the trail in this area.
CATHEDRAL GROVE
I read somewhere that you should enter this area with purpose and reflect on your intention as you walk through. Signs ask for quiet in the grove, and it is beautiful. We entered the grove focused on gratitude as we were with my parents whom we rarely get to adventure with. Practicing gratitude for a moment, no matter your circumstances outside of your visit is empowering in nature. So take a moment of pause to reflect in the grove during your day in Muir Woods.
A quote from John Muir was ringing in my head as we walked through this particular area in the grove. Due to the beauty and quiet, my son enjoyed working on a few pieces of his Junior Ranger book on this portion of our hike. We all enjoyed taking in the sounds of the forest.
Several longer trails leave from this loop – the Fern Creek Trail, Camp Eastwood Trail, and Bootjack Trail. Hikers can combine the Fern Creek and Eastwood trails into a less than 4-mile loop through the forest, wildflowers, and Mount Tamalpais State Park. Fern Creek Trail can be combined with the Mt. Tam Lost Creek Trail and back to the Canopy View Trail in Founder’s Grove for a two-hour, quieter trek through the forest. The Bootjack Trail will take you on a beautiful 7-mile loop into Mount Tam State Park as well.
In every walk with nature, one receives far more than one seeks.
– John Muir
HIKING THEHILLSIDE TRAIL
Once you reach bridge 4, you can U-turn and head back through Cathedral Grove to bridge three or cross over to begin the Hillside Trail to loop around. This route gives you a 2-mile, 1 1/2 hour trek through the forest. I highly recommend going this way as it gives you a different perspective on the beauty you have seen. In addition, it gives you a new view of the forest since you were walking on the forest floor before this trail. Suddenly you are on a hillside, looking down at the paths where you were before. It is essential to be careful with young kids on this trail, as some drops are steep, and there are no guard rails. This trail begins with a large hill up from the bridge but then levels out. It is a great option that will take you back to bridge two.
You will be back on Redwood Creek Trail when you come off the Hillside Trail at bridge 2. The walk back to the entrance and Visitor Center is very short and shaded. I highly recommend adding the Hillside Trail to your Redwood Creek loop. Please note the Hillside Trail is not stroller friendly.
DON’T MISS THESE GEMS NEAR MUIR WOODS
After hiking through Muir Woods, chances are you will be seeking more adventure or a relaxing meal. Here are some of our favorite places to stop by after our Muir Woods adventure.
THE PELICAN INN & MUIR BEACH
A few minutes down the road from the Muir Woods National Monument is Muir Beach, where you also find the relaxing and quaint Pelican Inn. This inn takes you back to 16th century England is a great place to come and enjoy a beverage or meal after your Muir Woods hike. This small inn is home to a great pub that delivers sustainable and delicious English fare.
We visited on a gloomy day, and the dining room’s fireplace and cozy feel were a perfect stop on our Marin County adventure. We had the fish and chips as well as the roasted carrots. Both were great, and I cannot wait to return for an overnight stay to enjoy the Beef Wellington with a glass of wine by the fire.
On a sunny day, I can imagine these lawns are a great place to picnic, as people were gathered doing just that even in wet weather. The patio was green and inviting. Don’t forget to step out to see Muir Beach after your meal. This quiet cove is a favorite for sunbathing and bonfires by locals and is accessed by the 450-foot bridge that connects Muir Beach to the parking lot.
MUIR BEACH OVERLOOK
Muir Beach Overlook is a beautiful place to end your day. Follow the staircase out from the parking lot for panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, Muir Beach, and the Point Reyes Peninsula on a clear day. History buffs will enjoy seeing the remnants of observation bunkers used by the San Francisco Coastal Defense System in WW2.
If you are craving more adventure, follow the 1.5-mile coastal trail to Slide Ranch and down to the North Beach tidepools. This 3-mile round trip adventure is fun for kids and on our next time list!
NEXT TIME LIST
Hike the 3.1 mile Fern Creek, Lost & Ocean View Loop
Hike the 6.3 mile Bootjack Trail Loop
Picnic and hike the 9.7 mile (difficult level) Ben Johnson Trail (aka Dipsea Trail) from Muir Woods to Stinson Beach
Mount Laguna is one of my favorite places to get away to when I am craving nature. The trails are beautiful and the views are stunning. On clear days you can see out over Anza-Borrego Desert and over the Salton Sea. During fall the trees are gorgeous and in spring the wildflowers sprinkle the trails with colors and joy. We have experienced days when you can’t see 10 feet in front of you and the wind is whipping everything around you. We have also played in the snow on the side of the road. A weekend in Mount Laguna will not disappoint, no matter the season.
The Mount Laguna Recreation Area is part of the Cleveland National Forest, which requires an “Adventure Pass” for parking on the mountain in certain areas. Due to COVID, many of the areas stopped requiring Adventure Passes, so I recommend checking here for the latest info on what trailheads are requiring the pass. You can purchase your $5 daily pass online here or opt for the $30 annual pass. To purchase the annual pass, you have several options. In advance, order online here, visit a vendor (Big 5 in Carlsbad or REI in Encinitas sells them) or day-of stop in at the Visitor’s Information Center when entering the recreation area. If you have an “America the Beautiful” national park pass, that will cover your fee here too! Just hang it on your mirror when parking.
LAGUNA MOUNTAIN VISITOR’S CENTER
The Visitor’s Information Center is next door to the Laguna Mountain Lodge Store. This is a great place to quickly stop in for information. There are public restrooms in the parking lot as well. Due to COVID, the Visitor’s Center has been closed, but when open, they are a great resource for maps and other brochures. This is also where you can pick up the Wooded Hill Nature Trail Guide I mention below. The Visitor’s Center is located right off the Sunrise Highway at Los Huecos Road, between mile marker 23.5 and 23.
JUNIOR FOREST RANGER
If you follow the National Park areas of my blog, you know my love for Junior Ranger programs. Although they are not passed out on the mountain, there is still a National Forest Junior Ranger program your child can participate in! You can email to order your booklet ahead (smokeybear@fs.fed. us) to receive one in the mail or download the booklet here to print at home. The booklet is a great additional item to pack for a weekend in Mount Laguna because it keeps your child engaged with all that he/she is seeing out on the trails. I love using them as entertainment at restaurants too! Once your child completes the activities, you can mail in the card for a pin and card.
WEATHER
As with any adventure, check into the weather before heading up the mountain. Mount Laguna can see hot temperatures during summer days, but they drop quickly as the sun goes down. In addition, wind can be a major factor! When we are planning a big hike or camping weekend, I always check the wind to make sure it will be enjoyable. During winter, Mount Laguna will see snow and the Sunrise Highway will sometimes require chains or be closed. So please check weather and current driving conditions before you go!
DRIVING TO MOUNT LAGUNA
The main road through the mountain is the Sunrise National Scenic Byway. No matter the direction you come in, I love the way the road changes as you climb up the Sunrise Highway. The 24-mile scenic byway winds up and down the mountain through pines and mountain meadows with views of the Anza-Borrego Desert below. We usually try to come in one way and out the other to make a big loop.
From North County San Diego, there are two main ways to head into Mount Laguna. You can use the 8 freeway past Alpine to head up the mountain, or you can take the windier, slower way through Highway 78 & 79 past Julian. The direction we go really depends on our plans for hiking and dining. This map gives you an overview of the places I mention in this post so you can plan your route. I usually consider the following factors when picking our route.
Starting on the 8 freeway towards Alpine is faster and more direct. Our son gets carsick so this is an easier way up for him. He does better with the windier roads near Julian on the way out of town. Also, the cell service works better for the initial chunk of the drive if your child is using any device that needs consistent service to function. On colder days, I love a hot coffee in the car while we charge the freeway route to get up. After our time in Mount Laguna, I love stopping in Julian to enjoy one of our favorite places for a snack or beverage before heading home.
Driving up the Sunrise Highway from the 8 near Alpine
The alternative route is to go through Julian first. I love this if you are visiting during summer and have more daylight hours. It allows you to stay on the mountain until sunset later in the evening. Many of our favorite stops in Julian tend to start shutting down around 5pm, so it allows us to stop at the pumpkin patch before heading up the mountain with plenty of daylight for hiking left. The freeway route home is faster when you are exhausted and just want to be home. Leaving through Alpine gives you a straighter route in the dark too, versus the windy mountains roads of Highway 78 out of Julian.
Driving up the Sunrise Highway towards Mt. Laguna from Julian
GARNET PEAK via PENNY PINES
I am jumping right into my favorite hike on the mountain. Garnet Peak is absolutely stunning and will take your breath away. On a clear day, the panoramic views seem to go on forever. When you make it to the top, it is almost emotional staring out at the beauty of the Cleveland National Forest around you and the Anza-Borrego Desert below you. There is an old coffee can with a notepad where people sign a note saying they have made it to the top. You can see messages from people who just overcome trials like beating cancer, hiking to heal from grief associated with extreme loss or are celebrating with family. As you sit at the top, you can’t help but think of all the emotions that have been processed on this peak. It really is a beautiful place.
There are two ways out to the Garnet Peak Trail. You can park on Sunrise Highway and head straight up the peak (about 2.2 miles), but we prefer to park at the Penny Pines Trailhead (27.8-mile marker) and take the longer 4-mile route. This trailhead is closest to the Julian side of the mountain, so it is a great first stop if heading up from Julian (or last stop if you come in from Alpine). There will be cars parked along the road at Penny Pines. This section of trail takes you east for a bit and then north on the famous PCT before hitting the Garnet Peak Trail. The views this way are stunning and Penny Pines is a great area to explore and enjoy even if you don’t want to take the longer hike to Garnet Peak.
Penny Pines Trail on Mount Laguna
PENNY PINES TRAILHEAD
We have stopped here several times without heading all the way up to Garnet Peak. This portion of the trail is less than a mile and gives you a taste of the views you will see once you reach the peak. We have been here on beautiful clear days like you can see above, and also on windy and foggy days where you cannot see anything! Mt. Laguna in the fog is fun to see for different reasons, but clearly, the views will not be as exciting!
We knew this day would be foggy, but we decided to adventure out anyway, The fog gave us a new view of a trail we love. However, we ended up turning back from Garnet Peak early because the wind was so strong it felt like our son could blow off the trail! The fog did begin to burn off as we returned to the trailhead. Make sure to keep wind and weather in mind when planning your Mount Laguna adventure.
During spring, the trail is filled with beautiful wildflowers. In fall, you can see the changing colors of the forest surrounding you. Our son does great on this trail. Whether only heading out for the first mile, or taking the full 4-mile out-and-back trail to the peak, he loves this trail. In the beginning, some of the brush is overgrown and you may feel like you are squeezing yourself through, but stay on the trail. It will soon open up to expanse views of the Anza-Borrego Desert.
GARNET PEAK TRAIL
The full 4-miles to Garnet Peak will give you an elevation gain of about 700 feet. We always pack a small picnic to enjoy along longer hikes, and there are several areas along this trail to sit on the rocks to enjoy a snack. Once you see the “Garnet Peak Trail” sign, you have merged onto the Garnet Peak Trail and the climb begins.
If hiking with kids, it is a good idea to make sure they have proper shoes for this hike. The last portion towards the peak does get very steep and rocky. When our son was younger, we did put him in the carrier for this final portion of the trail. At the top, there are many areas to sit and enjoy the view. When our son was younger, we kept him close! On a clear day, you can see the windmills out towards Palm Springs! Definitely pack some binoculars for the views on top!
PINE HOUSE CAFE & TAVERN
This restaurant recently changed ownership, and I have not been since the change due to all of the COVID madness. However, the location is great and the mountain vibe is the same. This log cabin style restaurant has been around since 1942 and has been feeding PCT hikers for many years. The cafe is right next to Burnt Rancheria on Sunrise Highway, across from the Laguna Mountain General Store. The cafe is open Thursday – Sunday and has breakfast, lunch, dinner & take-out picnic options available. Our son loved the mac and cheese and we love a cold beer on the patio after a long hike! The menus below are current in October 2020. You can check out the current hours and menu offerings on their website. I can’t want to check this place out next time we are on the mountain!
BURNT RANCHERIA CAMPGROUND
We love this campground! It is beautiful and the camp hosts are so helpful. The campground is open from April – October. Pets are allowed on a 6ft max leash at all times. The campground is made of several loops, and sites in the Pinyon, Lilac and Yucca Loop can be reserved in advance on recreation.gov. The rest of the 108 sites become first-come, first-serve. This map can give you an idea of where the sites are in relation to facilities. All sites have a table and fire ring. The camp hosts sell firewood for $6/bundle. You can call the campground with any questions at 619/473-0120 or follow the campground facebook page for updated information.
Our son loved this campground. I had been checking cancellations and scored a one-night opening during COVID when the campground had been full every day. We were thrilled, but then the 60mph winds had us hesitant. After our windy Garnet Peak hike, we came to the campground to picnic on our site and decide what to do next. During our picnic, we looked over at our fire ring and saw this snake cruising through our site! It may be hard to see in the picture, but we quickly realized all of the snake warning signs are up for a reason!
We were in site 45, which was right next to the bathrooms. All of the sites are spread out, which was especially enjoyable during COVID. The campground borders the PCT and The Desert View Trail left right by our site which made for an easy late afternoon hike. Walking through the campground later in the evening showed us the beauty of the sun setting in the Mahogany, Redberry & Cherry loop. During non-COVID summers, you an easily walk up to the Sunrise Highway to grab dinner or a beer at the Pinehouse Cafe before setting up for smores at night.
DESERT VIEW TRAIL & PICNIC AREA
The Desert View Trail gives you panoramic views of the Anza-Borrego Desert 6,000 feet below. The trail leaves right from the Burnt Rancheria campground next to site 44. It is pretty amazing to be looking down at the desert and surrounded by pines. The one-mile loop heads up to the Desert View Picnic Area which has several picnic tables and nooks to take a break and enjoy the scenery. The PCT runs along here too, so you may share the trail with PCT hikers for a bit.
We were visiting in June, and the wildflowers along the hike were my favorite. I just love the bright colors sprinkling the landscape along a hike. We headed back to our campsite through the campground (vs the trial back to site 44) and enjoyed the views of the sun setting on the different loops in Burnt Rancheria.
If you are not camping in Burnt Rancheria, the Desert View Picnic Area has parking and you can loop staring there and back up. The views are fabulous and you can see the Salton Sea on clear days. It was an easy trail for our son too!
WOODED HILL NATURE TRAIL
This trail is an easy 1.6-mile loop that is great for families! The trail is a figure-8 shape, with a smaller .5 mile loop option. It is also a self-guided nature trail, with exhibit numbers painted on rocks to teach you about local plant life. You can pick up the trail guide at the Visitor Center. Due to COVID, we were unable to get the pamphlet, but we still loved the hike. To find the trailhead, follow the small road (between mile markers 22 and 21.5) towards the Wooded Hill Campground. After about .3 miles, you will see cars parked along the left side of the road at the trailhead.
At the trailhead, there are two trails. We headed up the left side to start and we were happy with that decision in the end. Not only do the numbers on the pamphlet begin on the left, but we found the direct climb up the hill better on the left than the switchbacks on the right side. We started to head into the forest through the dry grass. Before long, we were surrounded by beautiful autumn colors between a forest of pine and oak trees.
After about 1/4 mile and a bit of a climb uphill (the hike has an elevation gain of 234 feet), we reached the middle of the two loops. We turned left, heading up for the longer 1.6-mile loop. Our son loved all of the boulders along the trail and the pinecones all over the ground. The clouds above us were moving, which gave us great views as we climbed the trail. From spots on the trail, we were able to see the Anza-Borrego Desert, the old US Air Force station, and the Laguna Mountain Observatory.
The top had great views and lots of boulders for our son to explore. We were wishing we had a picnic packed to enjoy once we were up there. It took us about 40 minutes to get to the top – we had a lot of stops for rock climbing and even a mid-trail diaper change!
We had a snack and kombucha, enjoyed the views and started our way down on the other side of the loop! This way down had many switchbacks that made the downhill steady. It was beautiful weaving through the forest. It took us less than 30 minutes to make it back down to our car. Although this trail is not stroller-friendly, it was a great hike for families with kids of all ages! I loved the fall colors during our October visit, and I can only imagine how beautiful the wildflowers must be in Spring!
This area is also our favorite to explore for snow play. You can read more about snow play on Mount Laguna here.
SUNSET TRAIL to WATER OF THE WOODS
This is a great hike to do with kids. To access these trails, you park at the Sunset Trailhead (mile marker 19.1). There will be a lot of cars parked on the highway here as this is a popular area for hiking and mountain biking. The 8-mile Sunset Trail to Laguna Meadows Loop leaves from here as well. The Big Laguna Trail is a popular mountain biking trail that splits off of the Sunset Trail after a few minutes. To make sure you are on the Sunset Trail, stay left, heading West. The Big Laguna Trail will have bikers and bike tracks in the dirt and head to the North, on the right.
Our son loved this trail because he could walk around and explore different areas of the mountain. The trail starts by heading into a pine forest, and eventually comes out into the large Laguna Meadow. The Water of the Woods is a large pond in the middle of the giant mountain meadow. We took time to snack here, and instead of heading back on the Sunset Trail for a 3-mile loop, we hooked onto the Big Laguna Trail (the biking one) and looped back along the meadow. This meadow is home to many cows and you will pass through cattle guards on the trail. Our son loved the different scenery on this easy hike with very little elevation gain. We first hiked this trail in fall and the colors did not disappoint. I have read that the wildflowers are stunning in spring too!
A FEW QUICK STOPS WORTH NOTING
Mount Laguna is filled with scenic points all along the Sunrise Highway. We love pulling off to take in the views for a moment. During COVID closures, these scenic points gave us picnic areas to enjoy in a socially distant way. I highly recommend taking your time heading through to pull off and take in the view! Kids can have a moment to snack and use their favorite binoculars while parents can enjoy a kombucha (or your beverage of choice) and, of course, a snack too.
KWAAYMII POINT
Kwaaymi Point is on the left side of the Sunrise Highway when coming up from Julian (mile marker 30.3). The point is right at the border between the Anza-Borrego Desert and Cleveland National Forest. A short road, Kwaaymi Point, takes you out to the overlook. At 6,000 feet elevation, this point is popular with hang gliders. The area has also become a memorial to hang gliders that have lost their lives and unfortunately, many spots have been tagged with memorials as well.
There is a short 1/2 mile hike that takes you on a portion of the PCT. The views here are beautiful, but there are no guard rails and the drops are steep along the trail. Those with little kids may want to enjoy the overlook and not explore the trail. A portion of the hike is on the old Sunrise Highway from the 1920’s. Our son enjoyed rock climbing (away from the cliff) and we enjoyed the views and a short picnic. This is also a great spot for stargazing!
DESERT VIEW OVERLOOK
Coming from Julian, shortly after mile marker 24, just before the Desert View Picnic Area, turn left up Monument Peak Road towards the old Mt. Laguna USAF station. The road dead-ends at the gate, but has fantastic views at the top. This is another great spot to stargaze, or even get up early from Burnt Rancheria Campground and watch the sunrise. Coffee or wine in hand, pop up a chair and enjoy the views.
OUR FAVORITE TURNOUT
We have another favorite stop on the left side of the mountain heading towards the Sunset Trail from the summit. It is the middle of three turnouts and is just past mile marker 20. I love this spot as we picnicked here several times during COVID and if offers fresh mountain air and views.
LAGUNA MOUNTAIN LODGE STORE
The Laguna Mountain Lodge Store was built in 1930 and has all you may need for a weekend in Mount Laguna. They carry groceries, beverages and camping gear. The store also carries ice, firewood and charcoal. They carry a variety of local souvenirs and even have snow gear. Campers can grab a fresh coffee in the am and they even have a gift shop for visitors. They have you covered for last minutes necessities during a week in Mount Laguna.
SNOW PLAY
Mount Laguna is known for its beautiful winter snowfall. An adventure up the mountain for family-friendly snow play makes for a great day! Check out my post on snow play in Mount Laguna for all my tips and info. Sometimes chains are required on the Sunrise Highway and in extreme weather, the Sunrise Highway will be closed. Mount Laguna is beautiful during every season which makes it a fun place to explore with family all year.
There is so much to do with a day in Julian, California. Less than 90 minutes from San Diego, Julian is a great day trip for the whole family. I love the different offerings throughout the seasons. Julian is an old mining town that is now known for its incredibly busy apple picking season. Although we always head to Julian for fall adventures like apple picking and the pumpkin patch, I also love visiting during the other seasons. Spring offers beautiful daffodils and wildflowers, summer offers fresh berry picking and winter will bring you snow play! We have had so many adventures in Julian over the years, so instead of a one-day itinerary, this post is broken into some of our favorite things to do when we head up!
This is one of our favorite things to do in Julian throughout the seasons. The farm is owned by the sweetest family and offers a variety of seasonal activities. During summer, you can pick fresh strawberries and blueberries on the farm. During the fall, the farm is our go-to pumpkin patch. You can pick pumpkins from the displays or head into the patch to pick your own. They offer hayrides, cider pressing, barnyard animal visits, and ax throwing.
The farm always has a variety of barnyard animals for kids to enjoy as well. This summer, they had three new baby goats that our son LOVED and was able to pet. The farm is a fun place to wander and the tire swing on the tree next to the pumpkin patch is a do-not-miss for kids. When heading to Julian, check out their website for the latest info on what the farm is offering during your visit. We love to stop by the farm closer to closing to avoid mid-day peak crowds. Don’t miss the farm when spending a day in Julian, California.
JULIAN MINING COMPANY
4444 State Highway 78
On the other side of Highway 78 is Julian Mining Company, owned by the same family that owns Julian Farm & Orchard. The mining company is another great stop for families. Kids will have a blast as they “mine” for gold and/or gems by the creek where the real gold was first discovered in Julian. The panning is set up in troughs under a beautiful walnut tree. The grounds have lots of funky areas to explore as well. The Julian Mining Company is open year-round. Check their website for updated hours, but they usually close by 5 pm.
VOLCAN VALLEY APPLE FARM
1284 Julian Orchards Drive
This apple farm has been a family tradition for all of our son’s life. It is our favorite place to go apple picking in Julian each fall. It has changed ownership over the years but only gotten busier. We plan on a weekend visit to Julian somewhere around Labor Day, but I recommend following them on Facebook to get the most updated info on the season. This year (2020) the season was picked over and closed after three weekends! Bags were $15 and include admission for 1. Additional admissions are $5, with children under 5 free. They grow a variety of apples and depending on when you go, certain varieties may be unavailable if they are not ready yet. The apple farm is located just outside downtown Julian and we usually head there first thing on our day trips. Apple season tends to coincide with hot weather in Julian, so come prepared with water, sunblock, and hats! You can find our favorites here!
I always recommend packing a picnic before heading up to Julian, enjoying the apple picking, and then heading next door to Menghini Winery for your lunch with some local wine by the apple orchard. There is a winery across from the orchard that has changed over several times, It is always packed because it is right by the apples, however, head down the road to avoid the lines and enjoy the views at Menghini.
BEST FOOD & DRINKIN JULIAN
HEROES RESTAURANT
218 Main Street
Heroes Restaurant is a delicious stop for lunch. Although open until 4 or 5, Heroes is a VERY popular spot that tends to close a bit earlier in the afternoon due to crowds. Put your name on the list and enjoy downtown Julian until they text you. The restaurant is focused on honoring the men and women that serve our country – military and first responders. They offer a 10% discount to military patrons. The dining room is filled with military and first responder memorabilia, patches, and flags.
If you are looking for a delicious burger or beer in Julian, Heroes is your spot. You cannot go wrong with anything on their menu, but my personal favorite is the Jammin Burger. The apple-cranberry-almond coleslaw is delicious too. Our son loves ordering the burgers too, but unfortunately, they do not have a kids burger on the kid’s menu, so expect the full price ($14) burger on your check. The restaurant is pet and motorcycle friendly which makes the patio very popular on crowded weekends. Don’t miss your chance to watch the action on Main Street from their patio seating.
MENGHINI WINERY
1150 Julian Orchards Drive
This is one of the first places we ever discovered in Julian and we have been coming back since. The boutique winery is just down past Volcan Valley Apple Farm on Julian Orchards Drive. They have a large property of grass, beautiful trees, picnic tables, and apple trees. They encourage you to picnic and their location is perfect for it! You can taste, buy a glass or bottle to share. If you are not picnicking and want to be close for tastings, you can enjoy a glass on the back patio among lush greenery and enjoy the views of the orchard. This is a great spot for lunch after apple picking before heading into town! Hours are 11-4 or 5 pm depending on the day. You can check their website for current hours.
WYNOLA PIZZA & BISTRO
4444 State Highway 78
This is our favorite place to grab a casual lunch or dinner with family. Wynola Pizza & Bistro has a great patio, live music, and craft beer selection. Our favorite is the “Joe’s Godfather” pizza for sure. I also love the “Pizza Crust Salad.” Everything is delicious and their location is ideal, just off Highway 79, right next door to Julian Farm & Orchard. If you are anxious to beat sunset down the windy mountain roads, it is a great place to stop in and grab pizza to-go after a day in Julian, California. It is also perfect for grab-n-go when camping nearby!
JULIAN PIE COMPANY
21976 State Highway 79 or 2225 Main Street
Julian is known for their apple pie and the line outside of Julian Pie Company in downtown Julian never ceases to amaze me. My advice is to skip the Julian Pie Company in downtown Julian and opt for the bigger, less crowded Julian Pie Company in Santa Isabel. We always enjoy the classic apple pie with vanilla ice cream, but Julian Pie has other unique combinations too. You can top your slice of pie with whipped cream, caramel, or even a slice of sharp cheddar cheese! The apple cider donuts (and donut holes) are delicious, too! A slice of pie on the way out of town is a great end to a day in Julian, California.
JEREMY’S ON THE HILL
4354 State HIghway 78
We absolutely love this restaurant. If you are looking for a nicer meal, Jeremy’s is your spot. This is farm-to-table local cuisine that will not disappoint. We have had a variety of meals here – full course dinner and late afternoon appetizers. With the Julian Farm & Orchard across the street closing at 5 pm, Jeremy’s is a great spot for an early dinner on the patio with your family! Whatever season it is during your visit, Jeremy’s is sure to compliment your day in town! Jeremy’s is delicious, fresh, seasonal and dinner here is an amazing way to end a day in Julian!
BLUE DOOR WINERY
2608 B Street
Blue Door Winery is located in the center of downtown Julian. The tasting room is located in the town’s old livery stables. The winemakers are the nicest people too and the wine is great. Their signature sangria is fantastic on a hot, Julian summer day. You can grab a growler of the Sangria to go as well. I definitely recommend stopping in for a beverage during a visit to Julian! They have an urban winery on Morena Blvd. in San Diego so if you want to become wine club members you can taste and pick up at either location!
NICKEL BEER COMPANY
1485 Hollow Glen Road
This brewery is right outside of town and a fun place to stop in for a refreshing beer. They have over 16 beers on tap and have different food truck options. We especially love swinging by after a big hike. We once had an incredible sunrise hike in Anza-Borrego and stopped in for a beer on our way into Julian. More on that in a future post. They have a large, pet-friendly outdoor seating area. During the spring, you can enjoy the daffodils popping up all around the hills surrounding the brewery. If you enjoy beer, definitely stop in for a pint or two during your next day in Julian!
CALICO CIDERY
4200 State Highway 78
This is a great new spot in town! The ranch has been around for years, growing apples and pears and making cider for family and friends. The ranch has been selling fruit and recently opened for retail cider sales last year. The location is beautiful which makes it is a must-stop for us! There is a large seating area in the shade along Highway 79 in front of the cider, but the gem is the orchard behind. Tables are scattered throughout the orchard under the tree. Pick up a tasting flight of the four ciders on tap and enjoy the scenery. Calico Cidery is open on weekends and is a great place to meet up with friends and escape the crowds in downtown Julian.
JULIAN HARD CIDER
4470 Highway 78
Julian Hard Cider has been around for years and is always a fun place to pop in and taste. They have super friendly staff members and I love all of the recommendations that come with the ciders. The “Apple Pie” cider is a delicious treat to break out during dessert at your Thanksgiving celebration. The “Black and Blue” is a great tasting cider alone, and is also fabulous boiled down into a reduction over brussel sprouts. The tasting room for Julian Hard Cider is located in the Julian Station shopping area and is a great place to check out on your way in or out of town.
WHERE TO SHOP IN JULIAN
JULIAN STATION
4470 Highway 78
Julian Station is a great place to stop on your way in or out of town. The property is actually an old apple packing facility and cider house turned into a marketplace of unique vendors, boutiques, food, and drinks. I always have fun cruising through, checking out the different shops, and tasting at Julian Hard Cider. Your kids will love the coin-operated rides like the ones outside of grocery stores from when we were kids. They even have a small fenced-in toy area for the kids too! Julian Station is a great little stop to check out with a day in Julian!
ECCENTRIC APE
2000 Main Street
This store is located in downtown Julian between B & C Street. This was such a unique shop to stumble upon. They have a great tapestry selection. We use ours for a picnic/beach/park blanket and camping tablecloth but you can also hang them as art or use them as a comforter cover. I am always getting compliments on the one we purchased. The store also has a variety of incense and related supplies. Definitely, a place to check out with a day in Julian if you are into this vibe!
THE CANDY MINE
2134 Main Street
Our son loves this place. It is his favorite stop. When you first walk in, you will be in the small Miner’s Diner restaurant. However, in the back, follow the sign to the Candy Mine. Head down the stairs and you will be surrounded by buckets of candy. They carry all of the old-time candies and favorites. There is definitely something for everyone. It is a hit with my son. He brings it up every time we go to Julian. I love that he will always remember heading down the dark stairs complete with mining sound effects. It is a quick stop, but a fun one with kids! It is also on the main stretch where chances are you have parked and are cruising around if you are spending a day in Julian.
CROW & LILAC
2608 B Street
My friend and I stumbled upon this store while enjoying Sangria from Blue Door Winery next door. The store smells amazing and is full of natural body & home products. I have several linen sprays from the essential oil line that are incredible. I also have the “after sun spray” that is so rejuvenating on your skin after a shower post-beach day. Crow and Lilac is a great place to check out while you enjoy your Sangria.
JULIANTLA CHOCOLATE BOUTIQUE
2608 B Street
Next door to Crow and Lilac, this boutique has some delicious candies and chocolate treats for the entire family. In addition to chocolates and candies, they carry pastries, cakes, and apple pies. Everything is made locally and they have a large vegan selection. Juliantla Chocolate Boutique is another great place to check out while having your Sangria from Blue Door!
HIKING & CAMPING IN JULIAN
SANTA ISABEL COUNTY PRESERVE
You pass the Santa Isabel County Preserve coming into town from San Diego. The Santa Isabel West trails are an easy place to take kids out hiking, however, it can be very hot. There is a lot to explore and we enjoyed heading out among the rolling hills and oak trees. The entire loop can be up to 8 miles, or you can head out and back a few miles as we did with our son. There are many cows on the trail and very little shade. If you want an easy hike with minimal elevation, this is a great place to explore! Make sure to watch out for rattlesnakes, especially with little kids! I recommend this hike on a cooler day.
WILLIAM HEISE COUNTY PARK SELF-GUIDED NATURE TRAIL
William Heise County Park is a great place to hike and camp in Julian. The park is filled with hiking trails that can make a day out of adventuring. We had an enjoyable, .5mile hike along the self-guided nature trail loop. The loop left from the campground, not too far from our site (site 72). My son brought his scooter because we started by cruising through the campground and ended up on the hike. The hike is not scooter/stroller friendly, but it was easy enough to carry his scooter on the .5 mile loop. The hike takes you out into the county park, with information about the vegetation as you go. It is a great way to get out into nature in Julian. The county park does charge $3 for parking.
CAMPING AT WILLIAM HEISE COUNTY PARK
Camping at William Heise County Park is a great way to turn your daycation visiting Julian, Ca into a weekend getaway! The park has tent and RV hookup sites, as well as cabins and group-camping options. The cabins are insulated and include lighting, wood-framed beds (no linens), a table, and chairs. Use this link to view the park brochure and campground map. In addition to the 11-miles in hiking trails, there is a playground and ranger activities on the weekends. We had a wonderful time camping at William Heise during apple season.
These are the items we make sure to pack when heading out on a National Park adventure with our (now) seven-year-old son. Some are more specific for certain places and plans, but they are all something to think about when you begin to pack based on your itinerary. This is our list of the “must-haves” for adventuring with kids in National Parks.
Our son’s backpack has been awesome over the years. It is lightweight and very durable. I can even throw it in the washing machine after a trip to clean it up. It is small enough to fit in a suitcase but large enough to fit a few of our son’s favorite things on hikes. In reality, a young child is not going to carry a heavy pack hiking, but this allows him to keep a few things he wants to have access to in an easy place to grab them. It is much better than, “can I have my _________?” over and over when hiking! Our son loves how he can connect carabiners to the outside to make access to some items even easier! He even used this as his preschool backpack too! Shout out to Uncle Raymond for this rad gift.
Just another note I feel fits here – whether you carry it or your child carries it, please make sure to always have sunscreen, bug protection, and a first aid kit in you or your child’s pack. These are so important for adventuring with kids in National Parks. You don’t need a beautiful hike ruined because you don’t have a band-aid. We all know band-aids are a magic fix to so many things!
This is such an important item for us! Almost all National Parks have stopped selling plastic water bottles and now provide fresh water filling stations through the park. You will never find my son without a water bottle or water bladder in his backpack. In addition to the importance of hydration when hiking in general, our son has Cystic Fibrosis and can dehydrate easily. In addition, he takes over 40 pills a day with meals in order to digest the food he eats, so having water to swallow the 7 pills per meal is important.
Kids love these stainless bottles because the water can stay icy cold throughout a long day. I also feel better about them laying around in the sun being stainless versus plastic. Our son always tells us the water tastes better from a Hydroflask!
We purchased this sun hat before our Summer 2019 Road Trip and it has been such a great purchase. It is not too expensive and very lightweight. It can be shoved in our son’s backpack and washed in the washing machine when we get home (ha – notice a theme here for me!). The cord allows it to be hooked onto his backpack and mesh gives him ventilation in the heat. It has UV 50+ protection and I love how the neck flap protects the back of his neck from the sun. So many kids fight sunscreen, so it is great to have an extra layer of protection when exploring National Parks with kids!
This purchase started more as a souvenir in Zion National Park to make our son feel like a “real hiker,” but we quickly realized we were glad we had it. He uses it often to feel he’s “dressed the part,” but in Zion, it stabilized him in the water and rocks of the Narrows, and in Bryce National Park it helped keep him up as we descended into the canyon. We love how it is adjustable so if he is tired of using it, we can collapse it and hook it to our backpack versus someone always having to carry it. Our son’s hiking stick was from the Zion visitor center, but I linked one that is very similar – and cheaper! Ha!
These are just fun to have. I cannot tell you how many times we have used our binoculars and been happy to have them! Between looking for California Condors in Zion National Park and looking for whales from Cabrillo National Monument our son has used them all over! He watched climbers scale El Capitan and a bear cross a meadow in Yosemite. These binoculars have offered some awesome experiences. They are small, fit in his pack and allow him to explore the park even more. When a crowd is standing around watching a bear, he felt very cool whipping out his binoculars to have an up-close view!
My dad had an old Canon Power Shot and now that everyone uses their iPhone for photos, we thought why not let our son play around with it? He is old enough to take care of it in his pack, but I linked a camera that can take a little more wear and tear from younger kids. It is fun to see the trip through their lens when you get home. Sometimes we get 15 squirrel pictures, and other times we get sweet “family selfies” that we will always cherish. How many times have your kids watched you take a picture? They want to be a part of that too!
When visiting National Parks with kids, you have to check these out! I absolutely love the Junior Ranger program at National (and CA State) parks. It is free and enriches your child’s experience in the park. They learn about the geology, history, plants, and animals in the park. The park-specific booklets double as dinner entertainment and challenge your child to look, listen and explore the park in ways they may not have done without the activities.
My son has such pride when he returns to a park ranger, takes his oath, and achieves his badge. Some parks give out a beautiful wooden badge, others have a plastic badge. My son thinks the plastic with gold trim is the cream of the crop in Junior Ranger badges. We had fun making a display for his badges from cut-off jeans, three safety pins, a stick, and some burlap twine. The stick was not from a National Park! Your Junior Ranger will learn to take nothing during visits!
The Junior Ranger Passport is a lot of fun too! It is the child version of the adult National Park Passport, with the same categories only broken down into more pictures, space for stamps, and illustrations. There is space for your “date of visit” cancellation and your child’s “Junior Ranger” cancellation. This book will be cherished for years as every visit adds to the personalization of the booklet! I cannot wait to see the stamps grow over the years! This is a * must-have* if you see your family having multiple National Park trips.
I love these little books! These are an inexpensive way for kids to get excited about your trip! Our son is seven, so they are aimed at the younger reader, but the idea is for them to have a book about the park that your child can adore. These books are great to read before we go, in the car on the way and during our visit. We make a point to check out specific things from the book (usually we are already going to most of them).
The inside cover of the books turns into a mini scrapbook from our trip. We use them to stamp his National Park Passport cancellations in, Junior Ranger stamps in, and place any stickers he may get from the rangers in the park. For $6, they are a great kick-off to your trip. Anything in the visitor center will be more expensive, so why not order ahead? I am linking the different parks here for your convenience. They have a variety of parks available at times, but current availability on Amazon is Zion, Bryce, Yellowstone, Rocky Mountain, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Great Smokey Mountains, Glacier, Everglades, Hawaii Volcanoes, and Acadia.
For some reason hanging things off my son’s pack just makes him feel like a true hiker. It is so easy to attach his binoculars or camera to his pack with a carabiner. We really love these flashlight carabiners as you never know when you may run out of daylight and they are tiny enough to always have attached to something. They are also a great light to hang from the top of your tent when you are getting things ready for bed! Carabiners are also a fun thing to purchase with kids from the National Park visitor centers as a souvenir!
This is so important!!! The wrong shoes for your child can RUIN your hike. You can plan away, pack all the right things, set out with the best of intentions and if you don’t have the right shoes everything will begin to spiral quickly. If you purchase new hiking boots for a specific trip, please make sure your child is able to wear them before the trip. Nothing is worse than a child with the wrong shoes, or shoes that are giving blisters because they have not been broken in. Our son LOVES these Merrell hiking boots for kids. They have had a lot of miles put on them and still are in great shape.
In preparation for the Narrows in Zion, I wanted to get him some water-friendly hiking shoes. Although the hiking boots are actually waterproof, I knew we may not have enough time between adventures for them to fully dry after the narrows. I found water shoes similar to these at the Merrell outlet and they worked great! I cannot recommend making sure your kids are dialed in with the right shoes before any big adventures!!
Hope this list of “must-have” items for kids in National Parks gets you started in your prep for an awesome family adventure! Always remember that a comfortable & engaged child is going to be a happy child! A happy child is sure to lead to a better experience for the entire family exploring the parks! Anything else you would add to the list?
Only a two-hour drive from Zion, Bryce Canyon National Park is a side trip that is DEFINITELY worth taking! When I first started planning our road trip, we were debating if we should check it out because our focus was initially the Grand Canyon, but Bryce ended up being the jewel of our entire trip. DO NOT SKIP BRYCE when you are so close. Sunset over the amphitheater of unique red rock hoodoos is something everyone should see!
Even with a few stops after leaving Zion around 10am, we arrived in Bryce Canyon right around 12:30. As always, our first stop with the BRYCE CANYON VISITOR CENTER. We picked up some brochures about the park, our son’s Junior Ranger booklet and learned a little more about the unique geography we were about to see! I had heard all about the “hoodoos” but had no idea what anyone was talking about!
Once we had our park info, we headed into the park to drop our bags with the lodge and check out our options for lunch. Check-in was not until 4pm, but our son has medication that is temperature-sensitive so we always drop bags (versus leaving them in a hot car) when we know we will be out for a while. As soon as we pulled into the BRYCE CANYON LODGE, we were so excited to have a night with it as our home base. The lodge is located right along the RIM TRAIL, with the incredible BRYCE CANYON AMPHITHEATER a 7-minute walk away. You cannot beat the location. The lodge has a very rustic feel as it is a National Historic Landmark that was built in the 1920s. It is actually the only Union Pacific Railroad original lodge that is still standing!
THE LODGE AT BRYCE CANYON RESTAURANT
We decided to have a more formal lunch in the dining room of the LODGE AT BRYCE CANYON RESTAURANT so we could sit down, relax and plan out our afternoon. The VALHALLA PIZZERIA & COFEE SHOP next door would have been a great option for something faster. The dining room had a great selection of sandwiches, salads and burgers in addition to craft Utah beers!
SUNSET POINT at THE BRYCE CANYON AMPHITHEATER
During lunch, we decided to attend the 2pm Ranger Program “Hoodoo Geology,” that was happening at the beautiful SUNSET POINT at THE BRYCE CANYON AMPHITHEATER just a short walk from the Lodge. We headed over and we in absolute awe as we approached the RIM TRAIL. Our first views of the AMPHITHEATER were unreal. It looked like another world and it is stunning. It is amazing to stand on the edge of such a gigantic canyon that was once under ocean water. We enjoyed learning about the “hoodoos” and how they are formed over time. Our son was even able to stand as an example of a “hoodoo” for some of the program. He loved it! It was a great intro to the geology of the park.
Sunset Point at The Bryce Canyon Ampitheater
SCENIC DRIVE
After taking in jaw-dropping views, we knew we would come back later in the afternoon to hike into the canyon. At 2:30pm, it was peak heat and very sunny. We decided to hop back in the car and drive the remainder of the 18-mile park road, known as THE SCENIC DRIVE, to the end and the highest point in the park, RAINBOW POINT.
There are 13 viewpoints along the Scenic Drive, and they all are on the left side of the road when you are driving in. The park recommends allowing 3 hours for the drive, but we were not planning to stop at all 13 points. There is a shuttle that runs from the Visitor Center April – October that you can take on the Scenic Drive, or you are welcome to drive it yourself. We figured drive to the end, explore a bit there and then all the points will be pullouts on the right side of the road heading back down.
BRISTLECONE LOOP at RAINBOW POINT
It took us a little under 30 minutes to get from the Lodge to RAINBOW POINT. From there, we planned to hike the easy, 1-mile BRISTLECONE LOOP to explore the spruce forest and bristlecone pine trees at the higher elevation (9,115 feet). At the start of the loop, we had incredible views of the canyon and hoodoos. Our son has a digital camera for trips like this and he loved stopping to document some of the wonders below. This is an easy way to stretch your legs at the end of the Scenic Drive. In hindsight, I wish we would have used this time to hike the .8 mile MOSSY CAVE trail. However, we would have missed the SCENIC DRIVE as Mossy Cave is on the opposite end of the park (so you will see that on my “next time” list).
“I HIKED THE HOODOOS” CHALLENGE
We also chose this trail because we wanted to find our first “I HIKED THE HOODOOS” benchmark. I read about this challenge and knew it was something we would all be into! Throughout the park, there are nine special “I Hiked the Hoodoos” benchmarks on trails. In order to qualify for your reward (a special sticker), you have to take a selfie with or pencil rubbing of three of the benchmarks. In order to get to them, you will have to hike a minimum of 3 miles. I wanted to make sure our hiking plan would cover three benchmarks in order to meet this challenge. It was fun to keep our eye out for the signs as we hiked.
Bristlecone Loop at Rainbow Point
NATURAL BRIDGE
After our short hike, we started down the Scenic Drive towards the Lodge. We only stopped a few times as we were excited to get back to hike into the amphitheater. We did make a point to pull over at the NATURAL BRIDGE, to see the large arch formed by ice, rain and gravity.
Natural Bridge in Bryce Canyon
BRYCE CANYON LODGE ACCOMMODATIONS
We got back to the BRYCE CANYON LODGE about 4:15 and checked into our Western Cabin. As we walked out to our cabin, we could not believe how close we were getting to the RIM TRAIL and the unreal AMPHITHEATER views. Our cabin was perfect, very similar to the one in Zion. We had two queen beds, a small table for two, a gas fireplace, a porch and a private bathroom. Now that the sun had moved and temperatures were going down, we unloaded our bags and headed out to explore the canyon trails.
Western Cabin at Bryce Canyon Lodge
QUEEN’S GARDEN TRAIL
We headed out to the RIM TRAIL from our cabin shortly before 5pm. We planned to hike the QUEEN’S GARDEN TRAIL into the canyon, starting at SUNRISE POINT, and connect to the NAVAJO LOOP, in order to exit the canyon at SUNSET POINT for 2.9 miles total. For optimal sun and heat conditions, a ranger had told us to start our hike at SUNRISE POINT so we would be climbing out of the canyon on the NAVAJO LOOP later in the evening in the shade. QUEEN’S GARDEN is also known as the least difficult trail to take into the canyon. You can always reverse the order of the hike as you are basically making a giant “U” through the cabin.
The Rim Trail at Bryce Canyon National Park
The ranger had also told us to plan about 3 hours for our hike, so as we walked about .5 miles to SUNRISE POINT (which interestingly enough is where you should watch the sunset!) we knew we needed to stay aware of time. We headed into the canyon on the 1.8-mile QUEEN’S GARDEN TRAIL. The trail is named for the “Queen Victoria” hoodoo at the end of the trail. As we headed down, many hikers were coming up, very out of breath and hot and they climbed out of the canyon in the blazing sun. We were grateful our son had the hiking stick we had purchased in Zion to help stabilize him as we descended into the canyon. It felt like walking through a different world as the red rock hoodoos and walls started to tower above us.
The Queen’s Garden Trail
NAVAJO LOOP TRAIL & WALL STREET
A little under a mile into our hike as we walked through the canyon, we hooked onto the NAVAJO LOOP TRAIL. Sadly, we did not realize we had to walk a short distance forward to the “Queen Victoria” hoodoo before we joined the Navajo Loop to see the QUEEN’S GARDEN “I HIKED THE HOODOOS” benchmark. We did not realize we missed it until we were approaching the NAVAJO LOOP benchmark. This leg of the hike was our Bryce highlight! It was stunning. To wander through the base of the canyon with the trees and hoodoos surrounding you is a beautiful sight. I would love to come back with more time to explore connecting hikes (like the PEEK-A-BOO LOOP) more. I don’t know if the pictures can do this trail justice.
The Navajo Loop Trail
WALL STREET
As we started to climb out of the canyon, the red rocks began to narrow and we approached the famous WALL STREET. These switchbacks took some time to climb but offered some of the coolest hiking we have ever done. We were grateful to be doing them in the shade of the canyon, versus the morning sun. This is not to be missed at Bryce. Some people walk down a bit from SUNSET POINT to see WALL STREET without doing a big hike. I highly recommend the entire hike if you are able. Over a year later, our son still talks about this incredible place. WALL STREET is only open in summer, so you are not able to loop during other seasons due to weather.
The Navajo Loop to Wall Street
As we reached the top, the sun was beginning to set. The RIM TRAIL was crowded with people enjoying the spectacular views across the canyon. We enjoyed taking a few minutes to look down on WALL STREET and take in what we had just climbed! Our son did so well. We had hiked over 4 miles and he was still smiling. Not to mention all we had done the day prior in Zion. We also saw the famous hoodoo, Thor’s Hammer, standing tall in the canyon. It really is just incredible. If you have read this far, please make sure to hike at least the NAVAJO LOOP with WALL STREET. You won’t be disappointed.
SUNSET ON THE RIM TRAIL
The feeling during SUNSET on the RIM TRAIL as the sun was going down was one we could not walk away from. It was spectacular. We had just hiked up so hard, and the peaceful vibe was something we wanted to enjoy longer. We found a bench along the RIM TRAIL and sat down to take it all in. Our son started working on his Junior Ranger book and my husband actually went back to our cabin to bring us a glass of wine to enjoy with our view. We all agreed Bryce has a special place in our hearts.
Sunset on the Rim Trail
The sun went down about 8:30, so we stopped by the cabin to drop a few things off and headed over to THE LODGE at BRYCE CANYON for dinner. Our lunch was great, so we were excited to be back for dinner. We treated ourselves to filet mignon and red wine that was all spectacular. We had earned our dinner in steps that day. Our son took this sweet “family selfie” during dinner on his camera. One thing I love about him having an old digital camera for trips is that we get to see the trip through his lens. I love finding treasures like this photo. I feel like his happiness radiates and it really just represents how we all felt at dinner that night!
OUR PLAN – DAY TWO
BRYCE CANYON TO PAGE, ARIZONA – 96°
The light through the windows of our cabin was a beautiful way to wake up. My husband headed over to the Valhalla Pizzeria & Coffee Shop at the Lodge to grab a coffee and we headed out for one more view of the amphitheater before check-out. We were still in awe at the view.
We loaded up the car and headed to the visitor center on the way out of the park so our son could take his Junior Ranger oath! Our son was thrilled when the ranger he had met at the Ranger Program was there and could swear him in! The Bryce Rangers really were some of the best we have met. So kind and engaging with our son! He also gave all three of us our “I Hike the Hoodoos” stickers. We assured him we would be back and we knew an adventure was calling as we hit the road to Page, Arizona.
I always keep a “NEXT TIME” list when we travel. I feel like it is important to include because this blog is subjective and I want my readers to know about the myriad opportunities that I am still hoping to experience. Whenever I read, hear, research something outside of my experience, I will include it here. My hope in to eventually fully experience these destinations when I visit again (and I can’t wait to do so).
NEXT TIME…
BIKE RIDE as a family through the bike paths around the lodge
MOSSY CAVE – .8 miles, 1 hour, 200 feet elevation gain, during the summer – a streamside walk up to a grotto of hanging mosses (left of fork) or small waterfall (right of fork)
FARVIEW POINT on the SCENIC DRIVE
PARIA VIEW on the SCENIC DRIVE – a stunning sunset photo opportunity
BRYCE POINT on the SCENIC DRIVE – beautiful at sunrise, the hoodoos catch the light and it is also the start of the PEEK-A-BOO-LOOP TRAIL
During the summer of 2019, we celebrated our 10-year anniversary in August with an incredible road trip full of jaw-dropping stops through the Southwestern USA – CA, NV, UT & AZ. It is the trip that inspired so much of this blog. A lot of time in the car, but the most special memories for our little family. You can follow our entire Summer 2019 Road trip here, but for now, here is our take on two incredible nights filled with adventures in Zion National Park! If you have never been to Zion National Park, I cannot recommend it enough! It is a gem that everyone should experience.
We woke up in Vegas and headed out a little later than we had originally wanted. Isn’t that kind of how Vegas works?!? But, after an incredible night renewing our vows, we gave ourselves a little grace and took our time. You can read more about the Vegas leg in a future post, but I wanted to head straight into Zion for those looking to explore in this COVID world we are all navigating.
It took a little over the 3 hours of driving I had mapped out to get from Vegas to Zion due to construction traffic, plus the hour we lost for the time change from Nevada to Utah. We ended up getting to Zion at about 3:30. Although there was a bit of a line at the entry gate, we used our National Park Annual Pass to enter quickly. For $80/year, this pass pays for itself if you are planning to visit at least three parks. Zion is $35/car without it. We ordered it ahead of the trip, but you can always purchase it at an entry gate. However, in today’s COVID world, purchasing ahead will save time and contact. Give yourself enough time for processing and mail if you order ahead.
On the road to Zion National Park
ZION VISITOR CENTER
Our first stop entering a National Park is always the VISITOR CENTER. It is a great place to ask questions, clarify ideas/plans and get up-to-date advice on anything happening/changing in the parks. I also wanted to check in to make sure the famous Mt. Carmel tunnel was open. Closures are possible and it was critical to our exit towards Bryce Canyon in two days. In addition. we always pick up park brochures, our son’s Junior Ranger booklet and stamp our National Park passports. And finally, what my husband jokes is my favorite part, we refill our large water bottles for the night! National Parks have freshwater filling stations throughout the parks, so you can always count on a great refills station at the Visitor Center.
Zion National Park Visitor Center
I feel like my blog will become a broken record when it comes to in-park lodging, but here we go again. I actually booked ZION LODGE for one night (all that was available) two months prior. In order to secure our second night, I kept up my strategy of refreshing availability daily. I was able to pull the trip together the way I wanted 8 days before we arrived! Originally, I had a lodge room for one night that I had booked 2 months ahead.
About a month ahead, I was able to score an opening for the second night in a cabin. I wasn’t crazy about changing rooms but REALLY wanted a cabin and REALLY wanted two nights. When I start planning I sometimes get pretty set on my dreamy plans! I ended up checking things 8 days before our trip and was able to switch our lodge room for a 2nd night in the same cabin! It was so exciting. So again, keep checking availability, and don’t give up!
ZION LODGE ACCOMMODATIONS
We arrived right before the 4pm check-in and our Western Cabin was ready. You’ll receive a red permit when you show your reservation at the gate that allows you to drive into the park past the visitor parking and to the lodge. If you are not staying at the lodge, you cannot drive into the park. The lodge is its own shuttle stop, which gives you an advantage to starting the day ahead of the crowds. The shuttle system connects all the major sites in Zion Canyon. Our Western Cabin was perfect, and exactly what we were hoping for in such a beautiful setting. It is so special to have an outdoor space to enjoy your view. Our cabin had two double beds, a table for two, a small bathroom, a refrigerator, and a gas-log fireplace. It was perfect for our little family of three, but could easily sleep 4!
Zion Lodge Accommodations – Western Cabin 2 Doubles
LOWER EMERALD POOLS
Once we were settled, we headed out for our first Zion adventure, the LOWER EMERALD POOLS trail. This trailhead is directly across from the lodge (shuttle stop 5) and offers a ton of shade in the afternoon. To find the trail, you head out of the lodge towards the stables and cross a small bridge over the Virgin River. The views from this bridge are incredible. After the bridge, head to the right 1.2 miles towards the pools. We immediately started to notice bugs and were grateful we had mosquito repellent bracelets in our backpacks.
After about an hour, we reached the lower Emerald Pools. Although they were not overflowing, the intro to water dripping down the canyon walls was an incredible sight! Most of the trail is paved, but it does get muddy towards the pools. If you are up for more adventure, you can opt to continue up the trail for another mile to the Upper Emerald Pools. If you are feeling even more adventurous, from there you can take the 3.1 mile Kayenta Trail to the Grotto picnic area and loop back to the lodge. The trail to the lower pools and back to the lodge was a great afternoon intro to Zion, as walking along the river surrounded by the 2,000 feet canyon walls leaves you in awe of where you are and excited for your upcoming adventures!
Views as you cross the North Folk Virgin River towards Lower Emerald Pools
Lower Emerald Pools Trail
ZION LODGE RANGER PROGRAMS
After our hike, we headed back to the lodge to handle our son’s CF breathing treatments and regroup for the night. We decided to check out the ranger program in the lobby that night. They are always so engaging and informative for kids! We were so excited to walk out of our cabin to see a dozen deer grazing on the lawn in front of the lobby. It was such a special view. We killed a few minutes by playing chess in the lobby before joining the program. We had time to enjoy a glass of wine as we all learned about “Zion Animals A to Z.” Attending the program also completed a piece of his Junior Ranger booklet!
Deer on the lawn at Zion National Park LodgeChess in the lobby of Zion National Park Lodge waiting for the Ranger program to begin
RED ROCK GRILL at ZION LODGE
When I booked our room, I had made late dinner reservations at the RED ROCK GRILL anticipating a late lunch and post-Vegas arrival. So although late, we headed up at 9 pm for a relaxing lodge-style dinner. Red Rock Grill did not disappoint. There is something so special about comfort food, a glass of red wine, and incredible views surrounding you as you wind down from a busy day of exploring. Unfortunately, the outdoor patio we had heard so much about was closed for renovation, but we will be back and it is on my “next time” list. The good news is the patio update has probably made it even better than it was! Be sure to make reservations in advance, and ask for a patio table if you want to be outside.
Our son loved his butter noodles and we LOVED our beef tenderloin medallions and red wine. It was a great way to end the day and plan our adventures for the next day. We also used dinnertime to help our son flip through his Junior Ranger book. He worked to complete pages he already knew and decide what he wanted to finish for tomorrow. After dinner, we were happy we had a small flashlight for our short walk back to our cabin. It allowed us to catch some of Zion’s nocturnal animal life on the main lawn. It was especially exciting to catch a glimpse of the elusive ringtail we had just learned about hanging with the deer as we headed back to the cabin.
Red Rock Grill – not the best pictures of dinner but it gives you an idea of the lodge feel with dining!
OUR PLAN – DAY TWO
EXPLORING ZION NATIONAL PARK – 87°
A good friend told me to plan our summer hikes in Zion around the sun, meaning start your day on the west side of the valley and try the east side of the park in the afternoon. We set our day up that way and used my usual “waking up in a National Park strategy” to pick a crowded spot to start our day. No question we went straight to THE RIVERSIDE WALK TO THE NARROWS.
RIVERSIDE WALK TO THE NARROWS
I feel like nobody has heard of Zion without hearing of the Narrows. Although our son was only 6, we knew we had to take in a piece of this incredible natural treasure. We had purchased water hiking shoes just for this part of the trip, no matter how little we actually could do with him. We knew we didn’t want to miss any of it because our son didn’t have what he needed to be comfortable. When we arrived in the park, we had purchased a Zion hiking stick at the VISITOR CENTER. Our son had been asking for one for the trip, so it was more of a souvenir, but we were so glad we had it for him to help stabilize himself in the Narrows.
Heading out to the Narrows
SHUTTLE TO TEMPLE OF SINAWAVA
We took the shuttle up the canyon to stop #9, the TEMPLE OF SINAWAVA. It was very crowded and we quickly realized the stop for ANGEL’S LANDING and THE NARROWS are the top stops first thing in the morning. When we exited the shuttle, the way to RIVERSIDE WALK is pretty clear as it is where everyone was walking! There is a bathroom and fresh water at the shuttle stop if you need to use it before you begin your adventure. We headed out on the trail and began the 2.2-mile round-trip, mostly paved, walk along the Virgin River. As you walk along the bottom of the towering canyon, the gorge begins to “narrow.” Before you realize it, you are standing between less than 30 feet of 2,000-foot cliffs.
RIVERSIDE WALK ANIMAL & PLANT LIFE
The Riverside Walk gives you and your Junior Ranger some up-close views of Zion wildlife highlights. One sure to see is the squirrels wandering all over the walkway and surrounding areas of the trail. Also, as the canyon begins to narrow, and the water starts to seep down the side of the cliff, you can look for the coveted Zion Snail. It takes some patience to see, as it was once the smallest snail in the world. Our son was thrilled to find some along the trail.
In addition to the snails, he was able to find several items on his Junior Ranger bingo, including the flowering Dutura. I love the way the Junior Ranger books keep your child engaged in learning about where they are! We always recommend giving your child an old digital camera to enjoy taking pictures of what they see. It is so fun to look at the trip through their lens once you are home.
Riverside walk to the NarrowsZion Snail spotting along the Riverside Walk towards the Narrows
SAFETY IN THE NARROWS
Heading into the Narrows is a magical moment where you can almost feed off of the excitement of the people around you. Some are there to take in the view, some to dabble in the hike, and others to head all the way down and back. I have to mention water safety here because the danger of flash floods in Zion is real. Water conditions can change VERY quickly. PLEASE check in with rangers about weather and flash flood potential before heading into the Narrows. It is not recommended to take children hiking into the Narrows. Although we headed in a bit, we did it on a day with low flood potential and only a small distance in.
As the water began to get deeper we realized we did not have everything we needed to continue on safely. Although our son was having an incredible time, we knew it was time to turn back. I think it is important to say that as much as I love adventure and “going with the moment,” I have learned that National Parks issue countless warnings about their water issues for a reason – they are so unpredictable. Please do not think you are wiser than nature. Hike the Narrows safely and responsibly.
The Narrows
Heading down the Riverside Walk back towards the shuttle stop proved just as rewarding, with incredible views and wildlife galore. We enjoyed a leisurely walk back down the canyon towards the shuttle. There were several spots along the river where you could easily stop with a picnic or snack for rest & adventure. This is an area to give yourself plenty of time to enjoy and let the exploration dictate your timeline.
Heading back to the shuttle from The Narrows
BIG BEND
Once we returned to the shuttle station, we had the privilege of heading DOWN the canyon in the shuttle (something that most people are doing the opposite of)! After reading other’s experiences, we decided to use our advantage of being at the top of the canyon to cruise down the shuttle stops in order. We hopped on and quickly got off at shuttle stop #8 BIG BEND.
Although there was not some major hike to take on at this stop, we loved looking around at the sights. We briefly explored the trail and looked for California Condors flying across the sky (the is a top spot for seeing them in Zion). You can also gaze up to see the final climb of ANGEL’S LANDING which is pretty incredible. It also was a nice moment to have a slice of Zion to ourselves, as BIG BEND is not a populated stop and has its own exploring potential and views of the river slicing through the canyon.
Big Bend Shuttle Stop
WEEPING ROCK
From BIG BEND, we hopped back on the shuttle and headed down to shuttle stop #7, WEEPING ROCK. This hike was incredibly short and came through with big views! At only .4 miles, it is slightly steep heading up towards a massive dripping sandstone peppered in hanging gardens. Unfortunately, not too long after our visit, there was a rockslide that closed this part of the park. Although the overhanging cliffs can feel overwhelming, it really is an incredible experience to stand beneath them and look out at the expansive views.
This trail is short enough to work for any age and is even paved for the majority of the path. There are several trailside exhibits to enhance your experience as you head up. As you reach the “Weeping Wall,” you are surrounded by “weeping” cliffs and the vegetation that surrounds them. Depending on the time of your visit, the cliff may be “weeping” or “flowing.” It is an incredible sight to stand behind a waterfall amongst the mosses and other water-absorbing vegetation.
Weeping Rock
THE GROTTO
From WEEPING ROCK, we took the shuttle down one more stop to shuttle stop #6, THE GROTTO. The Grotto shuttle stop is a shaded picnic area with water and restrooms. From here, you can opt for a longer adventure by crossing Zion Canyon Scenic Trial to the Kayenta Trail that will lead you to the Upper Emerald Pools. We chose a far shorter adventure and took the short GROTTO TRAIL along the scenic drive back to the Zion Lodge. The trail to the lodge is less than a mile and very flat, which made it an easy walk back!
The Grotto Trail to Zion Lodge
ZION CANYON BREW PUB
Although we had grazed on some heavy snacks throughout our morning adventures, it was now 1:30 pm and we needed to eat! We knew we wanted to check out the ZION CANYON BREW PUB at Utahs’s first microbrewery, ZION BREWERY. We drove out of the park to check it out.
PARKING
The Brew Pub is located in Zion Canyon Village just south of the entrance to the park. This area gets very busy, as it is where the Springdale shuttleline ends and pedestrian access to the park begins. We realized quickly parking can be a struggle as we were visiting in peak season and arriving about 2 pm. We ended up parking in one of the many “1 hour only” spots, setting a timer, and moving the car halfway through the meal. It was a bit of an inconvenience, but we parked quickly and avoided the frustration of circling over and over looking for a different spot.
BREW PUB FOOD
The Zion Canyon Brew Pub was an awesome spot for our lunch! They are open for dinner too, and the menu has plenty of choices for everyone. Everything is made from scratch 7-days a week. We started with the grilled avocado Caprese appetizer which was awesome. The more you follow along, you will learn anything Caprese has my heart. Next up we ordered the Zion Brew burgers that came with an insanely delish Stout jalapeño bacon jam. They hit the spot and we all loved how they came with a giant onion ring on top! Our son loved his chicken fingers and brownie dessert.
BREW PUB BEER
The beer was great too. They have a variety of craft beers which is unique for Utah. All breweries and brewpubs in Utah are required to serve draft beers under 5% ABV, which is different than the typical 7% IPA. We enjoy IPAs, so we were skeptical, but we both really like the Juicy IPA. I definitely recommend the Brew Pub for a mid-day break from your adventures to refuel.
Good times at the Zion Canyon Brew Pub
ZION NATURE CENTER
After our lunch, we drove back into the park and checked out the ZION NATURE CENTER so our son could take his Junior Ranger oath. We were so glad we did. Our thinking was the nature center would be FAR LESS crowded than the visitor center to pop in to get his Junior Ranger badge. We were correct, it was a very easy stop & parking situation, but we were also pleasantly surprised at all the Nature Center offered. If you are traveling in Zion with kids, make a point to stop in for a bit. This is an especially great place to show a completed Junior Ranger booklet to a ranger for a badge.
THE ZION NATURE CENTER has wonderful displays about the park for kids, lots of hands-on exhibits, and even a few small crafts (our son made a nature journal). Kids can even dress up as park rangers! The whole center is done so nicely and the ranger was so engaging with our son. He loved this stop and we did too! Make sure to check your park brochure for the Nature Center hours as they are more limited. There is no shuttle stop for the Nature Center, but it can be accessed from the Pa’rus Trail that leaves from the Visitor Center.
Becoming a Junior Ranger at the Zion Nature Center
ZION-MT. CARMEL TUNNEL
From the ZION NATURE CENTER, we headed to the East side of the park, driving the beautiful Zion-Mount Carmel Highway. There are no shuttles to this part of Zion, but the drive is beautiful and worth your time! The road has several switchbacks that offer spectacular views as you gain elevation coming out of the canyon. Then, you will approach the famous 1.1-mile ZION-MT. CARMEL TUNNEL. The tunnel was completed in 1930 to create direct access to Bryce Canyon and The Grand Canyon from Zion. Once completed, it was the longest tunnel in the US at the time.
Due to the number of accidents that have occurred in and around the tunnel, if you are driving an RV or other oversized vehicle, you will need a permit to pass through the tunnel during specific hours. Rangers control traffic flow at the tunnel, so you may sit in a delay as you wait to enter. As you pass through the tunnel, huge windows carved out of the rock give you spectacular views of the canyon. These windows not only help with light and ventilation in the tunnel but were actually used to dump rock & soil into the valley below during construction.
The Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel
CANYON OVERLOOK TRAIL
When you exit the tunnel heading East, chances are you will see several (full) small parking lots and cars parked along the street. These are all people hiking the CANYON OVERLOOK TRAIL. I first read about this trail from 2TravelDads and I am so glad I did. Without their review of the trail, I would have thought it was too much with our six-year-old son and moved on to the next idea. Instead, I knew this trail was something I wanted to experience. We were all so happy that we did.
PARKING
We ended up driving past the parking lots as we tried to navigate where we were and where the trailhead started. We had to u-turn on the highway and ended up parking alongside the road. The walk to the trailhead was not too long. There was space to do so on the road without panicking.
TRAIL SAFETY
The Canyon Overlook Trail is only a mile, but it has many long drop-offs that will give your heart a jump with kids. However, almost all of the drops have guard rails or some type of fencing. There was a lot of handholding on this trail! We ALWAYS had our son walking on the inside of one of us, versus along the drop side of the trail. You know your child, so if you are interested in this trail, think about how they interact with you daily. If they listen and have no problem holding hands, not running away, etc. then it can be a great experience for you! If your child is afraid of heights, loves to run ahead, or struggles with listening/following directions, this may not be the best pick for your family.
ALONG THE TRAIL
We began the trail at about 4:45pm. We had to take a moment on the ridge to take in the incredible view of the Mt. Carmel Tunnel. As the trail began to narrow, the hand-holding began as we walked along the side of the cliff. The views were very cool and the experience of walking cliffside was super exciting for our son!
The Canyon Overlook Trail
As we came around the corner of the boardwalk, we found ourselves inside of a cliffside cave. It was a very cool spot to sit down, drink some water and have a snack in the shade all while taking in the incredible red rock views. After our break, we continued up the trail and shared it with many busy chipmunks! The trail has a total elevation gain of 163 feet and took us about 45 minutes to reach the Canyon Overlook.
Once we reached the overlook, we could not believe how stunning the panoramic views of Zion Canyon are! Looking down, we saw the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway switchbacks that we had just been driving up as we climbed out of the canyon towards the tunnel. As you can see in the pictures, there is a large guard rail at the lookout. There is a lot of space to roam around and check different views. PLEASE NOTICE the guard rail does not extend up the rocks. If you have children with you, make sure to keep them in the main area right with you or explore with them hand and hand! This is not a place to let your child roam and explore. Our son spent some time on the lookout for a California Condor. We have yet to see one in the wild, but he is determined.
The Canyon Overlook Viewpoint
After enjoying the view for a bit, we started to head back down. Hiking back only took us 30 minutes. We did not stop as much, but we did continue with the hand holding!! We also took a water break in that cliffside cave. You cannot beat the shade and temperature drop passing through! Once we were back at our car, we headed west back towards the canyon and lodge through the Mt. Carmel Tunnel.
HEADING BACK INTO THE CANYON
Coming down the switchbacks on the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, we spotted exactly where we had been standing at the Canyon Overlook! There is a large arch in the mountain, and the Canyon Overlook is right on top of it. There is a pullout along the highway where you can stop to take a better view. It was pretty amazing to see where we had been from the road we were just looking down on! This hike was definitely a highlight of our trip.
We got back to the ZION LODGE a little before 7 pm and knew we wanted some time to enjoy the lodge grounds and surrounding scenery. I had made another late dinner reservation at Red Rock Grill (8:30 pm) knowing we wanted to maximize our daylight hours out and about. We had snacked heavily throughout the day and had a big, late lunch so we were grateful for a late meal. Our son loves football and wanted some time to throw the ball around before dinner, so we headed out to the lawn.
ZION LODGE MAIN LAWN
The ZION LODGE MAIN LAWN is a beautiful setting and I highly recommend carving out some time to enjoy the calm of it all. A giant, 100-foot tall cottonwood tree provides shade and serves as a gathering point for people throughout the day. We took a glass of wine and had a mini picnic complete with football and our son drawing “Zion.” We were sharing the lawn with over a dozen deer, but there was plenty of space for everyone. It was a perfect stop to watch the sun go down before dinner. The lawn is a great spot at any point in the day, but there is something very special about the quiet at dusk when most tourists have left the park and only lodge guests and animals roam.
The Zion Lodge Main Lawn
RED ROCK GRILL – NIGHT #2
Once the sun went down, we headed into the lobby, enjoyed some more chess together, and slipped into dinner at the Red Rock Grill a few minutes early. It was a great dinner with a well-earned glass of red wine (or two). Sadly, with our late reservations meant the Grill’s specialty, the Navajo Taco, had sold out for the night once again. However, I tried something new and had the Trout Anasazi which was so good! We went to bed with full bellies and hearts knowing our day was one we would always remember.
OUR PLAN – DAY THREE
ZION NATIONAL PARK TO BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK – 85°
Check-out day is always a little sad, even when new adventures are ahead! We took our time in the morning to pack up, handle our son’s Cystic Fibrosis treatments and then headed back to the lawn for a quick breakfast picnic. You just cannot beat the views and calm out on that lawn early in the morning or late in the evening. My husband ran into the Castle Dome Cafe next to the lobby and grabbed some insanely delicious breakfast sandwiches. We enjoyed them in awe of the views around us and then headed back to the room for a final goodbye. Our son actually started crying when he closed the door to our cabin. We had experienced the magic of Zion and assured him we would be back again for more!
Our last morning in Zion
CHECKERBOARD MESA
We left the ZION LODGE about 10 am and headed out of Zion Canyon on our way to Bryce Canyon through the east side of the park. Once again, headed up the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway to the ZION-MT. CARMEL TUNNEL, only this time there was more backup and traffic direction happening around the tunnel. As we continued through the east side of Zion, we noticed a change in scenery and a drop in temperatures as the elevation increased. On our way out of the park, we stopped at the CHECKERBOARD MESA pullout to see the mountain that looks like a checkerboard. Our son had read about this geological site in his Zion Rookie Reader leading up to the trip.
THE ROCK STOP on HIGHWAY 89
We left the park and continued towards Carmel Junction in anticipation of all we had heard about Bryce Canyon. At the junction, we headed north on Highway 89 and pulled off for a quick stop at THE ROCK STOP. I had read about this stop in Lonely Planet’s Zion & Bryce Guidebook. The Rock Stop is a unique stop with a Flinstone vibe. It was a fun place to grab some coffee and a few funky rocks for our yard at home! Our son had fun feeding the goats and looking around at all the “treasure.” It is an easy stop right off the highway that breaks up the 2-hour drive from Zion to Bryce. This is a drive everyone should be enjoying!
The Rock Stop on Highway 89 to Bryce Canyon
After our stop, we headed straight to Bryce Canyon. The drive was beautiful and the time passed quickly. There is something so special about driving in beautiful places with the people you love. As we approached Bryce, we passed through Red Rock Canyon and went through several rock tunnels that only built our excitement about Bryce. You can continue to follow our trip and read about our adventure in Bryce next.
I always keep a “NEXT TIME” list when we travel. I feel like it is important to include because this blog is subjective and I want my readers to know about the myriad opportunities that I am still hoping to experience. Whenever I read, hear, research something outside of my experience, I will include it here. My hope is to eventually fully experience these destinations when I visit again (and I can’t wait to do so).
NEXT TIME…
WITH KIDS
COURT OF THE PATRIARCHS – Shuttle stop #4, a short and steep trail to expansive views of the towering sandstone Abraham, Isaac & Jacob peaks above
PA’RUS TRAIL – Shuttle stop #1 from the visitor center, a paved 3.5 mile walk along the Virgin River (only 50ft in elevation, great for kids). Tends to be busier as it is the only trail dogs are allowed on in the park, bikes are allowed as well. Lots of views.
THE ZION LODGE OUTDOOR PATIO with a glass of wine as the sun goes down! We never were able to enjoy the outdoor aspect of the Red Rock Grill and I think it would have been incredible!
WITHOUT KIDS
ANGEL’S LANDING via WEST RIM TRAIL – 5.4 miles, 4 hours, elevation gain of 1488ft – Steep, long drop-offs and not for anyone afraid of heights. I’ve seen it listed as one of the “most dangerous hikes in the US.” The last portion is a steep, narrow ridge to the incredible view.
NARROWS HIKE – we did some, but I would love to do the full 14 miles. You definitely need to plan up to 8 hours and need to have the proper equipment for the hike. And, as always, be aware of weather, flash flood warnings, etc.!
OBSERVATION POINT via EAST RIM – 8 miles, 6 hours, 2148ft elevation gain, leaves from Weeping Rock (shuttle stop #7). Very steep & long drops, but panoramic views from up top vs inside Zion Canyon.
HIDDEN CANYON TRAIL – 2.5 miles, 2 1/2 hours, 850ft elevation gain, leaves from Weeping Rock (shuttle stop #7)- Long drops, panoramic views from up top vs inside Zion Canyon.
Camping in Joshua Tree is an unforgettable experience, no matter where you end up. The stargazing is phenomenal, and sitting around a campfire next to massive piles of boulders or Joshua Trees makes for an unforgettable experience. There are several National Park campgrounds to choose from, but for reasons I will talk about below, Black Rock Campground is our favorite for camping with kids. If you are looking for more info on visiting Joshua Tree with kids, make sure to read this post!
JOSHUA TREE CAMPGROUND OPTIONS
Joshua Tree has eight campgrounds – five requiring reservations during the peak season of September to May (Black Rock, Cottonwood, Indian Cove, Jumbo Rocks, Ryan).
BLACK ROCK CAMPGROUND – 99 sites, $25/night, water, flush toilets, fire grates, dump station
COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND – 62 sites, $25/night, water, flush toilets, fire grates, dump station
INDIAN COVE CAMPGROUND – 101 sites, $25/night, water at ranger station, pit toilets, fire grates
JUMBO ROCKS CAMPGROUND – 124 sites, $20/night, NO WATER, pit toilets, fire grates
RYAN CAMPGROUND – 31 sites, $20/night, NO WATER, pit toilets, fire grates
BELLE CAMPGROUND – 18 sites, $15/night, NO WATER, pit toilets, fire grates
HIDDEN VALLEY CAMPGROUND – 44 sites, $15/night, NO WATER, pit toilets, fire grates
WHITE TANK CAMPGROUND – 15 sites, $15/night, NO WATER, pit toilets, fire grates
WHY CHOOSE BLACK ROCK CAMPGROUND FOR FAMILIES?
Little “luxuries” can make a huge difference when camping with kids. Safety and convenience factors go a long way, especially with younger kids. You can read more about our favorite things to pack when camping with kids here. We love Black Rock Campground in Joshua Tree for the following reasons.
SPACIOUS SITES
We picked site #30, the campsite at the northern tip of the campground, where several trails begin. Although this campground does not offer the fun rock climbing that the more popular Jumbo Rocks and Indian Cove do, it is the only campground where you can sleep under a Joshua Tree! In addition, site 30 was secluded, a short walk from the bathrooms, and had total privacy!
Some of the middle sites are pretty close together, with nothing separating them. We were thrilled to be secluded and have plenty of space for our set-up, especially during COVID. There was plenty of room for our large tent, and there was plenty of space for another family to have joined us.
CELL SERVICE
So obviously, cell service is not something you expect or necessarily want when getting into nature. Still, the reality of our “always available world” is that sometimes it is necessary to getaway. Due to COVID, our son was distance learning and could check-in via Zoom while setting up our tent. My husband also had to manage any pressing issues at work. It was great to stay where he occasionally could check on email, as Joshua Tree has NO CELL SERVICE. I know this isn’t the point of camping, but when ducking out of town early on a Friday, it was nice to have service to manage school and work issues that came up!
FLUSH TOILETS
Black Rock Campground has real bathrooms with flush toilets and sinks. Real toilets are great for camping with kids. Although some of the more popular campgrounds like Jumbo Rocks, Indian Cove, and Hidden Valley are at the top of the “best campgrounds in Joshua Tree,” they only have pit toilets and no water available. When camping with kids, real bathrooms and sinks are very helpful!
WATER
In addition to bathrooms, Black Rock Campground has running water available throughout the campground. When I was 27 weeks pregnant, we camped here, so I appreciated an actual toilet and running water. Also, a water spout nearby makes washing dishes easier and assures you will have what you need to put your fire out at night. When camping with no water, you need to pack A LOT of water, especially in the middle of the desert. Water available in the campground alleviates this extra step.
LOCATION
Black Rock Campground is located inside the boundaries of Joshua Tree National Park. However, it is not located inside the main entrances. Just a few minutes off of the highway, the campground offers the beauty and quiet of Joshua Tree, with the convenience of 7-11 and Walmart not too far away. Since Joshua Tree is a park you are primarily driving through and stopping along the way, we found this super convenient for picking up firewood and ice each evening. The drive to the main entrance was only about 15-minutes each morning, and then we enjoyed stopping at our favorite places along the way as we looped through the park.
BLACK ROCK CAMPGROUND NATURE CENTER
Several trails leave from the Black Rock Campground, and the campground is home to the Black Rock Nature Center. Although closed during our COVID visit, the Nature Center is fun for families to explore and learn more about Joshua Tree National Park. The Black Rock Nature Center is also an excellent place for kids to work on their Junior Ranger books!
ABILILTY TO PLAN AHEAD
HOW TO MAKE RESERVATIONS
Although we were visiting when sites were first come, first served, reservations are available for Black Rock, reservations are available August-early June. You can make your reservation on Reservation.gov six months in advance. A reservation lets you know exactly what site you have and takes away the worry of “where will we end up?” Spots fill up fast, so signing on at 7 am is best EXACLTY six months before you want to go. Another option is to sign up for a service like Campnab that will monitor cancellations for you in real-time.
FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED SEASON
Due to Black Rock Campground’s entrance being shortly off of the highway, you do not need to go through the main entrance to get there. This saves time when trying to score a great campsite (especially on a holiday weekend). We talked to the ranger on our drive out that said it is always best to try Black Rock or Cottonwood Campground before heading to the more popular Jumbo Rocks, Indian Cove, or Hidden Valley. You lose time driving into the middle of the park and will almost certainly be met with “Campground Full” signs on a busy weekend.
No matter what campground you choose, during first come, first served, all you do is grab a yellow envelope when you enter the campground. Then, pick an available site and begin setting up. Within an hour, make sure to fill out all of your info on the envelope, put your payment inside and clip it to your site marker. The key is finding a site with no yellow envelope clipped to the number- meaning it is vacant!
CONSIDERATIONS WHEN CAMPING IN JOSHUA TREE
Joshua Tree is a beautiful National Park but also an isolated park. When you plan your family’s camping trip, there are several things to consider. First, always remember there is no cellular service inside the park.
FIREWOOD
Joshua Tree DOES NOT SELL FIREWOOD in their campgrounds. Please make sure to purchase your bundles on your way into the park. There are plenty of stores along the highway that sell firewood. Remember always to buy the firewood you burn locally. We found Black Rock Campground the most convenient because we could grab ice and firewood on the way back each evening.
WATER
Unless your campground has water available, like Black Rock Campground, you will need to bring all of your water with you. It is essential to overestimate as you are in the desert. Due to high desert winds, you want to make sure you have enough for drinking, washing up, and putting out your fire each night. You will want to have at least 1 gallon per person, per day, just for drinking. It would be best if you planned to double that in hotter temperatures.
PETS IN JOSHUA TREE
Pets are NOT ALLOWED on the trails in Joshua Tree. The answer to that is not to leave your pet unattended in the car while you hike!! The temperatures in Joshua Tree can soar to 100° plus. We all know that the car heats up much faster than the outside feels.
Pets are allowed on paved and unpaved roads, picnic areas, and campgrounds. You can read more specific details about where dogs are permitted in Joshua Tree here. Pets must be on a leash at all times. All leashes (or camping tie-ups) must be less than 6ft long. We all know you need to clean up after your pet.
CAMPSITE RULES
Joshua Trees are very fragile, and hanging anything from them (hammocks, string lights) in your campsite is not permitted. So leave your hammocks at home. However, generators are allowed during certain hours. This is important for us as our son has Cystic Fibrosis and needs to do nebulizer treatments.
HOLIDAY WEEKEND ADVICE
Joshua Tree is only gaining in popularity. Getting a campsite is becoming harder and harder, especially when competing in the first, come, first served scenarios. Here are my tips for being successful when the competition is intense.
CALL THE RANGER STATION – (760) 367-5522
When we visited for Memorial day weekend, everything was first-come, first-served. News stations reported that the heavily sought-after Jumbo Rocks Campground was almost full by Wednesday night. We had no idea where we were going or what we would do there. So I started by calling the ranger station to ask about the status of the campgrounds.
Calling ahead was a great choice. The ranger gave me an idea of how full the different campgrounds were. It was still early, so the ranger station did not have the current count of sites that were left, but he was able to give me a general idea of what was already pretty crowded and probably full. This saved us a lot of time. The ranger advised us that during overcrowded times, you should always head straight to Cottonwood or Black Rock, whichever one is first on your route towards the park.
ARRIVE EARLY
When things are hectic, and everyone is competing for the first-come, first-served campsites, early arrival is essential. I am not talking about an early morning Friday arrival, but ideally, an early week arrival. Some people send members of their party out on Wednesday or Thursday to scoop up a site for the weekend.
If you can’t pull the kids out of school early, definitely get to Joshua Tree as early as possible. When we left our site and returned a few hours later, the campground was a zoo. Lights circled all night with people driving around looking for a site (don’t be those people)!
OUR BLACK ROCK CAMPGROUND WEEKEND ITINERARY
We left San Diego with our car packed in hopes of scoring a campsite shortly before 8 am. Unfortunately, the whole country was kind of chomping at the bit to get out, as quarantine had been going strong for about 12 weeks. We were initially heading to Mount Laguna but after a call with the camp host, we realized the trip would probably be a waste of time and immense disappointment (who wants to do all the organization/packing for camping for no campsite?!?!). So we quickly turned around and headed north to Joshua Tree. I immediately began finding a campground to target and piece together an itinerary.
DAY ONE – 85°
We were thrilled to find a great site in Black Rock Campground, and we were setting up by 11 am. Our son could even attend his class via Zoom while we unpacked the car. We finished a quick picnic lunch at our campsite, and since we were in the blazing sun and anxious to see the park, we headed in pretty quickly.
WEST ENTRANCE STATION
In non-COVID times, the first stop would have been the Joshua Tree Visitor Center for brochures, Junior Ranger books and recommendations. However, the building was closed, so we headed to the West Entrance Station, where all these materials were available in boxes once you entered.
As we headed into the park, we were all filled with anticipation as it was our first visit to Joshua Tree! It is fun to see the trees surrounding the road as you head into the park. It is impressive how so many of one type of tree can pop up in the middle of the desert. We decided to spend our day driving through the park versus coming back out to exit here again. We could go through east to the North Entrance Station in Twenty-nine Palms or head south towards Indio, to the Cottonwood Visitor Center Exit.
KEYS VIEW
We planned our exploring by heading straight out towards Keys View, the highest viewpoint in that park. It is a 20-minute detour from the main road (Park Boulevard). Panoramic views looking out at the San Andreas Fault, Mt. San Jacinto, Mt. San Gorgonio (the highest peak in southern California), and the Salton Sea. Being from California, you hear so many things about the San Andreas Fault and the earthquakes it has caused. It was fantastic to look out and see part of the 700 miles where the fault runs! Keys View has a short, paved path to the viewpoints, and the entire loop is 1/4 mile long. The park had signs that created one-way traffic on the pathway to help with social distancing. It was a great start to the trip, as we could look out and see how expansive the desert is.
Keys View in Joshua National Park
CAP ROCK
After checking out the desert view, we headed back towards Park Boulevard and stopped at Cap Rock. This was a great stop for our son to explore and rock climb. Cap Rock is a short, .4 mile self-guided loop through boulders, Joshua trees, and other plants. Although it is a loop, we took turns taking our son out to explore for a bit while one of us walked our dog around the picnic area, as dogs are not allowed on the trails. There are pit toilets and a picnic area here, and the parking lot is large, which can only be helpful on busy days.
I knew I wanted to check out the Cholla Cactus Garden, a bit of a drive south in the park, so we started heading in that direction. We drove through Jumbo Rocks Campground on the way to check the status (which was packed) and scope out sites we would want to book in a future trip. More on that in my “next time” list. Next toJumbo Rocks Campground is Skull Rock.
SKULL ROCK
The Skull Rock Trail goes through the campground, so joining it would be easy if you were camping in Jumbo Rocks. We pulled off on the right side of the road atSkull Rock and took turns taking our son in to check it out. I wish we were able to explore this area longer together. I was very cool, filled with boulders, and our son would have climbed all over for hours.
We did get to see the “skull rock,” as it is right off the road at the stop. To complete the trail, you need about an hour or two (depending on how much climbing your little may want to do) as it is a 1.7-mile loop. This was an excellent stop and a trail I would love to hike when we are back without our dog. It is so fun to see all of the kids climbing all over boulders and just LOVING every second of it!
Shortly after Skull Rock, the road ends at a “T,” with Park Boulevard heading north to the North Entrance Station in Twentynine Palms and Pinto Basin Road heading south to the Cottonwood area. I knew I wanted to see the Cholla Cactus Garden in the late afternoon, so we headed south for almost 30 minutes to get there. Sadly, we had to pass the White Tank Campground and Arch Rock on the way. More on that in my “next time” list. In hindsight, we would have stopped here on the way to the cactus garden.
CHOLLA CACTUS GARDEN
The Cholla Cactus Garden is an incredible sight. We took turns taking our son through the 1/4 loop. The cactus garden appears to go on and on, and the colors shining in the sunlight are spectacular. Unfortunately, the needles are sharp, painful, and all around on the ground. The trail and boardwalk keep everyone safe, so stay on the path. The Cholla Cactus Trail is not a spot to let your child wander.
The Cholla Cactus Garden in Joshua National Park
From theCholla Cactus Garden, we headed north to the North Entrance Station park exit. Since we were camping, we wanted time to explore our campground, take care of our son’s breathing treatments and start a fire before dark. We stopped at a gas station to buy ice and firewood for the night in Yucca Valley. We were back at Black Rock Campground before 6 pm.
SUNSET IN BLACK ROCK
The wind was starting to pick up when we were out! We came back to most of our table set up on the ground. We did our best not to let the wind bring us down, and we enjoyed the evening around our campsite. With our site along the trail to the West Side Loop, we could explore the scenery around us while keeping our dog safe!
The wind started picking up even more, so we started our fire early and grilled some hot dogs quickly! It was an easy meal to make in windy conditions. Making dinner under a Joshua Tree is a memorable experience. As the sun went down, the temperature dropped, and the stars came out. Finally, we were able to see what all the hype is about Joshua Tree stargazing. Unbelievable stargazing. We were surprised to be pulling out the sweatshirts we had packed for the mountains. We capped the night with smores (our son’s camping staple) and waited out the wind while we slept.
DAY TWO – 85°
We woke up and were all feeling a little discouraged about how crazy the wind turned through the night. Weather apps said they were about 60mph, and they kept us awake! Meanwhile, I was pregnant and had to pee constantly. So it wasn’t the best night of sleep. However, when the coffee heated (it took forever because the wind was blowing out the stove) and we took in the views, we were ready to go for another day! So if you are camping, know your wind predictions and make sure you have what you need to be comfortable!
Looking out your tent window in the morning at this view – who cares how bad the wind was?
HEMINGWAY
We made a quick breakfast and headed back into the park. As soon as we entered, we could tell that being Saturday, it was far more crowded than the day before. So we decided to stop at a few places we had skipped the day before. We started with Hemingway, which was an excellent spot for rock climbing for our son. It also has an unpaved road where we could walk our dog. We even saw a desert iguana running through the vegetation. Very exciting!
We drove past Hidden Valley and Barker Dam but kept going because the parking was intense. Having our dog with us, we did not have the option to hike the trails. Instead, we headed back to Cap Rock to let our son climb while we walked the dog and enjoyed a picnic lunch. Cap Rock is a less crowded destination but makes for a great time with ample parking. I can see this being great if we were with friends and all in separate vehicles wanting a place to gather for lunch. However, if the crowds feel too much, this is also a great spot to relax.
Cap Rock in Joshua Tree
HALL OF HORRORS
Up next was the Hall of Horrors and my son loved it! My husband took him out on the .6 mile loop so I could stay with our dog. It was an easy loop with lots of rock climbing. Due to COVID, my husband felt uncomfortable with the crowds and had them wear their masks. As I write this in September 2020, it is interesting to think about this now, and masks have become standard. It was just an “idea” that may or may not help back then. They had a lot of fun climbing the rocks and checking out the scenery. Hall of Horrors is an excellent spot for kids.
Hall of Horrors
COTTONWOOD SPRING
From here, we headed south again to check out theCottonwood Spring Trail. We drove for almost an hour, passing the cactus garden we saw yesterday and several campgrounds along the way. As we turned off the main road, we saw the Cottonwood Visitor Center and stopped to see if anything was open. It was not, but a kind ranger in the parking lot checked our son’s Junior Ranger book and swore him in. It was a sweet moment, as masks were brand new and seemed temporary at the time. I cannot say enough about the Junior Ranger program at the National Parks (more on that here).
We headed out to theCottonwood Spring Trail, and each took turns taking our son out (again, our dog!). It is a less than 10-minute walk out to the palm oasis. It was easy enough to do, but it seems like the long walk out to the Lost Palm Oasis would give more incredible views. So unless you plan to leave this way to head out towards Indio or other parts of the desert, I would probably say skip anything south of the cactus garden if you are working with limited time.
We left the Cottonwood area and headed north towards theNorth Entrance Station. It was an hour plus to get back to our campsite, but it was magic when we did. The sun glowing over the Joshua Trees is nuts and obviously why there is so much hype around Joshua Tree.
BLACK ROCK HI-VIEW NATURE TRAIL
Once we got back to our campground, we took a mini stroll to find the Hi-View Nature Trail. We started strong, but our son saw a snake on the trail after a bit. After that, we realized we were going the wrong way, and we headed back to our camp. This trail had a lot of potential, but we were not ready for it. I cannot wait to check it out when we return. As the sun sets, the glow around the Joshua Trees is insane and capped the night with kombucha, smores, and INSANE stargazing.
DAY THREE – HEADING HOME
We woke up pumped on the beauty of the night before. We debated staying another night because it is hard to give up a great spot. But, instead, we decided to make an adventure on the way home. My husband had always wanted to see the Salton Sea from things he had read, so we decided to get a little creative with our day.
PIONEERTOWN
We headed out shortly before 10 am and headed up to Pioneertown. Unfortunately, due to COVID, most things were closed, but we enjoyed checking the vibe and seeing the famous Pappy & Harriets Pioneer Palace. They were serving drinks on the patio, but we were not comfortable yet, so this will hit the “next time” list. This strip looks like a movie set and is worth the 15-minute detour!
THE SALTON SEA
From Pioneertown, we did not take the direct way home. Instead, we headed south to one of California’s lowest points, the Salton Sea. If you are looking for weird, head south from Joshua Tree. The Salton Sea was once a thriving destination. However, the Salton Sea became toxic due to the lack of drainage needed for salt balance in the water. As the toxicity increased, it killed every living thing inside and destroyed the dream of the LA/palm springs lake-side destinations thriving on the salty banks. Coming into town, you can still see the remnants of the heyday. We did a drive-through as the remnants are sad, broken, and not where you are looking to hang out with no destination.
SALVATION MOUNTAIN
In my quest for adventure, I carried us on to Salvation Mountain, a piece of artwork that needs to be seen to be believed. We waited almost 30 minutes to cross the train tracks to get there, but once we pulled up, we knew we had arrived. The message “GOD IS LOVE” can be seen by all from the road not far from Slab City.
After an unforgettable two days in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks in June 2020, we were ready to start our Yosemite adventure. Due to COVID-19, Yosemite had just reopened with reservations required about a week before our visit. Having an in-park lodging reservation automatically gave us an entry reservation for the park so we did not have to compete with the masses for our entry reservation. Here is what we did with our two days in Yosemite!
We woke up in the Yosemite Southgate Hotel & Suites, about a 25-minute drive from the SOUTH ENTRANCE to Yosemite. Our room was large and had a pull-out bed for our son, a coffee maker, and a fridge. All rooms include the fridge which is important when you are planning to do breakfast in the room. We booked with Expedia to ensure flexibility due to COVID and a competitive rate. Oakhurst was a great starting point because it is close enough to get to the park quickly, but also a town with plenty of hotel and gas options. We filled up with gas before heading into the park and were in line for the entry gate in no time.
MARIPOSA GROVE/WAWONA
Since we only had two days in Yosemite, we opted to skip the first right turn towards MARIPOSA GROVE because we had just spent time in the Sequoias. However, this would make a great first stop. The BIG TREES TRAIL LOOP is an easy .3 mile 30 -45 minute walk through the towering Sequoias. Due to COVID, there was an additional 2 mile walk to the grove from the parking area.
Most of the other sites in Wawona, like the Pioneer Yosemite History Museum, Wawona Golf Course and Wawona Hotel were all closed as well. We drove through the area pretty quickly and decided this would be on the “next time” list. This stop would take a full morning between visiting Mariposa Grove and exploring Wawona. After a full morning, it would be nice to enjoy lunch (and a glass of wine!) at the Wawona Hotel Dining Room. There is a 24-hour mini Chevron station in Wawona as well in case you need to fill up before the one hour drive towards the valley.
GLACIER POINT
As we headed towards the valley, our first stop was GLACIER POINT. I highly recommend taking this detour on your way in to the park, as there is no shuttle service to this overlook. After driving into the park from the Wawona area for about 40 minutes, you will see the turn off for Glacier Point Road on the right in Chinquapin. It is about 30 additional minutes out to the overlook on Glacier Point Road, but the views are worth it!
At 3,000 feet above the Valley floor, it is a great introduction to the park. You can see most of Yosemite’s famous sites from this area, such as Half Dome, Yosemite Valley, several waterfalls and Yosemite’s High Country. It is also a great place to picnic and let kids run around a bit. There were families moving around camping chairs just relaxing and taking in the views as the kids enjoyed rock climbing and exploring.
Views of Half Dome and Vernal & Nevada Falls to the right
There are several trails around Glacier Point, including the 4.8 mile FOUR MILE TRAIL that will take you down to Yosemite Valley. We chose to stroll the paved trails along the guard rail and take in the views! It was the perfect introduction to Yosemite for our son. This is a great spot to let your kids break out their binoculars or digital camera. It was fun to “get the lay of the land” by looking down into the valley. The Merced river snakes through the valley floor and the Ahwahnee Hotel looks like a castle peeking out of the trees. It was a great place to stretch our legs from the drive into the park and spark excitement for our two days in Yosemite!
Yosemite Valley from Glacier Point – views of the valley floor, Merced river, Upper & Lower Yosemite Falls Lots of places to explore and wander at Glacier Point
WAWONA TUNNEL VIEW
Once you drive the 30 minutes back to Wawona Road/Highway 41, you are not too far from the not-to-be missed pullout – the WAWONA TUNNEL VIEW. If you have seen someone post a family in Yosemite, chances are it was from Tunnel View. It is an easy stop, just turn left immediately following the tunnel. As you drive through the dark tunnel, there is excitement approaching the bright light and insane views to follow.
There are parking lots on both sides of the road as you exit, but the grand view is from the parking lot on the left. If parking is too full, do not be discouraged. Just circle around again as people are constantly coming and going very quickly here! I grew up going to Yosemite as a kid, so my brother and I had plenty of photo opportunities at Tunnel View! Of course I had to try to recreate this 80’s photo from my childhood with my son! How did we do?
The Wawona Tunnel and Tunnel View Pullout
BRIDALVEIL FALLS
As we made our way down Wawona Road into Yosemite Valley, the sights surrounded us and did not disappoint. Yosemite truly is a magical place, and it is amazing to look up at the granite rocks knowing there are climbers looking down at our car weaving through the valley floor. Our first stop was BRIDALVEIL FALLS.
With only two days in Yosemite, I highly recommend stopping here as you head into the valley for several reasons. Wawona Road, the road heading in and out of the valley, is one way, so this is an easy pull out as you head in as it is on the right side of the road. In addition, there is no shuttle service to the trailhead. Open year round, the trail is an easy 1/4 mile walk to the base of the 620 foot waterfall. Some of the trail heading up closer to the base of the waterfall was closed for renovations, but we still had great views from the pools below.
TRAIL SAFETY
Please use caution when exploring the rocks below the waterfall as they are very slippery. Also, be very aware and careful near any water areas in the parks as conditions can be unpredictable. Each year visitors are injured (or worse) due to slipping on rocks or being swept away in changing currents, etc. I read earlier this year about a hiker that slipped on the rocks and hit his head in this same area. There were many people hopping the construction fence and scaling the rocks up closer to the waterfall. I just can’t recommend that as it may look exciting, but it is very dangerous. Plus we had great views from the end of the designated trail!
Short hike to the base of Bridalveil Falls
YOSEMITE VILLAGE
DINING OPTIONS
After our stop in Bridalveil Falls, we were more than ready for a late lunch. Once again, due to COVID, our dining options were very limited. With the fluctuating changes surrounding COVID, make sure to check here for updated information about what is open and when if you are traveling in this pandemic. We opted to stop in the village to grab sandwiches at DEGNAN’S KITCHEN, a grab and go deli in the heart of Yosemite Village. In addition to deli offerings, Degnan’s Kitchen has salads, artisan pizzas, baked goods and a variety of beverage choices. It is an easy place to stop in, stock up and continue your adventure! If times were different, I would have loved to check out THE LOFT AT DEGNAN’S for a more leisure-like lunch with a glass of wine or cold craft beer! Another item on my “next time” list!
VALLEY VISITOR CENTER
We also used this stop to check out the (closed due to COVID) VALLEY VISITOR CENTER. Park Rangers had tents set up outside to answer any questions. We were able to purchase the $3.00 Junior Ranger book for our son to complete during our two days in Yosemite. We were also able to grab stamps for our National Park Passports and figure out our parking options as there was no shuttle service available due to COVID. During regular operations, you would spend a little more time checking out all the village has to offer, but our stop was pretty short. Our next stop was within walking distance and a favorite from my childhood, the Yosemite Valley Lodge.
YOSEMITE VALLEY LODGE
I cannot recommend the YOSEMITE VALLEY LODGE enough. It has a fantastic location along the bike path and provides the comforts of home with the National Park rustic feel. The lodge is home to a gift shop, Starbucks, a large cafeteria open for breakfast/lunch/dinner, a bar/lounge, a swimming pool and a bike rental stand. Those of you that follow my itineraries know how much we love in-park lodging at National Parks. Yosemite Valley Lodge can be very difficult to book, and I made our reservations 12 months in advance. Even then, they only had one night available. However, I continued to check and was able to secure the second night about 10 months in advance. So do not give up! Keep checking availability as I have mentioned in other posts.
Traditional Room at the Yosemite Valley Lodge in the Laurel Building
MERCED RIVER and SWINGING BRIDGE
Once we were settled in our room, we were anxious to head back out because there is so much to do and see in Yosemite! The back door of our room lead right out the the bike path so we followed the path a short distance (10 minutes maybe) straight to SWINGING BRIDGE and the MERCED RIVER. It was a beautiful bike ride for my son and we enjoyed the views across the meadows as we approached the river.
We took time to sit down by the “beach” along the river as my son splashed away in the water. The views of Yosemite Falls and Half Dome towering about the river are phenomenal. We sat in awe of our surroundings. We enjoyed a kombucha on the beach, but the lodge had informed us that you are more than welcome to grab a drink at the bar and walk it down to the beach for a fun happy hour!
Biking from Yosemite Valley Lodge to Swinging Bridge over the Merced RiverCooling off in the Merced River under Sentinel Bridge
COOK’S MEADOW
After our swim, we crossed Sentinel Bridge to continue the loop to COOKS MEADOW. My son rode the bike path along Wawona Road and the views were astonishing. It was almost 6pm (late lunch for the win), and we felt like we had the place to ourselves. With only two days in Yosemite, we wanted to make the most of our daylight hours. The boardwalk weaves through the meadow and back to the bike path all along Wawona Road. Right before we turned to cross the meadow towards Yosemite Falls we passed the oldest building in Yosemite, dating back to 1879, the YOSEMITE CHAPEL. This walk/bike ride was beautiful and I cannot recommend it enough! The loop from the lodge is about 1 mile, easy and paved or boardwalk the entire way. Crossing the meadow towards Yosemite Falls is a view everyone should enjoy!
Weaving through Cook’s Meadow on the boardwalkViews along the Cook’s Meadow Loop – Yosemite Chapel, Showy Milkweed, Sentinel Rock
YOSEMITE FALLS
Although it was getting late, we decided to check out the LOWER YOSEMITE FALLS TRAIL as I knew this is a very busy trail and would be crowded during peak hours. Our son was able to ride his bike for some of the trail and again, the views were remarkable. The trail to the falls is easy, with just a slight incline towards the end. At the base of the 2,425 foot waterfall you can feel the spray as the water flows down. We even saw climbers repelling down from the top of the lower falls. It was a great time to do the trail as it was mostly shaded and not too crowded. Again, please use caution around wet rocks and waterfalls in Yosemite. There were many people climbing all over the rocks to get closer to the base of the waterfall. This is not recommended!
Lower Yosemite Falls Trail – Can you see the climbers repelling down the waterfall?
DINING AT YOSEMITE VALLEY LODGE
As we began seeing last light on the valley floor, we knew it was time to head back to the lodge. The Upper & Lower Yosemite Falls trailheads are right next to the lodge, so it didn’t take much time to get back. BASE CAMP EATERY is the cafeteria at the Lodge, and offers a variety of items for dine in and to-go. I have some of my favorite childhood memories adding massive slices of cake to my tray sliding through the line. It has changed a lot since then, but the nostalgia surrounding it made it something we were going to try.
Due to COVID, we decided to take it to go back to enjoy on our room’s porch. We all chose the meatloaf and macaroni and cheese plate and it was really good! We enjoyed an easy night and my husband and I enjoyed a quiet night on the porch as our son fell asleep. In an non-COVID world, I would have loved to have a glass of wine in THE MOUNTAIN ROOM LODGE, dinner in THE MOUNTAIN ROOM and to roast marshmallows for smores on their patio – all on my “next time” list!
Last light on the valley floor – heading back to Yosemite Valley Lodge from the Lower Yosemite Falls trailDinner on our porch at the Yosemite Valley Lodge
OUR PLAN – DAY TWO
EXPLORE YOSEMITE VALLEY – 84°
Waking up in the center of the valley is truly incredible and so peaceful. I can only imagine how camping in Yosemite must feel (on the “next time” list!). Morning coffee on the patio while filling my husband in on the adventures I have planned for the day is one of my favorite things. Knowing we only had two days in Yosemite, I loved knowing we had the entire day ahead of us!
As always, I picked something I knew would get crowded to do first thing in the morning. I chose another nostalgic hike to start our day, the hike to MIRROR LAKE. Yosemite Valley offers so many beautiful hikes, but this one stands out from my childhood. We headed out for the day and as we hopped in the car I couldn’t help but smile at the view of Yosemite Falls from the Lodge parking lot. It is all just so beautiful. Yosemite really is magical. I know everyone says that. But really, there is a reason.
MIRROR LAKE
Mirror Lake is an easy, 2 mile flat hike on the east side of the valley. You can park at the horse stables near Curry Village, or during non COVID times, take the shuttle to Mirror Lake Trailhead at shuttle stop #17. As a kid, my family walked this trail in summer and winter. We used to whine and complain like it was the longest walk ever. Not at all. It is incredibly kid friendly and has many beautiful things to see. Mirror Lake is the closest you can get to half dome without actually hiking or climbing it. The tranquil waters act as a mirror for the beauty surrounding it.
PARKING AND TRAILHEAD
To start our hike, we parked at the stables which are right by the service road where the trail begins. Along the side of the service road is an actual trail, so although my childhood memories were walking along the paved service road, I insisted we follow the trail on the side. My son loved climbing along the boulders on the trail. At the first bridge crossing the creek, stay to the left along the road. To get to Mirror Lake in one-mile, follow the service road.
TRAIL TO MIRROR LAKE or MIRROR LAKE 5 MILE LOOP
I took us to the right walking along the right side of Tenaya Creek. Although it was beautiful, we realized about 2 miles in that I had taken us on the 5-mile loop of Mirror Lake. We reached a point along the creek to cut across, but the water was VERY cold to walk through and led us to a marshy wetland with limited options to cross over again. We quickly realized we were in the middle of Mirror Lake!
From the start of the trail my husband had said he was concerned we were on the wrong path, but I insisted I knew what I was doing (because I did it every year 25+ years ago?!?!?). Michael is a good sport and just gave me that “I told you so” look in the middle of the lake! Ha! But good memories. It did not take too long to cross over again and then we were there! We took some time to enjoy the views and have a small snack before walking back on the paved road! There were many people heading up as we walked back, including lots of families biking which would be really beautiful! When we got back to the car, parking was full with people circling for spots. Earlier we had no problem parking, so early was key for this trail.
Mirror Lake
HAPPY ISLES ART & NATURE CENTER
During non-COVID times, the HAPPY ISLES ART & NATURE CENTER is a short walk away and would be fun place to check out with kids too. This would be a great place to attend a Junior Ranger program or let you ranger ask questions, explore and even take his/her Junior Ranger oath! Since the nature center was closed, we headed back to Yosemite Village so our son could take his Junior Ranger oath. I absolutely love the National Park Junior Ranger programs. More on that here. But they really are so special to kids. He talked to this sweet ranger for almost 10 minutes about all of his adventures. It makes me so proud to see him so proud of what he has done and seen! The activity books are the perfect activity for quiet evenings, getting ready in the am, restaurants and specific to CF breathing treatment times.
An official Junior Ranger!
THE AHWAHNEE HOTEL
Once our Junior Ranger was officially sworn in, it was time to have lunch and celebrate! What better place to relax and celebrate than THE AHWAHNEE HOTEL? Unfortunately, due to COVID, the dining room was only open for dinner, so we planned to take advantage of the bar’s “Gourmet Grab & Go” box lunches.
The Ahwahnee Dining room is definitely a special treat and reservations are strongly recommended. Due to the changing situation with COVID, I would recommend checking out the latest offerings. As I write this, everything is take-out only, but it makes for a fun gourmet picnic! Although the Ahwahnee had dining tables set up outside, we decided to picnic on the grass. It was a special time, although it was cut short by some aggressive squirrels! We ended up enjoying the outdoor couches surrounding the dining room and treating our son to an ice cream treat from The Sweet Shop!
A beautiful picnic at the Ahwahnee
BIKE RIDING IN THE VALLEY
After lunch, we headed back to our room to regroup and decided our son should pick the afternoon. He wanted to head back to the Merced River and go on another bike ride. Although we had just done it yesterday, it was a lot of fun so we put on our suits and headed out! Bikes are a great way to navigate Yosemite Valley and if I hadn’t been 32 weeks pregnant, we all would have taken a family bike ride. If your kids are able, I highly suggest enjoying the valley on bike! There are over 12 miles of flat bike paths that take you to a majority of the highlights! The Yosemite Valley Lodge and Curry Village have bike rental stands if you do not want to bring them with you. We had an incredible day in 2021 bike riding and you can read all of the details and our itinerary here!
SENTINEL BEACH
We headed back to the MERCED RIVER along the bike trail and headed north of SWINGING BRIDGE toward SENTINEL BEACH. Hanging out on the shore, we saw so many people come cruising down the river on rafts. The water was so calm, and families looked like they were having a great time. This is another “next time” item and it turns out you can rent rafts through your in-park lodging and enjoy the river starting in Curry Village! We had a lot of fun relaxing on the shore before heading out for an afternoon bike ride/parent walk! We cruised around a similar path as the night before, through Cook’s Meadow and even saw several deer and two brown bears! It was incredible.
The Merced River and biking through the Valley
CURRY VILLAGE
After cruising the valley it was time for dinner! I wanted to check out CURRY VILLAGE, another childhood favorite. Due to construction, Curry Village has a variety of food trucks in the parking lot to add to their dinner options. We had some delicious tacos and checked out the “under renovation” Pizza Patio. I can imagine relaxing with some delicious pizza and a craft beer under the towering views of Glacier Point would have felt pretty good! So again, adding it to the “next time” list. Deer were out and about which was a lot of fun for our son to see.
We went to bed with happy hearts and beautiful views of the moon from our patio. As we enjoyed the moonlight and quiet, we heard some major noises in the bushes and then saw glowing eyes staring at us on the porch. Due to COVID, there was a lot of news about how animals were out and about more due to park closures. After our experience, we could not agree more.
OUR PLAN – DAY THREE
YOSEMITE VALLEY TO SAN DIEGO – 84°
Waking up on the last day of vacation is so hard. Let’s be real. I am always grateful for the time we have had, but it is hard to know it is time to pack up and start our 7-hour drive home! I always have a few last-minute “let’s try this” items so we took our time in the morning and headed out right before check-out to see some last-minute sights!
EL CAPITAN
As much as our son loved the documentary “Free Solo,” I knew we had to take him to look for climbers on the granite monolith EL CAPITAN, or as my son would say, “EL CAP.” We headed west out of the valley and pulled off the side of the road at EL CAPITAN MEADOW to check out the climbers. My son used his binoculars and immediately saw two heading up and it was so exciting! As far as we could tell it was not Alex Honnold, but my son was thrilled anyways! Can you spy them in the photo?
Looking for climbers on El Capitan
VALLEY VIEW LOOKOUT
As you continue towards the park exit after El Capitan on the loop road, the beautiful VALLEY VIEW lookout is waiting for you. We were not sure what we were looking for and it came up quick. We actually had to loop around to get there again! Shortly before the exit to 140 and the turnaround towards Bridalveil Falls, there is a small pullout on the left hand side of the road with incredible views. It is a great way to say goodbye to the valley as you head out. It definitely maximizes your time to hit the one way stops on the way in and the way out versus turning around over and over on one-way roads. As we our two days in Yosemite, it was hard to say goodbye but our hearts were full from the magic.
Valley View Lookout
FINAL GOODBYE AT TUNNEL VIEW
On the way out of the valley, we pulled over at TUNNEL VIEW to say a final goodbye to our two days in Yosemite. It seemed fitting as it we entered the valley here and said our final goodbye here. There are so many amazing ways to experience Yosemite and I feel like we did not even begin to scratch the surface. We had an incredible trip, but I know there are so many more things we want to do and see. In addition, I am only writing about a summer version. Imagine what a winter wonderland in Yosemite can bring you. I have left a few pieces of my heart around CA, but Yosemite definitely has some of it. I am confident we will be back.
Saying goodbye to Yosemite at Tunnel View
I always keep a “NEXT TIME” list when we travel. It is important to share because this blog is subjective and I want my readers to know about the myriad opportunities that I am still hoping to experience. Whenever I read, hear, research something outside of my experience, I will include it here. My hope in to eventually fully experience these destinations when I visit again (and I can’t wait to do so). Next trip, I want to to see more of the park and experiences a few new things. I also want to visit some of the most popular places the were closed due to COVID.
THINGS WE WANTED TO DO THAT WERE CLOSED OR IMPACTED BY COVID
Are you planning a family adventure in the Sequoias but unsure what to do? Then you are in the right place! Here is my guide for visiting Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks! Exploring the beauty of the high sierra of central California is something that will stick with you forever. Your children will surely remember the giant trees and incredible views. Standing beneath a towering Sequoia is a sight everyone should enjoy, and it is inspiring for kids! Here are the sights you don’t want to miss, followed by our one-night itinerary for visiting Sequoia National Park!
DON’T MISS THESE HIGHLIGHTS WHEN VISITING SEQUOIA AND KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARK
Here are our favorite things to do and see inside Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. You can read more about each destination below. Once you pick what is suitable for your family, you can create your adventure. Or jump below to one of our family’s itineraries that includes the park highlights.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are unique gems on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The backcountry offers endless opportunities for backpacking and exploration. However, when traveling with kids, chances are good that you are looking for adventure with a side of comfort and convenience. Here are some essential things to know before heading into the Sierra Nevada Mountains on your quest for family adventures.
NO CELL SERVICE
There is no cellular service in the parks, regardless of your carrier. The lodges have wifi for guests, but it is very spotty and nothing substantial enough for streaming or Zoom. This is important to remember when it comes to your directions and plans. Screenshot or print important information or lodging confirmations you may want access to during your visit.
Make sure to download the National Park app onto your phone, search Sequoia and Kings Canyon and then click “save this park for offline use.” I highly recommend downloading the park app before your visit. It has information on current conditions and a map that shows you where you are at all times without cell service.
NO GAS AVAILABLE IN THE PARK
There is no gas available inside the park. Make sure to fill your tank before heading in because there is plenty to see and do during your visit. Don’t let gas be what holds you back!
CHECK CURRENT ROAD CONDITIONS
As with any wilderness area, it is important to check current road conditions before your visit. You must safely navigate park roads during your visit. Weather is a big issue for the parks, and during winter months, many main roads are closed, making it impossible to drive through the park. Although the park is open year round, sometimes, the highway closures make most of it inaccessible. We love to visit in summer and fall, but I always check the National Park Service website and monitor the conditions leading up to our trips. I also follow @SequoiaKingsCanyonNPS on Instagram because they tend to post timely information for visitors.
WINDY ROADS
When entering Sequoia National Park from the southern foothill area, you have about a 90-minute drive up a very windy road until you reach the “hub” of Sequoia National Park. If anybody in your car is susceptible to car sickness, I highly suggest Dramamine before you start the climb. Our son struggles with getting car sick on windy mountain roads, and Dramamine has saved our adventures many times. If you forget, there is a pharmacy in Three Rivers right off the road where we purchased it last minute. And in the worst case, having a few of these bags in the glove box can save the day (I speak from experience!!)!
HIGHER ALTITUDE
Many destinations and hikes in Sequoia National Park are between 5,000 – 7,500 feet in elevation. These higher altitudes are new for many and may cause shortness of breath or dehydration. Make sure to bring plenty of water and take your time. There is so much to see around you; slow down and take it all in. The park visitor centers and lodge lobbies have water bottle-filling stations. Make sure your kids are staying hydrated too!
BLACK BEARS
Bears are found throughout the park. A bear sighting is fascinating and memorable. Obviously, it is important for your safety to watch from a distance and never approach a bear. In addition, make sure to store all food and scented items in the bear lockers in the park parking lots. Hide your coolers and bags, as bears know what they are looking for! You can read more about bear safety from the park here.
IN-PARK LODGING – BOOK NOW!
In-park lodging is incredibly limited, and books up months in advance. I highly recommend holding a reservation even if you are beginning to think about a visit. You will need to pay for the first night as a deposit, but you can cancel for a full refund up to two days in advance. If everything is booked, do not be discouraged. Keep checking for cancellations- more on my strategy for booking in-park lodging below.
I also highly recommend staying outside the park the night before you enter. Coming from the south, the final hour up Generals Highway to the Wucksachi Lodge is windy and not ideal in the dark. Consider staying outside the park in Exeter, Visalia, or Three Rivers the night before when coming from hours away. You will save money and probably get a complimentary breakfast to take with you into the park. Below, you can read more about our favorite place to stay the night before our park visit- the Best Western in Exeter, CA.
LIMITED IN-PARK DINING OPTIONS AND HOURS
Nothing can bring a trip down more than being hungry in a beautiful location and unable to get food where you are. Dining is limited in the parks. The main food options are at the Wucksachi Lodge, Lodgepole Market, and Grant Grove. Check the current hours and have a tentative plan in your head. We have found the hours to be very short with gaps between lunch and dinner service.
For this reason, I HIGHLY recommend bringing a picnic into the park with you. This ensures you have a variety of snacks and sandwiches or wraps to keep everyone happy throughout the day. The Lodgepole Market has grab-and-go options as well. It is essential to use the bear lockers when parking to avoid any issues. The dining options are nothing you miss out on, and everything costs more inside the park.
PARK ENTRANCE FEE
Current park fees are $35/vehicle for seven days. If you plan to combine your visit with Yosemite National Park, I highly recommend America the Beautiful Pass for $80. You can purchase either entry at the entrance station. You will have access to all US national parks and monuments for a year for only $10 more than the two park entry fees. Use this link to check out the other discounts available that may apply to you before your visit (4th-grade pass, military discount, etc.).
WEATHER AND SEASONAL CLOSURES
Summer months are my favorite time to visit the park. Many roads and destinations are closed during winter months and snow chains are often required to visit. We visited at the start of summer, which gave us beautiful blue sky, 70°+ adventures. We also visited in late fall, when the leaves were falling, and temperatures dropped to low 40° at night. However, the winter months change accessibility to many locations. We had friends walk to General Sherman in the snow. They had lunch atWucksachi Lodgein fog so thick they could not see the trees around them. If you are visiting in colder times, check out this post from 2TravelDads for information on visits in colder weather.
WHAT TO PACK
When visiting most national parks, I always pack a few similar things for the kids. I mention a few in this guide, but for the complete list, check out my post on the “must-haves” for kids in National Parks. Our family takes a lot of road trips, so I have a lot of recommendations in that area as well. Check out my post on road trip essentials if you are nervous about having the kids in the car for so long!
PHOTOS ON iPHONE
You definitely want to bring a camera when you visit Sequoia National Park. My camera is my iPhone, so it does not have to be anything extra. However, I read about a trick for tall buildings, tried it in Sequoia, and wanted to share. Put your phone on panoramic and tilt it from the bottom up to the top of the tree. Then you don’t have to have half the tree cut off!
WHAT TO DO IN SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK
There are two entrances to Sequoia National Park. You can enter from the northern Kings Canyon Big Stump Entrance Station or the southern Mountain Entrance Station. Coming from San Diego, we recommend the Ash Mountain Entrance Station and a stop at the Foothills Visitor Center to start your adventure.
ASH MOUNTAIN ENTRANCESTATION
As you pay your fee or purchase your pass to enter the park, make sure to ask for a few essential items. You want to get the park brochure, which includes a park map, and the park newsletter/trip planner, with information relevant to the season of your visit.
Of course, your next stop should be a family picture with the entrance sign! The views of the Kaweah River are beautiful here, so take a moment to hop out and stretch your legs.
There are usually people around to take a photo, but if not, I always have my $5 selfie stick from Target, and my husband hates it! Ha! It was the perfect tool to ensure we still had family pictures during our June 2020 peak COVID madness trip!
After the entry gate, you will begin a 90-minute windy drive up the Generals Highway to the Giant Forest. This area is one of the most notable highlights of visiting Sequoia. But do not rush straight up the highway, as there are many fun stops on the way up. With limited time in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, you want to see your sights in the order of your drive to avoid added driving time.
FOOTHILLS VISITOR CENTER
One of my first stops in any national park is the visitor center to pick up a few essential items. Hopefully, you grabbed your map and newsletter at the entrance station, but if not, you can pick one up here. This is an excellent opportunity to check in with a ranger about your plan in case there are any updates or closures you should be aware of. You can also purchase tickets for the Crystal Cave Tour and stamp your national park passport here. The visitor center has interpretive displays that teach you about the park, restrooms, water bottle stations, and free WiFi.
JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAM
We always pick up my son’s complimentary Junior Ranger booklet here. You can read more about the national park service Junior Ranger program here. This program makes a great souvenir and keeps the kids engaged as you explore the park. You can also email the park requesting a brochure via mail or download the Junior Ranger booklet in advance. These were great options during COVID closures.
TUNNEL ROCK
Shortly after the visitor center, you will see Tunnel Rock. Although the rock is on the left side of the road, there is parking on the right of General’s Highway. The pull-off gives you great views, and Tunnel Rock is fun to explore right across the street. People were hiking up and around the rock for additional adventures, but the park asks that you stay on the trail below. Watch for poison oak as you explore! Make this quick 10-minute stop to stretch your legs, check out the views, and then head up the mountain.
HOSPITAL ROCK
Your next stop up General’s Highway is the Hospital Rock picnic area on the left side of the road. When visiting Sequoia National Park, this is a great place to plan for a facility stop. This area has a parking lot, several picnic tables, bathrooms, and abundant shade. Make sure to store your food properly in the bear lockers. Also, poison oak is growing all over, so be mindful!
Head across the street to check out Hospital Rock, a large rock with California Native American petroglyphs. It was once the hospital for the people that lived in the area. After the rock, take the short trail (built by the Civilian Conservation Corps) to a waterfall and the Kaweah River. This is a great stop to cool off and enjoy along the way. Again, watch for the poison oak! It was everywhere on our river walk.
GIANT FOREST MUSEUM
After about 90 minutes of driving, you will arrive at the Giant Forest Museum, one of many visitor centers and the “hub” of Sequoia National Park. This is a great place to park, store your food in a bear locker and explore. This parking lot fills quickly and many times is full by 9 am.
Inside the museum, several interpretive displays will engage your kids, and rangers can answer any questions you may have. Sequoia is the first national park formed to protect a living organism – the giant sequoia tree. The area in front of the museum is home to the giant Sentinel Sequoia tree, where kids can walk the tree’s height along the interactive ruler on the pavement below.
SEQUOIA SHUTTLE SERVICE
From here, you can hop on the Sequoia shuttle to explore many of the upcoming highlights. You can check current service hours and locations here. The shuttles run in summer and during some holiday periods in winter. This is an excellent option if you visit Sequoia National Park during peak crowds. Once you obtain a parking spot, you can wander the area and hop on the shuttle to get around. No more parking frustration!
GIANT FOREST TRAILS
Several hiking trails leave from the Giant Forest Museum area. Many are paved, which makes them stroller and wheelchair accessible. Our favorites are the Beetle Rock pathway and the popular one-mile Big Trees Trail through the giant sequoias. Next trip, I want to check out Sunset Rock, so I will update here once we have explored that 1.4-mile hike!
BEETLE ROCK
This paved pathway is very short and leaves from the parking area across from the Giant Forest Museum. The views are stunning and a great way to begin your adventure in Sequoia!
THE BIG TREES TRAIL
The Big Trees Trail is an excellent introduction to the sequoia groves that John Muir named in 1875. The one-mile loop leaves from the Giant Forest Museum and takes you through the tall forest of the world’s largest trees. The trees in this area make up half of the Earth’s oldest trees. The route is a mix of paved and boardwalk, making this loop stroller and wheelchair friendly.
After exploring the Giant Forest area, enjoy the 3-mile detour from the General’s Highway down Crescent Meadow Road for some other spectacular sights.
MORO ROCK
The Moro Rock trail has incredible views but is narrow, very steep, and not the best for younger kids. Our son did great, but we did pass several kids (and adults) in tears due to the narrow trails and long drops. Although only a 1/2-mile round trip, you climb over 300 feet uphill on over 400 stairs to reach the top of the bald granite dome. There are guard rails, but even then, I held my son’s hand almost the whole time. The views of the great western divide from the top are breathtaking, and chances are you will be short of breath as you climb to over 6,700 feet in elevation.
The parking lot for the Moro Rock trailhead tends to fill up quickly, so if you are interested in this hike, be there earlier in the day. During the summer, the trail is accessible by the park shuttles. The parking lot has bathrooms if you or your littles need a break. The hike took us about an hour.
When your time in the park is limited, make sure to choose the things you will love. Think about your circumstances on this trip to decide if Moro Rock is the best for your family. During our family’s hike, I was 32 weeks pregnant, hiking with my 7-year-old in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic (social distancing is impossible on this tight trail). It was hard to take it all in the way I wish I could have.
TUNNEL LOG
From Moro Rock, continue down the last mile toward Crescent Meadow. As you get closer to the meadow, you can drive through the famous Tunnel Log, a fallen sequoia-turned tunnel. Kids of all ages enjoy the experience.
CRESCENT MEADOW– DO NOT MISS WHEN VISITING SEQUOIA
Crescent Meadow is one of our favorite places in Sequoia National Park. I cannot recommend this stop enough, especially when visiting in summer. The meadow has several trails around a wetland and is so easy (and fun!) for kids. I love wildflowers, and in spring, this trail does not disappoint. The trail is easy for all abilities, surrounded by giant sequoia trees, and has plenty of places for a picnic. Bears are often seen in the meadow early in the morning or later in the afternoon.
We like to head east from the parking lot towards Tharp’s Log (about a mile out). You may share this paved portion of the High Sierra Trail with a hiker heading on a backpacking trip toward Mt. Whitney. Shortly after, the trail splits, and we head to the left, towards the south end of the meadow and this beautiful view and quote from John Muir. It is an exceptional area of the park, and I highly recommend it. Kids will enjoy exploring the sequoia trees in this less crowded area.
Lots of fun for kids along the Crescent Meadow Trail
THARP’S LOG
Follow the trail one mile out under giant Sequoia trees to Tharp’s Log. It is a fun stop for kids along the trail. Crescent Meadow Trail as it is an old Pioneer’s homemade in a hollowed-out Sequoia Tree. Hale Tharp is known as the first non-native American to enter the Giant Forest. He started a cattle ranch in the meadow and lived in the log. You can look inside from the door for a peek inside his old 19th-century home. This is an excellent stop for elementary kids learning about this era in school.
Tharp’s Log on the Crescent Meadow Trail
CHIMNEY TREE
Continue on the trail past Tharp’s Log and follow the signs to Chimney Tree. The hike takes you into a forest of bright green ferns and towering Sequoias. Chimney Tree is a burnt-out Sequoia that is still standing, just off the main trail. It is a fun stop, especially for kids, as you can step inside and look up at the sky from the tree trunk.
From Chimney Tree, head back towards Crescent Meadow and the parking lot. This is a beautiful walk through more ferns out to the meadow. One highlight of the hike comes at the end; at the fallen sequoia tree, you climb over to cross the wetland meadow. It is a beautiful view crossing the meadow back to the parking lot!
GENERAL SHERMAN TREE
You must stop to see the General Sherman Tree, over 3000 years old and taller than the Statue of Liberty. At 275 feet tall and 36 feet in diameter at the base, it is the world’s largest tree. The trail starts at a large parking area and is one-mile round trip – about a 1/2 mile downhill to the tree and then 1/2 mile back uphill. They do have benches along the trail if you need a rest. Stop to catch your breath and take in the sequoia forests and towering trees surrounding you. This trail is heavily trafficked, so be prepared for crowds. If you are up for a longer hike, take the 2.1-mile Congress Trail loop through the towering trees.
ACCESSIBILITY TO THE GENERAL SHERMAN
The trail down from the parking lot is pretty steep but paved, so some people do push strollers up & down. However, I do not recommend it because there are several spots with steps where you need a plan for lifting the stroller up and down. There is a wheelchair-accessible trail to the tree from a separate parking area off General’s Highway before the turnoff for the General Sherman Tree. However, you must have a disability placard to use the parking lot. If the park shuttles are running, they drop you at the accessible trail.
TOKOPAH FALLS TRAIL – DO NOT MISS WHEN VISITING SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK
Tokopah Falls Trailhead
The Tokopah Falls Trail is beautiful and a great place to go first thing in the morning if you stayed the night at Wucksachi Lodge. This heavily trafficked trail is a little over 3 miles round trip (1.7 miles from Lodgepole Campground to Tokopah Falls) and is worth every minute of the time it takes you! I highly recommend this hike when visiting Sequoia National Park.
You can always stop in at the Lodgepole Visitor Center if you need an updated map or have any questions. You can also purchase tickets to the Crystal Cave tour here. *AS OF 2023 THIS VISITOR CENTER IS CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS. Check current hours here.
If you need snacks for your hike, pop into the Lodgepole Market before heading to the trailhead. Park in the Lodgepole Campground parking lot and head into the campground to cross the bridge over the river. The trailhead is on the right after you cross the bridge.
LODGEPOLE CAMPGROUND
Lodgepole Campground is a terrific spot for camping when visiting Sequoia. Spots were spread out along the river, there was a lot of shade, and people were enjoying themselves swimming and wading in the river. There is a market and cafe close to the campground with all you need for camping or picnicking. Reservations can be challenging, so plan or monitor for a cancellation!
TOKOPAH FALLS TRAIL – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
As you start on the trail, head up (slight uphill on the way to the falls) along the river across from Lodgepole campsites. This trail had a lot of shade in the beginning and was filled with many points to explore. We immediately started to notice bugs and were grateful we had put on mosquito-repellent bracelets. So definitely plan on some form of bug protection, so you and your littles are not eaten alive!
You can stop along the river in so many areas, which is a great way to rest from the shortness of breath you will probably feel at times due to the high altitude! Kids will enjoy climbing the granite rocks and boulders along the trail. The trail is well maintained, with several small bridges over water running into the river.
WILDLIFE ON THE TOKOPAH FALLS TRAIL
Wildlife may be out in the morning, and our experience did not disappoint! As we headed up, we saw several marmots enjoying the morning sunshine on the granite rocks.
At one point, I noticed movement on the tree ahead of us. We were shocked to see a mama bear and her three cubs enjoying the sunshine and dining on the bugs under the tree bark. Park brochures said the bears in Sequoia are not aggressive, so we were not panicked. However, that does not mean we would approach them, grab their attention, etc. We stayed back quite a bit, and soon after, mama took her cubs across the trail in front of us! It was an incredible sight, but it also reminded us never to get too comfortable in our surroundings when hiking!!
Seeing black bears in the wild was the ultimate highlight for me. This was a beautiful trail that I cannot recommend enough. Between the wildflowers, bright ferns, and wildlife, I felt like I was walking in a fairyland. As we reached the last 1/4 mile stretch to the falls, we were suddenly heading up large granite boulders.
TOKOPAH FALLS
The trail ends at the base of Tokopah Falls. During our June visit, the falls flowed, and many visitors climbed down to wade in the pools below. There are many warnings about drownings in the park, so please use caution when wading in any part of the river in Sequoia. We opted to find a quieter, calmer spot for our son to play. We enjoyed the views and had a snack on the rocks under the waterfall before heading down to a shallow spot on the river to cool off. The final stretch to the falls had very little shade, and the late morning heat was picking up!
I would definitely recommend hiking at the earlier end of the day. In addition to the cooler temperature and less crowded trail, the wildlife is enjoying the morning sun. On the way down, we noticed a few hikers stopped on the trail, and once again, we ran into a mama and two bear cubs! Our family all agreed this trail was one that would always stand out from our visit. We ended up seeing seven bears – 2 mamas and five cubs. So special.
WHAT TO DO IN KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARK
The drive to Kings Canyon National Park is about 45 minutes from the Lodgepole area of Sequoia. I recommend checking out the highlights I mentioned before heading up toward Grant Grove. We love to visit Sequoia and Kings Canyon from the south and drive through on our way to Yosemite to loop the park versus going back and forth.
The Kings Canyon Visitor Center is a great last stop to turn in Junior Ranger books for a badge, stamp National Park passports, pick up any last-minute info or have any last-minute questions answered. You can also pick up wilderness permits here and at several other visitor centers.
PANORAMIC POINT – DO NOT MISS WHEN VISITING KINGS CANYON
Make sure to stop at Panoramic Point, just 10 minutes up the road from the Grant Grove Visitor Center. The drive from the village can be windy, and the road is narrow and barely has space for two-way at times, so take it slow to navigate other cars. The views are worth it! The 1/2 mile round trip loop is paved and easy for all levels.
The overlooks give you panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada, including Kings Canyon and Hume Lake and are truly breathtaking. The parking lot has facilities and picnic tables, so it is a great stop any time of day. However, sunset is a stunner, so I recommend trying to time your visit around the end of the day.
SUNSET AT PANORAMIC POINT
Although the sun does not set in front of you, the colors of the high sierra and mountains in front of you are beautiful. Wildlife is abundant, and Panoramic Point has peace to it at this time of night. It was in no way crowded, but people were set up in different areas to watch the sun go down at the end of a beautiful day. I recommend a blanket, snacks, and a glass of your beverage of choice!
GENERAL GRANT TREE
From the village, drive across the highway to the Grant Tree Trail. This .3-mile paved trail is similar to the General Sherman trail in Sequoia but with more space and fewer hills. Like the General Sherman trail, this trail includes information and exhibits about the giant sequoias along the trail. The General Grant Grove is named after the General Grant Tree, the second-largest living tree named “Our Nation’s Christmas Tree” by President Calvin Coolidge. There is also a fallen sequoia you can walk through, which our kids always enjoy.
BIG STUMP BASIN
Big Stump Basin is an excellent stop on your way out of the park on Highway 180, as it is located right before the Big Stump Entrance Station (where you will exit if heading to Yosemite). This 1.5-mile round trip loop is the site of 19th-century logging in Kings Canyon National Park and is filled with giant trees.
This trail is home to the Mark Twain Stump, a massive stump from what was once the largest sequoia in the world. You can climb the steps up the stump to see the huge rings.
REDWOOD MOUNTAIN OVERLOOK
Redwood Mountain Overlook is beautiful any time of day, but the real treat is sunset. A park ranger told us about this gem, and we loved it. We packed a little cheese and crackers and drove out to watch the sun go down over the trees of the Sequoia National Forest.
WHERE TO STAY WHEN VISITING SEQUOIA & KINGS CANYON
I cannot say enough about in-park lodging. Staying in the park as the sun goes down and the wildlife emerges is an experience with no rival. With your limited time in the parks, you do not want to spend extra hours driving in and out. Staying in the park whenever possible may be a bit of a splurge, but it creates a unique trip with time to relax and soak in all you are there to explore! In addition, when you wake up in the middle of the park, day visitors are coming in gates over 90 minutes away so you can target something sure to get crowded later first thing in the morning.
In-park lodging is in very high demand. If you are looking to travel soon, rooms may be booked. However, cancellations happen. Planning a road trip between Sequoia and Yosemite becomes even more challenging because your dates are not flexible. When in-park lodging is full, I check the availability every day. Sounds aggressive, but you need to be diligent when dates are firm. I keep the availability page open on my computer and refresh it every morning. I recommend not giving up if you go to book and there is no availability. The site updates daily as people cancel their reservations. I book free cancellation hotels through Expedia as a backup for the trip I am planning to we are not left stranded. This strategy has worked for me several times, including Zion Lodge and Bryce Canyon Lodge.
WUKSACHI LODGE – SEQUOIA
Wuksachi Lodge (pizza deck on the left)
Our room was in the Silliman Building
The Wuksachi Lodge has a very convenient location for your stay and is the only accommodation in the park that is open year round. When coming from southern California, this is a great pick. You can have a full day in the park and then stay the night and take on a popular location first thing before the crowds come in. If you are making a loop, you have plenty of time to check out Grant Grove on your way out of the parks.
The walk from the parking lot to your building can be long, depending on where you park. There are luggage carts available to assist you. It is essential to clear all food/garbage, coolers, trash, and toiletries from your car as you are in black bear country, and they are often seen in the lodge area.
ACCOMMODATIONS AT WUKSACHI LODGE
Strolling around the Wuksachi Lodge grounds
The lodge accommodations are clean and comfortable. We booked the standard room with two queen beds. Check-in was easy, and our room was ready at 4 pm, which is always appreciated after a long day. Our visit was during COVID, so everything was immaculate. The lobby had coffee in the morning for guests.
The main building has a beautiful bridge that crosses over to a paved path where we explored, relaxed, enjoyed a mocktail, and let our son play. This would be a great spot to take your happy hour after a long day exploring the park!
Wuksachi Lodge – Standard Room with 2 Queen Beds
We always need downtime in the evening due to our son’s Cystic Fibrosis. He needs a high-calorie snack and to complete his breathing treatments sometime before dinner. It was great to have access to television channels like Disney and Nickelodeon at the lodge for this downtime as we settled in, and he took care of treatments. I know that TV in the national parks is not the focus, but it is a welcome break when you need some time to relax before heading out again. If I hadn’t been pregnant, a glass of wine would have been wonderful during this time, as this photo is taken from a small table by the window.
DINING AT WUKSACHI LODGE
The Peaks Restaurant has to-go style breakfast items that can be enjoyed in the dining room, on the outdoor Pizza Deck patio, or in your room. The Pizza Deck serves pizzas, breadsticks, sandwiches, organic salads, and wine/craft beers to-go style. The outdoor patio is great on sunny afternoons! There is a water bottle filling station in the lobby by the Peaks Restaurant bar.
JOHN MUIR LODGE – KINGS CANYON
The John Muir Lodge is an excellent pick in Grant Grove. We have stayed in the cabins, not a lodge room. However, I want to mention it here because the cabins are very rustic, and the lodge offers cozy rooms you enter from a hallway. Both the lodge and cabins share the same amenities and lobby space. I love the rocking chairs around the porch lobby and the coffee in the mornings. There is also a microwave and water bottle filling station in the lobby.
DINING IN GRANT GROVE
The Grant Grove restaurant is the dining option for the John Muir Lodge and Grant Grove Cabins. The hours are limited, so make sure to know them because there are no other options in the area. I missed coffee the morning we packed up to take the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway to Cedar Grove. Since COVID, everything is being served to go, and you can enjoy it outdoors in the courtyard or inside the dining room. You can order at the window or from the terminals outside.
GRANT GROVE CABINS – KINGS CANYON
The Grant Grove Cabins are a fun and more rustic way to stay in the park. We stayed in a timber two double bed duplex cabin with a private attached bath. Some cabins are tent-style, and some are wood. Some of these cabins date back to 1910, which is incredible. You cannot compete with the location, as all of Grant Grove is accessible by walking. They are also about half the cost of the Wuksachi Lodge. The stargazing at night is incredible too.
BEST WESTERN – EXETER
We love the Best Western in Exeter, CA (4 1/2 hours from San Diego) because the rooms are spacious and clean and have a refrigerator and microwave. They also give you complimentary breakfast in the morning so you can get on the road quickly. It is easy to top off your gas tank in town and then drive 40 minutes to the park entrance. Visalia is about 45 minutes away and full of similar hotels that include breakfast. There are fun short stops on the drive up General’s Highway, so it is nice to start at the park entrance first thing in the morning.
OUR TRAVEL ITINERARIES
ONE-NIGHT IN SEQUOIA ITINERARY – JUNE 2020
DAY ONE – EXETER TO SEQUOIA – 75°
Woke up in Exeter, packed our cooler with the picnic we brought from San Diego the night before, grabbed breakfast, and topped off our gas tank before heading 45 north minutes to the Mountain Entrance of Sequoia
Stopped to take pictures by the entrance sign
Explored Tunnel Rock
Parked at Hospital Rock, walked down to the river
Hiked Moro Rock
Hiked around Crescent Meadow and had a picnic lunch
General Sherman Tree
Check in to Wuksachi Lodge
Explore the grounds of the lodge
Dinner at the Pizza Deck
Deer walking past our window in the morning
DAY TWO – SEQUOIA THROUGH KINGS CANYON TO OAKHURST – 82°
Woke up to deer outside our window at Wuksachi Lodge, had breakfast in our room, grabbed a coffee from the front desk, and passed more deer on the walk over
Hiked Tokopah Falls
Back to Wuksachi Lodge for cheeseburgers at the Pizza Deck (1:30pm)
Drove to Grant Grove (our son fell asleep!)
Panoramic Point
Grant Tree Trail
Ice Cream from the Grant Grove Market
Stopped in the gift shop and visitor center to turn in our son’s Junior Ranger book
Walked down into Big Stump Basin for a bit (not the whole trail)
Left Kings Canyon National Park via the Big Stump Entrance on our way to Oakhurst, to get ready for our day in Yosemite!
Saying Goodbye to the Sequoias!
OUR TWO-NIGHTS IN GRANT GROVE ITINERARY – OCTOBER 2022
DAY ONE – EXETER TO KINGS CANYON THROUGH SEQUOIA
Woke up in Exeter, grabbed breakfast, and topped off our gas tank before heading 45 north minutes to the Mountain Entrance of Sequoia
Stopped to take pictures by the entrance sign
Parked at the Giant Forest Museum
Walked to Beetle Rock
Explored the Giant Forest Museum
Hiked the Big Trees Trail
Wandered around Crescent Meadow
Lunch at the Wuksachi Lodge Pizza Deck
Drove to Grant Grove, checked in to Grant Grove Cabins
Sunset at Panoramic Point
Dinner at Grant Grove Grill
DAY TWO – GRANT GROVE TO ROADS END IN CEDAR GROVE (AND BACK)
Woke up in Grant Grove
To-go breakfast from Grant Grill
Loaded car for road trip to Cedar Grove
Stopped by the Grant Grove Visitor Center (10:15)
Took the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway to Road’s End (awesome adventure – post coming)
Back in Grant Grove at 3:30pm, checked with ranger for another incredible sunset location
Wandered Grant Grove Trail
Sunset at the Redwood Mountain Overlook
Dinner at Grant Grove Grill
Stargazing outside of our cabin
DAY THREE – GRANT GROVE TO SAN DIEGO
Woke up in our cabin, packed up, and checked out
Hiked Big Stump Basin
Home to San Diego
FROM SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK TO YOSEMITE
If you want to continue your adventure, follow along to Yosemite!
I always keep a “NEXT TIME” list when we travel. I feel like it is important to include because this blog is subjective, and I want my readers to know about the myriad opportunities I am still hoping to experience on my next visit. Whenever I read, hear, or research something outside my experience, I will include it here. I hope to eventually fully experience these destinations when I visit again (and I can’t wait to do so).
Sunset Rock Hike – 1.4 miles roundtrip
Hike the Congress Trail – 2.1 miles roundtrip
Crystal Cave Tour
Stay the night in a John Muir Lodge room
Creating family adventures and sharing them with you!
