Category Archives: NATIONAL PARKS

CALIFORNIA, COVID-19 TRAVEL, HIKING, NATIONAL PARKS, ROAD TRIPS, SOUTHERN CA, WEEKEND GETAWAY

BLACK ROCK CAMPGROUND IN JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK

September 18, 2020 laurelddouglas Leave a comment

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.

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 to Jumbo 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 at Skull 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.

From the Cholla 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.

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.

COTTONWOOD SPRING

From here, we headed south again to check out the Cottonwood 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 the Cottonwood 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 the North 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.

From Salvation Mountain, we headed into the Anza-Borrego Desert and Julian (perfect stop for strawberry season). More on these fantastic stops in the linked post!

CALIFORNIA, CENTRAL CA, COVID-19 TRAVEL, HIKING, NATIONAL PARKS, NORTHERN CA, ROAD TRIP - SEQUOIA AND YOSEMITE, ROAD TRIPS, WEEKEND GETAWAY

TWO DAYS IN YOSEMITE

September 16, 2020 laurelddouglas Leave a comment

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!

OUR PLAN – DAY ONE

OAKHURST, CA to YOSEMITE VILLAGE – 90°

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.

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 River

Cooling 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!

Views 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!

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 trail

Dinner 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.

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.

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!

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?

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.

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

ADVENTURES WE NEED MORE PLANNING TO DO (maybe without kids)

YOSEMITE TRIP PLANNING RESOURCES

Planning a trip to Yosemite? Check out my other Yosemite resources here!

CALIFORNIA, CENTRAL CA, COVID-19 TRAVEL, HIKING, NATIONAL PARKS, NORTHERN CA, ROAD TRIP - SEQUOIA AND YOSEMITE, ROAD TRIPS, WEEKEND GETAWAY

VISITING SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK – WHAT TO DO IN SEQUOIA AND KINGS CANYON

September 12, 2020 laurelddouglas 4 Comments

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!

One of my favorite ways to visit Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks is to couple it with a visit to Yosemite National Park. If you want to plan a road trip between Sequoia and Yosemite, make sure to check out my other planning resources here!

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.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING

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 at Wucksachi Lodge in 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 ENTRANCE STATION

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.

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

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.

GRANT GROVE VILLAGE

Grant Grove Village is the “hub” of Kings Canyon National Park. There is a small grocery market, a post office, a visitor center, and a gift shop. In addition, it is home to the John Muir Lodge and Grant Grove Cabins, the other in-park lodging options available. The Grant Grove Restaurant offers order-at-the-window food options during limited hours of the day.

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

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!

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!

“NEXT TIME” LIST

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

JOSHUA TREE CAMPGROUND OPTIONS

WHY CHOOSE BLACK ROCK CAMPGROUND FOR FAMILIES?

SPACIOUS SITES

CELL SERVICE

FLUSH TOILETS

WATER

LOCATION

BLACK ROCK CAMPGROUND NATURE CENTER

ABILILTY TO PLAN AHEAD

HOW TO MAKE RESERVATIONS

FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED SEASON

CONSIDERATIONS WHEN CAMPING IN JOSHUA TREE

FIREWOOD

WATER

PETS IN JOSHUA TREE

CAMPSITE RULES

HOLIDAY WEEKEND ADVICE

CALL THE RANGER STATION – (760) 367-5522

ARRIVE EARLY

OUR BLACK ROCK CAMPGROUND WEEKEND ITINERARY

DAY ONE – 85°

WEST ENTRANCE STATION

KEYS VIEW

CAP ROCK

SKULL ROCK

CHOLLA CACTUS GARDEN

SUNSET IN BLACK ROCK

DAY TWO – 85°

HEMINGWAY

HALL OF HORRORS

COTTONWOOD SPRING

BLACK ROCK HI-VIEW NATURE TRAIL

DAY THREE – HEADING HOME

PIONEERTOWN

THE SALTON SEA

SALVATION MOUNTAIN

JUMP TO

OUR PLAN – DAY ONE

MARIPOSA GROVE/WAWONA

GLACIER POINT

WAWONA TUNNEL VIEW

BRIDALVEIL FALLS

TRAIL SAFETY

YOSEMITE VILLAGE

DINING OPTIONS

VALLEY VISITOR CENTER

YOSEMITE VALLEY LODGE

MERCED RIVER and SWINGING BRIDGE

COOK’S MEADOW

YOSEMITE FALLS

DINING AT YOSEMITE VALLEY LODGE

OUR PLAN – DAY TWO

MIRROR LAKE

PARKING AND TRAILHEAD

TRAIL TO MIRROR LAKE or MIRROR LAKE 5 MILE LOOP

HAPPY ISLES ART & NATURE CENTER

THE AHWAHNEE HOTEL

BIKE RIDING IN THE VALLEY

SENTINEL BEACH

CURRY VILLAGE

OUR PLAN – DAY THREE

EL CAPITAN

VALLEY VIEW LOOKOUT

FINAL GOODBYE AT TUNNEL VIEW

THINGS WE WANTED TO DO THAT WERE CLOSED OR IMPACTED BY COVID

ADVENTURES WE NEED MORE PLANNING TO DO (maybe without kids)

YOSEMITE TRIP PLANNING RESOURCES

DON’T MISS THESE HIGHLIGHTS WHEN VISITING SEQUOIA AND KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARK

OUR FAVORITE STOPS TO EXPLORE

OUR FAVORITE HIKES AND WANDERINGS

OUR FAVORITE PLACES TO STAY

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING

NO CELL SERVICE

NO GAS AVAILABLE IN THE PARK

CHECK CURRENT ROAD CONDITIONS

WINDY ROADS

HIGHER ALTITUDE

BLACK BEARS

IN-PARK LODGING – BOOK NOW!

LIMITED IN-PARK DINING OPTIONS AND HOURS