Looking for some great day hikes in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks? Click on the map markers for a brief introduction to each hike, then click on the included web link to go to my full review. You can also link to hike reviews from the photo gallery at the bottom of the page.

Most of the hikes listed here are short, making it easy to pair them with other activities or additional hikes. The longest one I cover is the trail to Mist Falls, an incredible day hike that is well worth the effort. Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks also offer superb backpacking, as well as numerous other short hikes. Use this guide to get started, but don’t forget there’s always more to explore!

SEQUOIA & KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARK HIKING TIPS

• Always follow the 7 Leave No Trace Principles: for day hiking, this means planning ahead and preparing, disposing of waste properly, leaving what you find, and treating other visitors and wildlife with respect.
• Bring the 10 Essentials. Most of the hikes listed here are short, but it’s still important to have sun protection, extra layers, food, water, a first aid kit, flashlight, and a trail map. As noted in the “When to Go” section, weather here can change quickly and unexpectedly. Always be prepared.
• The “Trail Safety” article on the Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks website is another good resource with important safety tips.
• When visiting Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, be sure to hang an America the Beautiful pass (or other national parks pass) in your car window. Some individuals, including veterans and fourth graders, may qualify for a free pass. If you don’t already have a pass, you can purchase one at a park entrance station. A standard annual pass costs $80.
• If you don’t have a pass, you can pay a $35 entrance fee instead, valid for seven days. For most people, I recommend purchasing an America the Beautiful pass, as it covers the entrance costs for all national lands (including national parks, national monuments, national forest trailheads and more) for a full year.

• Pets are not allowed on trails within Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks. For information on where pets are allowed within the parks, please visit the National Park Service website.
• For hiking advice, trail conditions, weather reports, and more stop by one of Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks’ visitor centers or ranger stations. The main visitor centers are located in Kings Canyon National Park at Grant Grove Village, and at the Giant Forest Museum and Foothills in Sequoia National Park.
• Cell service and wifi is extremely limited in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks. During our ten days in the region, we had no cell or wifi access. If you use a trail app such as AllTrails, download maps ahead of time. As mentioned above, don’t hesitate to stop by a visitor center or ranger station to get up-to-date information before heading out on the trail.
• Permits are not required for day hiking in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (except for Mount Whitney), but are for overnight trips. Visit the Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks website for information about obtaining permits.
• Have fun, be safe, and enjoy hiking in our beautiful national parks!

WHEN TO GO

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks offer great hiking from late spring through fall. In winter, most trails are shrouded in snow. Visit in the fall or late spring for fewer crowds. Weather during these times is generally moderate, but beware: conditions in the mountains can change quickly. You may experience unseasonably hot or cold weather at any time of year, even within the same day!

Summer is peak season, but there are still many off-the-beaten track places to escape the crowds. Go early in the day for more solitude, and to avoid the heat. Kings Canyon National Park and the Foothills region of Sequoia National Park can be scorching during the summer! While the weather is usually dry and sunny, occasional thunder storms roll through, so check the weather report at a ranger station or visitor center before heading out.

Forest fires are a potential concern throughout the summer and fall. In September of 2021, the KNP Complex fire swept through Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Thankfully many areas of the parks were spared, including some of the most treasured giant Sequoias. Some of the hikes listed here may have been affected by the fire, so check the Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks website for updates.

NEARBY & NOTABLE

• There are many more hiking opportunities in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks. To find more great trails, check out the AllTrails website. For day hiking, I recommend the book Hike the Parks: Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Parks by Scott Turner. For trip planning and other information, I recommend Moon Sequoia & Kings Canyon by Leigh Bernacchi.
• To fully appreciate Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, you need to spend at least a few days here. There are a few lodges, and many wonderful campgrounds. We stayed at Azalea Campground and Hume Lake Campground, and recommend both.
• Hume Lake, located in Sequoia National Forest, is a hub of activity in the area, with camping, swimming, paddling, and hiking. Hume Lake Christian Camps offers a gas station, small store, and several fast food options, all available to the general public. Check out my Explorer’s Guide to Hume Lake for more information.
• Boyden Cavern is a great place to escape the summer heat. For full day itinerary for visiting Kings Canyon National Park, including touring Boyden Cavern, see my guide to plan One Amazing Day in Kings Canyon National Park.

WATERFALL HIKES

• Mist Falls
  This gorgeous nine-mile round trip hike leads to an impressive waterfall in the heart of Kings Canyon.
• Tokopah Falls
  Depending on the time of year, Tokopah Falls could be roaring or a mere trickle. In either case, it’s a gorgeous hike.
• One Amazing Day in Kings Canyon
  This full day tour of Kings Canyon National Park includes a stop at Grizzly Falls and a brief hike to Roaring River Falls.

GIANT SEQUOIA HIKES

• General Grant Loop
  This paved loop showcases some of the largest sequoias in the parks, including the General Grant Tree.
• General Sherman Tree
  This popular paved loop also features some of the most impressive giant sequoias on earth.
• Crescent & Log Meadows
  Stately sequoias line these two meadows. Check out Tharp’s Log to see how one fallen giant was repurposed as a cabin.
• Big Stump Loop
  Get an up close appreciation for the scale of these giant sequoias by climbing atop the remains of the Mark Twain Tree.

EASY & ACCESSIBLE HIKes

• General Grant Loop
  The loop trail at General Grant Grove, home to some of the world’s largest sequoias, is paved and follows a gentle slope.
• General Sherman Tree
  While there are a few stair steps and some gentle hills, this paved path through a giant sequoia grove is mostly accessible.
• Beetle Rock
  To reach Beetle Rock, you can either hike an easy (but not accessible) trail, or simply take the paved path from the nearby parking lot.
• Crescent & Log Meadows
  An accessible trail edges along the meadows. A longer loop trail offers easy hiking with little elevation gain.
• Panoramic Point
  The short trail to beautiful Panoramic Point is paved, although it does follow a somewhat steep incline at times.
• Big Stump Loop
  While not fully accessible, this is a short, easy hike that many will enjoy. For an even shorter option, hike only to the Mark Twain Tree and back.
• Zumwalt Meadow
  The latter part of the trail along the meadow is rocky, but the first part to the river is easy and flat.

BEST VIEW HIKES

• Moro Rock
  This is one of the most popular hikes in Sequoia National Park, and it’s easy to see why — the Sierra Mountain views here are jaw-dropping!
• Buena Vista
  With far fewer visitors than Moro Rock, Buena Vista Peak is a great place to soak in the views and explore among the granite boulders.
• Panoramic Point
  Come at sunrise or just before sunset to enjoy golden views across the Sierra Mountains and Kings Canyon.
• Beetle Rock
  Take a short hike or walk from the parking lot to this oft-overlooked viewpoint in Sequoia National Park.
• Mist Falls
  This hike may not lead to a mountaintop viewpoint, but the scenery as you traverse Kings Canyon is epic.
• One Amazing Day in Kings Canyon
  OK, this is really a full day driving tour with multiple stops and short hikes, but the views in Kings Canyon are stunning!

HIKING & SWIMMING

• Tokopah Falls
  This trail offers easy access to the Marble Fork Kaweah River, with wonderful swimming holes near Lodgepole Campground.
• Foothills
  Take a short trail walk to crystal clear swimming holes along the Kaweah River and discover Native American pictographs.
• Hume Lake
  The loop trail around Hume Lake offers easy access to swimming beaches and more.
• Mist Falls
  The water may be cold, but on a hot day a dip in the pool below Mist Falls is unbeatable.
• One Amazing Day in Kings Canyon
  On your trip through Kings Canyon, don’t forget to stop by Muir Rock for a jump into the Kings River!

MEADOW HIKES

• Crescent & Log Meadows
  These lovely meadows are the highlight of this easy hike. Don’t miss Tharp’s Log, a cabin contained entirely within a fallen giant sequoia.
• Zumwalt Meadow
  Flanked by the granite cliffs of Kings Canyon, Zumwalt Meadow is a spectacular sight.
• Big Stump Loop
  As you explore the big stumps along this trail, you’ll also pass some lovely small meadows.