First time for us four at Sequoia NP and we loved our experience in Crystal Cave. The staff overall…read moreloved what they do and you can tell. Right from the get go the staff welcomes your group and is telling you instructions to take care of yourself, your group and the caves/park. They greet you with enthusiasm and you learn so much. Please arrive on time! For parking there's quite a bit of spaces. There's restroom nearby so you can go before heading out. You can bring your backpack onto the trail but can't bring it inside the cave. So you can either bring it and leave it on the floor outside the cave or in your car. The trail can be a little challenging for some but very doable. Can be a little challenging for some children and some older adults. This also includes for the caves.The staff are there to watch for your safety but they do warn you about your surroundings. The cave is very cool to explore but there will be some tight spaces you will navigate through. So I don't recommend bringing a stroller and make sure your kids are able to walk and stay near. They will definitely enjoy the cool nature stuff inside! There's a gift shop stand near the entrance of the trail. You can buy nice souvenirs, snacks, and support! Overall we loved our tour and we would comeback again for this. Thank you to all the staff of Crystal Cave for all that you do and taking care of this natural beauty.

We made reservations to see the crystal cave and arrived early. They were able to move up our time…read morewhich was really nice since there's not much to do around there. Once it was time to hike down they made some general announcements and we met the guide at entrance of the cave. It was nice to have someone tell us the history of the cave and guide us through. The 20 minute hike down and up wasn't too bad and was completely doable for my 6 year old son. Overall, it was a unique experience and I'm glad we made the stop during our Sequoia trip!

As part of our quest to visit all 63 U.S. national parks, we set off on a six week road trip. I…read morehave a personal rule: I only count a national park as "visited" if I actually spend time there, hike or walk through it, and truly experience it. On this trip, we visited 14 national parks, and Kings Canyon National Park quickly became one of my favorites. We stayed five days between Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, which gave us plenty of time to explore both at a relaxed pace. Staying in the middle made it easy to enjoy everything the area has to offer. Kings Canyon is simply breathtaking. The drive into the canyon reminded me very much of Going to the Sun Road in Glacier National Park. Around every curve, another spectacular view appears. Towering granite cliffs rise dramatically above the canyon, while the Kings River rushes below with crystal clear water, waterfalls, cascades, and rapids. It is one of those roads where you constantly want to pull over just to admire the scenery. Yes, the giant sequoias are magnificent, but Kings Canyon offers something different. The combination of the massive granite walls, the river carving its way through the valley, lush forests, and peaceful meadows creates an entirely different experience from neighboring Sequoia. The two parks complement each other beautifully. We were fortunate to drive into the canyon on a Sunday morning before the crowds arrived, making the experience even more enjoyable. The traffic was light, and we were able to stop often, take our time, and truly appreciate the beauty around us. The following day we returned, only to discover road construction and long delays, so we definitely felt lucky with our timing. One thing I would encourage visitors to do is not stop at Sequoia National Park alone. Many people come to see the giant trees and then leave, missing one of the most spectacular drives in California. Kings Canyon deserves just as much attention. In my opinion, the two parks should always be visited together. Whether you come for the towering sequoias, the dramatic granite peaks, the roaring river, or the incredible scenic drive, Kings Canyon National Park delivers an unforgettable experience. It is peaceful, majestic, and one of those places that reminds you just how extraordinary our national parks truly are.

I've been to Sequoia once, long time ago, and I just recently found out there's another side of the…read morepark where you can see beautiful mountains, waterfalls, and rivers. We came during Memorial Day weekend, and thank God the entrance was free. Surprisingly, it wasn't too crowded even though it was a long weekend. We didn't get the chance to explore all the scenery because the wait at the restaurant inside the park was super long -- around 2 hours or so. We still managed to do a short hike at General Grant Grove and explored Boyden Cavern afterward. That ended up being the highlight of our short trip. I highly recommend the cave tour -- it was absolutely beautiful inside, and the history behind it was fascinating. We'll definitely be coming back next time for camping!

What a nice area to cool down and relax. My 8 year old daughter loved it. We went twice on our 5…read moreday stay there while visiting the Sequioa park. Water was perfect.

This place was literally such a gem for me and my family…read more My husband,brother, and I fished off some rocks, while our kids and my mom played by the large rocks a little further from the water . We packed lunches and ate by the water which was relaxing

If you haven't seen the largest tree(s) on earth, you are missing out, get your hiking boots on…read morecome witness some of the most beautiful trees and landscape to be found. Parking can be a beyotch, especially when the main lot is closed, but stay patient and people are coming and going constantly, but whatever you do... DO NOT PARK on the road itself. Don't do it. You can do small short hikes around the grove or during winter you can strap on some snow shoes, or crampons, based on conditions, and you can get further out into the grove or park itself. I just be prepared for whatever you're planning on doing that will guarantee you have a successful outing

Visited the General Sherman Tree at Sequoia National Park and overall it was a good experience, but…read morethere are definitely a few things to be aware of. The tree itself is truly impressive and worth seeing at least once--it's amazing to stand in front of something that massive and historic. That said, expect large crowds and long lines, especially during peak times. It can take a while just to get close enough for photos. Parking was also a challenge during our visit. Spots fill up quickly, so you may need to circle around or wait. We started from the top parking lot, and while going down is manageable, the hike back up is pretty exhausting, so be prepared for that. One downside was the restroom condition--they were quite dirty and looked like they hadn't been maintained well that day. Also, just a heads-up: not everyone we encountered was friendly, so patience helps in crowded areas. Despite these issues, it was still a memorable visit. Just plan ahead, bring water, and be ready for a bit of a workout.

Parking at the General Sherman Tree Parking Lot, then took The Congress Trail, you will first see…read moreMcKinley Tree, it's the center of the trail, which you can go to Lincoln and the the rest of the giant trees in the Congress Trail. It's about 1 mi to The President (third largest sequoia in the world, after General Sherman and General Grant). The Chief Sequoia is located a few steps from "The President", then further down the trail, you will see The House, The Senate (group features 7-8 giant sequoias clustered together). The whole loop is about 3 miles. Quite easy trail, with few easy incline.

This hike was much longer than I thought. But WOAH! The amazing Sequoias that you can see here are…read morejust priceless. If you have the time definitely try it.

We had an amazing time with Kaweah Whitewater Rafting! The entire experience was well organized,…read moreexciting, and a lot of fun. A special thank you to our guide, Gera, who was absolutely fantastic. He kept things fun and entertaining while making sure everyone felt safe and comfortable on the river. His energy, humor, and expertise made the trip even better. The rapids were a blast, and the scenery was beautiful. I highly recommend Kaweah Whitewater Rafting, and if you get Gera as your guide, you're in for a great time!

If you have never been rafting before, all I can say is please find a way to talk yourself into…read moresigning up for an afternoon with Kaweah Whitewater Adventures! We had a party of four first timers, My mom, myself, and my two boys (14 & 10) and we did the afternoon adventure. EVERYONE had an absolute blast. It was the highlight of our trip and one of the most fun things we have done in years. This really is an adventure. You will be bouncing all over the raft and working in sync as a team to line yourself up for the best past through wild waters. The guides are amazing at keeping everyone locked in and also sharing the beauty of the river. I cannot recommend this excursion enough! Some details on the family option: You drive in to their supervised lot, park your vehicle, and after 30 min of putting on gear and going through instructions you jump in the rafts and go down river for about 4 miles to the lake where you are picked up by a bus and brought back to the lot. The whole trip took about 2.5 hours but I would expect some variance. There were two spots in the run where you can jump in the water and swim around for a bit. One parting thought is that if you are in the area and you see the river you may think you have an idea of what it looks like, but I was truly taken aback by the beauty of the scenery from the perspective of the winding path of the river. You really do get to see a view that is just as unique and special as any park trail.

My sister and I took the intermediate course with Mountain Descents River Rafting, and it…read morecompletely exceeded our expectations. It was definitely more intense than I originally thought, but in a way that made the whole experience even more thrilling. Our guide, DJ (I think!), had a sense of humor that made the whole ride even more fun. We both left feeling exhilarated and already talking about doing it again next time we're visiting Sequoia.

Everyone was very chill, and more than knowledgeable. Plenty of range for experience…read more Definitely a must try.

A lot of people in Tulare County are familiar with Kaweah Oaks Preserve, but Sequoia Riverlands…read moreTrust actually oversees a few different preserves in this area. Dry Creek is one of them. Of the three that I have been to, Dry Creek Preserve is my favorite. The property has a caretaker which I like for safety purposes. It's nice to know you aren't on the property alone. They have a plant sale several times throughout the year and the plants are amazing. I have 7 of their SRT harvested plants in my backyard. I like to buy from them because the plants are native to the area and drought tolerant. The last few I bought were $9.95 each and they grow so well! There is a huge open parking lot near the caretaker's property.As you enter there is an information bulletin board with maps and two handicapped accessible restrooms with flush toilets. There are several trails on the property and the property is very open with natural foliage mostly concentrated down by the Kaweah River that runs through it. It's a great place to walk your dog, take photos, or have a picnic.