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

Glad we stopped here for a look see during our overnight stay...it was a perfect way to wind down…read moreafter a long drive from Redondo Beach. The sunset was just an hour away so we had time to explore the area, walk to the river, enjoy the sound of the rushing water and snap photos of pretty scenery. You could easily spend a couple hours here picnicking, frolicking in the river or walking the area stopping every once in a while to gaze at the wildflowers and wilderness around you. Parking is easy (don't forget to pay the nominal fee) and DO bring a flashlight if you plan on staying past sunset...it's dark in them thar hills, canyons, wherever you are. Lovely to enjoy the silence, snap some photos and enjoy the sunset.

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!

Crystal Cave was closed for 4 years for renovations and reopened last season. We made reservations…read morefor this year as soon as they opened the roster. My boyfriend is very interested in exploring different caves & caverns and I thought this would be a fun weekend getaway for us. There is a long trail down to the mouth of the cave, the decent is not too bad, but it is quite a trek back up. The trail is about half a mile to the cave opening and half a mile back up. When you check in for your tour (tickets are not sold at the cave and must be purchased in advance) they go over some safety information and tour information. The staff has you cleanse the soles of your shoes prior to heading down to the cave to help prevent white nose syndrome to the bats that inhabit the cave. On the trail down there are many beautiful sights including waterfalls. I would recommend stopping at the sights on the way back up when breaks from the steep trail will be needed. The trail back up is not the most difficult we have endured, but it is up there on the list due to the steepness of the path. There is a large area at the mouth of the cave for the tour group to gather with the guide who is waiting at the gate for you. No items besides cameras and plastic water bottles are permitted within the cave and must be left outside the gate during your 50 minute cave tour. There is a large gate that the guide will unlock and you will walk through to enter the cave. The gate is a huge spiderweb with a large spider in the center, it was really wicked. Crystal Cave has crystal clear water running through it, you could see the marble that is natural there that the water has washed out over the years, as well as many stalagmites & stalactites, cave bacon, cave popcorn and many other interesting formations that have taken hundreds of thousands of years to form. Among the many caverns & caves we have toured this one was very different with the marble and flowing water within. Shirley was our tour guide, and though she was new she was so passionate and knowledgeable about the cave!

Great little trail that we used the All Trails map which I highly suggest you have since the map is…read morelive even if there is no reception. You will easily get lost if you don't have it. So many trails run off from the main trail. No facilities so plan ahead and do your business beforehand. Parking: Got there at 7:30am on a Saturday. Only a few cars there. When we left at 11:00am, the parking lot was full with about 10 cars in there. Plus it's so hot. So start early on a mid September morning. Bugs: For sure bring a head net. I had one and my two friends were suffering. I'd say it was 80% if the time, the bugs were all on the trail. Our big spray seemed to attract then and not deter them. Saw a large tarantula near the one of two picnic tables. Clothes: Be sure to wear a hat. It is pretty hot with only a few trees for shade. Also wear long pants with tall socks to avoid ticks and dust. Water: Brought two 24oz water bottles and that was enough on a 80 degree morning. Food: We bought snacks like a breakfast burrito to enjoy at the picnic tables. The Trail: If you go counter clockwise, it's a slow accent. Challenging and dusty. On the way down, it's a bit slippery so I used my hiking poles. So glad I brought them!

There is a trail along the river all the way to Muir Road at the Road's End. It's an easy to medium…read morehike. We passed by bridges, giant rocks and a beautiful meadow. The meadow itself is magnificent with grass field and hills. Half of the trail was not shaded, so be prepared to get some radiation shields (SPF, hats and sunglasses)

One Effn winding road (180) to get to Zumwalt Meadow and it's not only winding ( if you get car…read moresick , this road might be tough ) the road is on the edge of the cliff most of the time. Why is it worth the drive ? Cuz it's simply beautiful and way less crowded than Yosemite. Depends on the time of the year we have this place all to ourselves. Even though 180 is winding, the views of the mountains and the Kings River from this part of the road is spectacular. Just a few more miles further from Zumwalt , you'll find the trailhead to the Mist Falls Trail ( not to be mistaken from Mist Trail in Yosemite).

Parking is hard at the trailhead. there are lot of cars parking along the road. there is shuttle…read morebus available but I'm not sure about the frequency. Moro Rock Trail is not a difficult trail with 350 steps up a huge granite dome, some part of the steps are very narrow. There are several tiny spots for people to stop and rest. The view is stunning along the hike.

An absolute must! I…read morecan't stop talking about how much I enjoyed this scenic viewpoint! The hike requires you to hike up 350 steps which is approximately 0.25 miles and 350 steps down which is approximately 0.25 miles down which is 0.50 miles! I saw children and senior citizens hiking up the trail. Hiking sticks were not necessary! You can definitely go at your own pace. There are parts of the stairs where you would need to let people go first. Otherwise, wonderful trail!! Parking can be challenging. Many cars parked along the side of the road. There are many more trails to choose from if this particular trail was too short. Definitely add it to your hiking list if you are visiting sequoia national park.

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 Sequoia National Park was one of the absolute highlights. The drive into the park is spectacular. Climbing from the valley into the Sierra Nevada, the scenery changes with every curve of the road until suddenly you find yourself surrounded by forests of giant sequoias. It is an unforgettable entrance and sets the stage for everything that follows. We stayed between Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and dedicated five full days to exploring both. It was the perfect amount of time because every day brought new trails, new views, and another reason to stop in amazement. Of course, we visited the famous groves, including General Sherman, the largest tree on Earth by volume. Even though these areas are popular, we purposely visited before schools were out for the summer and avoided weekends, so the crowds were very manageable. Even so, my favorite hikes were the quieter ones, where there were fewer people and it felt like I had the forest almost to myself. There is something deeply humbling about standing among these giants. Some of these trees have been alive for more than 2,000 years. They were already ancient long before our country even existed. I found myself slowing down, placing my hand on their massive trunks, sitting quietly, and simply absorbing the peace of the forest. Whether or not trees have energy is up to each person to decide, but I certainly left feeling calmer, smaller, and full of wonder. Beyond the giant sequoias, the park offers spectacular granite cliffs, rushing rivers, alpine meadows, waterfalls, and an incredible variety of wildlife. Every trail seemed to reveal something different, making each hike feel like its own adventure. Sequoia National Park is more than just a place to check off a list. It is a place to slow down, look up, breathe deeply, and remember just how extraordinary nature can be. If you have the time, don't rush through it. Spend several days exploring both Sequoia and neighboring Kings Canyon. The giant trees may be the stars of the park, but the entire landscape is magnificent. This is one of those parks that stays with you long after you leave.

A day of driving down Highway 180. Found scenic turnouts, a beautiful river, Boyden Cavern, lovely…read moreplants, scenic views and of course giant sequoia trees! Boyden Cavern has a super steep walkway entrance. So for those of you with any physical issues it could be a huge problem. (We didn't go inside this trip) The view of the river from this area is lovely. They also have a gift shop with various treasures and bathroom stalls near the parking lot. This part of the road is only open part of the year. From late April to mid November depending on the snow fall level. Definitely bring your own water, snacks and a bag lunch. Can't beat the view!

An awesome family tour of Sequoia National Park enriched with an excellent tour guide, Pani of…read moremountain trekking adventures! We all learned so much about the history and geology of this vast Park. Having a knowledgeable tour guide really eliminates any stress of searching for features you want to see! Our party of 10 agreed we had the best park trip ever with Pani guiding us through the exceptional features of Sequoia national park. We are spoiled now and highly recommend mountain trekking adventures for anyone going to the Sequoia national Park or Kings Canyon national parks.

What an incredible experience! It's truly a gift to have a guide who has spent their life living in…read moreand exploring these mountains. It's a rare and priceless opportunity to be shown this special area by someone so connected and committed to the place. Pani's guidance is truly from the heart, and when you add his lifetime of experience exploring here, you have a guided tour that cannot be matched elsewhere. His love of the place is infectious and he's fun, flexible and kind. So thankful to have had him as our guide!

My family has been camping at Buckeye Flats Campground for over 50 years, starting with my grandma…read moreand her best friend Sylvia. The scenery is beautiful, the river is peaceful, and the campground has a charm that keeps us coming back year after year. It's a special place full of memories for our family.

Best camping place ever it's a wonderful place to take the entire family of just the wife..read more