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.

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

On a dark and snowy day....Okay so it wasn't snowy...and the roads were clear, but the snow was…read moredefinitely piling up on this late December day. The visitor center was a welcome respite with working and open restrooms (clean!), and the visitor center in full swing. In this center, there is a desk with topographical maps and a park ranger available to answer questions. I had a few and the ranger patiently and fully answered every question I had...once again proving why National Park staff are the best! There is a really nice but small gift show (I'm thinking it is run by the conservancy, but I didn't really pay attention. Lovely mugs, stuffed animals (called stuffies if you're Gen A), socks, beanie hats, earrings and many books. Beyond the desk and gift show, there's a wonderful space to watch educational videos and learn more about the area, and a hands-on museum for kids of all ages to teach you about the history and nature of the area. My child loved the brass statues of animals, and made me pet every single one before we left. Make sure you head all the way to the back--there's an activity room that has an amazing mural. Take your time and see how many animals you can spot--pika, yellow bellied marmot, mountain lion, black bear, woodpecker, rattlesnake, frog, ringtail and so many more...that you may see when you are out exploring the park. There is more than enough parking....well for today anyways. I've been here in the summer when parking is hard to find. Across the way, there's the official park gift shop, a restaurant (fairly newly refurbished but closed for the winter), a post office, and a general store with basic camping supplies, food, snacks, and a few other items. If you are entering the Kings Canyon/Sequoia National Park from Hwy 180, or if you've driven up from the southern part of this tri-park system, this is a really good place to stretch your legs, learn a little, stock up on supplies, and grab a snack. 5 stars!

Great visitor center, shop, museum, and overall facility. Helpful ranger helped us plan our 1.5…read moredays to help us get the most out of the SEKI area - their advice helped us avoid the majority of crowds and gave us the best flavor for such a short time. A must-stop before you go along on your adventure. Nice restrooms are attached to the VC and there is a separate restaurant, gift store, and small grocer across the street.

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!

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.

I love Visitor Centers but I think this one's focus is more on preserving you over heightening your…read moreexperience on your visit. I gave a friend a hand drawn map to a waterfall. My friend traveled 250 plus miles to see it. The staff here discouraged her from going because it's "dangerous." Next: I ask them about a waterfall near Nelder Grove. The employee tells me she's been there one hundred times. There is no waterfall! The map from the Friends of Nelder Grove website said it existed. I went out there, followed a trail that started next to a creek bed and found the Fall! Unless you want a restaurant recommendation, pass this Center by!

The folks that work here are probably the friendliest greeters I've experienced at a Visitor's…read moreCenter. Their knowledge and tips made our trip to Yosemite more enjoyable, without the hassle of getting lost or wondering what are the most significant views at Yosemite. Definitely, Mariposa Grove sounded like the best to drive, if you have a handicapped placard and other notable sites with waterfalls or majestic views. It's worth stopping into visitor centers to screen out difficult walks or those locations which may not be as worthy, such as the swinging bridge.

Visited the Tunnel Log in Sequoia National Park and it's definitely one of those unique, must-see…read morespots when you're in the area. The idea of driving through a fallen giant sequoia tree is pretty surreal and makes for a great photo opportunity. The area is easy to access, and the drive-through experience itself is quick but memorable. It's fascinating to see how massive these trees are up close--you really don't grasp their size until you're right there. That said, it can get crowded, especially during peak hours, so expect a bit of waiting if you want to drive through or take photos. Also, while it's cool, it's more of a short stop rather than something you spend a lot of time at. Overall, it's a fun and iconic attraction that's worth checking out at least once if you're visiting Sequoia. Just plan for a quick visit and bring your camera.

There are cars waiting along the street to drive through the tree log. you can make a loop follow…read morethe bypass sign. There were people climbing on top of the log which was a bummer for those who wanted to take picture. overall, this is a fun experience

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!

Having never tempted your family from this direction, I stopped at the visitor center in Mariposa…read more So glad I did, Jacob was full of information, knowledge, and tips for both things local and for Yosemite. Got a bunch of brochures which I always love, and save, and got to look at and purchase some cool merch. Bonus: there is an awesome looking escape room right there. Do not miss this stop!!!

READ FOR PRO TIPS!!!…read more DO THE SCAVENGER HUNT! It's super fun (did it with our 9 & 10 year olds). It is normally $15 but you get a $5 discount if you ask for one. PLUS you get a free coupon per participant for ice cream at Happy Burger Diner and the ice cream scoop is HUGE!!! And 10% off your entire meal if you get anything else :) STAFF IS FRIENDLY They will hook you up! :) Enjoy!