My husband, my son, and I spent four unforgettable days hiking in Yosemite National Park. We…read moreabsolutely love hiking, and being surrounded by nature always brings out the best in us. Day 1: We hiked 7.2 miles exploring several smaller trails. We also took the train ride for about an hour, which was so relaxing. The highlight of the day was seeing a black bear. Day 2: We hiked Half Dome all the way to the cables a total of 17 miles. It was by far the hardest hike we've ever done, but every step was worth it. Along the way we passed Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall, both absolutely breathtaking. The hike back was tough on our knees, but we kept a positive attitude and finished strong. Day 3: We hiked Tuolumne Grove Trail and then Glacier Point to Union Point. The round trip was 8 miles, with plenty of uphill climbing on the way back. That night we stayed to watch the shooting stars around 10 p.m., and it was magical. We also saw an adorable baby bear cub. Day 4: We hiked Mariposa Grove Trail to Wawona Point, completing 8 miles. Walking among the giant sequoia trees was an incredible experience that I highly recommend. The trail is moderate and absolutely beautiful. We also spotted a deer. By the end of our trip, we had hiked 40.2 miles in four days. Our legs were exhausted, but our hearts were full. Every mile, every view, and every wildlife encounter made this adventure unforgettable. Yosemite reminded us why we love hiking nature has a way of bringing out the best in us.

Haven't visited in late spring or early summer in years, and it was absolutely breathtaking. The…read moremeadows were lush and green, the waterfalls were flowing, and the weather was perfect. Yosemite never gets old. It was such a nice change after visiting the park in the winter for the past several years. Already can't wait to be back again soon! We visited Father's Day weekend and got into the park around 6:30 AM. We parked near Yosemite Falls Lodge, and there was plenty of parking at that time. It didn't start filling up until after 8:00 AM, so getting there early was definitely worth it. We pretty much had Lower Yosemite Falls to ourselves while we ate breakfast. We took the shuttle to Mist Trails and ended up doing the hike up to the top of Nevada Falls.

The staff was very friendly. The tour guide shared a lot of interesting information. The…read moreunderground tunnels and gardens were fascinating. The price was worth it so that this place can be kept up for hundreds of more years. I was very impressed with what Mr. Forestiere did with his hands. The bottom chamber was 20-25 degrees cooler than above ground. Trees are over a hundred years old and still producing fruit. What a great and unique piece of history right here in Fresno CA.

This place blew me away. I had Rhanda (I think that's the spelling) as a guide and she was SO…read moreterrific. This is a historical landmark and she walked me through every room with great detail on the origin story and the rooms we were in. One of the best tour guides I've had. I have never experienced anything this - you have to really appreciate the amount of work, design and detail by Baldassare Forestiere - truly a feat! Very grateful the family makes this available for tours. Highly recommend if you appreciate gardening, architecture, art, engineering etc. They also did a great job of reminding me of my appointment and following up afterwards. If in Fresno area, this is a don't miss!!

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!

I haven't been to Sequoia National Park in 15 years, and the last time we were here we were on the…read moreother side of the park. This time we entered through the Visalia side and planned to see Crystal Cave & go for the Stargazing experience in the evening. Sequoia is a beautiful park. We spent all day in the park. Our Cave tour was at 3pm and our Stargazing was at the lodge at 9pm. They had a separate line at the entrance for guests who prepurchase or had NP passes which was nice and cut down entrance times. Though we only visited a small section of the park on this trip it was all beautiful. We drove around, visited Crystal Cave (advanced tickets required), The General Sherman Tree, Stargazing Night Talk at the Lodge, as well as the general store. We saw some of the biggest trees we have ever encountered. Walked many different trails, saw a beautiful sunset, and spent an hour watching stars with an astronomer who pointed out many constellations and provided insight on them. Overall it was an incredible experience, and I can't wait to be able to explore more at a later date.

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

Enjoyed a relaxing afternoon in this peaceful and serene garden. Listening to the water, and seeing…read morethe peacocks, koi fish, geese, squirrels, birds, and dragonflies takes you away from the hustle and bustle of the day. I purchased an annual pass for $50.00 and allows guests and a photographer pass. Looking forward to coming again with friends.

This is a beautiful and well-maintained garden within the Woodward Park. I really enjoyed my time…read morewalking around there. There were so many types of ducks, geese, and peacocks walking around. Also saw turtles and koi fishes. It's indeed a beautiful garden. The entry fee was affordable. I just wished they mention that paying with a credit card would incur a fee. I could have paid with cash instead.

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 to do on the Fourth of July? Join the horde of other visitors at a National Park!…read more We started on our way early enough to be at the gate to Kings Canyon National Park by 8:38 AM. I highly suggest arriving as early as possible to avoid slow & stopped traffic on the road and a long wait time at the gate. We entered here and left from Sequoia National Park. As we drove out, we were struck by the sheer volume of cars waiting to enter the park. The last car waiting was about a mile away!! There is an entrance fee to pay for most people. U.S. Military personnel and individuals with the Access Lifetime Pass enter for free. We have a National Park Pass, so we were good to enter. The signs with prices are posted at the gate. TIP: Bring a major Credit Card or Mobile Payment because this is a cashless park. The road is windy, so take care while driving. I'd also like to recommend that slower vehicles use the pullouts so others can pass. We stopped in at the Kings Canyon Visitor Center & Grant Grove Village for a potty break and to check out souvenirs and information there. There's also a restaurant here if you need sustenance for your day. If you need Wi-Fi, you can connect here. Otherwise, reception is spotty at best out in the park! There are so many majestic Sequoia Trees to enjoy! This park is home to a famous tree named General Grant. We came to take in its grandeur! This is the third largest tree in the world by volume! By viewing this tree, I've now seen the world's widest-known Sequoia! Things to see while taking a leisurely stroll around General Grant Trail, which is about a 0.7-mile loop: *General Grant Tree - named after General Ulysses S. Grant & is a Living Shrine *Gamlin Cabin - built in 1872 by the Gamlin brothers, who lived there until 1878. This park was established as General Grant National Park in 1890. The cabin was turned into a store and later became the first Park Ranger's quarters. *Centennial Stump *Fallen Monarch - view the log which is the upper part of the tree is down slope from the Grant Tree. There are many trails and places to explore in this park! Enjoy the great outdoors!

ADA compliant park... my daughter is paraplegic, but is super independent and can self prepare…read moreherself in her wheelchair, along with transferring by herself in and out of swings and the playground... it also has a super safe swingset for her.... only negative review is it's covered in duck poop and sometimes we have to duck and dodge with the wheelchair. The sandbox also is a kitty litter box for all the local cats so don't let your kids play in that....

Cute areas for toddlers and kids Very clean wit onsite…read morestaff Lots of shade and area for picnics

We visited Crystal Cave on Monday, June 8, 2026, and had a fantastic experience. Our guide, AJ, was…read morefabulous--knowledgeable, engaging, and made the tour both fun and informative. The walk down to the cave is about a half-mile and fairly steep, but it's absolutely worth it. The beautiful waterfall along the trail was an unexpected highlight and made the hike even more enjoyable. Crystal Cave itself is amazing and well worth the visit. The formations are incredible, and the tour provides fascinating insight into the cave's history and geology. The ticket price is very reasonable, and knowing that the proceeds help support conservation and educational programs makes it even better. I highly recommend Crystal Cave to anyone visiting the area! Maybe you'll be lucky snd AJ will be your guide too!

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!

I enjoyed my time, just sitting down and enjoying God's scenery. It was a very busy weekend here…read more Couldn't really get any good fishing in because there was too many boats and jet skis in the water. Plus, this is my first time here driving out, trying out new places to go fishing. It was a hot day so it brought out everyone grills were going. People were in the water. This is when everybody was about to pack up where we were sitting at so that's why you don't see anything in the picture but I enjoyed myself my husband got nibbles and bites, but nothing hooked on his head line a lot of little fish in the water.. but the scenery is what made it so wonderful

Every year Varys on water level this year it is full to the max it's always a great time any time…read morewe go plenty of spaces for bbq plenty of bathrooms I always bring my family here

Buyer beware. This business does not post their cancellation policy anywhere on their website or in…read moretheir terms and conditions. However, upon booking you will get an email that your deposit in nonrefundable. I attempted to cancel 3 weeks later, I am a first responder and was supporting a fire emergency, and was told no. Note, this was still 2 full months ahead of the trip, not a last minute cancellation. I'm disappointed at their dishonest business practices. This all could have been avoided if they were up front about their cancellation policy instead of just dropping it on you after you've already made a deposit.

Terrible! Dirty Rooms, paid extra l for a resort fee and the pool and spa were both Ice Cold…read more Service was poor. Don't stay! There are much better places for less money and working pools