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Towering giants, granite domes, and scenic overlooks — if you’re planning a Sequoia National Park itinerary and only have one day, it’s absolutely doable. With an early start and the right route, you can see all of the park’s most iconic highlights without feeling rushed.
I visited Sequoia in May 2025 with a friend, entering from the southern entrance near Visalia. We explored massive sequoias, climbed stunning rock formations, and checked off all the major stops by early afternoon — then continued on to Kings Canyon National Park for the second half of the day.
In this guide, you’ll find my exact route, pro tips for avoiding crowds, driving and parking logistics, and lodging options near the park. Whether you’re combining parks or just focusing on Sequoia, this one-day itinerary will help you make the most of your visit.
ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS
START YOUR DAY EARLY: ENTER FROM THE SOUTH
SEQUOIA ENTRANCE SIGN
We hit the road from Visalia around 6:00am and entered Sequoia National Park from the southern entrance — the most direct route into the park’s iconic Giant Forest area. Our first stop was the Sequoia National Park entrance sign, a classic photo opp to kick off the day. There’s a small pullout here where you can safely park and snap your picture.
Pro Tip: Cell service is basically nonexistent beyond this point, so this is a good place to load your maps and queue up directions to your first stop.
TUNNEL ROCK
Just minutes past the entrance sign, you’ll come to Tunnel Rock — a massive boulder arching over the road. This isn’t the famous drive-through tunnel (that’s Tunnel Log), but it’s still a fun, quick stop for photos. There’s a pullout and a short walkway so you can walk under and around the rock for different angles.
Time Budget: Both of these stops are quick — about 5–10 minutes each.
BEAT THE CROWDS TO MORO ROCK + HANGING ROCK
MORO ROCK
From Tunnel Rock, continue climbing the winding mountain road to Moro Rock, one of the park’s most breathtaking viewpoints. Parking is limited — the Moro Rock lot has fewer than 20 spaces — so getting here early is key. We arrived at 8:00am and had plenty of room to park. By the time we finished our hike at 8:45am, the lot was completely full.
If the lot is full, your next best option is the Giant Forest Museum parking area, located 1.6 miles away. During the summer months, you can use the park’s free shuttle system to get around — check the shuttle schedule here.
The Moro Rock Trail is short but steep: roughly 0.5 miles round trip with about 350 steps that lead you to a jaw-dropping panoramic view. Along the way, there are railings for safety, but it’s narrow in places, and not recommended for those with a fear of heights. That said, it’s absolutely worth it — the 360-degree views of the Great Western Divide and Sierra wilderness are unforgettable.
🎥 Watch my hike to the top of Moro Rock
👉 YouTube: Climbing Moro Rock
HANGING ROCK
After finishing the Moro Rock hike, we stayed parked and walked about 5 minutes up the road to the Hanging Rock Trailhead. The trail itself is super short — maybe 0.1 miles round trip — but leads to another spectacular viewpoint.
This spot feels like a hidden gem. There wasn’t much signage directing us there, and it’s easy to miss if you don’t know it’s there. The view from Hanging Rock rivals Moro Rock but with a much quieter, more peaceful vibe.
Time Budget: ~45 minutes for both hikes if you start early.
EXPLORE THE ICONIC GIANT FOREST TREES
This stretch of the itinerary is what Sequoia National Park is known for — massive sequoia trees that make you feel absolutely tiny. Most of these stops are clustered near the Giant Forest area, so they’re quick to get between.
PARKER GROUP
Just a short drive from Moro Rock, the Parker Group is a beautiful cluster of sequoias that’s perfect for a quick photo stop. There’s a small pull-off where you can park and walk up close to the trees. It’s usually quieter here than at the more popular Sherman Tree area, and the trees are just as jaw-dropping.
TUNNEL LOG
A must-do! Just a few minutes from the Parker Group, you’ll find Tunnel Log — a massive fallen sequoia that’s been hollowed out so cars can drive through it. You can either drive through (fun for photos) or park nearby and walk through on foot. It’s cheesy and classic in the best way.
Pro Tip: This one gets busy later in the day, so hit it before 10am if you want it (mostly) to yourself.
BIG TREES TRAIL
Next up is Big Trees Trail, one of the most underrated stops in the park for trees. This easy 0.6-mile loop circles around a beautiful meadow, lined with interpretive signs about the giant sequoias. The trail is flat and accessible, making it a great break after hiking up Moro Rock. It’s especially scenic in the morning when the light filters through the trees.
GENERAL SHERMAN TREE
You can’t visit Sequoia without seeing the General Sherman Tree — the largest tree on Earth by volume. The main trail is about 0.5 miles downhill from the upper parking lot, but don’t forget, it’s uphill on the way back.
The area can get crowded, but the tree itself is worth the hype. It’s massive, photogenic, and surrounded by other enormous sequoias.
Time Budget: ~1.5 to 2 hours total for all four stops.
OPTIONAL BONUS: GENERAL GRANT TREE + PANORAMIC POINT
If you have extra time or plan to continue on to Kings Canyon National Park (like we did), these two spots make a great bonus add-on. Both are located within the Grant Grove area of Kings Canyon, roughly 45 minutes to an hour north of the Giant Forest.
GENERAL GRANT TREE
The General Grant Tree is the second largest tree in the world by volume and is known as “The Nation’s Christmas Tree.” It’s part of a short, paved 0.3-mile loop trail with plenty of photo ops and informative signage. It’s a great stop if you’re transitioning into Kings Canyon and want one last hit of sequoia magic.
Pro Tip: The loop is flat and shaded, making it one of the more accessible big tree experiences in either park.
PANORAMIC POINT OVERLOOK
If you’re feeling ambitious, drive up the narrow road to Panoramic Point, a short 0.5-mile round-trip walk to a wide-open overlook. The views are nice — sweeping mountain ranges and forested valleys — but in our opinion, it doesn’t top the wow factor of Moro Rock or even Hanging Rock. If you’re short on time, this would be the first stop to cut.
Time Budget: ~1 hour for both stops combined, not including the drive.
WHERE TO STAY NEAR SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK
If you’re planning to follow this one-day itinerary, choosing the right home base can make or break your experience. We stayed in Visalia, which gave us easy early morning access to the southern entrance — and we were inside the park by 7am. But there are several great options depending on your route, budget, and travel style:
VISALIA
A great choice if you’re coming from the south and want hotel amenities, restaurants, and a solid jumpstart into the park. We flew into LAX (Los Angeles) and stayed in Visalia.
- Popular picks:
👉 Check rates for hotels in Visalia
THREE RIVERS
Located just outside the Ash Mountain Entrance (south entrance to the park), Three Rivers is even closer than Visalia, though lodging here is more limited and rustic.
- Great for: Early entry and proximity to the Giant Forest
👉 Book lodging in Three Rivers
FRESNO
Ideal if you plan to visit both Sequoia and Kings Canyon, since it’s located between the two. Fresno has more lodging options, but it’s a longer drive into Sequoia. (1.5 hours to south entrance of Sequoia and 1 hour to the entrance of Kings Canyon.)
- Best for: Budget travelers or multi-park access
👉 Find hotels in Fresno
IN-PARK LODGING
Want to stay inside the park? Book early — these fill up fast.
- Wuksachi Lodge (Sequoia NP) – Upscale lodge near the Giant Forest
👉 Check availability at Wuksachi Lodge - John Muir Lodge (Kings Canyon NP) – Rustic, convenient stay in Grant Grove
👉 Check rates at John Muir Lodge
CAMPING
There are several campgrounds within Sequoia and Kings Canyon, but most require advance reservations. For early morning access, Lodgepole Campground is one of the most central.
DRIVING TIMES + TIPS FOR ONE DAY IN SEQUOIA
Planning ahead can make or break your one-day visit — Sequoia’s winding mountain roads and limited parking can slow things down if you’re not prepared. Here’s what you need to know:
APPROXIMATE DRIVE TIMES (FROM STOP TO STOP)
- Visalia to Sequoia Entrance Sign: ~45 minutes (36 miles)
- Entrance Sign to Tunnel Rock: 5-10 minutes
- Tunnel Rock to Moro Rock: 45 minutes (steep, winding road)
- Moro Rock to Parker Group: 5 minutes
- Parker Group to Tunnel Log: 5 minutes
- Tunnel Log to Big Trees Trail: 5-10 minutes
- Big Trees Trail to General Sherman Tree: 5-10 minutes
- Giant Forest to General Grant Tree (Kings Canyon): 50 minutes
- Grant Tree to Panoramic Point: 15 minutes up a narrow road
TIPS FOR A SMOOTH VISIT
- Start early: The earlier you arrive, the more peaceful and empty the park will feel.
- Parking fills up fast: Especially at Moro Rock, General Sherman, and Tunnel Log.
- Use the shuttles in summer: They’re free and save time when parking lots are full.
👉 Check the current shuttle schedule - Pack snacks and water: Services are very limited once you’re inside the park.
- Download maps offline: There’s little to no service after the entrance station.
- Drive carefully: Roads are narrow, curvy, and often shared with wildlife.
READY TO PLAN YOUR SEQUOIA ADVENTURE?
Whether you’re road-tripping through California or checking another national park off your list, this Sequoia National Park itinerary will help you maximize one unforgettable day. From massive trees to sweeping views, you’ll hit the park’s most iconic highlights — and still have time to explore more if you’re up for it.
Have questions about visiting Sequoia? Drop them in the comments — I’d love to help!
And if you’re planning a multi-park trip, don’t miss my full guide to Kings Canyon National Park in one day (coming soon).
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This blog post may contain affiliate links, which are at no cost to you. It just helps support me so I can continue to put out free content for you like this! Thank you for your support!