Day Hikes

Sequoia & Kings Canyon are an absolute paradise for hikers. This is not only because the parks have a huge network of trails -- some 800 miles' worth -- but also because of the vast and relatively untouched wilderness here. In fact, over 85% of the parks' land -- some 736,980 acres -- is designated wilderness, accessible only to those on foot or horseback. But it's wrong to assume that this means the parks are only for the hard-core backpacker. In fact, you can see quite a bit of the parks on a number of short walks and day hikes. In many cases, after just 5 minutes on the trail, you'll feel you've left the civilized world behind. At almost any point that you choose to venture away from the highway, you're likely to find an abundance of natural wonders: colorful flora, interesting fauna, and beautiful landscape created over millions of years of solitude. Below, we suggest day hikes that will help you experience the best these parks have to offer. A trail map can be very helpful; some trail intersections are confusing, and signs can disappear.

Big Trees Trail and the trail to General Sherman Tree are wheelchair accessible, but several paved trails in the Giant Forest area can also be negotiated by wheelchair, depending on individual ability. Visit www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm for additional information.