Hotels in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
In the parks, your options are fairly limited; the finite number of rooms and seemingly limitless number of peak-season visitors make for high occupancy and rates. And the fact that many of the parks' hostelries have historic designations means they might not fit some visitors' modern tastes.
For lodging information and reservations at Wuksachi Lodge in the Giant Forest area of Sequoia National Park, call tel. 866/807-3598 or 801/559-4930, or visit www.visitsequoia.com. For information on Grant Grove, John Muir, or Cedar Grove lodges in Kings Canyon National Park, call tel. 866/522-6966 or 559/335-5500, or visit www.sequoia-kingscanyon.com.
In the gateway cities, there is more variety, from dorm-style hostels to luxury ski resorts. House-swapping is a possibility in many of the gateway cities, especially Visalia and Oakhurst.
With campgrounds scattered throughout these national parks and the nearby Giant Sequoia National Monument, you should have little trouble finding a spot to pitch your tent or park your RV. However, be aware that no RV hookups are available in the parks or monument, and full-service commercial RV parks in the surrounding towns are in short supply. Those who prefer "roughing it" in comfortable hotels will find a variety of options, both within and outside the parks, ranging from inexpensive mom-and-pop-style motels to historic bed-and-breakfast inns and delightful mountain lodges. As for food, there are quite a few choices, so you should have no worries about going hungry.
The three primary gateway communities discussed in this guide are all along CA 198. Visalia, centered on a charming downtown, is 36 miles from Sequoia National Park's Ash Mountain Entrance and the largest city in the area, with the most facilities. Closer to the parks are Lemon Cove, 11 miles from the park border, and Three Rivers, 7 miles from the park border.
Note: From several miles inside the Ash Mountain Entrance to Giant Forest, the Generals Highway is narrow and winding and not recommended for vehicles more than 22 feet long; these should enter the parks from CA 180.
In the Nearby Gateway Towns
Reliable chains in Visalia include the Holiday Inn, 9000 W. Airport Dr. (tel. 559/651-5000), which has rates of $89 to $139 double; and the La Quinta Inn & Suites, 5438 W. Cypress Ave. (tel. 559/739-9800), charging $89 to $169 double. A solid independent motel, the Lamp Liter Inn, 3300 W. Mineral King Ave. (tel. 800/662-6692 or 559/732-4511; www.lampliter.net), features cabin suites set off from a nice pool courtyard for $189 and double rooms for $74 to $99. Lodging options in Three Rivers include the Western Holiday Lodge, 40105 Sierra Dr. (tel. 559/561-4119), which charges $99 to $199 double; and the Comfort Inn & Suites, 40820 Sierra Dr. (tel. 800/331-2140 or 559/561-9000), charging $99 to $129 double. All have lower rates in the winter.
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10 Results
- Hotel
Buckeye Tree Lodge
Immediately outside Sequoia National Park, the Buckeye has a vintage motel feel and a spectacular riverside location. To better appreciate that locale, all of the rooms have a patio or balcony looking out to the main fork of the Kaweah River. The sister property across the street,…$$In Nearby Gateway Towns
- Hotel
Cedar Grove Lodge
This property in itself is nothing special, but the location is unbelievable. The 1920s-era motel, with fairly standard rooms, is right alongside the Kings River, and the only place to sleep with a roof over your head in the general vicinity. I like the patio rooms, with queen beds,…$$ - Hotel
Grant Grove Cabins
Whether you have just a few shekels or buckets full of them, you should be able to find welcome shelter from the elements here. All the accommodations are cabins, but they range in comfort from permanent canvas tents to handsome “honeymoon cabins” with indoor plumbing, a queen size…$ - Hotel
John Muir Lodge
Built in the 1990s, this is a relatively modern lodging, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the cabins. Named for the legendary conservationist, the lodge is neck and neck with Wuksachi in Sequoia as the most upscale in either park. The warm and sunny rooms are attractively…$$ - Hotel
Lake Elowin Resort
They don't make them like Lake Elowin Resort anymore. This funky, eccentric, thoroughly Californian kind of place, centered on the small lake of its name, is a worthy base camp for adventures in Sequoia National Park. It features picturesque wooden bridges and a number of outdoor…$$In Nearby Gateway Towns - Hotel
Montecito Sequoia Lodge
This classic family mountain resort has one of the best recreation programs in the Sierra Nevada, running the gamut from archery and arts and crafts to swimming and tennis. It is best known for its 6-night “Family Camps” that include all recreation and meals for about $1,000 per…$$$In Sequoia National Monument - Hotel
Silver City Mountain Resort
The Mineral King unit of Sequoia tends to attract backpackers and campers, but for those looking for a roof over their head, this is a top pick (for both couples and families). The variety of cabins here is notably wide: Some are less than 10 years old and others date back to the…$$$ - Hotel
Stony Creek Lodge
This lodge offers fairly standard motel rooms and a pleasant lobby highlighted by a big river-rock fireplace. We recommend it for its convenient location in between Grant Grove and Lodgepole, though it is far from the most distinctive property in the area. That being said, the rooms…$$In Sequoia National Monument - Hotel
Visalia Marriott
This is one of the few, large full-service hotels in the general vicinity of Sequoia National Park, though its walking distance to numerous restaurants in vibrant downtown Visalia. If you need a dose of civilization head here. The hotel has the types of amenities and décor you’d…$$In Nearby Gateway Towns - Hotel
Wuksachi Lodge
This downright swank mountain lodge dates to 1999, making it one of the newest in any national park. It offers not just eye-pleasing style, but a terrific location in the forest at about 7,200 feet above sea level, surrounded by hiking trails that are great skiing routes in…$$
