Road Trip to Sequoia National Park

Go RV Rentals from Los Angeles or San Francisco to Sequoia National Park makes for a great place to visit on a road trip that is only 4-5 hours away. The protected 404,064 acres of parkland are an excellent location to enjoy untouched natural beauty, fun outdoor activities and giant trees. To truly absorb the surroundings of Sequoia National Park you will need a minimum stay of two nights.

Top Activities to Do in Sequoia National Park

You cannot leave Sequoia National Park until you do this one special thing… you need to visit General Sherman. It is this 275-foot tree (83.8m), that makes the park famous. Then you can cross this item off your epic travel bucket list. Wow!

Another unmissable attraction is Crystal Cave! The Sequoia Parks Conservancy offers a choice of tours depending on how much adventure you want. The extreme tour called ‘Wild Cave Tour’ last 4 to 6 hours and costs $130 per person. This off-trail adventure includes crawling and climbing with some patches of pitch darkness. It’s for those who aren’t afraid to get dirty, are over the age of 16 and want a first-hand experience of underground caves.

The final activity not to leave without first experiencing it, is climbing to Moro Rock. Once you climb up 350+ steps you’ll reach the top of this granite dome for a breath-taking view that includes Great Western Divide peaks and the San Joaquin Valley.

Campgrounds for your RV

Sequoia National Park has a range of rustic and comfy lodges, cabins and permanent tents available. But with your Go RV Rental you can stay on a RV friendly campground. Below are the campgrounds that permit RV’s.

There are currently road renovations, within the park. RV’s over 22 feet long have limited access. You can double check the location of the roadworks before departing, by clicking here.

Dorset Creek Campground

Within the Sierra Nevada range, the Dorset Creek Campgrounds welcomes RV rentals to a friendly campground surrounded by meadows and streams.  While the site doesn’t have any electricity, it does provide flushable toilets, drinking water, picnic tables and a free dumping station. If you require food, laundry facilities or a shower, head to Lodgepole Village, which is 9 miles away.

Activities include hiking along the trail to Lost Grove, a 57-acre grove, which contains 15 gorgeous sequoias. Also, complete the Big Trees Trail for spectacular views of giant trees. For beginners, hike along the Tokopah Falls Trail to see an inspiring 1,200ft high waterfall. Fly-fishing is also a fun activity within the vicinity of Dorset Creek campground, but is only possible with a license.

This is a popular campground, open from June 19^th until September 24^th. Reservations need to made in advance. To find out more information about your non-electric RV camping spot, at $22 per night, click here.

Lodgepole Campground

Located on the banks of Marble Fork on the Kaweah River, you have easy access to the World’s largest tree in volume – General Sherman Tree. This is an ideal location for families that don’t have their RV rental fully stocked, as there is a market, deli and snack bar on site. It also has all the facilities you will need like fire rings, picnic tables, drinking water, flushable toilets, dump site and shower facilities. Along with the previously mentioned hikes Crystal Cave is a 45-minute drive from the campground.

This amazing campground is partially open from April 17^th until December 4^th, with 100% of campsites open by May 22nd.

Need to know more, click here to see how to get there.

Sentinel Campground

If you choose to stay at the Sentinel Campground you will be situated within the beautiful Cedar Grove. With paved roads, this campground is easily accessible for you and your RV rental. As a large campground is has 5 comfort stations, which include flushing toilets and drinking water.

With lots of hiking trails leading from the campground, the major points of interest include Hume Lake, Grizzly Falls, Mist Falls, Zumwalt Meadow and Sequoia Groves. The local rangers provide hikes, and nature and wildlife presentations. If you are interested in this, visiting the NPS to learn about the ranger-led programs.

Sentinel Campground is fully open from May 22^nd and it closes for winter on November 18^th. To reserve your campground today, click here.

Save Some Money

Did you know that some days in the annual calendar offer a fee free day? To save some money visit during the following dates:

·        Monday, January 21: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

·        Saturday, April 20: First day of National Park Week

·        Sunday, August 25: National Park Service Anniversary

·        Saturday, September 28: National Public Lands Day

·        Monday, November 11: Veterans Day

Winter Activities

Many of the campgrounds are closed during the winter season. But if you do visit during Winter, the cold air and snowy skies shouldn’t stop you from experiencing the magical wonderland of Sequoia National Park. The dramatic scenic backdrop will make every activity a memorable one. You can choose from Snowshoeing, Cross Country Skiing and Snow Play. To discover which campsites are open during the winter season click here.

Spring, Summer and Autumn Activities

Once the snow melts the park truly becomes alive as the natural scents of the forest take over and a plethora of activities begin. The most common activity, which you may have already realized, is hiking. With lots of trails and wonderful sights to embrace and capture on camera, Sequoia National Park is a real hotspot for lovers of the outdoors.

Other activities include rock climbing, horseback riding, fishing and wildlife viewing. According to ‘Visit Sequoia’ there are ‘over 300 different kinds of animals’. If you want to learn more, visit the lodgepole Visitor Centre. Animals to spot include sheep, deer, beavers, mountain lions, badgers and black bears, to name a few.

What NOT to do at Sequoia National Park

For a few tips on travelling and temporarily staying in the park follow these easy rules to stay safe.

·     Don’t leave food in your RV rental, it attracts bears, which live in the area. Always use the food storage boxes.

·     Don’t travel with firewood. Bugs within the firewood can threaten the health of the forest. Instead buy all your firewood locally.

·     Park your vehicle on paved ground, such as asphalt. Don’t park on vegetation.

·     If you want to fish, don’t forget to buy your fishing license. They can be purchased at National Forest Markets.

Don’t be a victim to modern technology. With limited cell service throughout the park this is the perfect opportunity to get in touch with nature and build stronger relationships within the family.