Sequoia National Park with Kids – 10 Places to Visit

Sequoia National Park has a variety of scenic vistas, unique landmarks, and adventurous trails for the family. It’s a large park with a lot of long distance trails. But for families with young kids, there are many sites and activities just off the main road that are easy to visit.

We stayed in the town of Three Rivers, and took the Sierra Drive to Generals Highway at the Ash Mountain Entrance in the Southwest end of the park. Here are some family-friendly places you can visit in Sequoia National Park along Generals Highway.

Here are the places we recommend visiting in Sequoia National Park:

1. Sequoia National Park Sign
2. Indian Head River Trail
3. Tunnel Rock
4. Hospital Rock
5. Tunnel Log
6. Moro Rock Trail
7. Giant Forest Museum
8. Giant Forest
9. Beetle Rock
10. General Sherman Tree Trail

1. Sequoia National Park Sign

Just past the Ash Mountain entrance is the sign for Sequoia National Park. There’s a small parking lot and it makes for a nice quick photo opportunity.

2. Indian Head River Trail

From the parking lot of the Sequoia National Park Sign, there’s a short 0.1-mile dirt trail that goes down to the river. The current in the river can be fast, even if you don’t see it. But there are a few small pools to the side with calm water that you can take a dip in.

3. Tunnel Rock

Right off the side of the road is a large rock with a tunnel that you can walk under. There aren’t any trails beyond it. It makes for a quick stop and photo opportunity, though there can be a line of people waiting to take a picture in front of the rock.

4. Hospital Rock

There is a large parking lot for this site, and it’s the last stop on the Generals Highway in the lower part of Sequoia National Park, before the road starts winding up the mountain to the upper park. This is a large rock with Native American drawings on it. You can also crawl under it to the other side. Next to the rock is a short dirt path down to the river. The river is fast with some rapids. But next to the river is shallow pool you can wade in.

5. Tunnel Log

In the upper section of the national park, there is a fallen tree with a hole carved out that you can drive a car through. It’s a fun experience and photo opportunity, but the line to drive through can get pretty long, as everyone wants to stop, get out of their car, and take a photo with the car going through the tree.

6. Moro Rock

Moro Rock is large rock on the edge of the mountain that overlooks the valley. There’s a steep and narrow trail up to the top of the giant rock. It’s a half-mile walk with handrails most of the way. There isn’t much scrambling or climbing, as the path is carved into the rock with carved steps throughout. We personally felt safe to have our young kids go, and saw many parents with toddlers and babies. However, it is pretty high up with steep drop-offs. We held our kids’ hands the entire way. So use caution if you’re afraid of heights or you have energetic kids that tend to run.

7. Giant Forest Museum

This is a nice little museum which has various exhibits to learn about the Sequoias. Just outside are well-known tall trees, like the Sentinel.

8. Giant Forest

Next to the Giant Forest Museum is the Giant Forest, a network of walking paths that go through the tall trees. You can take a short walk or a longer hike, depending on how far you want to go.

9. Beetle Rock

This attraction is on the other side of the road from the Giant Forest Museum, and is a short walk from the parking lot. It’s a large area with plate-like rocks which you can explore. From one angle down below, the rock plates look like a beetle.

10. General Sherman Tree

This is largest known tree on earth by total volume. You pass by it on the Generals Highway, but that spot is only for dropping off passengers and the shuttle stop. To see the tree, you need to drive further up the road to the parking lot where the trail starts. It’s a half-mile gradual downhill walk to tree that’s all paved. There are more paths and trees to explore in the area. Then, you either walk the half-mile uphill back to the parking lot, or you can take the free shuttle back to the parking lot.

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Hotels in Three Rivers

We stayed in the town of Three Rivers, which is really convenient for visiting all the main sites in Sequoia National Park. Here are a few to check out:

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Restaurants in Three Rivers

There are multiple restaurants in the town dining on the river front, which also provide a unique experience:

• Sequoia Coffee Company
• Sierra Subs & Salads
• Ol Bukaroo (American)
• River View Grill & Bar
• The Gateway Restaurant & Lodge

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Tips When Visiting the Sequoias

Here are a few tips for visiting Sequoia National Park with kids:

• Bring clothing for all types of weather. The lower valley of the park tends to get really warm, while the upper mountain region can be very cold.
• Be careful around rivers. The currents are very fast and its not advisable to swim in them. There are drowning deaths every year in Sequoia National Park because people underestimate the river’s current.
• Consider taking the shuttle. The park can get crowded, especially on weekends and holidays, with parking being very difficult. Since most attractions are right off the main road or a short walk away, a shuttle is a really good option for navigating the park.

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