How to Spend 3 Days in Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon

Have 3 days in Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Parks? This itinerary lays out the key highlights, to ensure you see the top sights in California’s three most famous national park.

Between Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon, you’ll play witness to some of the most jaw-dropping scenery in the continental U.S.: towering granite peaks, thundering waterfalls, serene mountain meadows, and the famed sequoia trees, almost incomprehensible in their size. The parks sit just 140 miles apart in California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range.

Trivia: Sequoia and Kings Canyon are effectively two parks in one. The parks were established separately, but have been jointly administered since 1943. While you may not notice the delineation crossing from one park to another, each has its own character. Sequoia is a more traditional “national park,” while Kings Canyon often feels more “wild.”

Jump to:

• How Much Time is Needed to Visit Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon?
• How to Get from Yosemite to Sequoia and Kings Canyon (and vice versa)
• Itinerary: 3 Days in Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon
• Day 1: Yosemite Valley
• Day 2: See Yosemite’s other iconic overlooks, drive to Kings Canyon
• Day 3: Sequoia National Park

How Much Time Is Needed to Visit Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon?

Plan for 3 – 7 days to see Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Parks.

This page offers suggestions for a 3-day itinerary in Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon. You can certainly see the main park highlights in 3 days if you set a brisk pace.

However, we recommend spending more time in the parks, if you can. Taking 4 — 6 days allows you to more fully immerse yourself in the incredible show that nature puts on in these parks (we also have ideas for 5-day and 7-day itineraries, for those with more time).

How to Get from Yosemite to Sequoia and Kings Canyon (and vice versa)

Plan to have a rental car when visiting the national parks. The parks are in remote areas, not well-serviced by public transportation. While technically you can catch a series of buses to get there, it’s honestly not worth the effort.

Driving time between Yosemite and Sequoia is just over 3 hours by car, compared to 9 – 10 hours by bus.

Itinerary: 3 Days in Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon

Note: this itinerary goes north to south, for those coming from Northern California (San Francisco). If you’re coming from Southern California instead (L.A., San Diego), simply flip the order.

Day 1: Yosemite Valley

• Arrive early morning. Plan to be at the entrance by 9 a.m. (although earlier is better) and head to Yosemite Valley, the heart of the park.
• If you want to hike, go early while the day is still cool. The most famous hike in Yosemite Valley is the Mist Trail, which gets you up close to Vernal Falls (3 miles roundtrip) and Nevada Falls (keep going past Vernal, for 7 miles roundtrip). While the mileage doesn’t seem far, note that it’s uphill the whole way. If you prefer an easier hike without the elevation gain, Mirror Lake is another good option. The trail is a relaxed 4.4 miles roundtrip, to a serene little lake in the shadow of Half Dome.
• Explore Yosemite Valley. Take some time to stroll the paved paths that wind through the valley meadows. Here, you’ll also find Yosemite Falls, North America’s tallest waterfall (simply follow the signs to the falls!). You can stop at Yosemite Village for lunch if you’re hungry.
• Cool off in the Merced River and beat the afternoon heat. Head to either Sentinel Beach (directions) or Cathedral Beach (directions), where you can easily idle away on the sandy banks. Both beaches have parking lots for easy water access, and stellar views: Sentinel looks out to Yosemite Falls, while Cathedral sits in the shadow of El Capitan.
• In late afternoon/early evening, take a picnic to the meadow across the road from the famed El Capitan. (You can grab provisions at the store in Yosemite Village, in case you didn’t bring your own). Park along Northside Drive at the base of El Cap (directions), and choose a comfy spot in El Capitan Meadow. As the sun starts to set, you’ll catch the rosy alpenglow stretch across the face of the granite monolith. If you look very closely, you might see rock climbers scattered across the face of this rock-climbing mecca. (They look like tiny specs to the naked eye).
• On your drive out of the valley, stop for a photo at Valley View. This tiny pull-out has one of the best vantage points of Yosemite Valley, framed by El Capitan on the left and Half Dome on the right. (Parking lot directions here).

Day 2: See Yosemite’s other iconic overlooks, drive to Kings Canyon

• Stop at Tunnel View for the famous view of Yosemite Valley (directions here). It’s a quick 5-minute stop, but if you’re looking for the perfect group photo for your trip, this is it.
• Visit Glacier Point for the best panorama of Half Dome and the High Sierra. Driving out-and-back to Glacier Point takes 45 minutes each way, but the vistas are worth it (directions). If you want to stretch your legs, you can either stroll the paved paths along the Glacier Point promontory, or stop to hike at one of the numerous trailheads along the drive. Taft Point is a great option: 2.3 miles roundtrip, to more stunning views of Yosemite Valley below (directions here).
• Drive to Kings Canyon. The 3-hour, 15 minute drive will take you out of Yosemite’s southern entrance, passing landmarks like the historic Wawona Hotel on the way. Some people stop at the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, but don’t feel obligated; you’ll be seeing plenty of tall trees soon enough.
• Stroll through Grant Grove and see General Grant once you arrive in Kings Canyon. General Grant is the second largest sequoia tree in the world, standing nearly 290 feet tall and 29 feet wide. The General resides in Grant Grove, an easy 1/3 mile loop along the forest floor. Along the way, you’ll pass other giant sequoias and Gamlin Cabin, built by two brothers residing here in the 1870s. Directions.
• Another quick stop is the Big Stump Grove, just south of Grant Grove. While it’s not a major tourist landmark, it makes another fun photo op. Directions.

Day 3: Sequoia National Park

• Arrive early and see General Sherman before the crowds. General Sherman is the world’s largest tree by volume, with summer crowds that match its size. Enjoy the solitude of early morning in the Giant Forest, with many miles of hiking trails looping under the canopy. You can walk as long or as little as you like: trail options range from 0.25 – 10 miles. Hike anywhere from 0.25 to 10 miles. Parking lot directions here.
• Drive through the famous Tunnel Log. Cheesy, yes, but snapping a photo of your car driving through the tree is also a popular “must-do” for many tourists. Plan to wait in line during the summer months (we’ve witnessed a 30 minute line of cars in peak July travel). Directions.
• Admire the biodiversity of the Sierra with stops at Crescent Meadow and Moro Rock. With parking lots adjacent to each other, it’s easy to cross off both popular landmarks in quick order. The verdant Crescent Meadow comes alive with lush grasses and wildflowers in the spring and summer, while the quick ¼ mile hike up to Moro Rock rewards with a panoramic view of the valley below. Directions to both Crescent Meadow parking lot and Moro Rock parking lot.

Have 4 or more days to spend in Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon? Check out our 5-day and 7-day itineraries, to choose additional activities to fill your extra time in the parks!

Featured image courtesy of Tim Dennert.