Building on our 3-day and 5-day itineraries in California’s most popular national parks, this page offers a suggested itinerary for 7 days in Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon.
With a full 7 days in Yosemite and SEKI, you’ll enjoy a more in-depth immersion within these natural wonders, experiencing popular day hikes and iconic sights, along with hidden gems and a more languid pace.
Note: Yosemite requires entrance reservations at various points during the year, like February Firefall. Always check the current reservation requirements for the dates you plan to visit.
Jump to:
- Itinerary: 7 Days in Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon
- Day 1: Yosemite Valley
- Day 2: Yosemite’s High Country
- Day 3: Down Day in Yosemite Valley
- Day 4: Yosemite’s Iconic Overlooks, Drive to Kings Canyon
- Day 5: Kings Canyon National Park
- Day 6: Sequoia National Park
- Day 7: Get a Taste of the Sierra backcountry
- How to Transit Between Yosemite and SEKI
Itinerary: 7 Days in Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon
While many visitors race through the parks in only a few days, Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon each have such incredible biodiversity and scenery, it’s impossible to get more than a brief overview on a quick trip.
With 7 days in Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon, you’ll be able to slow down and truly experience these incredible natural wonders.
This sample itinerary includes each park’s most famous sights and popular hiking trails, yet also allows down time for more unique adventures that most visitors don’t have the luxury of time to enjoy.
- Day 1: Yosemite Valley (overview of the park’s most famous landmarks)
- Day 2: Yosemite High Country (more wild beauty of the High Sierra)
- Day 3: Down Day in Yosemite Valley (free time to bike, swim, paddle board, visit museums, take an art class, etc.)
- Day 4: Yosemite’s Iconic Overlooks (Tunnel View and Glacier Point), Drive to Kings Canyon
- Day 5: Kings Canyon (Cedar Grove, see General Grant – the world’s second largest tree)
- Day 6: Sequoia (Giant Forest including General Sherman – the world’s largest tree, plus Crescent Meadow and Moro Rock)
- Day 7: Sequoia Backcountry (hike the Watchtower Trail)
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
Yosemite Valley is the heart and soul of the park, and many of its most famous landmarks are within a 30 minute drive. Spending your first day in the valley is a good way to get oriented and see the park’s top highlights.
Arrive early. Plan to be at the entrance by 9 a.m. (although earlier is better) and head to Yosemite Valley (directions).
If you want to hike, go early while the day is still cool. The most famous hike in Yosemite is the Mist Trail, which gets you up close to Vernal Falls (2.4 miles roundtrip) and Nevada Falls (keep going past Vernal, for 5.7 miles roundtrip). While the mileage doesn’t seem far, know that it’s uphill the whole way.
Getting to the Mist Trail: The trailhead (directions) is accessible only by foot. If you're driving, you can park by Happy Isles/Curry Village, either along the road or in the parking lot. From there it's a 0.5-1 mile walk along the road to the trailhead.
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.
Getting to Mirror Lake: The Mirror Lake trailhead is only accessible by foot (directions). Park at Curry Village or take the free valley shuttle (get off at stop #17). You can also walk from the Upper Pines, Lower Pines, and North Pines campsites.
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 (trailhead directions). You can stop at Yosemite Village for lunch if you’re hungry.
If visiting during the summer months, 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 an hour on the sandy riverbanks. Both beaches have parking lots for easy water access, and stellar views. Sentinel Beach looks out to Yosemite Falls, while Cathedral Beach sits in the shadow of El Capitan.
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).
In late afternoon/early evening, bring a picnic to the meadow across the road from the famed El Capitan. This is our favorite way to end the day in Yosemite Valley, with an up-close view of one of the park’s most famous landmarks (and one of the world’s top rock-climbing destinations).
As the sun starts to set, you’ll catch the rosy alpenglow stretching across the granite monolith. And if you look very closely, you might even see rock climbers scattered across the face. They look like tiny specs to the naked eye.
Park along Northside Drive at the base of El Cap (directions), and choose a comfy spot in El Capitan Meadow. If you didn’t bring your own picnic provisions, you can stop by the store in Yosemite Village.
Day 2: Yosemite’s High Country
To fully appreciate the biodiversity of Yosemite, spend today in the park’s High Country. It’s a completely different ecosystem from temperate Yosemite Valley, with the higher elevation creating a more stark beauty of scraggly trees and windswept meadows.
Start your day exploring Tuolumne Meadows, the high country’s most well-known destination. Directions.
Those looking to hike can choose between Cathedral Lakes (the most iconic hike in this region, 8.6 miles roundtrip; directions) or Middle Gaylor Lake (a sharp, quick uphill for panoramic views above Tuolumne Meadow, 2.4 miles roundtrip; directions).
Relax on the banks of Tenaya Lake. This pristine alpine lake has miles of shoreline to post up with a picnic lunch, and cool off with a swim or paddle during the summer months. Parking can be found at the Tenaya Lake Picnic Area (directions) or Murphy Creek Trailhead (directions).
Stop off at Olmsted Point on your drive back, for a different perspective of Yosemite Valley. You’ll see Clouds Rest in the foreground, while Half Dome features prominently in the distance. Directions.
Day 3: Down Day in Yosemite Valley
Indulge in a languid “down day” in Yosemite Valley. The park offers numerous activities for every age and interest, ranging from art and photography classes, to guided birdwatching tours, horseback riding, bike rentals, and more. You can explore the full list of options here.
If you’re visiting in summer or fall, you can also experience Yosemite Valley from the water, drifting down the placid waters of the Merced River. Either bring your own paddle boards or kayaks, or rent inner tubes in the park.
You can read more (including entry and exit points, safety considerations, and more) at our guide to paddle boarding in Yosemite.
For a less “active” day, perhaps you enjoy a beach day at Sentinel or Cathedral Beach, or explore the galleries and exhibits in Valley Village, near the Visitor Center.
In particular, the Yosemite Museum provides fascinating insights into the history of the park and the culture of the local Native American tribes.
Day 4: Yosemite’s Iconic Overlooks, Drive to Kings Canyon
Today you’ll leave Yosemite for Kings Canyon, but not before seeing some of Yosemite’s most jaw-dropping scenery on your way out.
Stop at Tunnel View. This is the most iconic view of Yosemite Valley, looking out to El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Falls from a removed elevation. Tunnel View is just a quick 5-minute stop, but if you’re looking for the perfect photo op for your trip, this is it (directions).
Visit Glacier Point for the best panorama of Half Dome and the High Sierra. From Tunnel View, the drive out-and-back to Glacier Point takes 45 minutes each way, but the vistas are well worth it (directions).
Take a hike near Glacier Point. 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 another great hiking option: 2.3 miles roundtrip, to dizzying views of Yosemite Valley 3,000 feet below (directions).
Drive to Kings Canyon in the afternoon. 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 on their way out of Yosemite, but don’t feel obligated – you’ll be seeing plenty of tall trees soon enough.
Day 5: Kings Canyon National Park
Explore the wilds of Kings Canyon, at remote Cedar Grove. Nearly an hour drive from Grant Grove Village, the road to Cedar Grove takes you through dramatic vistas and scrub brush, before dropping into the narrow gorge of the rushing Kings River.
We recommend visiting Cedar Grove in the morning, before the heat of the day arrives.
There are numerous hiking trails in the area, with Zumwalt Meadow (options for 1.5 miles and 4.2 miles roundtrip; trailhead directions) and Mist Falls (7.8 miles; trailhead directions) being favorites.
Afterwards, stop at Cedar Grove Lodge for lunch (directions here).
On your return, stroll through Grant Grove and see General Grant. General Grant is the second largest tree in the world, standing nearly 290 feet tall and 29 feet wide.
The General resides in Grant Grove, an easy 0.3-mile loop along the forest floor. Along the walk, you’ll pass other giant sequoias and Gamlin Cabin, built by two brothers who lived here in the 1870s. Directions.
Optional: stop at Big Stump Grove, just south of Grant Grove. While it’s not a major tourist landmark, it makes another fun photo op if you have the time. Directions.
Day 6: Sequoia National Park
Prioritize the Giant Forest, and see General Sherman before the crowds. General Sherman is the world’s largest tree by volume, and Sequoia National Park’s most famous landmark. We strongly recommend you arrive early!
Enjoy the morning solitude of the Giant Forest, with many miles of hiking trails looping under the shaded tree canopy. You can walk as long or as little as you like: trail options range from 0.25 – 10 miles.
General Sherman is located near the start of the trailhead (parking lot directions).
Afterwards, drive through the famous Tunnel Log. Cheesy, yes, but snapping a photo of your car driving through the hollowed out sequoia tree is also a popular “must-do” for many tourists.
Expect to wait in line during the summer months (we’ve witnessed a 30-minute line of cars during peak July travel). Directions.
Admire the biodiversity of the Sierra, with stops at Crescent Meadow and Moro Rock. Both are popular landmarks within Sequoia, and with parking lots adjacent to each other, it’s easy to cross off both 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.
Day 7: Sierra Backcountry
With an extra day to explore Sequoia at your leisure, we recommend a longer hike for a different perspective of the park.
The High Sierra, an all-encompassing term for the higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada mountains, is renowned for its raw landscapes and jaw-dropping vistas. It often requires a multi-day backpacking trip to reach the true High Sierra, but Sequoia’s unique proximity lets you experience the stark, windswept beauty on a day hike.
Hike the Watchtower Trail. It’s 8.3 miles roundtrip, but this trek is one of the best “deals” in Sierra Nevada hiking.
With short mileage and very manageable elevation gain, the Watchtower gets you to mountain views so epic, they usually require two days of hiking into the backcountry to see. Directions to the trailhead parking lot.
Optional Watchtower Trail Add-On: If you’re feeling good, press on another few miles past the Watchtower overlook to a string of crystal alpine lakes.
The Lakes Trail includes Heather Lake (approximately 0.5 mile past the Watchtower), Emerald Lake (1 mile past Heather), or Pear Lake (1 mile past Emerald). You won’t regret lounging on the banks and soaking your weary feet before hitting the trail back to your car.
While sources differ on the total mileage, plan on nearly 13 miles roundtrip if you go all the way to Pear Lake and back.
How to Transit Between Yosemite and SEKI
A quick note on transportation between the parks:
When combining a visit to Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon, plan to have a car (whether your own, or a rental). The parks are in remote areas, not well-serviced by public transportation.
While technically you can catch a series of buses between the parks, it’s honestly not worth the effort (driving time between Yosemite and Sequoia is 3 hours by car, or 9—10 hours by bus). Plus, you would still be reliant on shuttles within each park.
Have more time to spend in Yosemite? Check out our guides to the best time of year to visit, the best photo spots, and more.