Hike Sequoia National Park & Kings Canyon National Park

Does it get any more majestic than walking through a sprawling forest of trees that have been around since biblical times? How about standing at the feet of centuries-old giants that march on for miles. Running the border of eastern California and stretching toward coastal Nevada, some of the world’s most ancient and renowned forests and national parks find their homes. Isolated and undisturbed by man, these miraculous forests are a constant reminder of the way the Western Hemisphere looked “before the coming of European conquerors and American settlers.”

Get lost in the Land of Giants

Two of the west’s most astounding national parks, Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park, butt up against each other in what is known by natives as The Land of Giants. Often described as a single entity, each of these two national parks offers a unique microclimate and distinct landscape as part of the Sierra Nevada ecosystem.

Sequoia National Park is the nation’s second oldest documented national park and likely California’s most well known. This remarkable landscape officially became a national park in 1890, and is famous for its clusters of immense sequoia trees that create this national park’s iconic skyline. The General Sherman Tree, oldest and most renowned of the park’s trees, stands at 275 feet and has survived for more than 2,500 years.

Like Sequoia National Park, in Kings Canyon National Park you’ll also find famous giant sequoias, and none more memorable than the Fallen Monarch. This toppled and hollowed tree in Kings Canyon National Park is believed to have provided shelter to native tribes, US Army officers and weary travellers for centuries, and now serves as a one-of-a-kind photo opportunity.

Finding your way in Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park

These colossal forests can be navigated only on foot or by horseback, making them the ideal getaway for those seeking serenity and a workout. Whether you choose to traverse a challenging web of picturesque hikes, defeat the rapids or test yourself on an arduous climb, you’ll discover adventure and beauty at Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park.

Head to these national parks’ website to discover your favorite way to explore California’s finest.