There are two routes from Alice Springs. Theres also plenty of things to do for kids in Kings Canyon. The entrance fee is the same for both Sequoia and Kings Canyon: $35 per vehicle per park. Not only is the General Sherman massive in size, it will also be the tree with a crowd of people standing around it. Both have their pen for use something - I plan to visit both! Note that year-round elevation and/or site-specific wilderness fire restrictions also apply; see your wilderness permit or a trailhead ranger for details pertaining to your itinerary. They were forced out by white people in the 1800s. There is a brewery and a pizza place so it looks to be a decent place to stay a few nights. The drive from Grant Grove to Zumwalt Meadows on this road is 30 miles long and takes between 45 minutes and an hour. Lets break this category down based on how easy it is to get to each national park, then how accessible it is to navigate within of these parks. But in the battle of Sequoia vs Kings Canyon National Park who wins? Visit the West MacDonnell Ranges via the Mereenie Loop (youll need a 4WD) and stop at Hermannsburg and Glen Helen. Logger Flat Group Campground (Sequoia National Forest, 877/444-6777, mid-May-mid-Sept., $193) can accommodate 50 campers and 30 vehicles, including up to 10 RVs. Just think about how much human history has taken place during this one trees lifetime. Discover distinctive collections of Sierra-inspired California gifts at shops in Grant Grove, Cedar Grove, and Wuksachi Lodge. Right? #caravanningwithkidsaustralia #travelaustralia #vanlife #vanlifeaustralia #vanlifeau #vanlifeexplorers #love #summer #adventure #instagood #travel #vanlifeexplorers #vanlifefordtransit #fordtransitcamper #fordtransitconversion #fordtransitcampervan #photography #travelphotography, Kings Canyon There areseveral spots for photos at the scenic overlooks. There are flush toilets but no showers. Its 82 sites are fully reservable online 6-12 months in advance. Any time of year, the views are outstanding at both adjoined parks. On the shore of Lake Kaweah reservoir, Horse Creek Campground (37843 Sierra Dr., Lemon Cove, 559/597-2301, $20-40) provides boaters and fishers access to amenities like flush toilets, showers, and a dump station, but little shade or protection from scorching temperatures (100F/38C and above) and winds. Dump stations are in Dorst Campground near Lodgepole or Princess Campground on the way to Hume Lake. With massive Sequoia trees and incredible views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, youre going to have a great time. Over the years, Ive learned by hiking in Mt. "resetPassword": { Check our our USA Road Trip Guide for travel ideas and sample itineraries. Rainier, visiting the Mighty 5 during an Utah national parks road trip, seeing epic waterfalls in Glacier National Park, and many more adventures, that getting to the park early and visiting during the week are the best ways to avoid the crowds. The most popular canyon walk is the 6 kms full rim walk which starts with 500 steep stone steps. The caravan park had some more live music to listen to after dinner, and they also have a pancake and icecream truck on-site. Watarrka National Park is only three Even smaller than Tenmile is the nine-site Landslide Campground (Sequoia National Forest, no reservations, late May-mid-Sept., $23). award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert Be sure to arrive while its still light out, as the sites are spread along Forest Road 14S11 and can be hard to find in the dark. There are camping spots with existing fire rings along the Kings River and the road between Convict Flat and the park boundary at Lewis Creek. #caravanningaustralia guidance. Filled with alpine peaks, deep canyons, and the largest trees in the world, you could spend several days here. Whether youre looking for the best place to pitch a tent for views of the night sky, RV campsites, or wheelchair-accessible options, heres where to go camping in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. They cover so much of the country with so many services beyond emergency care, it's staggering. WebHome to some of the oldest and largest trees in the world, which can live up to 3000 years, Sequoia National Park is a magical place located in the Sierra Nevada, east-central California, that has stolen the hearts of many tourists who have crossed its paths. Site 30 is wheelchair-accessible. For more info, see mydisclosures. The drive from Zumwalt Meadows in Kings Canyon to our first stop in Sequoia, the General Sherman tree, takes 1.5 to 2 hours (63 miles). Horse Creek is a 20-minute drive from the Ash Mountain entrance. We stopped at Erldunda for fuel for the Disco and the humans. The National Park Service urges everyone to be extremely careful with fire, in all areas of the parks. Princess also has a dump station for RVs ($7 usage fee). This cave has guided tours where people can explore intriguing geology such as the flowing formation called Mother Nature's Wedding Cake. Jennie Lakes Wilderness east of Grant Grove is a good day hiking area through forests and lowland meadows. Your email has been successfully verified, please click the button below to continue to log in. The earlier you get here, the more you can do crowd-free. The weather in this region depends on the elevation. Time to plan a trip to see for yourself which is better ;). However, if you only have one day, you have just enough time to visit the highlights of both parks. By 9 am, Kings Canyon and Sequoia are filling with people. Kings Canyon Access, Petermann, Northern Territory, 0872, Australia. Get to the heart of Kings Canyon National Park with one of our in-depth, Erldunda calls itself the centre of the centre, and is also known for its paddock of emus. The traditional owners are the Anangu of Pitjantjatjara and Kata Tjuta is known as an Anangu mens site, sacred under Tjukurpa laws. The firefighters thank you for respecting these important precautions put in place to protect you and your public lands.. I have to choose Sequoia because I think these giant trees are extraordinary. Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Experiences that will make you feel like an Aussie. This road trip starts out in San Francisco, then winds its way through three national parks, before finishing up in the foothills of LA. The temperature increases from October to April, so if you want to complete the Kings Canyon rim walk, make sure you start the climb in the early hours of the morning. Alright have you decided which of these amazing parks wins in your opinion? We took an amazing 15 minute helicopter ride and these were the best I could do from a smudgy window but it still should hopefully show you how awesome this place is Kings Canyon National Park in California. }, Its also walking distance to Lodgepoles market, restaurant, laundry, showers, and shuttle. The campground is about 4 miles (6 km) northeast of the Ash Mountain entrance, just off the Generals Highway. I think the drive from San Jose to Sequoia/King Canyon is tough? #icecreamtourofaustralia Kings Canyon lies between Alice Springs and Yulara. Learn more about the shuttle service here. Malibu is known for its famous citizens, but it also holds a National Recreation Area that is truly a place everyone should visit. GetYourGuide offers an audio tour of Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. There is a vault toilet. Some areas that would typically be affected by stage 2 fire restrictions remain closed due to massive damage from storms in early 2023, including South Fork Campground and Buckeye Flat Campground in Sequoia National Park. Mr C said today was our 4th longest drive and it sure felt like it with 473 kms knocked out. For backpackers starting or ending trips, there are some walk-up sites available. General Grant Grove is located just beyond the entrance to Kings Canyon. Tioga Pass in Yosemite will be closed no matter the weather conditions, since that usually doesnt open in late spring. do, Food Kings Canyon Scenic By-way is the only vehicle route into the Kings Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in North America. - Lower elevations have hot, dry summers and mild winters. 2023 Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures company. On the road again in the morning, next stop our favourite Uluru! Boasting some of the best views of the night sky you can only get in the Outback, enjoy a unique outback dining experience offered by Kings Canyon Resort Under a Desert Moon. Fun Karen! #caravanningaustraliawithkids . Ranger programs are offered here from July to September. The only campground where you can sleep beneath the stars and the sequoias is Atwell Mill (mid-June-late Oct., $12). If youre looking for incredible scenic views beyond a tree right in front of you, then consider Kings Canyon. To avoid the worst of the crowds, especially during the summer months, it helps to get an early start to the day (7 am is ideal). This moderate hike comes in at 7.8 miles and is known for bear sightings in addition to a gorgeous waterfall. Kings Canyon is managed jointly by the Park Service with Sequoia National Park If you suffer from motion sickness, make sure you take your Dramamine or anti-nausea medication before starting this drive. #travellingaustraliawithkids At certain points they looked like they were floating in the dark The nearest supplies are 1.5 miles (2.5 km) away at Silver City Mountain Resort. We have not used it, so I dont know how it lines up with our itinerary, but for $10 it sounds like a good deal if you like to learn more about what you are seeing. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. #caravanningwithkidsaustralia I'm here to help you enjoy the outdoors! However, if you only have one day, you have just enough time to visit the highlights of both parks. All campgrounds have flush toilets and drinking water. Heres a suggested itinerary if you want to see both parks on a quick visit. "custAction": "event2" In this comparison, its a tie. #northernterritory #travelaustralia #outbackaustralia, Kata Tjua (meaning many heads in the local Pitjantjatjara language) is over 546 metres above ground level, and around 22 kilometres in circumference. Kings Canyon National Park is located 240 miles from Los Angeles, 202 miles from San Jose, and 238 miles from San Francisco. We started the day at a previous favourite, the Alice Springs Reptile Centre. Kings Canyon National Park in southern California is located in the heart of the Sierra Nevada region. "FYASignUpDtmConfig": { You can explore the trails yourself or via a guided tour. . "profileUpdate": { This is also a good campground if youre looking for solitude among the yucca blooms. Stay to the right as you enter the campground; all five sites are on the right side of the road. Stage 2 fire restrictions also prohibit wood and charcoal fires in wilderness areas below elevations of 6,000 feet. Spending time in both parks, the lines were longer and parking lots filled quicker at Sequoia vs Kings Canyon. Kings Canyon is managed jointly by the Park Service with Sequoia National Park to the south of it. A Land of Giants. Planning a trip to the United States? If you go on a weekend during the summer and the shuttles are running, kids can stand underneath the tree for a photo opp. #caravanningaustraliawithkids This is well worth the effort. To get to the campground from Grant Grove, head northeast on Highway 180 for 18 miles (29 km). Downtown Visalia is the gateway to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. #kingscanyon #redcenter #outbackaustralia #roadtrip #northernterritory #hiking #frenchtraveler #australia, Another specccy spot in the red centre . 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