For all my nature lovers out there, if you haven’t visited Sequoia National Park yet… this is your sign! The vast untouched nature is breathtaking, as well as the countless hikes throughout the park.
And don’t worry, no matter your fitness level, there are hikes for everybody here!!
Sequoia offers many accessible trailheads, that we were able to reach right from our campsite at Lodgepole.
If you want to find more hikes in the area, besides the hikes and walks we did, check out the app AllTrails. AllTrails gives you access to see trailheads from all around the world. It also lists the difficulty level as well as how long the hike should take. It is a great resource to use!
Here are our favorite hikes in Sequoia:
- Tokopah Falls
Relatively easy terrain and located only a 5 minute walk from Lodgepole campsite, this hike is ideal for campers who want to take their time in the morning, and are looking for a beautiful stroll through the woods with some stunning views.
This hike was the easiest of the 3 that we went on. It had a steady incline the whole way up and with beautiful rock views along the way.
Depending on the time of year you go, you might have a river or stream running along the trail. Since we went in October, the river was all dried up and we were able to walk on the river bed.
Getting there:
If you camp at the Lodgepole campsite, you’re in luck! The campsite is only a few minutes away from the start of the trailhead. If you are coming from a different campsite, or are just stopping by for the day, you can park at the Lodgepole Visitor Center and walk 15 minutes to the start of the trailhead.
2. Morro Rock
In contrast to Tokopah Falls, Morro Rock is a steep (stair-step master of a climb) on top of a rock. Morro Rock is a quick 20/30 minute climb depending on your fitness level and your need to take pictures of the views every few steps (ME!!) Although touristy (and for good reason), Morro Rock offers stunning 360-degree views of the valleys and surrounding mountains.
Pro tip: Get there in the morning around 8/9 a.m. to avoid the crowds. For my more adventurous hikers, a 6 a.m. sunrise hike is always a great option to enjoy the views with fewer people, especially during peak season. Also, bring your selfie stick if you have one. You’ll be able to take some pretty cool pictures from up there!
Getting there:
You can drive to the base of Moro Rock and park in the small parking lot if there is room. The parking lot does fill up quickly, so plan to park near Beetle Rock trailhead and walk 1.5/2 miles until you reach the base of Moro Rock.
3. Pear Lake
Located only a 7 minute drive away from the Lodgepole campsite, Pear Lake trailhead offers breathtaking vantage points as well as the option to swim in 3 different alpine lakes along the way. This hike was by far our favorite of the trip, not just because of the picturesque lookout points, but also the physicality and accomplishment of pushing our bodies.
Just to keep in mind, there are a lot of tourists on this hike, but since the trail spans far, it doesn’t feel like you are walking over people. The trail from Emerald Lake and back is around 10 miles (this is the route we did). We stopped at Heather Lake to dip our feet in the water and refuel on some snacks. There is also an option of swimming in Heather Lake as well.
Getting there:
If you are staying at the Lodgepole campsite, the trailhead is a short 7-minute drive away. There are plenty of parking spaces available at the trailhead, so no need to stress about finding parking.
3 Things to keep in mind:
- If you’re afraid of heights, hiking to Heather Lake might be a little scary. We hiked along a mountain ridge with a steep drop.
- There is an option to through-hike and camp either at Pear Lake or Heather Lake. Many of the hikers that we came across had their full hiking packs loaded with camping gear to spend the night.
- Most of the trail is uphill with narrow switchbacks. So just be prepared to feel the (good) burn in your legs.
Other easier (but more touristy) walks to do in Sequoia:
- General Sherman Tree
- Congress Trail
- Crescent Meadow Loop
- Auto Log
- Big Trees Trail
- General Grant Tree
I hope that this post inspires you to round up a group of friends or your family and hit the road for an unforgettable trip in Sequoia. My hope is to inspire you to get outside, travel, and enjoy nature’s playground!
Happy adventuring!
-Kristy 🙂
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