The towering granite peaks of the Great Western Divide and the Sierra Crest, alpine lakes and meadows, deep canyons, and giant sequoia groves attract more than 1.5 million visitors each year to these two adjoining national parks. The parks, which have a total area of 461,901 acres, are located on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada range in east-central California. At 14,494 feet, Mt Whitney in Sequoia National Park is the highest point in the contiguous United States. Kings Canyon Park has the highest canyon wall in the contiguous United States, rising 8,350 feet from the south fork of the Kings River. Naturalist John Muir helped to establish these parks as well as Yosemite, 200 miles to the north.

The parks were established independently but share their administration and a main highway, the General’s Hwy, which connects Hwy 180 in Kings Canyon to Hwy 198 in Sequoia. The drive is about 6 hours from San Francisco, and about 5 from Los Angeles. The parks are within easy access of Fresno, which is about 50 miles east of the parks.

The main park gates are at Ash Mountain off Hwy 198 and at Grant Grove off Hwy 180.

The visitor centers at Lodgepole in Sequoia and at Grant Grove, in Kings Canyon, are the largest and most helpful. Grant Grove was known as General Grant’s National Park from 1890 until Kings Canyon was designated a national park in 1940. It offers the 1-mile Big Stump Trail as well as a 3⁄8-mile trail winding past a 2,000- year-old sequoia called “General Grant” that is designated the country’s official Christmas tree.

In Boyden Canyon, between Grant Grove and Cedar Canyon, visitors can take a 45-minute tour through Boyden Cavern to see its stalactites and stalagmites. Cedar Grove on the south fork of Kings River offers hiking, camping, and horseback riding through meadows or up to dramatic cliffs.

At Road’s End, on Kings Canyon Highway, the granite walls of the deepest canyon in the contiguous states drop an extraordinary 8,200 feet to the Kings River.

In Sequoia National Park, Moro Rock, a granite monolith, rises 6,275 feet from the edge of the Giant Forest. In the forest, the General Sherman Tree, which is the largest living thing on Earth, has grown to 275 feet high. It has a circumference of 103 feet, and is estimated to be 2,300 to 2,700 years old. Nearby, 15 miles from Ash Mountain, is Crystal Cave, where one can take a 50-minute tour of its splendid marble interior. At 14,495 feet, Mt Whitney is the highest point in California. It is accessed from Hwy 395, on the far eastern border of Sequoia National Park. The 11-mile hike to the top is best spread out over two days, and many climbers still suffer severe headaches from the high altitude.

Steep gradients in the mountain passes add travel time. Gas and groceries are limited, as are lodging and dining options. Camping is restricted to designated areas, and requires pre-registration and a small fee. Recreational vehicles and trailers are allowed at most sites, but visitors should be aware that space is limited. There are bears in the parks, so precautions are necessary, especially with food. Chains are required during periods of heavy snow, and road closures are common in winter months. Mosquitoes are prevalent during summer months.

The entrance fee can be used for both Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and is good for seven days. Buses serve Fresno and Visalia, and Fresno Yosemite International airport is the closest.