We plan to be in Kings Canyon/Sequoia for 2 nights on a weekend in mid-June. I am trying to decide between Cedar Grove Lodge, John Muir Lodge, and Wusachi Lodge. Cedar Grove is the least expensive and sounds like it is in a beautiful area, but is it too far to be practical for seeing the sights? We normally like to stay inside a national park, but Wusachi Lodge looks close. Is it much nicer than the park lodging? Thanks for any tips!

I would suggest Wuksachi for the location since you have only two days, it's very close to the central groves and the trails that wind around the General Grant tree and the Congress grove area. It's rather like a very nice motel. While Cedar Grove is beautiful, it is a LONG way down there.

Thanks for your reply. Is Wuksachi in a better area for exploring than John Muir Lodge?

Wuksachi is the in-park Lodging. It is a little far from King Canyon (not to bad at all though), but is very near most of the good stuff in Sequoia. The food at the lodge is pretty darn good. We had 2 dinners, a lunch, and breakfast there twice. We did think the desserts were lame, but the entrees and appetizers were very good. I remember the bread pudding that they advertise as the house specialty was the worst I have had. very dry and hershey chocolate sauce. However, they have inventive and great food otherwise.

Sequoia is fantastic as any of the parks we have been to. Certainly plan on doing a lot of hiking, see the cave, moro rock and you can't miss the trees. congress trail is nice. walk it early or late to avoid the crowds mid-day. Of course, dont miss the General Sherman Tree, the largest living thing on the planet.

If you are only going to be there two nights and definitely want to go to Kings Canyon and Sequoia I would stay at Grant's Grove area (John Muir Lodge). It is about half way between the two. I wouldn't stay at Cedar Grove unless you are planning to spend all your time in Kings Canyon. It takes about an hour to get to Kings Canyon (beautiful scenery along the way) from Grant's Grove and about an hour also to get to Giant Forest in Sequoia from Grant's Grove. My second choice would be Wuksachi since there is more to do in Sequoia and you may not even make it down to Kings Canyon. There is also a grove of big trees at Grant's Grove that was actually our favorite.

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. Sounds like Cedar Grove is out and that there is more to see in Sequoia. We will be driving down from Yosemite. Maybe we should see Kings Canyon on our way down and then spend our time in Sequoia? Someone posted that you can see the best part of Kings Canyon between Hume Lake and Boyden Cavern on the way to Cedar Grove without going all the way to Cedar Grove. Is this right?

How far apart are John Muir Lodge and Wuksachi? Could we stay at John Muir and eat dinner at Wuksachi? John Muir is less expensive.

It took us 90 minutes from Fresno to Grant's Grove area (and about 90 minutes from Yosemite (Mariposa Grove area) to Fresno just to give you an idea of driving times. You go into the Kings Canyon/Sequoia area along that route and will come to Grant's Grove (John Muir) first. If you continue to the left (these are very basic directions) you will go to Kings Canyon. Depending on time of day you get there you should be able to see Kings Canyon first. The most scenic part is between those two areas, but I don't remember it being that much farther if you have time to go on to the end. There is an overlook and two falls right next to the road you can stop at. IMO also if you just make it to Boyden Cavern and are not planning on doing any hiking you will have seen the best part of Kings Canyon.

When you drive back to Grant's Grove you would continue on the General's Hwy to the left to go to Sequoia. I'm not sure how long it takes from John Muir to Wuksachi, but we did 2 daytrips from John Muir to Sequoia and Wuksachi is on the way. We also ate in Sequoia at the campground on the way back one of our days so it shouldn't be a problem for you to eat at Wuksachi the day you go to Sequoia and stay at John Muir. There is really only one road through the parks.