OK all you sequoia vistors, where would you stay if you were going back? I need some info on lodging around or in the park. We have three kids and will need a large room. HELP

Depends on if you want to stay in the park or outside and when. You may not be able to get a reservation in the park if you're going soon. We visited about a month ago and walked through the new lodge. Thought it looked like a cheap hotel, very disappointing after having stayed in some other national park lodges.

On a previous visit we stayed in the small town of Three Rivers at the Best Western over night and it was fine.

If your family would like a fairly remote outpost, you might want to drive the 26 miles down into Kings Canyon, a truly beautiful drive. Near the end of the road is Cedar Grove Lodge, right by the Kings River, in a really nice setting. The rooms are fairly plain but the porches are great, no TV or air.

Even if you don't stay down in Kings Canyon, we highly reccommend the drive. It is special.

I go to Sequoia every year and stay at Wuksachi Village because of the central location, near Lodgepole and Giant Forest. It's nothing special but it is clean and comfortable. It is a newer motel with a pretty good restaurant.

There is a family place called Montecito-Sequoia Lodge. They have more planned activites, homestyle meals, etc. Website:
http://www.montecitosequoia.com

Grant Grove Lodge has cabins and motel-like unites, I have never stayed there. it is near the west entrance (Hwy 180)

Cedar Grove Lodge would be nice if you were planning on spending mroe time down in Kings Canyon.

I would never stay in Three Rivers, or any town outside of the park becasue the drive into the park from the south on Hwy 198 is long and treacherous. That would be too much driving every day for me, esp. with kids. Things are spread out anyway within the park(s).

Anybody knows Wonder Valley ranch in this area? I posted it as a separate question, did not get any answers.

From my (creaky) memory, Wonder Valley is down in the foothills, between Pine Flat reservoir and the highway up to Kings Canyon/Sequoia north entrance.

Which new lodge are you talking about?
We have reservations at the John Muir in Grant's Grove village.

I would stay in the park if at all possible. We stayed in Wuksachi Lodge in July 2000. It appeared to be fairly new and was a bit larger than your normal holiday inn or best western; you might get a cot in there if needed.

We really enjoyed staying there, and in all nat'l parks if we can. This lodge isn't like staying at El Tovar or Old Faithful Inn (my favorites) but it was very clean and perfectly located.

They also have golf carts that take you to your room, a welcome change for those of us living out of suitcases in different motels every night!

PS: To clarify...we were in one of the motel buildings behind the main lodge (w/ restaurant, gift shoppe etc). Again, very nice and perfect location.

Does anyone have an aprroximate idea of how long it takes to reach Wuksachi village from the entrance to the park?

We used to have a home outside the park for many years. We loved going to Montecito-Sequoia with the kids. They will love it there.

Gorgeous swimming pool, jacuzzi, tennis courts, three buffet meals/day and a 24 hr. hospitality bar for ice cream, lemonade, etc. I would check this place out. Also horse back riding, guided hikes, etc., etc. It's a wonderful place for a family to enjoy the area in comfort. ***kim***

John H...re Sequoia. You seem to mention the area I am most interested in....I was planning on driving from San Luis Obispo to the south entrance to Sequoia since the area I wish to see most is the Giant Forest. We have a reservation for the night at Wuksachi. Is the upper entrance really that much easier? Then how long does it take us to get down to the Giant forest area? Also I saw the MOro Rock hike ...have you done it? The thought of actually seeing the great divide really appeals to me. Any other tips for that area? We are leaving July 21st. And renting a car to drive in one day and out the next. I love photography and wish to get some tree pics to take home for the wall. Also...Crescent meadow...is it as beautiful as they say...as in picture perfect?

Just thought of another question...last visit there was 30 years ago for me...it was breathtaking at 17 and all we did was pass thru quickly. I remember we went thru yosemite...and Reno.....we didnt go all thru the park...so would that mean we must have been in kings canyon instead of sequoia....isnt Reno near the north park?

Annnnnnnnd I keep thinking of things....I suppose on the way in the passenger side of the vehicle is the cliff drop off side of the road, huh? That part scares the devil out of me...just how bad is it?

I can't help you on the south entrance, but can tell you what we found in May. If you come in the south entrance, you will get a view of Moro Rock before you come to it--it's hard to miss. We went down that far after we had climbed Moro Rock to get a picture and there were rock climbers on it at the time. You will also pass through the Four Guardsman which my husband wanted to see on the way to Giant Forest coming from the south. When you get to the Giant Forest Museum, you take a road to the right which takes you to Moro Rock and Crescent Meadow. We really liked Moro Rock. I do not like heights, but was able to do it without a problem. You climb up steep stairs with plenty of places to stop and rest on the way with spectacular views all the way up. People of all ages were climbing up. At the top you get a 360 view. It doesn't take very long. On the way to Crescent Meadow (which is a very easy hike--Tharp's log house is there and was very interesting to see), you will see both Tunnel Log and Auto Log along the road and there is a short hike to Dead Giant along the way.

Giant Forest is right next to the road (although you have to walk from the parking lot at the museum) and across the street is another walk among giant trees which is easy if you have time.

You can see the General Sherman tree which is right next to the parking lot at the Congress Trail, but the trail to the Senate, etc. trees is a fairly long trail with an uphill climb before you really see anything.

If you can, drive down to Kings Canyon. There are viewpoints along the way and the drive into the Canyon is fantastic. There is an easy hike at the end of the road (Zumwalt Meadow) and 2 waterfalls along the road.

The only driving times I can tell you are that it took about an hour to get to Kings Canyon and about an hour to get to Giant Forest from Grant's Grove.

The roads are narrow and curvy and if you go to Kings Canyon, you will be on the dropoff side on the way out--but, like I said, I'm afraid of heights and the view is so magnificent, I think it is worth it. I think you could do everything you want in Sequoia in one day and spend the next in Kings Canyon on your way out without being pressed for time.

Did you notice that this post actually started a year ago?

I notice that but figured it was worth a try...i suppose i could have just started a new one....would that be the proper thing to do??? lol I'm not up on my fodors etiquette i guess. Oh well..........

Didn't mean it as a criticism--in fact, I just noticed it when I read my reply.

I don't know much about Fodor's etiquette either. The only thing I have noticed people get upset about is when the whole message is typed in capital letters. (and I think that is an internet etiquette thing)

Anyway, this will help put it back to the top, so maybe you will get more replies.

Thanks Maj....the info was excellent. I think I'll stick with that plan. My hopes are to get up in the morning and get some pics when the sun is just rising....they say that is the best picture taking time because it hits the tree trunks from the side. I've notice in most of the brochures its looks that way too. Your info was great and I really appreciate it.

Ok...another afterthough....Four Guardsman? Why havent I read about them in the brochures? Do tell.

My husband saw a picture of them somewhere in our literature and it intrigued him. They are a short ways down the Generals Highway south of the Giant Forest (if you are coming from the south you will see them before you get to the Giant Forest museum). You can't miss them--the road splits and there is a giant sequoia on each side of the road.

There is a booklet you can buy for $2.50 called Giant Forest Sequoia National Park in the museum (as well as other places) that has a map inside of the area that shows where the trees are along with trail information. Some are right on the road and you can't miss them.