California National Parks Family Loop: A 10-Day Itinerary
Three giant parks, waterfalls & big trees, built for families.
A 10-day California national parks road trip built for families: Yosemite Valley waterfalls, Glacier Point, the giant sequoias of Mariposa Grove, then the General Sherman Tree and Moro Rock in Sequoia & Kings Canyon.
Excellent itinerary planner! Detail oriented with thoughtful tips for my family’s trip.
29 stops on a real mapEvery stop pinned in order→Every stop is a real pin, in order.
Yosemite, Sequoia & Kings Canyon · the Sierra Nevada
6 of the stops on these 10 days.
Plan and book your 10 days in California Parks, one step at a time
How 10 days in California Parks split up
This California national parks road trip strings together the heavyweights of the Sierra Nevada over ten days: Yosemite, with its waterfalls and granite walls, and Sequoia & Kings Canyon, home to the largest trees on Earth. It is paced for families, leaning on easy valley-floor walks, free shuttle buses, junior ranger programs, and plenty of picnic stops between the big sights.
Day 1: Fly in & drive to Yosemite · the Valley floor
3 stops · Day one
Day 2: Yosemite waterfalls · Lower Yosemite Fall & Bridalveil
3 stops · Day two
Day 3: Mirror Lake & a slow Valley day
3 stops · Day three
Day 4: Glacier Point · the classic Yosemite view
3 stops · Day four
Day 5: Mariposa Grove · the giant sequoias of Yosemite
3 stops · Day five
Day 6: Drive south to Sequoia & Kings Canyon
3 stops · Day six
Day 7: The General Sherman Tree & Big Trees Trail
3 stops · Day seven
Day 8: Moro Rock & Crystal Cave
3 stops · Day eight
Day 9: Kings Canyon · Grant Grove & the canyon drive
3 stops · Day nine
Day 10: Drive out & fly home
2 stops · Day ten
Fly in & drive to Yosemite · the Valley floor
Fly into Fresno (FAT) for the shortest drive, or into Sacramento or San Francisco for cheaper flights and a bigger road trip. From Fresno it is roughly 2.5 to 3 hours up to Yosemite Valley; from the Bay Area plan on around 4 hours. Pick up groceries and picnic supplies before you climb into the mountains, because options thin out fast.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
Drive from~2.5–3 hr · stock up on food first · DriveFly into Fresno (FAT) for the shortest drive, or Sacramento or San Francisco for cheaper flights and a bigger loop. From Fresno it is roughly 2.5 to 3 hours up to Yosemite Valley. Pick up groceries and picnic supplies before you climb into the mountains, where options thin out fast.
- Yosemite Valley
El Capitan, Half Dome & the Merced River · ViewpointRoll into Yosemite Valley and let the scale sink in: El Capitan, Half Dome, and granite walls towering thousands of feet overhead. Park the car and ride the free Valley shuttle, walk a flat stretch of the loop trail, and find a picnic spot by the Merced River to settle in.
Stay in Yosemite ValleyIn-park lodge · books a year ahead · lodgeIn-park lodging in Yosemite Valley is the most convenient but books up to a year ahead for summer. If it is full, base in the gateway town of Mariposa and drive in. Wherever you stay, use the food lockers, since this is bear country and a clean room or car matters.
Yosemite waterfalls · Lower Yosemite Fall & Bridalveil
Spend today chasing the waterfalls that make Yosemite famous, on trails short enough for little legs. Walk to Lower Yosemite Fall (about 1 mile round trip, easy and mostly paved), where in spring you can feel the spray off the base of North America's tallest waterfall. It is one of the best easy walks in the park and a guaranteed kid pleaser when the snowmelt is roaring.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
- Lower Yosemite Fall
~1 mi RT · easy · mostly paved · HikeWalk to Lower Yosemite Fall (about 1 mile round trip, easy and mostly paved), where in spring you can feel the spray off the base of North America's tallest waterfall. It is one of the best easy walks in the park and a guaranteed kid pleaser when the snowmelt is roaring.
- Bridalveil Fall
~0.5 mi RT · easy · paved · HikeDrive to the west end of the Valley for Bridalveil Fall (about 0.5 mile round trip, easy), a quick paved walk to a 620-foot ribbon of water that often catches a rainbow in the mist. The waterfalls peak in May and June and can slow to a trickle by late summer.
Second night in Yosemite ValleyStay put · pace the Valley · lodgeStay a second night in or near the Valley so the kids can pace it over more than one day. Picking up a Junior Ranger booklet at the visitor center on your first morning gives them something to work on across the whole trip.
Mirror Lake & a slow Valley day
Take the pressure off with an easier day deeper in the Valley. The walk to Mirror Lake (about 2 miles round trip on the paved route, easy) leads to a seasonal pool that reflects Half Dome when the water is high in spring and early summer. By late summer it often dries to a meadow, but the wide, flat path and the river make it a relaxed family outing either way.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
- Mirror Lake
~2 mi RT paved · easy · Half Dome reflections · HikeThe walk to Mirror Lake (about 2 miles round trip on the paved route, easy) leads to a seasonal pool that reflects Half Dome when the water is high in spring and early summer. By late summer it often dries to a meadow, but the wide flat path makes it a relaxed family outing.
Valley bike loop & river timeFlat bike paths · Merced River wade · activityRound out the day with the things that make Yosemite click for kids: a flat bike ride on the Valley's paved paths with rentals available, and a swim or wade in the Merced River on a warm afternoon. This is the day to slow down, picnic, and let everyone recharge.
Third night in Yosemite ValleyLast Valley night · lodgeSpend a last night near the Valley before Glacier Point and Mariposa Grove. If in-park lodging is full, Mariposa is the closest gateway town and keeps you within easy reach of the Valley and the park's south end.
Glacier Point · the classic Yosemite view
Drive up out of the Valley to Glacier Point, the single most jaw-dropping overlook in Yosemite. From the railing 3,200 feet above the Valley floor, the whole scene lays out at once: Half Dome face-on, Yosemite Falls across the way, and the high country rolling off into the distance. The viewpoint is a short, accessible walk from the parking area, so the payoff per step is huge for families.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
- Glacier Point
Short accessible walk · Half Dome face-on · ViewpointDrive up to Glacier Point, the most jaw-dropping overlook in Yosemite. From the railing 3,200 feet above the Valley floor, the whole scene lays out at once: Half Dome face-on, Yosemite Falls across the way, and the high country beyond. The viewpoint is a short, accessible walk from the lot.
Sentinel Dome or Taft PointShort trails · bigger views · HikeFor a little more, the short Sentinel Dome or Taft Point trails near Glacier Point reward bigger kids with even wider views over the Valley and the Sierra. Pack a picnic and time the overlook for late afternoon, when the light warms the granite.
Ken Lund / CC BY-SA 2.0Stay near OakhurstPosition for Mariposa Grove · lodgeMove your base toward the south end of the park, around Oakhurst, to position for Mariposa Grove tomorrow. Oakhurst is a gateway town with family lodging and is a good place to stock up before the longer drive to Sequoia.
Mariposa Grove · the giant sequoias of Yosemite
Head to the south end of the park for Mariposa Grove, Yosemite's largest stand of giant sequoias and a highlight kids never forget. A free shuttle runs from the welcome plaza to the grove in season, and the Big Trees Loop (about 0.3 mile, easy and accessible) puts you among towering ancient trees within minutes of stepping off the bus.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
- Big Trees Loop
~0.3 mi · easy · accessible boardwalk · HikeA free shuttle runs from the welcome plaza to Mariposa Grove in season, and the Big Trees Loop (about 0.3 mile, easy and accessible) puts you among towering ancient sequoias within minutes of stepping off the bus. Even the youngest kids and strollers can get among the giants.
Grizzly Giant Loop~2 mi RT · Grizzly Giant & Tunnel Tree · HikeFor more, the Grizzly Giant Loop (about 2 miles round trip, easy to moderate) reaches the Grizzly Giant, one of the oldest and largest sequoias in the grove, and the famous California Tunnel Tree. A great day to lean on the junior ranger booklet and talk about trees two thousand years old.
- Stay in Oakhurst
Gateway town · family lodging · lodgeBase near Oakhurst for the night, a gateway town with family lodging at the south end of Yosemite. Stock up on food and gas here before tomorrow's longer transfer drive down to Sequoia & Kings Canyon.
Drive south to Sequoia & Kings Canyon
Today is a transfer day, so settle in for one of the trip's longer mountain drives. From the Oakhurst area down to the Three Rivers gateway and the Sequoia entrance is roughly 2.5 to 3 hours, much of it on winding two-lane roads. Inside the park, the climb up the Generals Highway from the foothills to the giant forest is steep and slow, with tight switchbacks, so allow extra time and let everyone settle their stomachs.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
- Drive to Three Rivers
~2.5–3 hr · winding mountain roads · DriveA transfer day. From the Oakhurst area down to the Three Rivers gateway and the Sequoia entrance is roughly 2.5 to 3 hours, much of it on winding two-lane roads. Break it up with snack stops, and pack motion-sickness remedies for kids.
Generals Highway & Giant Forest MuseumSteep climb · orient the kids · ViewpointInside the park, the Generals Highway climbs steeply from the foothills to the Giant Forest with tight switchbacks, so go slow and allow extra time. Get the lay of the land at the Giant Forest Museum, then save your energy for the big-tree day tomorrow.
Stay in Three RiversGateway town · family lodging · lodgeBase in Three Rivers, the gateway town just outside the Sequoia entrance, which has the most family lodging. In-park lodges are limited and book far ahead for summer, so Three Rivers is the practical home base for the Sequoia days.
The General Sherman Tree & Big Trees Trail
This is the day the kids have been waiting for. A paved path leads down to the General Sherman Tree, the largest living tree on Earth by volume, standing 275 feet tall with a base wider than a city street. The walk down from the upper lot is about 1 mile round trip and the return climb is uphill at altitude, so take it slow, and use the accessible lot if anyone needs the easier approach.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
- General Sherman Tree
~1 mi RT paved · largest tree on Earth · HikeA paved path leads down to the General Sherman Tree, the largest living tree on Earth by volume, 275 feet tall with a base wider than a city street. The walk is about 1 mile round trip and the return climb is uphill at around 7,000 feet, so take it slow. An accessible lot sits closer for an easier approach.
Big Trees Trail~1.2 mi · easy · accessible meadow loop · HikePair it with the Big Trees Trail (about 1.2 miles, easy and accessible), a flat loop around a meadow ringed by giant sequoias with interpretive signs perfect for junior rangers. Together these short trails deliver the heart of Sequoia without a hard hike.
Stay near the Giant Forest or Three RiversIn-park if booked · or Three Rivers · lodgeStay in an in-park lodge near the Giant Forest if you booked one well ahead, or drop back down to Three Rivers for the night. Either way, store all food in the lockers, since bears are active throughout the giant forest.
Moro Rock & Crystal Cave
Climb the granite dome of Moro Rock by way of its famous staircase, about 400 steps cut and built into the rock that lead to a railed summit with a sweeping view over the Great Western Divide and the foothills far below. It is short, around half a mile round trip, but it is a real stair climb at altitude with steep drop-offs, so keep little ones close and skip it if anyone is afraid of heights.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
- Moro Rock
~0.5 mi RT · ~400 stairs · railed summit · HikeClimb Moro Rock by its famous staircase, about 400 steps built into the granite dome leading to a railed summit with a sweeping view over the Great Western Divide. It is short, around half a mile round trip, but a real stair climb at altitude with steep drop-offs, so keep little ones close.
Crystal Cave tourGuided marble cavern · timed tickets · activityIn the afternoon, drop underground on a guided tour of Crystal Cave, a marble cavern that stays cool on a hot day and fascinates kids. Tours are by timed ticket only, often sell out, and are not sold at the cave, so buy them in advance online and confirm the cave is open that season.
Last Sequoia nightGiant Forest area or Three Rivers · lodgeSpend a last Sequoia night near the Giant Forest or in Three Rivers. If you have energy left, the easy Crescent Meadow loop nearby is "the gem of the Sierra" and a lovely flat picnic spot to end the day.
Kings Canyon · Grant Grove & the canyon drive
Cross into the Kings Canyon side of the park, starting at Grant Grove and the General Grant Tree, the nation's Christmas Tree and the second largest tree in the world, reached on a short, easy paved loop about 0.5 mile long. It is an easy companion to General Sherman and another effortless win with kids.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
General Grant Tree Trail~0.5 mi · easy paved loop · HikeCross into Kings Canyon at Grant Grove for the General Grant Tree, the nation's Christmas Tree and the second largest tree in the world, reached on a short, easy paved loop about half a mile long. An effortless companion to General Sherman and another easy win with kids.
- Kings Canyon Scenic Byway
Hwy 180 · seasonal · deep canyon · DriveIf everyone has the appetite, the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway (Highway 180) drops dramatically into one of the deepest canyons in North America, with overlooks, roadside Roaring River Falls, and the green meadows of Cedar Grove at the bottom. It is a long out-and-back and the byway is closed in winter, so check it is open.
Stay in Grant Grove or Three RiversLast park night · lodgeSpend a last park night at Grant Grove if you booked in-park, or back in Three Rivers to position for the airport. Either way, fill up on gas before tomorrow's drive out, since stations are sparse around the parks.
Drive out & fly home
Wrap up with an easy morning and the drive back to the airport. From Three Rivers it is roughly 1.5 hours down to Fresno (FAT), or about 4 hours to Sacramento or San Francisco if you flew into the Bay Area for a bigger loop. Build in buffer for the slow mountain roads on the way out, and plan around the kids' patience for the final leg.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
- Foothills last stop
Warm green foothills near the entrance · ViewpointIf you have time before your flight, the foothills section near the Sequoia entrance is warm and green in spring and makes a nice last stop, or you can simply roll out early and beat the traffic. Top off your gas before the drive down.
- Drive to Fresno (FAT)
FAT ~1.5 hr · SFO ~4 hr · DriveFrom Three Rivers it is roughly 1.5 hours down to Fresno (FAT), or about 4 hours to Sacramento or San Francisco if you flew into the Bay Area. Build in buffer for the slow mountain roads and any weekend backups on Highway 99, and leave with margin for the kids' patience on the final leg.
Book the 9 nights
Beds near the trailheads are the one thing on this trip that genuinely runs out. Everything else can be decided later.
Tell us your dates and we will do the calling. We check every booking site, put your points and card perks against the cash price, and email you this plan back with the best room we can find for each night. Nothing is charged and you decide at the end.
Request to bookWhat to pack for California Parks
Built from this route, not a generic list. Every line says why it is here.
On every day of this trip
On your feet
Because you are sleeping indoors
For the driving days
What we actually learned with kids in the Sierra.
Pay each park fee or bring your pass
Yosemite and Sequoia & Kings Canyon each charge about $35 per vehicle for a 7-day pass. The annual America the Beautiful pass ($80) covers entry to both and every other national park, so it pays off fast on a multi-park loop like this one. Buy it at the gate or online ahead.
Reservations may be required for Yosemite
Yosemite has used a peak-season day-use reservation system in recent summers, and Mariposa Grove and other areas run shuttles with their own rules. Check nps.gov for your exact dates before you go, and book any required entry reservation as soon as the window opens.
Book lodging up to a year ahead
In-park lodges in Yosemite Valley and at Sequoia & Kings Canyon sell out up to a year in advance for summer. If they are full, base in the gateway towns of Mariposa, Oakhurst, or Three Rivers and drive in, which is what most families end up doing.
This is bear country, so use the lockers
Black bears are active across all three parks. Use the metal food lockers at lodgings and trailheads, never leave food, coolers, or even scented items in your car, and keep a clean campsite. A bear breaking into a car for snacks is a real and common problem here.
Mountain drives are long and winding
These parks look close on a map but the transfers are long, slow, and twisty, especially the Generals Highway and the road between Yosemite and Sequoia. Allow far more time than the mileage suggests, pack motion-sickness remedies, and build in snack and bathroom stops.
Go late spring to early fall
The sweet spot is May through September. Yosemite's waterfalls peak on snowmelt in May and June, while Tioga Road over the high country stays closed by snow until late spring. Summer is busiest, so start early each day to beat crowds and parking crunches.
Altitude and sun hit harder up high
The Giant Forest, the General Sherman Tree, and Glacier Point all sit high, roughly 6,000 to 7,000 feet and more. Kids tire faster and sunburn quicker at elevation, so hydrate more than usual, pack sunscreen, hats, and layers for the temperature swings, and give everyone an easy first day to adjust before the bigger walks.
Download maps before you lose service
Cell service drops across much of Yosemite and Sequoia & Kings Canyon once you leave the gateway towns. Download offline Google Maps, your lodging confirmations, and any tickets before you enter, and export your planner route so you have turn-by-turn directions in the dead zones. A paper park map from the entrance station is a good backup.
Everything you'll actually want to know.
Everything you'll actually want to know before a California Parks trip.
A 10-day Sierra Nevada loop through Yosemite and Sequoia & Kings Canyon is the classic family route. It leans on easy, mostly paved walks (Lower Yosemite Fall, Bridalveil Fall, Mirror Lake, the Big Trees Trail), big payoffs with little effort (Glacier Point, the General Sherman Tree, Mariposa Grove), free shuttle systems, and junior ranger programs in every park. Death Valley or Pinnacles can be added if you have more time, though both are best outside the summer heat.
We'll find the cheapest way to do this trip.
Tell us your dates and we price the plan you just built: every booking site, the hotels direct, and your own points and card perks against the cash price. You get it back by email with a link for each night and what it saved you.
- It is free. The hotel pays us, not you. You pay their normal price.
- Nothing is charged and nothing is held. You decide at the end, or you walk away.
- Beds near trailheads are the part that runs out. Everything else can wait.
The figures below are estimates from local nightly rates, so you know the ballpark before you ask. The real number comes back once we have checked what is free.
- 9 nights, sites held for you
- Any permits secured before you fly
- Gear rented locally and waiting at the site
- The route pinned to your phone before you leave
- Everything in Camped
- Rooms booked for every night, one base where the route allows
- Dinner reservations on the nights that need them
- A rain-day plan written before you go
- Everything in Glamped, plus a local guide for the trip
- Airport pickup and every drive handled
- All the gear rented and waiting, so you pack clothes and nothing else
- Weather turns and they rewrite the day while you are still at breakfast
Written and walked by Yulia Vasilyeva · Co-founder · Lead planner and guide
Builds every custom itinerary herself and leads guided hikes in the Pacific Northwest, rated 5.0 by 20+ verified guests. Based in Seattle.
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What adventurers say about us.
All reviews are from verified guests. ★★★★★ 5.0 average from 20+ bookings.
"Felt like going out with a really knowledgeable friend who just happens to know everything about the area. No awkward tour-guide energy, just a magnificent day."
"Yulia is an incredible guide. She knew every trail, every viewpoint, and exactly how to pace the day for our group. The photos she took of us were stunning. 100% booking again."
"I was visiting Seattle solo and this was the best decision I made on the trip. Yulia picked me up, had snacks, and took us to a trail I never would have found on my own. Absolute must-do."
"We did this as a couple's trip and it was perfect. Yulia adapted everything to us, our pace, our interests, our photo obsession. The mountain views were unreal."
"Phenomenal experience. Yulia has deep local knowledge and a real passion for the outdoors. She went out of her way to show us the hidden gems tourists never see. Will remember this forever."
"I've done a few guided hikes and this was by far the best. Yulia is warm, funny, and genuinely expert. The trail she chose had the most insane wildflower bloom, we got so lucky."
Fees, reservation windows, shuttle dates and trail closures are planning estimates. Confirm hours, road status and any reservations with the land manager before you go.
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You can't hike it if you can't get the permit.
The best hikes in America run on lotteries that open once a year and sell out in minutes. Every trail runs on its own calendar. Pick the ones you want and we do the watching.
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How it works
- An email the morning each window opens, never the day after.
- A 14-day heads-up so you can line up your group and dates.
- Win odds and a ranked backup plan for every trail you pick.
Didn't win? We keep watching. We check recreation.gov every day for The Enchantments, Half Dome and Angels Landing, and email you the moment a sold-out date frees up. Cancellations are the second chance most people never hear about.
Excellent itinerary planner! Detail oriented with thoughtful tips for my family's trip.