Lodgepole Campground

Sequoia National Park features miles of mountain biking trails to explore. Experienced road cyclists comfortable riding in traffic can also use General’s Highway or take Highway 180 into Kings Canyon.

While motorized crafts aren’t allowed, there are still many awesome ways to explore these lovely waterways. Checkout our kayaking & canoeing section (and SUPing, too!).

The Topakah Falls Trail passes through Lodgepole Campground, leading up the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River to a 1,200-foot waterfall. The Lodgepole-Sherman Tree Trail connects Lodgepole Campground to the General Sherman tree. (You can return to the campground from this hike via the park’s free shuttle.) Trailheads to Moro Rock, the Big Trees Trail, and the Giant Forest are also close by.

Horseback riding is found primarily in King’s Canyon further up, but one trip goes to the General Sherman tree and the surrounding area in Sequoia. You can cover plenty of ground on horseback and see the stunning scenery while you’re at it! The nearest stable in Sequoia is in the Big Meadow Corral, and the other two stables are located in King’s Canyon. Guided day rides and multi-day adventures are available here.

Only extreme kayakers are recommended to try the trips in Sequoia and King’s Canyon, and they should still be cautious. It is high risk and requires advanced skills because the rivers are icy cold and swift. The Kaweah River is probably the best place for a good challenge with class IV conditions in the middle fork. Be warned that some areas are difficult to get to (and from). Make sure you know what you’re doing and plan ahead before you decide to kayak here! That includes getting a wilderness permit for overnight stays. Check out some runs under Sequoia here.

Off-Highway Vehicles can glide on through this national park for a joyride, but should stay on the designated road! Kern Valley is the perfect place to explore, but make sure you pick up a motor vehicle use map which you can check out here.

The Angel Wings, an 1,800-foot granite wall with an amazing south face, offers crazy climbing in Sequoia, where the climbing is just as good as in Yosemite. The best climbs are Little Baldy and quartzite Hospital Rock, while the most accessible is Moro Rock, although this spot closes between April and August due to nesting peregrine falcons. Sequoia National Park also offers guided tours of the marble caverns at Crystal Cave. Tickets can be reserved online and frequently sell out, so it’s best to book as soon as you have a camping reservation. Crystal Cave parking is about 40 minutes from Lodgepole Campground.

Skip that traditional snow trip to the same old spot you go to every winter and try Sequoia instead… It’ll be your new vacation spot! This summer paradise is equally amazing in the winter, with snow blanketing the ground. Do you want to build a snowman? Well here you can… and also take part in snowshoe walks (free snowshoes provided for 1 mile walk every Saturday!), cross-country skiing, and stay at the Pear Lake Ski Hut for more difficult trails. Check out the private high elevation trails from the Montecito Ski Lodge. If you’re feeling more adventurous, almost no one is out in the backcountry during the winter and you can snowshoe your way for some crazy snow camping!

Rafting in Sequoia/Kings Canyon promises an exciting and adrenaline-pumping adventure with the Kaweah, Kings and Kern Rivers available. The Kaweah is the most intense-- with 85 feet drops, this is one of the steepest rivers in the US at a class V. If you’re looking for something tamer, the Kings River (more in Kings Canyon territory) boasts incredible scenery while offering some of the best family rafting trips. The Kern River is steep and wild and quite popular for whitewater rafting. If you’re looking for guided tours, the options are endless; the most reputable are All-Outdoors Rafting and Kaweah Whitewater Adventures based on Yelp reviews, but there are plenty of local companies as well!

Marmots, endangered bighorn sheep, pocket gophers and gopher snakes are only some of the 300 species of wildlife living here. With steep elevation change and various environments, the diversity of wildlife makes sense: there are rodents, 17 types of bats, beautiful fish, rare cave-dwelling invertebrates, and over 200 types of birds! But wait-- what’s that flying above? Is it a bird? Is it a plane? It’s… a flying squirrel! Keep your eyes peeled; the wildlife at Sequoia will be sure to keep you coming back for more.