10 BEST FALL HIKES IN SEQUOIA AND KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS
If you’re on the hunt for vibrant fall colors, mid-October to early November offers the best fall hikes in Sequoia National Park. Fall weather brings cooler temperatures, vibrant colors, and smaller crowds to Sequoia and Kings Canyon, making it easier to get close to the giant sequoias! With an easy 45-minute drive to the parks, Visalia, CA is your basecamp to the 10 best fall hikes with amazing views.
The Best Fall Hikes in Sequoia National Park
Since evergreen sequoias and pines dominate the parks, you might ask yourself, “What can I do in Sequoia National Park during the fall?” Great news! You can still catch warm patches of fall color among the evergreens, thanks to the mountain dogwoods, maples, and aspen trees that call this park home!
Late September brings cooler temperatures in Sequoia’s foothills, making fall the perfect time to explore Sequoia National Park’s foothills. Spend your morning exploring the California chaparral, Kaweah River, waterfalls, and more.
1. Potwisha Middle Fork Trail: Also known as the Potwisha Flume Trail, there’s a 1.9 out-and-back fall trail near the overflow lot of Potwisha that leads to a suspension bridge over the Kaweah River. Along this short hike, sharp-eyed hikers can see Native American pictographs on the rocks above the trail as well as bedrock mortar holes along the river. Hikers can turn back at this point or cross the bridge for a slightly longer hike.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (loose gravel and overgrowth can create obstacles)
Time to Complete: approximately 1 hour.
2. Paradise Creek Trail: Cool fall temperatures give you the perfect opportunity to hike this moderate 2-mile out-and-back trail that winds past fall oak woodlands, waterfalls, and natural pools. You can find this trailhead by stopping at Hospital Rock and walking along the closed Buckeye Flat Road 0.7 miles to the trailhead.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Time to Complete: approximately 2 hours, depending on distance.
3. Marble Falls Trail: This trail is 7.8 miles round-trip and climbs 1,600 feet through chaparral to reach a lovely multi-tier waterfall. You can find the trailhead near site #14 at the Potwisha Campground.
Difficulty: Moderate
Time to Complete: approximately 4 hours.
4. Middle Fork Trail: Although this 23-mile trail is known for backpacking, the first few miles make for some stunning fall views of California chaparral, Moro Rock, and Castle Rocks. Mile 3 will also take you to Panther Creek Falls.
To reach the trail, park at Hospital Rock, walk the Buckeye Flat Campground Road, and turn left on the dirt road before the campground.
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult.
Time to Complete: approximately 2 hours, depending on distance.
No fall trip to Sequoia National Park is complete without a visit to its namesake forest. The Giant Forest area is home to the General Sherman tree, giant sequoia groves, and meadows, giving visitors a chance to see bright patches of autumn leaves between these giant evergreen trees. The best fall trails to catch colors include:
5. Round Meadow: Also known as Big Trees Trail, this gentle 1.8-mile loop offers incredible views of the giant sequoias and vibrant fall foliage from the dogwood trees that circle this meadow. This family-friendly fall hike also features informative exhibits and wheelchair-accessible paving.
Difficulty: Easy
Time to Complete: approximately 1 hour.
6. General Sherman and Congress Trail: No trip to Sequoia is complete without a visit to the Giant Forest. In addition to a smattering of fall color among the dogwoods, you might also catch a glimpse of early morning mist, fog, or golden sunlight dancing along this 3-mile loop.
Difficulty: Easy
Time to Complete: approximately 1 hour.
7. Moro Rock: The top of these 350-step stairs offers 360-degree views of the Great Western Divide. Climbing this trail at dawn or dusk rewards its hikers with a golden hour view of the Sierra Nevadas and the foothills of Sequoia National Park.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Time to Complete: approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Great Fall Hikes in Kings Canyon National Park
Sequoia National Park may be the more well-known of the parks, but the neighboring Kings Canyon National Park is home to spectacular sequoia groves, mountain vistas, and much smaller crowds. Home to a mile-deep canyon, this glacier-formed park enjoys cool fall temperatures and incredible fall hikes.
8. General Grant Tree Trail: This short 0.6-mile loop is home to the largest sequoia tree in Kings Canyon. This fall hike also passes by the golden leaves of hardwoods and the historic Gamlin Cabin.
Difficulty: Easy
Time to Complete: approximately 1 to 1.5 hours
9. Buena Vista Peak Trail: This 2-mile round-trip trail off General’s Highway overlooks the High Sierras. The fall foliage comes alive with vibrant yellow, orange, and red leaves as well as stunning sunset views for a spectacular fall experience in the park.
Difficulty: Moderate
Time to Complete: approximately 1 to 1.5 hours
10. Big Baldy Ridge Trailhead: This 4.4-mile out-and-back trail winds through tall conifer forests before it opens to rocky outcroppings with wide views of the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks below.
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Time to Complete: approximately 2.5 to 3 hours.
Best Fall Hikes FAQ
Is October a good month to visit Sequoia National Park?
October is one of the best months to visit Sequoia National Park. The crowds shrink, the weather cools, and the park comes alive with fall colors.
What are some of the best hikes in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks?
The 10 best fall hikes in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are found throughout the park, including in the lower elevations, but these parks have incredible spring and summer hiking trails as well. We compiled a list of the best park hikes here.
How many days do you need to see Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park?
The number of days you need to see Sequoia and Kings Canyon depends on how much you’d like to see and explore, especially if you want to visit all these hikes. With a direct 45-minute drive to the park entrance, Visalia is your basecamp to the sequoias to enjoy a multi-day visit to the park and more!
You can spend one day each in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, especially once the higher elevations start closing their roads for the winter season. The Majestic Mountain Loop is a great starting place to plan a day in each park.
What are some fall hikes near Sequoia and Kings Canyon?
The best part of traveling to Sequoia and Kings Canyon for fall hikes means finding plenty of outdoor hikes in and around the parks. With an easy 45- minute drive to both parks, Visalia is the perfect place to rest in between hiking excursions. You can even sneak in a morning hike or two in the city by visiting any of these popular fall hikes in Visalia, CA.
- St. John’s River Parkway: This scenic 4.4-mile trail offers pedestrian walkways and bike paths along a tree-dotted river valley that connects the 70-acre Cutler Park to the athletic fields of Riverway Sports Park.
- Woodlake Botanical Garden and Bravo Lake: This 3.3-mile loop offers incredible views of the mountain ranges and ends at a community-run botanical garden with mature fruit trees, cultivated flower beds, and a new rose garden extension
- Kaweah Oaks Preserve: Enjoy a self-guided stroll along the Grapevine, Sycamore, and Valley Oak trails and keep an eye out for valley oaks and local birds, including great blue herons and red-tailed hawks.
- Dry Creek Preserve: Located on a former gravel quarry, Dry Creek Preserve is the first example of a fully restored preserve in Tulare County! With its growing population of great blue herons, golden eagles, and migratory birds, these fall trails are popular birdwatching spots.
