11 Places to See on a Road Trip from Yosemite to Sequoia National Park
These two incredible national parks are about a three-hour drive from each other, but there’s loads to see on the way… road trip!
If you’re up early, you can see some of Yosemite National Park and Sequoia National Park in a day. But, I’d recommend taking your time and hanging around at both. Even if you don’t want to go mad on the hiking, you can just soak up the atmosphere and enjoy your surroundings.
Yosemite National Park is probably the most well-known in the region, buried in the Sierra Nevada mountains, and home to waterfalls, canyons, cliffs and glacier points. Sequoia on the other hand is much more spread out – and generally quieter and calmer. Ultimately, they’re both well worth visiting, and I’m very jealous you’re (thinking of?) going.
If you do a road trip from Yosemite to Sequoia National Park you’ll be able to see the true natural beauty of California. I think I managed to tick off a whole nature bucket list in this short distance. There’s waterfalls, lakes, forests, and more to explore – don’t forget those road trip snacks either.
I’ve detailed all of the best places to see on a road trip from Yosemite to Sequoia National Park below!
11 Places to See on a Road Trip from Yosemite to Sequoia National Park
Make the most of California’s incredible and diverse nature as you drive from one park to another – the perfect way to feast your eyes on greenery, glaciers and glassy lakes.
See the map of the road trip here
1. Tunnel View, Yosemite
Start your journey with the iconic Tunnel View. It’s the perfect introduction to the majestic beauty of Yosemite, offering a stunning panorama of the valley. The first glimpse of Yosemite Valley with El Capitan and Half Dome is just incredible. I felt like I was in a nature documentary, except… it was all real.
The view is iconic, and no matter how many photos you’ve seen, nothing beats seeing it in person. If you happen to be there at sunrise then you’ll really see something special.
2. Bridalveil Fall, Yosemite
Just a short drive from Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall is another stop you need to make. The waterfall is especially impressive in the spring and early summer. It’s 188m high and gets its name from, well, looking like a bride’s veil.
Getting sprayed by the mist was quite refreshing after a bit of a walk up there. It’s a must-see for its sheer beauty and easy accessibility.
3. Mariposa Grove, Yosemite
Walking among the giant sequoias in Mariposa Grove is like being a tiny creature in a giant’s world. The Grizzly Giant and California Tunnel Tree are just incredible and almost a bit surreal. It’s a staunch reminder of how magnificent nature truly is. In fact two trees here are among the largest sequoias in the world.
Anyway – just in case you’ve had enough of me talking trees – there’s lots of other things to do at Mariposa Grove. You can go hiking or even skiing during winter. Yeah, not sure how that works.
4. Fish Camp
Just outside Yosemite National Park is Fish Camp, a cute little town that’s home to the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad. This historic steam train, a remnant of the logging days of the early 1900s, promised an adventure back in time, and it certainly delivered. As you board the antique train, you’ll no doubt feel nostalgic with its wooden benches and the conductors traditional clothing.
The train journey itself was nothing short of amazing. As we chugged along the narrow-gauge track, the landscapes of the Sierra National Forest enveloped us. You can see sugar pines and cedars, which make it even more magical.
5. Bass Lake, Madera County
Approximately half an hour from Mariposa Grove is Bass Lake. It’s 5 miles long and the perfect spot if you enjoy watersports. You can also go swimming in the coves dotted around, which is a nice break if you’ve been stuck in the car for a while.
Even if you’ve already done a few hikes and treks on this road trip from Yosemite to Sequoia National Park, the walks around Bass Lake are pretty amazing. The Way of the Mono Trail (named after inhabitants of the area) is just over half a mile and ends with great views from the top.
6. Fresno Flats Historical Park, Oakhurst
Prepare to step back in time to the 19th century at Fresno Flats, at the time of gold mining. The museum and park house buildings of the time, which you can see through guided tours. Depending on when you visit, you’ll also be able to do workshops like cooking or square dancing.
7. Sierra National Forest
You might be sick of seeing national parks on this itinerary of stops to see on the road trip from Yosemite to Sequoia National Park, but this one is definitely worth it.
You can stop off for a hike, or just take in the drive through the park. It’s got panoramic views of mountains, lakes and the forest, which are beautiful. You could – if you’re feeling brave enough – go for a swim too. Although, it’s quite cold so be prepared
8. Fresno City
Fresno is quite an important city in California, especially when it comes to agriculture. So you’ll find lots of farms and orchards there. Make sure you stop off at a restaurant to try to delicious local food. It’s particularly known for citrus fruits, peaches, grapes, tomatoes, almonds and more. Oh and it’s also dubbed ‘Raisin World Capital’.
While in Fresno, make sure you visit the Forestiere Underground Gardens, which are underground passageways, grottos and courtyards built by a Sicilian living there over the course of 40 years. It’s pretty impressive to see what one man was capable of in his lifetime.
9. Blue Ridge Vista Point
The Blue Ridge Vista Point is a stunning spot along the highway. The vista point, situated at a high elevation, offers a sweeping panorama of the surrounding Sierra Nevada range. You can reach it by car – it’s especially stunning in the autumn.
The sight of rolling hills, deep valleys, and rugged mountain peaks stretching as far as the eye could see is well worth the photo stop.
10. Hume Lake
Another stop, another lake. But again, it’s another natural beauty spot that you don’t want to miss out on. Although technically, Hume Lake is a reservoir.
It’s used a lot for Christian camps, but there’s also private cabins to rent if you fancy turning your road trip from Yosemite to Sequoia National Park into an overnight stay. There’s watersports and beach activities that take place on and around Hume Lake, making it a cute little getaway between these two destinations.
11. Sequoia National Park
Located in the southern Sierra Nevada mountains of California, this park is renowned for its towering sequoia trees (if it wasn’t clear from the name), which are among the largest and oldest living organisms on Earth.
The heart of my visit was the Giant Forest, home to five of the ten largest trees in the world. The most famous among them, the General Sherman Tree, is considered the largest living tree by volume. Standing at the base of General Sherman, you can see just how huge these trees actually are.
A highlight of my trip was the climb up Moro Rock, a large granite dome offering panoramic views of the park and the Great Western Divide. The stairway to the top is carved into the rock. Although it’s a bit tough-going, the vistas are worth the effort. If you can time it right, get to the top of Moro Rock at sunset.
Another fascinating feature of Sequoia National Park is Crystal Cave, a marble karst cave adorned with stalactites, stalagmites, and flow stones. The guided tour through the cave revealed a hidden underground world, with intricate formations and streams.