Staying at Navelencia Farms puts you close to two of the most beautiful national parks in California, Sequoia and Kings Canyon. They share a boundary and an entrance fee, so most guests explore both in the same trip. Here’s our guide to the sites you shouldn’t miss, all within easy reach of your farmhouse stay in Reedley.
Top Sites in Sequoia National Park
Drive time from Navelencia Farms: About 2 hours to the Giant Forest. Best for: Giant trees, epic overlooks, beginner friendly hikes
- Giant Forest & General Sherman Tree This is the big one, literally. General Sherman is the largest tree on Earth by volume, and standing beneath it is a humbling experience. The trail down to the tree is paved and short, though the walk back up is a climb at elevation. Stop by the Giant Forest Museum while you’re there.
- Moro Rock One of the best views in the entire park. A stone stairway leads to the summit, where you get a sweeping panorama of the Great Western Divide. It’s steep but short, and every bit worth it.
- Tunnel Log & Crescent Meadow Drive right through a fallen sequoia at Tunnel Log, then take the easy loop trail around Crescent Meadow, often called the “Gem of the Sierra.” Keep an eye out for deer, and even the occasional bear, from a safe distance.
- Tokopah Falls An easy to moderate trail from Lodgepole that follows the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River to a 1,200 foot waterfall tumbling down a granite bowl. It’s especially impressive in spring when snowmelt is running strong.
- Crystal Cave A marble cavern with stalactites and underground pools. It’s seasonal, open roughly May through November, and requires advance tickets through the Sequoia Parks Conservancy since you can’t buy them at the cave. Getting there involves a very steep half mile walk down and back, so plan accordingly.
- Mineral King (for the adventurous) A quieter, more remote corner of the park with alpine lakes and big mountain views. Worth the detour if you have extra time, though the access road is narrow and winding, and has been under seasonal construction, so check current conditions before you go.
Tips for Sequoia:
- Arrive early to beat the crowds, especially in summer.
- Bring layers. It often runs 20 or more degrees cooler up in the park than it is down at the farm.
- Pack a picnic lunch for Lodgepole or Crescent Meadow.
- Check road and trail conditions before you go, since some sections close seasonally. Here is a link to the Road Conditions Page.
Top Sites in Kings Canyon National Park
John Muir called Kings Canyon “a rival of the Yosemite” back in 1891, and more than a century later, it’s still one of the quietest, most dramatic canyons in the Sierra.
Drive time from Navelencia Farms: About 1 hour 15 minutes to Grant Grove Best for: Fewer crowds, waterfalls, dramatic canyon scenery
Kings Canyon is often overlooked next to its more famous neighbors, but we think that’s exactly what makes it special. It’s quieter, just as dramatic, and full of lush river scenery.
- General Grant Tree Known as the “Nation’s Christmas Tree,” this giant sequoia is one of the largest trees in the world and just a short, easy walk from the parking area near Grant Grove Village, where you’ll also find a gift shop and restaurant open in summer.
- Kings Canyon Scenic Byway (Highway 180) One of the most spectacular drives in California. The road winds down into a granite carved canyon with river views nearly the entire way, ending at Road’s End. We love to picnic down by Muir Rock by the Kings River.
- Grizzly Falls A roadside waterfall you can reach in just a few steps from the parking pullout, making it an easy stop for a stretch and a picnic. It runs strongest in spring and early summer.
- Roaring River Falls A short, paved path leads to this powerful waterfall and its turquoise pool. It lives up to its name, especially in spring runoff.
- Zumwalt Meadow Trail A peaceful walk along the Kings River with granite walls of North Dome and Grand Sentinel towering overhead. Flood damage has changed parts of the loop in recent years, so check current trail status before you go, but even the partial trail is one of our favorite easy walks in the park.
- Boyden Cavern (optional) A marble cave along the byway with guided tours, a nice alternative or addition to Crystal Cave if you want to see more of the Sierra underground.
- Hume Lake Just off the road to Kings Canyon, this lake was built in the early 1900s logging era and today is home to a Christian camp. It’s seasonally open, with a general store, snack shop, and gas, one of the few services between the National Forest and the parks.
Tips for Kings Canyon:
- This park feels more relaxed and less crowded than Sequoia.
- Be careful around rivers and waterfalls. The current is stronger than it looks.
- Check road and trail conditions before you go, since some sections close seasonally. Here is a link to the Road Conditions Page.
Why Stay at Navelencia Farms
Our historic farmhouse in Reedley sits right in the citrus belt of Central California, just about 45 minutes from the north entrance of the parks, and perfectly positioned between Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. After a big day exploring giant trees and granite canyons, you’ll come back to a peaceful farmhouse surrounded by citrus and olive groves, cook a good meal, and stargaze with zero light pollution. No packing up every night, just a quiet home base to return to.
Book Your Stay: 👉 airbnb.com/h/navelenciafarmhouse
Let us know if you’d like help planning your route, timing your visit, or figuring out permits and reservations for Crystal Cave or the trails above. We love helping our guests make the most of their time in the Sierra.
Visit the National Park Websites
Make sure to visit the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks websites and we like the Plan Your Visit Page
Support the Sequoia Parks Conservancy
Don’t forget to support the great work of the Sequoia Parks Conservancy as they are a key connection point with park visitors and provide important services, educational programs, and funding in support of park priorities. You too can be a champion for the parks.
