How much does it cost to travel to Sequoia National Park?
You should plan to spend around $130 per day on your vacation in Sequoia National Park. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $31 on meals
- $56 on local transportation
- $127 on hotels
A one week trip to Sequoia National Park for two people costs, on average, $1,818. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Sequoia National Park has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Sequoia National Park expensive to visit?
Prices in Sequoia National Park are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.
Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Sequoia National Park is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in North America for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as Hope, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Key West.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Sequoia National Park Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Sequoia National Park?
The average Sequoia National Park trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Sequoia National Park travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
Category
|
Cost
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
$127
|
Local Transportation 1
|
$56
|
Food 2
|
$31
|
Entertainment 1
|
$31
|
Alcohol 2
|
$4 -
12
|
Accommodation Budget in Sequoia National Park
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Sequoia National Park is $64. For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Sequoia National Park is $127. This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Sequoia National Park? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Sequoia National Park
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Sequoia National Park is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $56 per person, per day, on local transportation in Sequoia National Park.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$56
How much does it cost to go to Sequoia National Park? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Sequoia National Park will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Sequoia National Park
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Sequoia National Park can vary, the average cost of food in Sequoia National Park is $31 per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Sequoia National Park should cost around $12 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Sequoia National Park is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$31
Entertainment Budget in Sequoia National Park
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Sequoia National Park typically cost an average of $31 per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$31
Alcohol Budget in Sequoia National Park
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $7.84 on alcoholic beverages in Sequoia National Park per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$7.84
Sequoia National Park On a Budget
Sequoia National Park, California
Located in the southern part of California's Sierra Nevada mountain range,
Sequoia National Park is best known for its giant sequoia trees, most notably the General Sherman tree which stands as the largest tree in the world. The park is also noted for features like the Crystal Cave, Moro Rock, and Tunnel Tree.
Since they are adjacent to each other, Sequoia National Park almost operates as a single unit with
Kings Canyon National Park which offers more opportunities for experiencing mountain and forest scenery.
Sights
A fee of $20 per private vehicle allows entrance to both Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Sequoia, of course, is named for its groves of the largest known trees in the world, while Kings Canyon is named for the deep valley cut over time by the Kings River. Both parks harbor alpine and woodland habitats for a vast array of plant and animal species like black bears, mountain lions, and rattlesnakes.
Grants Grove is one of the first features visitors will see, located near the west entrance of Sequoia. Another collection of groves is situated in Giant Forest, a few miles south of the main visitor center. This site is also home to the General Sherman Tree, the world's largest tree (by volume and weight) as well as a museum. South of the Giant Forest, visitors can also climb a staircase to the summit of Moro Rock - a granite dome with spectacular views of Sequoia's mountains and the Great Western Divide. Crystal Cave is another popular attraction, an excellent example of a marble cavern with streams and interesting rock formations.
Other attractions of the adjoining parks include the Tunnel Tree, Crescent Meadow, Cedar Grove, and Mineral Kings. Most of the popular locations can be reached along the scenic drive and pull-off areas, while others must be approached via hiking trails.
Neighborhoods
The nearest major cities are Fresno and Visalia, located to the west of the parks. Fresno is the main gateway to the area via plane, while Visalia offers a direct shuttle into the park from its train station. Both are prime locations to stock up on food and supplies before entering park territory, offering all the comforts and amenities of civilization.
Activities
Sequoia and Kings Canyon both have plenty of opportunities for hiking and overnight backpacking. Each area of the parks has its own network of trails for all levels of difficulty. Check with a ranger at one of the visitor centers to get an idea of which routes might be most suitable, or plan ahead of time by checking out the trail descriptions on the National Park Service website. A few suggested day hikes include Alta Peak, Tokopah Falls, Lookout Peak, and Mist Falls. Each path winds past scenic views with natural features from dense forest and waterfalls to sunny meadows, towering granite cliffs, and grand vistas. Other activities include things like horseback riding, fishing, rock-climbing, and camping. In the winter, cross country skiing and snowshoeing are also popular.
Food and Dining
For visitors staying overnight, it is a good idea to consider buying food and supplies in advance on the way to the park. Once inside the park, King's Canyon, Lodgepole, and Cedar Grove visitor centers as well as Mineral King Ranger Station do have some food and shops available. Lodgepole and Mineral King are located within Sequoia National Park while King's Canyon and Cedar Grove are located within Kings Canyon National Park. The shops mostly sell maps, books, and educational materials. Lodgepole has a deli, market, and snack bar offering a variety of foods for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, while Cedar Grove has a snack bar with some light meal and snack options. There is also a small selection of restaurants located at the park's lodges and resorts, as well as picnic areas scattered throughout.
Transportation
The nearest major airport is located in Fresno, California. The Fresno Yosemite International Airport offers flights to major hubs in the western United States as well as international flights to Mexico, available through Aeromexico and Volaris. Other airlines servicing the airport include Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, American Eagle, Delta Connection, United Express, and United Airlines.
Fresno also has an Amtrak station, served by the San Joaquins Oakland - Bakersfield route. Visalia, just south of Fresno, has an Amtrak station as well that is connected to Sequoia National Park by a shuttle bus.
The park can only be entered by car from the west. There are two main entrances - via Route 180 east from Fresno and via Route 198 northeast from Visalia. Both of these routes consist of winding mountain roads.
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.