Admire the trees

By far, the top attraction at both Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks is witnessing the sheer grandeur of giant sequoia groves up close and personal. The good news is that the National Park Service has gone to great lengths to ensure that these natural wonders are accessible for many ages and mobility levels, paving wheelchair-friendly trails through some of the best old-growth woodlands in the country. Check out the General Grant Tree Trail , the General Sherman Tree , and the Big Trees Trail for mellow meanders through ancient conifers.

Hiking and backpacking

Adventurous hikers who’d rather rough it in search of less-traveled sequoia groves can find them by hiking the 2.7-mile Congress Trail or the 4.8-mile Atwell Grove Trail in far-flung Mineral King.…