Real Seclusion?
Enjoy the wilderness areas of the nearby Sequoias. The Sequoia National Park & Kern River area gets the most visitors, but the backwoods of Sequoia National Forest nearby get suprisingly overlooked by many.
The National Forest lands in this area are full of old logging roads, a lush variety of pines, flowing creeks & waterfalls. You will find plenty of remote forest for your privacy needs. Grab a hammock or just a blanket & head for that shady cedar grove. Nap in a scenic meadow after a picnic. Bring the mountain bikes for exploring. Most of all, just get away & relax.
What to Do?
| Activities
|
Area |
| mountain biking |
Sequoia NationalForest
|
| cabin rentals |
Sequoia & Kings Cyn. National Park
|
|
horseback riding
|
Sequoia NationalForest & Park
|
| snowmobiling |
N. Sequoia National Forest
|
| snowskiing
- xc & alpine
|
Sequoia National Forest & Park
|
| rockclimbing |
The Needles & Dome Rock - Sequoia NF |
| primitive camping
|
Sequoia National Forest
|
| small campgrounds
|
Sequoia National Forest
|
| Lake Hume
|
N. Sequoia National Forest
|
| Lake Isabella |
S. Sequoia National Forest |
| backpacking |
all over all |
| river rafting
|
Sequoia NF - Kern River & Kaweah River
|
-
- Lake
Hume
- Beautiful small Sierra lake surrounded by pine trees &
mountains.
- Located off Hwy. 180 approx. 60 miles east of Fresno,
in the North portion of the Sequoia National Forest between Kings
Cyn & Sequoia National Parks.
- Fishing
- Boating (no motors)
- Kayak
- Sail
-
- Lake Isabella
- Large reservoir where the Kern River detours. Rolling hills
of oak trees with communities surrounding.
- Located off Hwy. 158 approx. 30 miles east of Bakerfield,
in the South portion of the Sequoia
National Forest
.
- Fishing
- Boating
- Jet Ski
- Sail
- Windsurf
Backcountry Lakes
Lots of small Sierra lakes are within the Sequoia & Kings
Cyn. National Park, Most can be reached by backpacking or horse
back. Get good backcountry maps to
get a better idea of where these are located.
Kern River
The wild & scenic Kern River carves out this oak lined
canyon. The winding roads travels from Lake Isabella north along
the river which is lined with camping. Lots to do around these
here parts!
Cruise up the Kern
Best Drive
When you are headed to the Sequoias - they are located on the western side of the Sierra Nevada range, running parallel to the smoggy Central Valley. Drive at night & beat the 100 degree heat. Take off after work &
after the traffic dies down Friday night. Get good directions
to where your destination & take your time. The
drive north is only a few hours from Los Angeles.
From L.A. ---- 3.5 hrs.- S. Sequoia National Forest : Kern River
I-5 N; Hwy.99, exit Bakersfield, Hwy. 178
to Lake Isabella; exit Hwy. 155 to Wofford Heights & then
up to Kernville
From L.A. ---- 4.5 hrs.- Sequoia & Kings Cyn. National Park; N. Sequoia
National Forest
north entrance- I-5 N; Hwy.99, exit Visalia
Hwy.198 & take a right then a left onto Hwy.63 N, @ Hwy.
180 go east to Kings
/ Sequoia National
Park
entrance
south entrance- I-5 N; Hwy.99, exit Visalia
Hwy.198 & take it up mountain into Three
Rivers
& Sequoia
National Park
entrance.
Campers Paradise
Area surrounding the Sequoia & Kings National Parks. Granite
faces, cedar forest near the raging rivers, this Sierra wonderland
offers it all. From rugged backpacker high country to primitive
car camping. Horse corral camps & small family style campgrounds.
Explore the backroads & live a little.
Small campgrounds
are located throughout the National Forest.
Primitive campsites are for those self sufficient campers who want free camping with more remote and private camping in secluded areas check the Sequoia backroads and a campfire permit is required.
Sequoia National Forest
Sequoia Photos
Sequoia National Forest
|
Area surrounding the Sequoia & Kings Cyn. National Parks.
A wide variety of outdoor activities is awaiting you.
From the rolling hills of oaks near the Kern River in the
Southern section to the granite, cedar forest near the Parks
boundaries of the North, this forest offers a variety of terrain.
This area allows primitive car camping
without a campground as long as you obtain a free campfire permit. Plenty of small dirt back roads meander through the remote pine forest
|
|
Sightseeing options:
- Southern most Sequoia Grove
"Trail of 100 Giants"
- Deep granite Kern River Gorge
- Granite spires called the
Needles
- Spectacular views from Dome Rock
- Sugarloaf
- Ridge w/ views of Kern Valley
|
|
Sequoia National Park
|
Home of the largest living things on earth. These ancient
trees are located in groves throughout the park.
Dense lush forest filled with ferns & pines, as well
as a variety of other types of trees, make this area a campers
& hikers dream. See raging waterfalls, flowing creeks &
rivers, the crystal cave, & go horseback riding all in one
weekend.
Sightseeing options:
- Falls
- Crystal Cave
- Grant Grove
- Sherman Grove
- Lost Grove
Sequoia
National Park
|
Kings Canyon National Park
Quite different than its neighbor, the Sequoia National Park,
this drier rugged canyon has a lot of oak terrain as well as some
pines & cedars. It is a dead end road & perfect for backpackers
who want to have easy access to the backcountry. Matter of fact,
most of this park is just that, wilderness. One one highway enters
the park & doesn't loop around to any other destinations.
Sightseeing options:
- Grizzly Falls
- Rushing River Falls
- Boyden Cavern
- Kings River
Kings Canyon National Park
