You’re planning a trip to see the big trees, so you naturally start looking for hotels near Sequoia National Park. You probably assume that "near" means a quick five-minute hop to the General Sherman Tree.
It doesn't.
That’s the first mistake. Sequoia is a vertical park. You aren't just driving to it; you’re driving up it. If you pick the wrong basecamp, you’ll spend four hours a day staring at the taillights of a Subaru Ascent while winding up switchbacks.
Honestly, the "best" place to stay depends entirely on whether you prioritize a soft pillow and 5G signals or being the first person on the Congress Trail at sunrise. Most people end up in Three Rivers because it's the literal gateway, but even then, you're looking at a 45-minute climb to the Giant Forest.
The Inside Scoop on Staying Within the Gates
If you want to wake up where the giants live, you’ve got very few options. In-park lodging is a finite resource. It's pricey, the Wi-Fi is a joke, and you have to book it roughly a year before you even think about packing your bags.
Wuksachi Lodge is the big player here. It’s located in the Giant Forest area at about 7,000 feet. It’s a stone-and-cedar mountain lodge that looks exactly like what you’d imagine a National Park hotel should look like.
Keep in mind that Wuksachi is actually a complex. The main building has the restaurant (The Peaks) and the check-in desk, but the rooms are in three separate buildings located about 100 to 200 yards away. If it’s snowing—and it often is in the spring—you’re walking through it to get your morning coffee.
- Pro Tip: Wuksachi Lodge is re-opening March 13, 2026, after seasonal closures. If you're planning a spring break trip, you need to be on their website the second reservations open.
- The Vibe: High-altitude mountain chill. No elevators. Expect to carry your own bags up stairs.
- Best For: Photographers and hikers who want to hit Moro Rock for sunset without a terrifying dark drive back down the mountain.
Then there’s Grant Grove Cabins and John Muir Lodge. Technically, these are in Kings Canyon National Park, but since the two parks are managed as one unit, they’re effectively "near" the northern sequoia groves. The Grant Grove Cabins are iconic—some are rustic timber, others are tent cabins for the "I want to feel the breeze but not sleep on the ground" crowd. They are slated to re-open in Spring 2026.
The Hidden Gem: Montecito Sequoia Lodge
Located on Forest Service land between the two parks, this place feels like a summer camp for adults. It’s often overlooked because it isn't "official" NPS lodging, but it’s arguably the best location for families who want to see both parks without moving hotels. They do an all-inclusive style during certain seasons, which is a lifesaver because food options in the park are... limited.
Three Rivers: The Practical Gateway
Most travelers end up searching for hotels near Sequoia National Park and landing in Three Rivers. It’s the town right outside the Ash Mountain entrance.
It’s charming. It’s quirky. It has a brewery (Three Rivers Brewing Co.) and a decent pizza place. But you need to be strategic about where you bunk down.
AutoCamp Sequoia is the new cool kid on the block. It’s luxury Airstream glamping. You get a private patio, a fire pit, and a mid-century modern clubhouse with a pool. It’s expensive—sometimes $250 to $350 a night—but if you want the "Instagrammable" Sequoia experience, this is it.
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On the more traditional side, Comfort Inn & Suites Sequoia/Kings Canyon is the reliable workhorse. It’s clean, it has breakfast, and it’s about five miles from the park gate.
- Lazy J Ranch Motel: This place is weirdly beloved. It’s a 2-star property that feels more like a ranch. They’ve got animals, a river nearby, and it’s about as "Old California" as it gets.
- The Gateway Restaurant & Lodge: Literally at the park’s doorstep. You can hear the Kaweah River from your room. The rooms are a bit dated, but you can't beat the proximity.
- Buckeye Tree Lodge: Located right on the river. Many rooms have balconies overhanging the water. It’s one of those spots where you actually want to spend time at the hotel rather than just using it as a place to crash.
Why You Might Want to Stay in Visalia Instead
Look, Three Rivers is great, but it can be a "tourist trap" in terms of pricing. If you’re on a budget or you want actual civilization (like a Target or a decent sushi joint), you stay in Visalia.
It’s a 45-minute drive to the park entrance. That sounds like a lot. But the hotels are significantly cheaper and higher quality. The The Darling Hotel in Visalia is a restored 1930s courthouse/annex that is legitimately stunning. If you’re doing a "couples getaway" and want a luxury room with a rooftop bar after a day of hiking, stay here and just deal with the commute.
Visalia also has the Sequoia Shuttle. During the summer, you can pay about $20, and they’ll drive you from your hotel in Visalia all the way into the park. It includes your park entrance fee. You can nap while the driver handles the switchbacks. Honestly, it’s a genius move to avoid the parking nightmare at the Giant Forest Museum.
The Kernville Alternative
If you’re coming from the south (Los Angeles), you might see hotels near Sequoia National Park listed in Kernville.
Be careful here.
Kernville is "near" the Sequoia National Forest and the Trail of 100 Giants. It is NOT near the General Sherman Tree or the main part of the National Park. To get from Kernville to the Giant Forest, you’re looking at a nearly three-hour drive because there is no road that goes straight through the mountains.
However, if your goal is just to see "any" big trees and avoid the crowds, Kernville is fantastic. Whispering Pines Lodge and Sequoia Lodge (the one in Kernville, not the park) are beautiful riverside properties. Just don't book them thinking you'll be at Moro Rock in twenty minutes.
Practical Logistics for 2026 Travelers
Things have changed. The 2023 storms did a number on the roads, and while most things are back to normal, construction is a constant reality.
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Entry Reservations: As of now, you generally don't need a timed entry for Sequoia, but you should always check the NPS website a week before. If the park gets too crowded, they’ve been known to implement temporary restrictions.
Food is the real struggle. If you stay in Three Rivers, buy your lunch supplies at the Village Market before you head up. Once you’re in the park, your options are basically a $15 pre-packaged wrap at the Lodgepole Market or the sit-down restaurant at Wuksachi.
Gas up. There is NO gas inside Sequoia National Park. The last gas station is in Three Rivers. If you start the climb with a quarter tank, you’re going to have a very stressful afternoon.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Trip
- Check the Re-opening Dates: If you want Wuksachi or Grant Grove, verify the 2026 spring opening dates immediately, as they can shift based on snowpack.
- Download Offline Maps: Cell service dies the moment you pass the Ash Mountain entrance station. Your GPS will fail. Download the Google Maps area for "Sequoia National Park" before you leave Three Rivers.
- The "Visalia Pivot": If Three Rivers is sold out or over $300 a night, look at The Darling or the Marriott in Visalia. The money you save on the room will easily cover your gas and a nice dinner.
- Book the Shuttle: If you're visiting between May and September, look into the Sequoia Shuttle reservations. It’s the single best way to avoid the "parking lot full" signs that plague the General Sherman area by 10:00 AM.