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The Ultimate 10-Day California National Parks Road Trip (Yosemite, Sequoia, Death Valley)
A 10-day California national parks road trip through Yosemite, Kings Canyon, Sequoia, and Death Valley, with hikes, drive times, lodges, and permits.
By Alex Khachigian · Updated September 2026 · 4 min read
This 10-day trip runs from San Francisco through Yosemite, Kings Canyon, Sequoia and Death Valley to Las Vegas or Los Angeles.
It lists hikes, drive times, lodging and closures.
In This Guide
Best Time to Go and What to Book
Go late April to early June or late September to October.
Cedar Grove and Glacier Point roads are seasonal. In-park lodging books months ahead.
- Buy an America the Beautiful pass (see the pass guide)
- Buy gas outside the parks
- Download offline maps
Days 1 to 3: Yosemite National Park
Yosemite Valley is 4 hours from San Francisco. The free Valleywide Shuttle runs every 12 to 22 minutes, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
See 3 days in Yosemite.
- Sleep inside the park: The Ahwahnee, Yosemite Valley Lodge, or Curry Village
- Sleep outside the park: Rush Creek Lodge or Firefall Ranch in Groveland, about 30 minutes from the Big Oak Flat Entrance, which I featured in a sponsored post
Day 1: The Valley Classics
See Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall and Lower Yosemite Fall, and sunset at El Capitan Meadow.
Upper Yosemite Fall is a hard 6.6 miles round trip, about 5.5 hours.
Day 2: The Mist Trail
The Mist Trail reaches a Vernal Fall view at 0.75 miles, then climbs 600-plus granite steps to the top.
It is 4 miles round trip to the base of Nevada Fall, 6 to the top. See the Mist Trail guide.
Day 3: Glacier Point and Mariposa Grove
Drive to Glacier Point via Washburn Point, then see the Grizzly Giant in the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.
Day 4: Yosemite to Kings Canyon
Take Highway 41 to Fresno and Highway 180 into Kings Canyon National Park, about 3 hours.
- Sleep: John Muir Lodge in Grant Grove
General Grant Grove
A short loop reaches the General Grant Tree, second largest by volume.
Cedar Grove and the Scenic Byway
Drive the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway into the canyon. Walk Zumwalt Meadow and see Roaring River Falls and Grizzly Falls.
It is 1 hour each way on a dead-end road.
Hume Lake
Hume Lake has canoe rentals and a beach.
Days 5 and 6: Sequoia National Park
These parks hold 25 of the world’s 30 largest trees. See where to see giant sequoias.
- Sleep: Wuksachi Lodge inside the park, or a riverside motel in Three Rivers
General Sherman and the Congress Trail
The General Sherman Tree is the largest on Earth by volume. The Congress Trail passes the President Tree, the Senate group, and the Lincoln and McKinley trees.
Moro Rock
About 350 steps lead to a view of the Great Western Divide.
Crescent Meadow, Tunnel Log and Three Rivers
Drive Crescent Meadow Road to the Tunnel Log. Book Crystal Cave ahead if open, or hike to Tokopah Falls.
Then descend to Three Rivers. See where to stay near Sequoia and Kings Canyon.
Day 7: Sequoia to Lone Pine
Drive about 5 hours via Highway 178 and Walker Pass to US-395 and Lone Pine.
Catch sunset at Mobius Arch in the Alabama Hills.
- Sleep: Dow Villa Motel in Lone Pine
Days 8 and 9: Death Valley National Park
Furnace Creek is 2 hours east. See the Death Valley winter itinerary.
- Sleep: The Inn at Death Valley, The Ranch at Death Valley, or Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel
Day 8: Dunes and Mosaic Canyon
Stop at Father Crowley Vista Point, hike Mosaic Canyon and watch sunset from the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes.
Day 9: Badwater and Artists Palette
Zabriskie Point at sunrise, Golden Canyon, Badwater Basin, Artists Drive, then Dante’s View at sunset.
Day 10: Death Valley to Las Vegas or Los Angeles
Las Vegas is 2 hours away, often with cheaper one-way returns. Stop at the Amargosa Opera House.
Los Angeles is 4.5 to 5 hours via Highway 127 and I-15, past the Mad Greek in Baker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you visit Yosemite, Sequoia, and Death Valley in one trip?
Yes. Split the 7-hour Sequoia to Death Valley drive in Lone Pine.
Do I need reservations for Yosemite?
In some years, yes. Check NPS.gov well ahead.
What is the best time of year for a California national parks road trip?
Late April to early June and late September to October.
Is the America the Beautiful pass worth it for this trip?
Yes. It covers all the entrance fees on this route.
How long is the Mist Trail in Yosemite?
About 4 miles round trip to the base of Nevada Fall, or 6 to the top.
Destination guide
My Yosemite hotel, Airbnb and tour picks
