Figuring out the best way around your travel destination isn't always easy. For example, do you want to take a road trip from Las Vegas to Sequoia National Park but don't have an itinerary yet? Is there a specific route you need to take?
Luckily, we've done plenty of research and have your answer!
Before starting your driving journey, it's good to know that the drive from Las Vegas to Sequoia National Park is roughly 379 miles. Here's an itinerary you may want to follow during your road trip to the forest:
Day 1
- 11:00 am - Start the day in Vegas, exploring the Strip and grabbing something to eat.
- 12:00 pm - Drive out from Vegas for about 58 minutes and arrive at the Fashion Outlets of Las Vegas. (Stay here for about an hour and get some shopping in.)
- 2:00 pm - Drive for an hour and arrive at the 'World's tallest thermometer' in Baker, California. Spend an hour here, getting back on the road by 3:00 pm.
- 4:10 pm - Arrive at Calico Ghost Town Campground and stay for the night.
Day 2
- 10:00 am - Leave from Calico Ghost Town Campground (drive for 1.5 hours).
- 11:35 am - Arrive in Mojave, California and spend an hour looking around and even grab some breakfast.
- 1:40 pm - Arrive in Bakersfield, California, and stay until 2:40.
- 4:20 pm - Pull into the Sequoia National Park Foothills Visitor Center.
- 5:00-5:30 pm - You've reached Sequoia National Park!
As we start this article, we will cover all things driving to Sequoia National Park from Las Vegas and give tips and tricks for your road trip. With that said, let's begin!
How Far Is Sequoia National Park From Las Vegas?
Depending on your route, the drive from Las Vegas, Nevada, to Sequoia National Park in California can be five and a half to over seven hours. Therefore, many road trippers prefer a two-day voyage, stopping along the way.
Regardless, you'll need to take I-15 S from Las Vegas to Sequoia National Park. From there, we recommend taking CA-58 W to the park.
This drive takes visitors through the desert and into the beautiful forest at Sequoia National Park, where you can see the famous redwoods and sequoia trees.
This national park is roughly 380 miles from the heart of Las Vegas, meaning you can also try and drive straight there without stopping.
Of course, that may not be feasible with younger children or pets. Instead, you could follow our two-day itinerary from earlier. It can't hurt to start the road trip on the Las Vegas Strip, enjoying breakfast before heading to California.
Assuming you start your trip a few days early in Sin City, you'll be ready to escape the chaos and drive out into one of the more peaceful parts of the valley.
Here is our itinerary for this very road trip:
Day One
You might prefer to turn this road trip into a multi-day journey when driving between Las Vegas and Sequoia National Park. We recommend starting your day around 10:00 or 11:00 am to ensure you arrive at your first campground before it gets too dark.
11:00 am
Start the day in Vegas. Spend an hour or so checking out of the hotel, grabbing a snack, and making sure everyone's present.
12:00 pm
Drive out from Vegas for about 58 minutes and arrive at the Fashion Outlets of Las Vegas. Use this as your first official pit stop.
2:00 pm
Drive for an hour and arrive at the 'World's tallest thermometer' in Baker, California. This is fun for kids and should only take an hour.
4:10 pm
Arrive at Calico Ghost Town Campground and stay for the night. This campground is located in Barstow, California, near food, shopping, and gas stations.
Day Two
On day two, you can try and leave by 10:00 am and get on the road to Sequoia National Park. Traffic should be lighter today than it was leaving Vegas, so this will be a more leisurely day of driving for most people.
10:00 am
Leave from Calico Ghost Town Campground. This is a good time to get last-minute toiletries before heading into Mojave.
11:35 am
Arrive in Mojave, California and spend an hour looking around and even grab breakfast. This shouldn't be too long of a stop.
1:40 pm
Arrive in Bakersfield, California, and stay until 2:40. Use this stop for the bathroom and put gas in the car if needed.
4:20 pm
Pull into the Sequoia National Park Foothills Visitor Center. You'll pull in here first, check into the park, and then head to the forest.
5:00-5:30 pm
You've reached Sequoia National Park! Depending on how long you spend at the visitor center, your arrival time to the heart of the park may vary. There's no rush—the trees will be there waiting for you!
Can You Drive From Las Vegas To Sequoia National Park In One Day?
If you don't mind a nearly six-hour car ride, driving straight from Las Vegas to Sequoia National Park is more than doable.
As we covered before, this road trip is relatively easy if you don't make any stops along the way. For example, if you drive from Las Vegas into the Sequoia National Park in California, you will take I-15 S and CA-58 W.
This trip is 379.7 miles and should take five hours and 46 minutes.
Along the way, you can always pull off the road to grab food, get gas, or use the bathroom, but that will add to your clock.
There are also longer, more scenic routes from Vegas to Sequoia National Park. One starts on I-15 S but requires smaller roads once you're in California, while the other starts on US-95 N/Veterans Memorial Hwy.
Both alternative routes to the forest will extend your drive time to nearly seven or eight hours, so that is a bit of a stretch from the original 5.46.
Therefore, it might be better, for time's sake, to take the original route and extend it with stops if you want more of a road trip experience.
How Long Should You Spend At Sequoia National Park?
When it comes to the duration of a trip to Sequoia National Park, this depends on your schedule. Since this park is so vast, some people may want to stay for a week, while others need a few days to explore.
Generally, if you drive from Vegas to California to see the sequoia and redwood trees, you'll want to spend a few days in the park.
This type of road trip may even be fun for California residents who want to head out to Sin City, followed by a trip to nature on the way home.
In addition, Sequoia National Park is roughly 404,063 acres (631 square miles), meaning you could get lost in the woods for days. Because of its rich natural history, tourists can explore the hundred to thousand-year-old trees and stay around the park grounds.
Again, there is plenty to see here, especially for those who love the environment and want to study the trees and local vegetation.
Can You Camp At Sequoia National Park?
Yes! There are 14 campgrounds in Sequoia National Park, with three open year-round. Campsites can hold up to six people and feature a picnic table, a fire ring with a grill, and a metal food storage box.
It's worth mentioning that nearly all campsites require a reservation, and these tend to fill up quickly. Especially during spring break and summer, you can expect more traffic inside the park and campgrounds.
In addition to that, winter camping is also available at Sequoia National Park. According to their official website, winter camping is available at Azalea, Potwisha, and South Fork campgrounds.
The remaining sites are closed until spring when the conditions through the park improve. Therefore, guests can experience different campsites throughout the four seasons, which may be fun for anyone planning another trip.
Following our two-day driving itinerary from above, you will be camping in two locations: Sequoia National Park and Calico Ghost Town.
Of course, if the weather is too extreme (hot or cold), you may prefer staying at a hotel nearby the forest rather than testing your luck in a tent.
What Is The Best Month To Visit Sequoia National Park?
For most visitors, June to August is the best time to visit Sequoia National Park. That's because the weather is at its prime, not too hot, but not cold for those inside the forest.
As we mentioned, crowds will be higher during spring break and summertime, meaning you may experience more traffic and fewer campsite reservations during that period.
However, when it comes to inside Sequoia National Park, there should be room for everyone since it is so vast. According to past guests, there is a park shuttle that makes getting around Sequoia National Park easier during peak times.
Regardless, Sequoia National Park is stunning throughout the year, so it will be fun whenever you go. Driving, however, can be trickier in the winter months, as there could be icy or snow-filled roads leading from Vegas to California.
To Wrap It All Up
Whether you live in Nevada or California or have yet to visit either state, planning a road trip is always fun. Driving to Sequoia National Park from Las Vegas should be pretty straightforward.
Typically, drivers head straight to California via I-15 S in Nevada, then CA-58 W to the forest. Either way, this drive takes six or more hours, so adding stops to the itinerary could be fun and make this a vacation to remember.
Have fun on your road trip, and stay safe!
We also have these travel articles you may want to read:
Driving From LA To Las Vegas Vs. Flying – Which Is Better?
Driving from Las Vegas to Yosemite [Detailed Guide]
Should You Stay On The Strip In Vegas? [Advantages And Disadvantages]
