Finalizing June SEKI Plans

Question

Hi – We are going to be in SEKI in mid-June for 4 full days - arriving late evening on Tues, leaving on Sunday morning. We are camping at Azaela campground. We plan to hike, but also want some downtime in the campground so trying not to pack in too much. And we hiking with a 10-year old so our pace is a little slower.

A few questions as we finalize our plans:

1. Of the different areas in SEKI, which are the most busy? I’m assuming we’d want to do the busiest areas on Wed/Thurs and leave the others to Fri/Sat

2. How frequently do shuttles stop?

3. How early should we plan to arrive at parking areas in if we wanted to park instead of taking the shuttle?

4. Are the views from Panoramic Point , Moro Rock and Eagle View about the same? Trying to decide if we go to all of them or just a couple.

4. Does John Muir lodge have showers available for campers? If not, is our best option the Lodgepole campground?

Rough itinerary is below (not in order)

Day 0: Travel day; stop at Big Stump on the way in

Day 1: Grant Grove Area – General Grant Trail, Maybe North Grove + Sunset Loop hike;

Day 2: Cedar Grove Area – Stops at Junction View Overlook, Grizzly Falls, Roaring River Falls, hike the Zumwalt Meadow loop

Day 3: Lodgepole area – Tokopah Falls

Day 4: Congress Trail and Moro Rock (maybe Eagle view instead of Moro Rock

Thank you!

Michelle

Answer

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (SEKI) in mid-June can be busy, especially in popular areas like Grant Grove and Lodgepole. Since you are hiking with a 10-year-old and prefer a slower pace, it’s wise to balance active days with downtime at the campground.

Here’s detailed guidance based on your questions:

1. Busiest areas and timing:

Grant Grove (General Grant Trail, North Grove) and Lodgepole (Moro Rock, Tokopah Falls) tend to see the most visitors. Early mornings are quieter.
Cedar Grove is slightly less crowded, but still popular at main trailheads. Plan to do Grant Grove and Lodgepole on Wednesday/Thursday when crowds peak, and leave Cedar Grove for Friday/Saturday for a calmer experience.
Weekends can be busier overall, so weekday mornings are your best bet for less crowded hiking.

2. Shuttle frequency:

Shuttle services vary by area. Lodgepole shuttles typically run every 15–30 minutes during peak season.
Grant Grove shuttles may run less frequently, around every 30–40 minutes. Schedules are posted at visitor centers, and shuttles start early morning and run until late afternoon.
Shuttles are convenient if parking is limited, but with slower-paced hiking and kids, walking short sections or arriving early may be more flexible.

3. Parking tips:

Arrive early (between 7–8 am) at popular trailheads like Moro Rock and Tokopah Falls, especially mid-June when the park is busy.
Parking fills quickly for iconic spots; for Grant Grove, arriving around 8 am is usually sufficient, while Lodgepole may require 7–7:30 am for Moro Rock.
If you arrive later, consider the shuttle or plan a slightly later hike when early crowds are moving on.

4. Views comparison:

Panoramic Point, Moro Rock, and Eagle View each offer excellent scenery, but with slight differences:
Moro Rock provides the classic high granite overlook of the Great Western Divide, very iconic and photogenic.
Panoramic Point offers a broader view without the climb, ideal if you prefer a shorter, easier stop.
Eagle View is a smaller viewpoint with a unique perspective, but not as dramatic as Moro Rock.
For your family, visiting Moro Rock and either Panoramic Point or Eagle View would be sufficient; you don’t need all three unless you love viewpoint variety.

5. Showers for campers:

John Muir Lodge does not provide showers for campers; its amenities are primarily for lodge guests.
Lodgepole Campground has coin-operated showers accessible to campers and is the main choice if shower facilities are important.
Consider stopping at Lodgepole if you need a shower day, especially after longer hikes or dusty trails.

Itinerary suggestions:

Day 0: Travel and Big Stump – good easy stop on the way in.
Day 1: Grant Grove Area – hike General Grant Trail, maybe add North Grove; Sunset Loop optional for short additional hike.
Day 2: Cedar Grove Area – Junction View, Grizzly Falls, Roaring River Falls, Zumwalt Meadow loop. Start early to enjoy quieter trails.
Day 3: Lodgepole – Tokopah Falls hike. Optionally visit Moro Rock in late afternoon if energy allows.
Day 4: Congress Trail (easy, kid-friendly) and either Moro Rock or Eagle View for final viewpoints before departure.

With this plan, you balance scenic highlights, kid-friendly pacing, and enough downtime at Azalea Campground. Remember to check shuttle schedules, trail conditions, and arrive early at the busiest areas to maximize enjoyment without rushing.