Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Sequoia and Kings Canyon

4.6 (35 reviews) 8–24 hours Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

35 reviews

4.6

Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Sequoia and Kings Canyon — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Sequoia and Kings Canyon, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Download the GuideAlong self-guided audio tour and you'll discover more on your Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks road trip. Hear fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, local tips and directions play automatically, all based on your location.

You'll be guided to all of the area's famous highlights as well as lessor known gems including the largest tree in the world, a car-sized tunnel through a naturally fallen sequoia tree, and a meadow perfect for wildlife spotting.

Enjoy the freedom to explore offline at your own pace, spending more time at places that interest you, and bypass any that don’t.

Stories, tips, and directions play automatically based on your location.
Travel at your own pace
Tour offline using GPS, no cell service or WiFi needed
Suggested itineraries for half, full, or multi-day use
Buy once, use forever! No expiry, includes free updates
Like having a tour guide along for the drive

Purchase one tour per vehicle.

Full-day Tours Bus Tours Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Audio Guides Historical Tours Car Tours Excellent Quality

At a glance

Duration: 8–24 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Audio guide: English
Operated by: GuideAlong (GyPSy Guide)

What is included

Included

Included: Support: Toll free phone, chat and email
Included: Easy To Use: Pre-download and tour offline
Included: Trip Planners: In-app, web and PDF
Included: Location Based: Stories, tips & directions that autoplay
Included: Includes an app-based self-guided experience, so you do not need any in-person guide.
Included: Buy once, use forever! No expiry, includes free updates
Included: GuideAlong (GyPSy Guide) Audio Tour: 215+ Points
Included: Flexible Routes: Suggested itineraries or create your own

Not included

Not included: Optional: National Park Passes: $35 per vehicle (2024 vary based on length of stay, age, group size)
Not included: Entrance fees: Additional National Park Entrance Fee (Non-U.S. Residents Only) USD 100.00 per person

Itinerary

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park

8 hours

The largest trees in the world – Sequoiadendron giganteum or the giant sequoia – are the top draw for many visitors to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. And this slice of the Sierra Nevada mountains in California is indeed one of the best places to see these incredible, awe-inspiring trees.

As the audio guides play commentary based on your GPS location, you can create your own itinerary along the tour route to match your interests and schedule.
Stop 2

30 min Admission not included

This impressive grouping of 4 trees form a natural entryway on the road to the forest in Sequoia National Park. They are famous for being successfully protected from the KNP Complex fire, thanks to the efforts of firefighters who wrapped their bases in aluminum blankets. The Four Guardsmen are part of the Giant Forest, a cluster of huge trees.
General Sherman Tree

30 min Admission not included

General Sherman, named for American Civil War general William Tecumseh Sherman, is considered to be the largest tree in the world by wood volume and is estimated to be 2,200 years old. That makes it the most famous tree in the park, and it is surrounded by other amazing trees in the grove. Visiting the tree requires a half mile walk to the site, but is a not-to-be-missed sight.
Giant Forest Museum

30 min Admission not included

Located at the Giant Forest, the museum is a fantastic place to begin your exploration of this unique area. Located in an historic market building, displays help demonstrate the story of the giant sequoias. A number of short, but worthwhile, trails complete with interpretive signage depart from the museum site.
Hospital Rock

30 min Admission not included

Archeological evidence around the Hospital Rock provides insight to how different Native American groups lived in and used the area dating back to the 14th century. Our modern Hospital Rock name originated through incidents where on two occasions a pair of settlers were given treatment for injuries at the site by the then resident Monache band, including a gunshot wound from a trapping accident. Those two settlers then tagged the site: Hospital Rock. This location features ancient bedrock mortars and pictographs.
Moro Rock Trail

one hour Admission not included

This is a fantastic small-ish granite dome that is able to be scaled using a 350 step staircase. Panoramic views from the top are impressive and include the Great Western Divide of the Sierra Nevada, the foothills, and the San Joaquin Valley. One of the top three best sights in Sequoia!
Tunnel Log

Passing by

Unlike some other tunnel-though-a-tree locations, where a living tree was sacrifiiced for amusement, this car-sized tunnel was carved through a giant sequoia that had already fallen naturally. The park managers thought it was a good way to help visitors further understand the immensity of the giant sequoias, and also was a unique way to make the road passable once again. Don't worry if your vehicle is too large - there is a bypass option!
Stop 8

30 min

Though it can seem and feel a little sad visiting a tree graveyard, Big Stump also inspires us as to why it is so important for us to preserve these uniquely iconic trees that have taken thousands of years to reach their level of grandeur. Scientists are also learning how these big trees decay, and how we might re-generate the grove. The biggest tree in Big Stump was called the Mark Twain tree and measured 14 feet in diameter, possibly one of the biggest sequoias ever. The hiking trail can be accessed from either the picnic area or a trailhead near the Big Stump Entrance Station.
Stop 9

30 min Admission not included

The Cedar Grove area of Kings Canyon sits in a pretty setting and provides the last of available services, deep in the park, including campgrounds, a market and even a basic lodge. From the area there are a series of very nice hikes to choose from, ranging from short and easy to backcountry hauls. The river setting and several waterfalls add to the appeal.
General Sherman Tree

20 min Admission not included

The General Grant Tree, close to Grant Village and the Kings Canyon Visitor Center, is one of the world's largest. The parking area is conveniently located making this marvel very easily accessible. If you are willing to walk further, this grove contains other fantastic trees and formations well worth exploring. It was the goal to protect this particular tree and grove from logging that eventually lead to the creation of Kings Canyon National Park.
Panoramic Point

20 min Admission not included

A very descriptive name for this elevated view that is expansive across the peaks of the high Sierras and the depths of Kings Canyon. The access road is located opposite the turn for the General Grant Grove. A very short hike is needed to open up the best views.
Roaring River Falls

30 min Admission not included

Just a short half mile walk on a paved trail gets you to enjoy Roaring Falls. The roaring gets very thunderous during the late spring melt and run-off. More serious hikers can continue on to Mist Falls, one of the biggest in the park.
Stop 13

30 min

Just before we reach the end of the canyon road at Kanawyers, Zumwalt Meadows is considered the best pick on the relatively easy hikes in the Cedar Grove area of the park. The trail is relatively flat and extremely scenic. This is one of the better areas for spotting wildlife, but keep in mind, wildlife tend to not be active at the hottest parts of the day. Unlike much of the canyon, these meadows are the remains of an old lake bed.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

From Visalia, follow Highway 198 through Three Rivers toward Sequoia. Tour audio begins as you pass through town approaching the Ash Mountain entrance. Search your email for “Download Audio Tour,” then preview the route in the GuideAlong app.
Includes an app-based self-guided experience, so there is no need to meet an in-person guide. From Fresno, take Highway 180 toward the parks. Commentary begins about 2 miles before the junction of 180 and 245. Search your email for “Download Audio Tour,” then download over Wi-Fi.

End point

Commentary plays automatically based on your location, so you have flexibility on where and when you want to start and end your tour anywhere along the tour route.

Using your ticket

Includes an app-based self-guided experience, so you do not need any in-person guide.

STEPS TO GET YOUR GUIDEALONG AUDIO TOUR:

1. SIGN IN + REDEEM your VOUCHER CODE: https://store.guidealong.com/voucher

2. DOWNLOAD the GuideAlong App

3. SIGN IN to the GuideAlong app with the same Apple or Google account as Step 1

4. DOWNLOAD the Audio Tour NOW

FIND YOUR VOUCHER CODE AND INSTRUCTIONS

Email: Search for “GuideAlong”. Check All Mail and junk/spam.
Text: Search for “GuideAlong”.
This Ticket: Find the VOUCHER CODE at the top under the QR code and redeem at Step
Viator App: Open your booking and Contact Support > Contact Tour Operator.
TripAdvisor App: Account > Messages.
Support: Call GuideAlong toll-free on 1866-477-1791.

DOWNLOAD THE GUIDEALONG APP & TOUR NOW

You must download the GuideAlong app and tour to your phone over WiFi or cellular data beforehand. If you can OPEN your tour and see START TOURING, it is downloaded. No service is required while touring.

FLEXIBLE TRAVEL DATE

There’s no expiry date or time limit for your tour. If your plans change, there’s no need to change your travel date.

CHARGING & SOUND

Use a USB/C car charger adapter in the auxiliary power outlet (cigarette lighter) to keep your phone charged, not the vehicle's USB port. Audio will play through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the app’s map will display on your phone. Connect your phone via Bluetooth to listen through the car stereo: guidealong.com/travel-tips-bluetooth/.

HELP & SUPPORT

FAQs: See the GuideAlong app’s Help menu or online FAQs at guidealong.com/faq.
Contact GuideAlong Support: Call toll-free 1866-477-1791, chat online at guidealong.com, or email [email protected].

Please Note: National Park fees may apply for international visitors. If applicable, this fee is collected in-destination and not at the time of booking.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How to Access: After booking you’ll receive an email and text with instructions (search “Download Audio Tour”). Click the link in the email/text to sign in with your preferred Apple or Google account and redeem your voucher code ahead of time.
Download The GuideAlong App: Download the free app over WiFi or cellular data and sign in with the same Apple or Google account.
Download The Tour: Download the tour in the GuideAlong app under 'My Tours' over WiFi or cellular data.
Start The Tour: Open the tour in the GuideAlong app to preview the start locations, tour route and trip planner, or start the tour.
Location-Based Stories: Audio commentary plays automatically as you drive using your phone’s GPS chip. Wherever you are and whichever direction you’re going, you’ll hear the best stories and tips.
Flexible Travel Date: Tours are a one-time purchase with no expiry or date/time limit. If your plans change to a different day, there’s no need to change your travel date.
Tour at Your Leisure: With GuideAlong, you control the pace. Start, stop, and resume the tour any day, anytime, adapting it to your schedule.
Driving Tours: Group Savings: One purchase covers everyone in the vehicle, making it a cost-effective way to explore.
Works Offline: No internet or cell service is required once the audio tour is downloaded to your phone, so you can relax and tour offline.
Bring A Charger: Pack a USB/C car charger for charging and easy sound connectivity, and make sure your device is fully charged.
Technical Support: The GuideAlong support team is available daily by toll-free phone, online chat, and email.
The app’s audio will play through your car’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto display, while the app’s map will display on your phone. You can connect your phone to the car via Bluetooth to listen to the commentary through the car stereo.
Please Note: National Park fees may apply for international visitors. If applicable, this fee is collected in-destination and not at the time of booking.