Sequoia, Kings Canyon & Yosemite from Bakersfield?

[RVcrazy]

Do we just stay on 99? It looks like there is another road closer to the mountains. Is it comfortable with a large fiver? Thanks!

[msmith1199]

There are no tunnels on 49. There are tunnels inside Yosemite on both 41 and on 120. Both tunnels are big enough for your RV, unless your RV is a double decker bus.

[PUCampin]

Like others have stated, you can stay in 3 rivers and take the car or shuttle to Sequoia, otherwise you MUST take 180 in. 198 is signed nothing longer than 21ft, and they are serious. You can stay in the Grants Grove area on 180, or just outside the park at Hume lake.

I am not sure about if there are tunnels on 49, but the Wawona tunnel on the Hwy 41 alignment (not signed as a Hwy inside the park) is just before heading to the valley floor. There is a scary sign with a low clearance number, but that is the clearance at the curb, and the tunnel is arched so just stay near the center. Tour busses use it every day. The viewpoint just exiting the tunnels is famous and spectacular, not to be missed.

Making a loop starting at Coarsgold going to the Yosemite valley, exiting on 120 through Groveland and circling back to Coarsgold would make for a long day of mountain driving and not doing much else. Best would be just return the way you came. If you did want to make a loop, take 140 and come out at Mariposa. While 120 to Groveland is very scenic, it is much like other mountain routes. The valley is really the highlight. If you had the time, instead of making the big loop, you would be better to go 120 East and take in the unique high country and then back the way you came. (Not sure what time of year you are going, high country may be closed)

If you are going after the 1st week in March and like trains, check out the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad just North of Oakhurst. They have 2 operating Shay locomotives, very few of these left in operation.

Enjoy your trip!

[RVcrazy]

Where are the 2 tunnels? Thanks!

[TOOBOLD]

Don't know when you are going,but there is the Sequoia Shuttle that picks up in Three Rivers and into the park. The shuttle runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day. You would be able to stay at a private park that is more big rig friendly and still enjoy all the sites.

As far as Yosemite. Take a look at Wawona Campground. It is just inside the gates of Yosemite and only takes 30 minutes to the valley floor. Again in the summer there are shuttles.

[Two_Hands]

We frequently stay in Three Rivers at the Kaweah RV Park just two or three miles outside the south entrance to Sequoia National Park. We use the toad to explore the park to include Kings Canyon. You would probably go back out to US 99 and go north to Yosemite. The highway that runs along the foothills is filled with wild flowers in the spring but very windy and very slow going. We stay in the Mariposa KOA to visit Yosemite.

[RVcrazy]

I saw something about 49 having 2 tunnels that we want to avoid, but I don't see them in the Truckers atlas or on the map. Where are they? If we stay in Coarsegold, is it reasonable to make a circle coming out at Groveland and then return to Oakhurst in one day (without the RV)?

We plan on seeing both Sequoia/Kings Canyon & Yosemite with an RV park near each. We know we are too late & too big for late reservations in the parks themselves. We also prefer full hookups and easy access. Thanks!

[CarlGeo]

Are you going to Sequoia / Kings Canyon OR Yosemite???
If you are going to Sequoia / Kings Canyon stay on 99 until you approach Fresno and then go east on 180 into the park.
DO NOT go to Sequoia / King Canyon thru Three Rivers towing a trailer! VERY STEEP and lots of curves, including switchbacks!!!
If you are going to Yosemite, stay on 99 to Fresno and then get onto 41 north thru Fresno, proceed north thru Coarsegold, Oakhurst and into the park on that road. Hwy 41 is a good route to enter the park towing or just driving a four wheeler. It is a good highway, just enjoy the drive.