Sequoia National Park Travel Forum

If you were driving from LA to Vegas and had a choice of either seeing Sequoia or Death Valley, which would you choose? Is it reasonable to see Sequoia one day and then Death Valley the next? Seems like it is not a quick route from one park to the other.

I agree with G, Sequoia is more scenic, but if it is the desert you are looking for , I would not even go to Death Valley, in my opinion. Los Angeles to Las Vegas is a long enough trip through the California desert, and I would want to take the shortest drive there. So the I-10 E to the I-15 all the way, is the route to take. After getting to LV and settling in , there is a little known area known as Red Rock Canyon, only 23 miles from LV, that is spectacular. If desert beauty and scenic vistas of rock and sand is your goal, then Red Rock will fulfill your wishes. See for yourself at website:www.redrockcanyon.blm.gov Viva Las Vegas

Bonjour,

If you loop at the map of California and Nevada, you would notice that Sequoia NP is not on the way from LA to LV. Death Valley NP, however, is much closer. The gateway to Death Valley from I-15 north is at Baker, CA. You shouldn't miss this because there is a huge thermometer on the north side of the freeway in Baker.

However, it's VERY hot in Death Valley in the summer so you should think otherwise about it. Not too far from LV are 2 canyons: Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire State Park. Valley of Fire State Park is the oldest state park in NV and it's quite fascinating as the park contains red rock formation amidst surrounding desert landscape. When I visited during Memorial Day weekend, there were even Chinese and French tour groups in the park. Mt. Charleston is near Red Rock Canyon, and Lake Mead NRA is to the east of Valley of Fire State Park.

Wouldn't Red Rock Canyon and Valley of the Sun be just as hot as Death Valley in the summer? Any place with the word Death in it sort of peaks my curiosity. I would hate to miss it because it is too hot.

If you really want to go to Death Valley, you MUST have a car in GREAT WORKING CONDITION and bring LOTS of H2O (WATER). And do you exploring early in the morning or in the evening. And fill you car's gas tank COMPLETELY FULL. I just saw a program called Top 10 National Parks of the West on the Travel Channel last night and it said Death Valley reaches 120F in summer and also showed a sign saying next gas service 72 miles. I'm not trying to discourage you but you need to know the dangers so you can be fully prepared. Wear broad rimmed hat and light colored/ light weight long sleeved shirt and long pants.

as long as you don't hate the heat i'd go but as mentioned, drink lots of water even if you don't feel thirsty. i was there in march and loved it. the tour at scotty's castle was worthwhile (i'm not sure if they are open in summer - check their website.) we stayed at the furnace creek ranch (they have a gas station). very nice hotel with a great pool. i would get up at 5:00 a.m. to explore, spend the afternoon at the hotel pool and air conditioned room and then go out again for a couple of hours in the evening. it's a neat place worth seeing.

the old quote "curiosity killed the cat, sastisfaction brought it back." When ya gotta go , ya gotta go. Before you do, see website: www.nps.gov/deva

Death Valley is called that for a big reason - "good-by death valley," was the call as the gold miners drug their half-dead carcasses out of. I love Death Valley but in the winter and definitely in the spring - lots of flowers - fabulous place. But, the summer is 135 degree weather some time. Try that in celcius and I think you will understand why people that live there full time are a little strange. All of the suggestions you have received so far really are good - so take heart and have a good trip.