Sequoia Splendor - Historic Charm meets Modern Renovation inside Kings Canyon NP

Located in the historic mountain community of Wilsonia and the most convenient location possible to enjoy all of the wonders of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, the Sequoia Splendor Cabin is a historic gem, remodeled and repurposed to give visitors an authentic and unique national park experience, but with modern comforts. Enjoy your meals outside on the large deck amidst nature, followed by a nice evening at the outdoor fire pit and a good rest on comfortable beds. There is a lot of space in the living room with comfortable furniture where you can enjoy conversations with loved ones in front of the warm pellet fireplace or relax in front of a good movie. Wall art shows the most popular area attractions with QR codes embedded in the images, which take you to detailed descriptions and directions on how to get there.

A round game table is perfect for board games or poker night. The updated kitchen has brand new granite countertops and includes modern appliances and the cookware needed to fix a legendary mountain meal. The master bedroom downstairs has a large walk-in closet to keep your gear handy but also out of the way. It also has a door to a separate outdoor deck, on the other side of the house where you can enjoy quiet mornings before heading off on your national park adventure. An electric heater ads extra warmth when needed and there's a wall mounted tv with Roku services for additional entertainment.

Upstairs are two bedrooms with vaulted ceilings, where you'll find a queen bed on a log frame and another electric heater.

Across the hall is one of the most beloved rooms in the house, a larger bedroom with built-in bunk beds, each bed identified with a different local animal and comfortable mattresses. Simply put, the room is fun for kids and retains the historic cabin theme while providing a lot of space for sleeping.

The bathroom is largely remodeled, and a hot shower is a great way to end a hiking adventure out in the national park. There is a heater with a timing switch that keeps the room as warm as you would like it while you are in there. Upstairs, there is another half bath to help guests avoid having to use the stairs late at night.

Outside is a covered patio with large cushions to sit and enjoy the abundance of forest and nature outside. Next to the covered deck is a large open deck with two picnic tables, rocking chairs, and a propane BBQ for unforgettable outdoor meals. Next to the deck is an outdoor fire pit with three bench swings for loved ones to enjoy the great mountain tradition of sitting by an open fire and letting the storytelling and campfire song roll forth. Just behind the fire pit are two trees that will one day be ancient sequoia trees, but are now just children in tree years.

Across the street, you'll find the edge of a meadow, with towering trees and a seasonal stream running through it. It is a great place for kids to chase frogs and encounter small wildlife. There are a number of large sequoia trees on the other side of this meadow. It offers a very pleasant and serene additional space that you and your loved ones can enjoy while still being within view of the cabin decks and yard.

There is a closet downstairs with a washing machine and dryer for your convenience.

Lastly, there are the national parks. You are so close to the Kings Canyon Visitor's Center, Stores, and restaurant that you can walk to it if you are willing to stroll over a hill. The Nation's Christmas Tree, and the second largest tree in the world (General Grant Tree), is one mile from the cabin and an amazing place to hike around.

A short drive to the north will take you first to the Converse Basin Sequoia Grove (the world's largest grove, but much of it logged to stumps in the 1800s) and one of our favorite places, Hume Lake. There you can enjoy a nice sandy beach with boat rentals, fishing, swimming, and a nice trail that goes all the way around it. There is a private camp there that maintains restaurants, stores, and a gas station, all with public access. Also, a mile from the cabin is Panoramic Point, where you can see a transect of the entire mountain range from the western foothills to the towering mountain range of the eastern ridge and the enormous Kings Canyon right in front of you. This is a must-see destination for a truly unique perspective of this wonder of nature.

Further down the road will get you down into the Valley of the Kings River, which has cut America's deepest canyon. Don't miss seeing our favorite stops at Boyden Cavern, Grizzly Falls, Roaring River Falls, and Paradise Valley, all are right on the road or short hikes from it. It is truly a beautiful and amazing place.

When you're done with King's Canyon, head south along the General's highway past numerous sequoia groves and excellent viewpoints to Sequoia National Park, only 50 minutes away. Giant Forest, The Sherman Tree, Tonopah Falls, Crescent Meadow, and Morro Rock top the list of destinations there. Hiking trails to high mountain lakes and through ancient forests of giant trees are as abundant as the pinecones on the ground. The cabin is the most convenient location to stay possible to enjoy both of these national parks and more information on the top sites is available in the cabin in the guidebook provided and other literature kept in the main room.