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Explore the Eastern & Western Sierra in One Epic Adventure

Lake Isabella 2023

Explore the Sierra with this flexible 5-7day adventure, ideal for families, nature lovers, and road trippers craving to see it all!

From high desert canyons to giant sequoias and glacial lakes, this road trip is your gateway to the best of the Sierra — without retracing your steps.

Start in Carson City and journey south along Hwy 395, exploring Eastern Sierra gems like June Lake, Convict Lake, and Alabama Hills. Then loop back north through Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Shaver Lake, Yosemite, and over one of California’s stunning Sierra passes.

    • 📍 Start/End: Carson City, NV

    • 🗓️ Duration: 5–7 Days

    • 🚗 Distance: ~800–950 miles total

    • 🛏️ Overnight Stops: Bishop, Kernville, Three Rivers, Shaver Lake or Bass Lake, Yosemite region, Sonora/Groveland

    • ☀️ Best Season: May–October (ideal conditions for all passes + recreation)

    • 🧭 Highlights: June Lake Loop, Alabama Hills, Trail of 100 Giants, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Yosemite Valley, Hetch Hetchy

This full Sierra loop road trip takes you from the high deserts of the Eastern Sierra to the deep canyons and towering trees of the Western range. Along the way, you’ll explore iconic destinations and off-the-beaten-path gems, including waterfall hikes, historic lodges, glacial lakes, and unforgettable scenic byways.

Start south on Hwy 395 through Walker Canyon, June Lake, and Bishop before soaking in the otherworldly beauty of Alabama Hills. Then venture west to Kernville for rafting or hiking, explore the mighty sequoias of the Trail of 100 Giants, and continue to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks. The trip winds north through Shaver and Bass Lakes, offering water activities and casual mountain town vibes. Then cap it all off with a Yosemite Valley adventure and a final scenic crossing over Sonora, Ebbetts, or Carson Pass.

Perfect for travelers who want variety, beauty, and epic memories packed into one unforgettable week.

Day 1: Carson City to Bishop (via June Lake Loop)

    • Morning coffee & breakfast in Carson or the Carson Valley . Red Hut or Cowboy Cafes in Minden make great stops.

    • Scenic stop: Walker River Canyon (Hwy 395)- Stop and enjoy the river or slip into Bridgeport for a little history and epic Sierra Views.

    • Down the road swing in and Explore the June Lake Loop . Take in the Wildflowers in spring or blazing waterfalls at Silver Lake before a nice mid day stop and dip at June Lake.

    • Optional: Lunch at Mammoth Brewing Co. in Mammoth or pack a picknic and head into The Mammoth Lakes area for a beach side break.

    • Swing into Convict Lake for a photo stop. great shoreline fishing at  Convict Lake

    • Evening arrival in Bishop – Drive up to South Lake or Sunset.

    • Dinner at Mountain Rambler Brewery

    • Stay: Hotel, motel, or nearby Bishop Creek camping

    • Catch a great hearty breakfast at Jacks. A personal favorite of ours while traveling he Eastern Sierra.

    • Morning drive to Lone Pine – (If you feel like packing in a bit more here, a morning drive up to the Bristlecone Forest for a short hike is amazing but will add a couple hours to your day)

    • Explore Alabama Hills Movie Road + Arches Trail

    • Scenic drive through Owens Valley into Kernville

    • Afternoon: If you drove straight through

      • Option 1: Hike Whiskey Flat Trail above Lake Isabella

      • Option 2: Whitewater rafting on the Kern River

    • Dinner in downtown Kernville

    • Stay: Kernville Inn, camping, or riverfront lodge

    • Morning drive up to Western Divide Hwy (107) along the Kern River

    • Hike the Trail of 100 Giants enjoying a great mid day in the quiet high sierra.

    • Lunch stop at Dome Rock overlook just down the road from the 100 Giants.

    • Optional stop at Camp Nelson for forest history

    • Descend to Three Rivers, CA . If time allows head into Sequoia National Park for Hospital Rock and short hike to Paradise Falls.

    • Dinner & overnight stay at local lodge or riverside Airbnb

    • Optional camping nearby in Sequoia National Forest

  • There are options for today, based on level of hiking and driving combo you are up for. You cant see it all , but you can see a lot!

  • Morning visit to The Giant Forest Museum  then shuttle to Moro Rock + Crescent Meadow – Hike from Crescent Meadow to & General Sherman Tree- Shuttle back to car.

  • Optional detour to Tunnel Log – between Moro Rock and Crescent Meadow. (I would skip it for his tour)

  • Scenic drive into Kings Canyon (if time allows) – I would prioritize this drive to Roads end if possible. Such a beautiful location with many pit stop roadside treasures. (Muir Rock, Grizzly Falls are two of our favorites). If you dont have time or desire to drive all the way down instead take route up to Panoramic Point Overlook.

  • Dinner + overnight:

    • Option A: Inside Grant Grove lodging/camping – see the Grant grove of trees.

    • Option B: Exit park and drive over to stay in Shaver Lake area for a nights stay.

  • Morning paddle or lakeside breakfast at Shaver Lake

  • Midday drive to Bass Lake – grab lunch at The Forks

  • Afternoon relaxation or boating/swimming

  • Optional side trip to Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad

  • Evening stay:

    • Option A: Bass Lake lodge or Pines Resort

    • Option B: Fish Camp lodging or camping

    • Option C: grab a night at a cabin at Redwoods in Yosemite at Wawona.

  • Enter Yosemite via South Entrance

  • Stop at Wawona (meadow loop or Pioneer History Center)

  • Stop at Tunnel View and Bridal Veil Falls.

  • Drive into Yosemite Valley

    • Hike to Vernal Fall and the Mist trail. (A serious Hike Be prepared)

    • Hope on Shuttle for stops at Yosemite Falls and Curry Village for Food break before heading out.

    • PRO TIP: The Yosemite itinerary could take on a whole lot more, Plan ahead and make the most out of your one day in the park. Opportunities for Mariposa grove, Glacier Point, Mirror Lake, Bicycle Rides, and Rafting the Merced River. You just need to build your prefered one day activitiy list. arrive early leave late.

  • Exit via Big Oak Flat Road

  • Overnight stay:

    • Option A: Evergreen Lodge (Hetch Hetchy)

    • Option B: Groveland/Buck Meadows/Sonora

    • Option C: The Lumberjack in Sonora Ca.

Scenic Sierra Crossing + Return to Carson

  • Choose your return route:

    • Sonora Pass (Hwy 108): Alpine lakes + granite scenery – Stops include Kennedy Meadows area, Donnell Lake Overlook, Sonora Pass , Leavitt Meadow Falls and overlook.

    • Ebbetts Pass (Hwy 4): Narrow + remote beauty – Stops could include, Calaveras Big tree State Park, Lake Alpine, Mosquito Lakes, Kinney Lakes, Markleville

    • Carson Pass (Hwy 88): Wildflowers & Caples Lake – The easiest route to drive, with scenic stops at The Sierra Crest overlook, Silver Lake, Caples lake resort, Carson Pass over Frog Lake, Hope Valley.

  • Scenic stops + picnic lunch

  • End the loop in Carson City

Lodging Partner

Kernville
couple at Alabama hills
Sequoia trees Trail of 100 giants
Sequoia Trail of 100 giants Western divide Highway
a view of the mountains and trees from a rocky mountain top
kings canyon wilderness2024-06-21 10.31.44
Muir Point Kings Canyon and Kings River
bass lake sunset
Camping and red truck bass lake
Donnell lake

Links & Resources

  • 🧭 Plan Your Trip Tip: Driving the entire loop works best in late May to early October when all Sierra passes are open. If passes are closed, adjust your return route via Hwy 41, 99, or 50.

  •  “One of our favorite spring adventures in the Sierra.”

This road trip was one of my wives and my favorites in the past 10 years. We saw and experienced so much. the Sierra is simply a beautiful & awe-inspiring destination.
Charlie Pankey
Publisher and CEO Sierra Rec Magazine