California National Parks — 10-Day RV Trip From Fresno or San Francisco
Typical rate: $3,500-$4,500 all-in for two people, 10 days
California has three world-class national parks within 2-3 hours of each other in the southern Sierra Nevada: Yosemite (the most famous), Sequoia (giant sequoia groves), and Kings Canyon (deepest canyon in the lower 48). The 10-day RV trip from Fresno or San Francisco covers all three.
The trip at a glance
- Length: 10 days
- Launch: Fresno, CA (best) or San Francisco
- Distance: ~600 miles
- Recommended class: Class C under 35 ft (most campgrounds fit; some restricted to 27 ft)
- All-in budget: $3,500-$4,500 for two people
- Best months: June-September (full park access); April-May and October-November (shoulder, fewer crowds)
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Fresno pickup → Sequoia NP
- Morning: Pick up RV at Fresno rental (closest major airport to all three parks)
- Drive: Fresno to Lodgepole Campground in Sequoia — 85 miles, 2h 15min via CA-180 East
- Afternoon: General Sherman Tree (largest tree in the world by volume)
- Evening: Tunnel Log drive-through, Moro Rock sunset hike (300 stairs to 6,725 ft)
- Camp: Lodgepole Campground ($30/night)
Day 2: Sequoia full day
- Morning: Crystal Cave guided tour (book in advance)
- Afternoon: Tokopah Falls trail (4 miles round-trip)
- Evening: Beetle Rock sunset
- Camp: Lodgepole
Day 3: Sequoia → Kings Canyon
- Drive: Lodgepole to Sentinel Campground in Kings Canyon — 50 miles, 1h 30min via Generals Highway (steep descent into Kings River canyon)
- Stops: Kings Canyon Scenic Byway (CA-180) — one of the most dramatic NP drives
- Afternoon: Roads End area; Zumwalt Meadow trail
- Evening: Cedar Grove Visitor Center
- Camp: Sentinel Campground ($25/night)
Day 4: Kings Canyon full day
- Morning: Mist Falls hike (8 miles round-trip — strenuous)
- Afternoon: Roaring River Falls + Knapp’s Cabin
- Evening: Cedar Grove restaurant dinner
- Camp: Sentinel
Day 5: Kings Canyon → Yosemite (long driving day)
- Drive: Sentinel to Wawona or Crane Flat Campground in Yosemite — 195 miles, 4h 15min via CA-180, CA-99, CA-41
- Note: Long driving day; consider mid-day stop at Mariposa for fuel/grocery
- Late afternoon: Arrive Yosemite south entrance; set up at Wawona Campground
- Evening: Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias (shuttle from Wawona, typically required in summer)
- Camp: Wawona Campground ($30/night)
Day 6: Yosemite Valley day
- Drive: Wawona to Yosemite Valley — 35 miles, 1h via CA-41
- Tunnel View stop on entry
- Morning: Cook’s Meadow, Yosemite Chapel, Tunnel View
- Afternoon: Vernal Falls Mist Trail (3 miles round-trip — wet, slippery)
- Evening: Valley shuttle to Glacier Point trailhead OR drive Wawona Road back
- Camp: Upper Pines, Lower Pines, or North Pines in Yosemite Valley if you can get reservations ($36/night)
Day 7: Yosemite Valley iconic views
- Morning: Half Dome viewpoint (shuttle stops)
- Afternoon: Bridalveil Fall + Yosemite Falls (Lower Yosemite Falls trail, 1 mile)
- Evening: Yosemite Lodge dinner; Cathedral Beach for stargazing
- Camp: Valley campground
Day 8: Glacier Point + Wawona
- Morning: Drive Glacier Point Road (when open, typically May-November) — 30 miles each way from Valley
- Stops: Glacier Point overlook (3,200 ft above the Valley floor), Washburn Point
- Afternoon: Drive back to Wawona; final Mariposa Grove walk
- Evening: Wawona dinner; lodge porch
- Camp: Wawona
Day 9: Yosemite → Fresno (transition day)
- Morning: Final Yosemite activity — Tioga Pass overlook drive if open (high country, may require additional time)
- Drive: Wawona to Fresno — 105 miles, 2h 15min via CA-41
- Afternoon: Set up at one of Fresno-area RV parks (Sun Resorts, Sundance RV)
- Evening: Fresno dinner before next-day return
- Camp: Fresno-area RV park ($45-65/night)
Day 10: Fresno return
- Morning: Coffee + final activity
- Late morning: Empty tanks at dump station, refuel, return rental
- Afternoon: Departure from FAT airport
All-in budget breakdown
For two people, 10 days, Class C 26-28 ft:
| Line item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Class C rental: $185/night × 10 nights | $1,850 |
| Booking fees + insurance + cleaning | $550-$750 |
| Fuel (600 miles @ 8 mpg @ $4.80/gal CA fuel) | $360 |
| NPS America the Beautiful annual pass | $80 |
| Campground fees (NPS $25-$36/night × 9 nights) | $225-$325 |
| Food, propane, activities, dining (2 people) | $700-$1,000 |
| Total all-in for 10 days | $3,765-$4,365 |
California fuel cost is the meaningful budget variable — $1+ per gallon above national average.
Reservation timing
Critical: Yosemite Valley campgrounds (Upper Pines, Lower Pines, North Pines) open 5 months ahead via Recreation.gov and fill within minutes for summer dates.
- Yosemite Valley campgrounds: opens 5 months ahead at 7 AM Pacific via Recreation.gov
- Wawona, Hodgdon Meadow: opens 5 months ahead at 7 AM Pacific
- Crane Flat: opens 5 months ahead at 7 AM Pacific
- Lodgepole + Sentinel (Sequoia/Kings Canyon): opens 6 months ahead at 7 AM Pacific
- Yosemite peak-hour entry reservations: sometimes required (varies by year); check NPS
What can go wrong (and what to do)
- Couldn’t get Yosemite Valley campground: Wawona Campground (35 mi south) or Hodgdon Meadow (north of Valley) are alternatives. Or rent a Class C, stay at Wawona, and drive into the Valley each day.
- Tioga Pass closures: CA-120 through the high country closes for snow (typically November-May). Confirm before planning eastward.
- Glacier Point Road closed: Heavy snow can keep it closed into June.
- Mariposa Grove shuttle: required in summer. Park at Wawona and shuttle.
- Fresno wildfire smoke: late summer wildfire smoke can affect visibility across all three parks. Check air quality forecasts.
Variations
From San Francisco (longer drive but bigger airport)
- SF to Yosemite Valley: 195 miles, 4h via I-580 and I-5
- SF to Sequoia: 285 miles, 5h 30min
- Add 1 day to the trip for the extra driving
Sequoia/Kings Canyon focused (5-day trip)
- Skip Yosemite (save for separate trip)
- Add days at Boyden Cavern + Kings Canyon backcountry
- More relaxed pace
Off-season alternative
- April-May: snow possible at higher elevations, dramatic waterfalls (peak melt)
- October-November: fall color, fewer crowds, possible Tioga Pass closures
Class choice math
| RV Class | California NPs Fit |
|---|---|
| Class B under 22 ft | Fits everywhere, cramped for 10 days |
| Class C 24-30 ft | Sweet spot — fits all major campgrounds |
| Class C 30-35 ft | Some Yosemite Valley sites work; tight at Lodgepole and Sequoia |
| Class A 30-35 ft | Limited at most campgrounds |
| Class A 35+ ft | Skip — doesn’t fit Yosemite Valley, Lodgepole, or Sequoia campgrounds |
For most renters, Class C 26-28 ft is the right answer.
Bottom line
The 10-day California National Parks circuit covers three of the country’s most iconic parks. Budget $3,800-$4,400 for two people in California fuel-cost reality. Class C 26-28 ft. Book Yosemite Valley campgrounds at 7 AM Pacific the day they release.
See related guides: California state, Yosemite NP guide, Class C rental hub.