By Luke Harris

National parks can be overwhelming. There is so much to see and so little time. You want to see all the famous sights, get pictures and enjoy your visit. Cramming all the sights into one day makes your trip a chore instead of recreation. Smaller destinations like Sequoia National Park give you a good chance to see most of the major sites but are still big enough to spend a lifetime getting to know.

I suggest spending more time in a specific place than trying to see the whole park in one rushed week. After all what will be more memorable driving the whole park and seeing it from inside your car or sitting near a creek listening to the water and watching giant sequoia branches dance in the breeze? I would choose the latter. Driving a whole park in one day tends to deaden the images by blending them into the monotony of a mental conveyor belt.

No one can come to Sequoia and not see the General Sherman (the world's tallest tree) and General Grant ( America 's official Christmas tree) Sequoias. These are two of the grandest trees in the world. It won't take you long to see these them so you'll have plenty of time to find somewhere to get more acquainted with the park and lose the crowds and cars.

If I had to recommend one trail to really experience the park it would be the Mist Falls trail. This is an 8 mile trail that passes through Forest and meanders along the Kings River . The trail ends at a gorgeous waterfall. This is a great place to have a lunch and maybe even a nap. Allow plenty of time to listen to the waterfall itself. Don't worry about just getting a picture of the place—worry more about actually “seeing” it. You'll never forget such a great spot in all your life.

You may want to try more difficult or easier hikes there are many available and you can find out about them online and by purchasing a guidebook. Whatever you choose, get out of your car and take in the moment. You can't experience Sequoia without getting the smells and sounds as well as the sights.

Lodging is readily available. There are plenty of campsites available or you may want to stay in a motel especially during the cold winter months. During the summer the lodging can get a bit full so you may want to call ahead or book online. But just showing up and finding something on the spot is usually easy.