Discover an all-inclusive family camp situated between the giant groves of Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks.
Montecito Sequoia Lodge sits at an elevation of 7,500 feet on 42 acres of National Forest Service land within the Giant Sequoia National Monument. Located along the Generals Highway, roughly midway between Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, the property began its life in the late 1940s as a boys' camp founded by Homer Barnes. In 1963, his daughter, Dr. Virginia Barnes, established the Montecito-Sequoia Camp for Girls on the site, adding a private lake and swimming pool to support water-based activities. Today, the lodge operates as an all-inclusive mountain resort that preserves its classic mid-century family camp atmosphere. The heart of the property is Lake Homavalo, a small, spring-fed body of water that serves as the focal point for morning canoe trips and afternoon paddleboating.
The lodge features 37 guest accommodations designed to encourage visitors to unplug from digital distractions. Guest rooms and cabins intentionally lack televisions and telephones, though satellite Wi-Fi is available in the public spaces, and a communal television is kept in the Ponderosa Room for shared viewing. Lodging options range from rustic lodge rooms built in 1970 to newly constructed Forest Cabins. These upscale, two-story cabins feature floor-to-ceiling windows, open-concept living areas, private decks, and a second-floor tree-house bunk room with a half-bath specifically designed for children. Guests gather in the dining hall for communal, buffet-style meals, which are included in the nightly rate alongside seasonal activities.
Activities at the lodge shift with the seasons, utilizing the surrounding terrain of the Sequoia National Forest. During the summer months, the resort organizes structured family camp programs featuring archery, tennis, riflery, arts and crafts, and guided hikes. When winter arrives, the property transforms into a snow sports hub, offering cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snow tubing on the nearby slopes. A year-round outdoor hot tub and a seasonal swimming pool provide spaces for relaxation after a day spent exploring the nearby giant sequoia groves. The historic lodge continues to operate under a special use permit from the U.S. Forest Service, maintaining its decades-old tradition of communal mountain hospitality.
For a scenic sunset, drive a few minutes north to the Panoramic Point overlook. The short, paved trail leads to a wide view west across the Sierra crest as the setting sun paints the granite peaks in alpenglow. It is a great pre-dinner excursion before returning for the lodge's buffet.
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