Planning a trip to Yosemite from Phoenix, making a stop at Sequoia, BUT I see there is a Sequoia Nat. Forest AND a Sequoia National Park. As per GPS it is 30 min drive apart. Can someone advise me on which one is better to visit? Thank you!!!

Sequoia National Park,for sure visit Crystal cave might be open... General Sherman Three,Morro climbing rock,and Grant grove is owesone and Yosemite is also beautiful too 4.5 miles to climbing from bottom to top and beautiful Creek but isn't true 30 miles away from each other.

If you had to choose between the two settings, opt for Sequoia National Park, but it's even better to follow Vida McAtee's advice above and enter General Sherman Tree or General Grant Tree into your GPS. Also recommend Morro Rock!

Sequoia National Park, definitely. If you can, maker your way up to kings canyon national park as well. And if you're planning on visiting General Sherman tree in SNP, be ready for a steep climb back up. Better alternative is the General Grant in Kings Canyon. Less ctowded, and grant grove is just awesome.