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and an outdoor barbecue. The midlevel units, dubbed "Comfy Cabins," are two-bedroom units with complete kitchens, light from propane wall lamps and kerosene lanterns, small bathrooms with toilets but no showers (there is a centrally located bathhouse), and decks with barbecue grills. The "Rustic Cabins," which were built in the 1930s, are the most basic units, with light from kerosene and propane lamps, a camp kitchen with a gas stove and oven and a cold-water sink, and decks with barbecues. Some have refrigerators, and all use the showers and toilets in the shared bathhouse. There is also one small one-room cabin, with a double bed and little else, that sleeps two. Reservations open in January for the entire year, and the cabins book early. There are 2- to 3-night minimums for the Swiss Chalets and Comfy Cabins. All units are nonsmoking. On the premises are a breakfast bar, open daily, with homemade muffins and rolls, fruit, and beverages; a full-service restaurant and bakery serving lunch and dinner Thursday through Monday; and a store.

Wuksachi Lodge

Calif. 180 and 198 (P.O. Box 89), Sequoia National Park, CA 93262. ☎ 888/252-5757 or 559/253-2199. www.visitsequoia.com. 102 units. TV TEL. May–Oct and holidays $155–$230; Nov–Apr (except holidays) $99–$149. AE, DISC, MC, V.

The Wuksachi Village and Lodge are the newest development in the park. The handsome lodge has a dining room (see "Where to Dine," below), lounge, gift shop, conference rooms, and registration desk. Guest rooms are in three buildings separated from the lodge by parking lots. The rooms are attractively but simply decorated, with wood furnishings, light-colored plaster walls, and artwork depicting the area's attractions. Views of the forest and surrounding mountains dominate the scene. There are refrigerators, coffeemakers, hair dryers, ski storage racks, and phones with dataports. The standard rooms have one or two queen beds and a small desk; deluxe rooms are larger, with two queen beds or a king and a sofa bed, plus a table and two chairs. "Superior" rooms are minisuites, with two queen beds or one king, plus a sofa bed in an alcove sitting area with a sliding door (a good place for your teenager!). All the rooms are a healthy walk from the parking lots (especially when loaded down with luggage), but bellhops with golf carts are available.

OUTSIDE THE PARKS

You'll pass many of these establishments as you travel to different sections of the parks.

IN GIANT SEQUOIA NATIONAL MONUMENT

Montecito-Sequoia Lodge

8000 Generals Hwy., Giant Sequoia National Monument (mailing address: Box 858, 8000 Generals Hwy., Kings Canyon National Park, CA 93633). ☎ 800/227-9900, 800/843-8667, or 559/565-3388. Fax 559/565-3223. www.mslodge.com. 49 units, including 13 cabins. $55–$139 per person; 4- to 6-day packages about $500–$1,000 per person. Rates include breakfast and dinner. 1-week packages available. AE, DISC, MC, V. Take Calif. 180 into Kings Canyon National Park, turn right at the fork, drive 8 miles south to the lodge access road, turn right, and follow the road about ½ mile to the parking lot.

The Montecito is a well-stocked resort that caters to families with children and large groups, although guests of all ages will enjoy this well-run facility. The comfortable rooms, which all have private bathrooms, occupy four separate buildings; the 13 cabins share two bathhouses. Bed types and number vary, with units that sleep from two to eight. The property has a mountain-lodge atmosphere, with simple but attractive units that have carpeting and ceiling fans and are decorated with photos of the area. Meals are served buffet style, and there is a bar on the premises. A small lake accommodates sailing and canoeing. During winter, guests can also go cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice-skating. There's a large heated outdoor pool, a Jacuzzi, a sun deck, two outdoor tennis courts, watersports equipment, nature trails, a game room, children and teen programs, conference rooms, and a self-serve laundry.

Stony Creek Lodge