Learn more important trip planning information for visiting Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks:
Which Park Do I Go To?
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are two parks run by the National Park Service under one unit, which means visitors get the best of both worlds! Each park has its own areas and features that make it completely unique.
Sequoia National Park includes the Foothills, Giant Forest, Lodgepole, Wuksachi, and Mineral King areas. Some important features in the area are the Hospital Rock, General Sherman Tree, Crescent Meadow, and Moro Rock.
Kings Canyon National Park includes Grant Grove and Cedar Grove areas. Grant Grove features the General Grant Tree and panoramic views of the parks. Cedar Grove offers riverside trails, the iconic Zumwalt Meadow, and acts as a portal to the wilderness of the High Sierra.
Sequoia National Forest and Sierra National Forestboth border these national parks. If you drive the Generals Highway between Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, you'll cross national forest lands, which are managed by a different agency. Some rules vary between national parks and national forests.
For more detailed information on the parks and their area features, please visit the Places to Go page.
Weather in the parks can vary depending on elevation.
NPS / Sage Boerke
Know Before You Go
The parks are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Occasionally, winter storms will close roads leading into the parks until they can be plowed or repaired. No reservation is required to enter Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
The park "Trip Planner" is a good place to start when planning a visit.
It includes phone numbers, opening/closing dates, and information on camping, lodging, dining, shopping, showers, activities, attractions, hiking trails, wilderness permits, food storage, safety, road-construction delays, where to find gasoline, vehicle-length advisories, shuttle service, a park map, and more.
Permits & Reservations
Some special activities in these parks require a permit, such as camping in the wilderness, commercial tours, filming, or scientific research.
Check the Permits and Reservations page for information about different permit types and instructions on how to apply.
Current Conditions
Seeing these parks involves going up in elevation. Sequoias grow about one mile higher in elevation than the orchards of the San Joaquin Valley. Weather varies from low to high elevation.
Snow may close the Generals Highway between the parks while flowers bloom in the foothills.
Check our Current Conditions page, for weather forecasts, road advisories, and other up-to-date information.
Roads in the park can be busy and narrow.
NPS / Holly Brown
Driving in the Parks
Vehicle Length Limits
Roads in the parks are narrow, winding, and steep. Because of this, longer vehicles often cross the double yellow line and pose a danger to other drivers. Advisories are in place on some park roads.
Drivers will be held responsible for any hazardous conditions caused by their actions. Follow these recommendations for your safety and the safety of others.
Gasoline & Emergency Automobile Services
No gas stations or repair shops are inside park boundaries. Gas and emergency vehicle services are available nearby in national forests.
Shuttle Services
Park and ride! In summer, shuttles operate within Sequoia National Park and can bring you to the park from nearby towns. Shuttles also run during some winter holidays.
Visit the General Sherman tree in the Giant Forest.
NPS / Photo
Things to Do
Places to Go
Visitor services are concentrated in five different areas: Grant Grove, Giant Forest, and Foothills areas stay open all year.
Cedar Grove and Mineral King open from late spring to early fall.
Join us for a walk, talk, or campfire program! Programs are offered year-round.
Camping and Lodging
Campgrounds are open in all areas spring through fall; some stay open in winter.
Find lodging and other services at Grant Grove, Giant Forest, and Wuksachi year-round, and at Cedar Grove during summer and early fall.
Lodging, camping, and other services are also available in the national forests and communities bordering the parks.
Eating & Sleeping
There are many options for restaurants in these parks.
Crystal Cave (Closed for 2024)
Sequoia Parks Conservancy has announced the closure of Crystal Cave for the 2024 season due to damage sustained to the road, trail, and visitor facilities at Crystal Cave during the 2021 KNP Complex wildfire and the extreme winter weather in winter of 2023.
Swimming in rivers is very dangerous in the parks.
NPS Photo
Safety
Your safety is your responsibility. Before you visit, learn about hazards you may encounter in natural areas.
Rivers
All rivers in the parks are extremely hazardous, especially during spring and early summer when melting snow makes waters swift and icy cold.
Additionally, rocks around rivers are very slippery. Be careful when climbing or walking on said surfaces.
Fire & Your Visit
As fire danger increases in summer, restrictions on fire may begin, including limits on campfires, barbeques, smoking, and wilderness campfires.
To learn about how the park manages fire and its role in keeping sequoia groves healthy, visit our prescribed-fire web page.
Bears & Food Storage
Black bears are found throughout the parks.
Bears will grab unattended food and have damaged property in an attempt to get human foods. They can become bold and aggressive in attempts to get more food, which can be a risk to your safety.
Follow food-storage rules during your visit. If you camp, be prepared to remove all food and scented items from your vehicle and store in the provided food storage boxes.
Weapons & Firearms in the Parks
Weapons (including, but not limited to, BB, pellet and paint guns; bow/arrow, slingshots, bear spray, and other compressed-gas irritant devices) are illegal to possess.
No firearms, including concealed-carry, are allowed in any federal building. Discharge of a firearm or weapon is prohibited within Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
NPS / Kirke Wrench
Additional Info
Pets
Pets are limited to few places in the park, and are not permitted on trails. Service dogs (not including emotional support animals) may attend to their handlers accompany them in park facilities. Rules for pets vary between our parks and the neighboring national forest land.
Accessibility
If you or someone you are traveling with has with mobility or sensory impairments, there are trails, programs, and other options that are right for you. You can also ask for accessibility information at any visitor center.
News Releases
Get updates on special events, conditions, future road construction, fee-free dates, fire information, public comment opportunities, and more.
NPS App
Explore Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks with the free, NPS app. Download the data for the parks so that even when you are out of your cellular network range, this interactive guide can help you make the most out of your trip.
