Theodore Roosevelt Presidential LibraryPublic Lands Directory

Alerts and conditions

Park Closure Mineral King Road in Sequoia National Park Is Closed for the Season

The portion of Mineral King Road inside Sequoia National Park is closed for the winter season.

Park Closure Some Trails Closed in the Grant Grove Area Due to Prescribed Burn Activity

Firefighters conducted a prescribed burn in the vicinity of Grant Grove and the General Grant Tree. Smoke and flame may be visible in the area. This is normal. Areas and trails in and around the prescribed burn are closed until they are determined to be safe. They will be reopened once they are cleared of hazards. Click "more" to view a map showing all trail and area closures.

Read the full alert

Information Weekday Traffic Delays on Generals Highway North of Giant Forest

Due to removal of hazard trees along Generals Highway between Highway 180 and Giant Forest, there are traffic delays on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Vehicles may experience delays of up to 30 minutes at each work site. There will not be delays on federal holidays.

Overview

Huge mountains, rugged foothills, deep canyons, vast caverns, and the world’s largest trees exemplify the diversity of landscapes, life, and beauty here. Explore these pages to plan your visit or to learn about the plants and animals here and the threats they face. Ancient giant sequoias may seem invincible, but they, too are vulnerable.

From the National Park Service

History

The designation history for this site (every law, proclamation and order, and the administration behind each) is being researched and checked by the Library’s historians.

What to see and do

Activities

  • Auto and ATV
  • Scenic Driving
  • Astronomy
  • Stargazing
  • Camping
  • Backcountry Camping
  • Car or Front Country Camping
  • Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use)
  • Group Camping
  • RV Camping
  • Caving
  • Climbing
  • Rock Climbing
  • Fishing
  • Freshwater Fishing
  • Fly Fishing
  • Food
  • Dining
  • Picnicking
  • Guided Tours
  • Hands-On
  • Citizen Science
  • Hiking
  • Backcountry Hiking
  • Front-Country Hiking
  • Horse Trekking
  • Horseback Riding
  • Junior Ranger Program
  • Skiing
  • Cross-Country Skiing
  • Snow Play
  • Snowshoeing
  • Wildlife Watching
  • Birdwatching
  • Park Film
  • Museum Exhibits
  • Shopping
  • Bookstore and Park Store
  • Gift Shop and Souvenirs

Plan your visit

Hours

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks: The parks are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Some park roads and roads that access more remote parts of the parks close in the winter due to snow accumulation. Rarely, extreme weather conditions may cause roads into the parks to be closed.

Fees and passes

  • Entrance - Private Vehicle — $35.00
  • Entrance - Per Person — $20.00
  • Entrance - Motorcycle — $30.00
  • Entrance - Non-commercial Groups — $20.00
  • Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus — $100.00
  • Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach — $200.00
  • Commercial Entrance - Per Person — $20.00
  • Nonresident — $100.00
  • Annual Entrance - Park — $70.00

The America the Beautiful pass covers entrance fees at federal recreation lands across all four agencies.

Getting there

Two highways enter the parks. Hwy 180 from Fresno leads east to Kings Canyon National Park, then continues 30 miles east to Cedar Grove. Hwy 198 from Visalia leads east to Sequoia National Park via Three Rivers. Inside the parks, Highway 198 becomes the Generals Highway, which connects 198 to 180. Vehicles over 22-feet long should enter the parks via Highway 180. In winter, the Generals Highway between the parks often closes. Chains may be required on park roads. No roads cross the parks east to west.

Visitor centers

Campgrounds

  • Potwisha Campground (42 sites) — reserve
  • Azalea Campground (110 sites) — reserve
  • Cold Springs Campground (40 sites) — reserve
  • Atwell Mill Campground (21 sites) — reserve
  • Buckeye Flat Campground (27 sites) — reserve
  • Sunset Campground (158 sites) — reserve
  • Crystal Springs Campground (35 sites) — reserve
  • Crystal Springs Campground Group Sites (14 sites) — reserve
  • South Fork Campground
  • Lodgepole Campground (214 sites) — reserve
  • Dorst Creek Campground (222 sites) — reserve
  • Sentinel Campground (82 sites) — reserve
  • Canyon View Group Campground (16 sites) — reserve
  • Moraine Campground (121 sites) — reserve
  • Sheep Creek Campground (111 sites) — reserve

Weather

Because of the extreme elevation range in the parks, weather conditions vary widely between areas. In summer, the sequoia groves have comfortable temperatures and the foothills are hot and dry. Snow lingers on high-mountain passes well into summer. In fall, conditions can range from summer-like to winter-like. Winter brings snow to sequoia groves and rain to the foothills. Be prepared for tire chain requirements. Spring is a great time to hike in the foothills and snow begins to melt at higher elevations.

Phone: 5595653341

Whose lands these are

These lands are the ancestral and present-day homelands of Native nations. A section on whose lands these are is being prepared with tribal review. In the meantime, Native Land Digital offers a starting point.

Photos

A steep granite slope leads from forest to a bare alpine landscape
The Tablelands · NPS/Rick Cain
A guardrail encircles people along a narrow walkway with wide views
Moro Rock · NPS/Paul Johnson
A giant sequoia's reddish bark contrasts with the snow around it
Giant Sequoia in Winter · NPS
A rustic building is surrounded by giant sequoias
Giant Forest Museum · NPS/Rick Cain

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