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.

• 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.

For more detailed information on the parks and their area features, please visit the National Park’s Places to Go page.

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.

Download the NPS App

The first step to begin your national park app adventure is to download the NPS App onto your mobile devices, such as phones or tablets. The NPS App is currently available for iOS- and Android-powered devices. It can be downloaded for free through the App Store and Google Play.

Purchase Entrance Passes Before You Arrive

• Entrance passes can be purchased online in advance of your trip. Buy online and save time at the entrance gate!

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 the Current Conditions page, for weather forecasts, road advisories, and other up-to-date information.

Park Newspaper

• 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.

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.

• The closest EV charging station is at the Gateway Restaurant & Lodge.

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.

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.

Eating

• There are many options for restaurants in these parks.

  • The Peaks Restaurant at Wuksachi Lodge
    Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served daily, usually year-round. Boxed lunches are available. Limited food items are also sold at the gift shop in winter. ATM.

  • Grant Grove Restaurant and Courtyard
    This expansive new restaurant in Grant Grove Village is open seasonally for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The restaurant features locally grown ingredients.

  • Lodgepole Grill, Market, and Snack Bar
    A snack bar, grill, and market offer a variety of foods for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Eat inside or on the plaza's outdoor patio. Usually open mid-April to mid-October. ATM.

  • Cedar Grove Snack Bar
    Open seasonally for breakfast, lunch, and dinner from mid to late May until mid-October. Light meals and snacks with indoor and outdoor seating.

  • Silver City Resort
    On private land in the Mineral King area surrounded by the park. The resort has a small restaurant and limited supplies from late May until mid-October.

There are local options that sell or rent chains. We recommend calling ahead to ensure they have the appropriate tire size and inventory.

• Cheveron
  Often rents snow chains during winter and can help pick the right size.

• Three Rivers Mercantile
  Local hardware store that may carry tire chains and other winter driving supplies.

• Totem Market & Gifts
  Nearby market with snow chains available (for sale or rent) and help sizing them for your tires.

If you prefer to purchase snow chains, larger auto parts stores in Visalia or surrounding towns generally have better inventory and selection.

• Visit the General Sherman Tree
  See the world’s largest tree by volume, a must-see giant sequoia located in the Giant Forest.

• Moro Rock Trail
  Climb this short but steep granite dome for breathtaking panoramic views of the park and nearby valleys.

• Tunnel Log Drive-Through
  Experience driving through a fallen sequoia tree that’s big enough for cars to pass inside.

• Kings Canyon Scenic Byway
  Enjoy a scenic drive through the park's stunning canyon landscapes, close to Three Rivers.

• Hiking to Tokopah Falls
  A moderate 3.4-mile roundtrip hike to a beautiful 1,200-foot waterfall along the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River.

• Crescent Meadow Loop Trail
  Explore this easy 1.8-mile trail through wildflower meadows and giant sequoias, often called the "Gem of the Sierra."

• Sequoia Museum and Foothills Visitor Center
  Learn about the park’s unique natural and cultural history at this accessible visitor center near Three Rivers.

• Horseback Riding
  Take a guided horseback ride through the park’s scenic trails, starting near the park’s entrance. Guided horseback rides are available to the public in summer at two horseback riding stables operated under a concessions permit in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Opening and closing dates for each location depend upon weather conditions. Weight limits and age restrictions may apply. Please call the stables for additional information and to make a reservation. Reservations are recommended.

  • Grant Grove Stables, Kings Canyon National Park 559-335-9292

    • Open typically June through mid-October, weather permitting

  • Cedar Grove Pack Station, Kings Canyon National Park 559-565-3360 (summer), 559-802-7626 (off season)

    • Open typically June through mid-October, weather permitting

• Crystal Cave Tour
  Explore this stunning marble cave with guided tours offered seasonally, a short drive from Three Rivers. Guided tours of Crystal Cave are offered from spring through fall by our park partner, the Sequoia Parks Conservancy. Buy tickets online at least 36 hours in advance. Tickets are not available at the cave https://sequoiaparksconservancy.org/crystal-cave/.

• Kaweah River Picnic Areas
  Relax by the flowing river at designated picnic spots, perfect for family outings and easy access to nature.