Ranging from 1500' to 14,494' in elevation, these adjoining parks protect immense mountains,
deep canyons, huge trees, and stunningly diverse habitats. The Generals Highway climbs over 5000 feet from chaparral and oak-studded foothills to the awe-inspiring sequoia groves. From there, trails lead to the high-alpine wilderness which makes up most of these parks.

 

 

 

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Basic Information for Seqouia & Kings Canyon National Parks

Operating Hours, and Operating Season Seqouia & Kings Canyon National Parks

How to Get to Seqouia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Nearest Airport - The nearest airport to Seqouia and Kings Canyon is Fresno.

How to Drive to Seqouia and Kings Canyon National Parks - The parks are on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada, and can only be entered by car from the west. The two main entrances are:

Route 180 east from Fresno. This enters the parks at Grant Grove and divides there to go either northeast to the main part of Kings Canyon or southeast to Sequoia. This is the recommended route from Northern California, and from Southern California if one intends to go directly to Kings Canyon.

Route 198 northeast from Visalia. This enters Sequoia from the south, and is the recommended route from Southern California. This route is not recommended by the park for long vehicles such as RVs. On 12 a mile stretch from Potwisha Campground to Giant Forest Museum in Sequoia Park, advised maximum is 22 feet (6.7m). Maximum length limit on the Generals Highway is 40 feet (12 m) for single vehicles, 50 feet (15 m) for vehicles plus a towed unit.

Weather & Climate
Foothills
These lower elevations (Under 4,000 feet) are have mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. Rainy season is from January to mid-May; rain in the summer is rare. . During the winter, low clouds and fog is very common.

Middle Elevations
These areas are milder during the summer than the lower elevations and experience significanly more rain than the lower elevations. Winters are cold and snow is common.

Accessibility
Visitor Centers are accessible

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Where to Stay at Kings Canyon and Seqouia National Parks

Camping at Kings Canyon and Seqouia National Parks

Atwell Mill (in Sequoia)
Open late May (Memorial Day weekend) through October 31.
Location: In the Mineral King area along the East Fork of the Kaweah River in a once-logged sequoia grove. At 6650-foot elevation (2027m), 19 miles (31km) from Highway 198 on the steep, narrow, and winding Mineral King Road & 6 miles (10km) before the end of the road.
No reservations: First come, first served.
Amenities: Trailers & RVs not permitted in the campground; not recommended on the road. 21 sites,1 handicap site, pit toilets, & payphone. Within 1/2-mile of Silver City Resort's restaurant, gifts, limited supplies, & showers (no gasoline). Water is turned off in mid-October. One metal, bear-resistant food-storage box provided at each campsite: 47" long x 17" deep x 17-3/4" high.
Fee: $12/night.

Azalea (in Kings Canyon/Grant Grove)
Open all year.
Location: In the Grant Grove area, 3-1/2 miles (5.6km) from Kings Canyon Park entrance. At 6500-foot elevation (1981m) under open stands of evergreen trees, 1/4-mile (.4km) to a sequoia grove.
No reservations: First come, first served.
Amenities: 110 sites, flush toilets, pay phone. Within 1/2-mile (.8km) of visitor center, market, restaurant, gift shop, & showers (in summer). In summer ranger programs offered, horseback riding nearby. One bear-resistant food-storage box is provided for each campsite: 47" long x 34" deep x 28" long. There are several additional boxes for sites to share.
Fee: $18/night.

Buckeye Flat (in Sequoia)
Open late spring to early September (through the end of Labor Day weekend).
Location: In the foothills along the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River, 4 miles (6km) from Sequoia Park entrance & 12 miles (19km) from Giant Forest. Elevation 2800 feet (853m) in an open stand of oaks.
No reservations: First come, first served.
Amenities: 28 sites, 1 handicap site, tents only, flush toilets. One bear-resistant food-storage box provided at each campsite: 47" long x 33" deep x 28" high. There are several additional boxes for sites to share.
Fee: $18/night.

Canyon View (Cedar Grove in the Kings Canyon)
Open as needed May into October.
Location: In Cedar Grove area near the Kings River. Elevation 4600 feet (1402m).
No reservations: First come, first served.
Amenities: Flush toilets, pay phone at the village (1/4 mile/.4 km). 1/4 mile (.4km) from market, restaurant, showers, laundry, & horseback riding. Ranger programs nearby in July & August. One metal, bear-resistant food-storage box provided at each campsite: 48" long x 34" deep x 28" high.
Fee: 23 sites at $18/night and 5 sites for groups 7-15 at $35/night.

Cold Springs (in Sequoia/Mineral King)
Open late May through October 31.
Location: In the Mineral King area, 23 miles (37km) up the steep, winding Mineral King Road from Highway 198. RVs & trailers not permitted (not recommended on the road). Elevation 7500 feet (2286km) in aspen trees & conifers.
No reservations: First come, first served.
Amenities: 31 sites & 9 walk-in sites, pit toilets, pay phone, ranger programs in July & August. 2-1/2 miles (4km) from Silver City Resort's restaurant, gifts, limited supplies, & showers (no gasoline). Water is turned off in mid-October. One metal, bear-resistant food-storage box provided at each campsite: 47" long x 17" deep x 17-3/4" high.
Fee: $12/night.

Crystal Springs (in Kings Canyon/Grant Grove)
Open late May to mid-September.
Location: In the Grant Grove area 4 miles (6km) from Kings Canyon Park entrance. Elevation 6500 feet (1980m) in open evergreen stands, 1/4 mile (.4km) from the Grant Grove of sequoias.
No reservations: First come, first served.
Amenities: Flush toilets, pay phone. Just 1/4 mile (.4km) from visitor center, market, showers (in summer), post office, gift shop, & restaurant. In summer: ranger programs & horseback-riding nearby. One bear-resistant food-storage box is provided for each campsite: 47" long x 17" deep x 17-3/4" high. There are several additional boxes for sites to share.
Fee: 36 sites at $18/night and and 14 sites for groups of 7-15 at $35/night.

Dorst Creek (in northern Sequoia Park)
Open June 26 through September 10, 2009.
Location: At 6800-foot (2073m) elevation near Dorst Creek, 10 miles (16km) from Giant Forest, under open stands of evergreen trees. 204 sites.
2009 Reservations are available June 26-September 10. They may be made starting 6 months in advance of the date you would like to camp. For example, reservations for July 4 can be made starting January 4. Call Reserve America toll free: 877-444-6777 (TDD 877-833-6777) from 10 am - midnight EST March 1- October 31 or 10am - 10pm EST November 1 through February OR go online (www.recreation.gov). Customer Service: 888-448-1474.
Campground Map: For reservation, use the map available at recreation.gov link above.
Amenities: RV dump and fill station. Flush toilets, pay phone, group sites. 8 miles (13km) from Lodgepole Market, deli, showers & laundry (summer only), & post office; 6 miles from Wuksachi Lodge, restaurant, and gift shop. Ranger programs in summer. One metal, bear-resistant food-storage box provided at each campsite; sizes vary. Smallest boxes are 47" long x 33" deep x 28" high. There are several additional boxes for sites to share.
Fee: $20/night.

Potwisha (in the Foothills of Sequoia)
Open all year.
Location: On the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River, 4 miles (6.5km) from Sequoia Park entrance, under an open stand of oaks. At 2100-foot (640m) elevation (hot in summer, snow-free in winter) 12 miles (19km) from the Giant Forest sequoia grove.
No reservations: First come, first served.
Amenities: 42 sites (including 1 handicap site), flush toilets, RV disposal station, & pay phone. Ranger programs on summer weekends. One bear-resistant food-storage box provided at each campsite: 47" long x 33" deep x 28" high.
Fee: $18/night

Sentinel (in Cedar Grove in the Kings Canyon)
Open late April into October.
Location: In the Cedar Grove area, down in the canyon along the Middle Fork of the Kings River. At 4600-foot (1402m) elevation under open stands of evergreen trees.
No reservations: First come, first served.
Amenities: 82 sites, flush toilets, pay phone in the village (1/4 mile/.4 km). Within 1/4-mile (.4km): market, restaurant, gift shop, showers, laundry, & horseback riding. Ranger programs July-early September. The road to this area closes in mid-November. One metal, bear-resistant food-storage box provided at each campsite: 48" long x 34" deep x 28" high. There are several additional boxes for sites to share.
Fee: $18/night.

Sheep Creek (in Cedar Grove in the Kings Canyon)
Open as needed May into mid-November.
Location: In the Cedar Grove area, down in the canyon near the Kings River. Elevation 4600 feet (1402m).
No reservations: First come, first served.
Amenities: 111 sites, flush toilets, pay phone in the village (1/2 mile/.8 km). 1/2-mile (.8km) from showers, laundry, restaurant, market, gift shop, horseback riding. Ranger programs in July & August. One metal, bear-resistant food-storage box provided at each campsite: 48" long x 34" deep x 28" high. There are several additional boxes for sites to share.
Fee: $18/night.

South Fork (in Sequoia)
Open all year.
Location: In the foothills on the South Fork of the Kaweah River. On South Fork Drive 13 miles (21km) from Highway 198. Elevation 3600 feet (1100m), where the oaks stop & evergreens begin.
No reservations: First come, first served.
Amenities: 10 sites, NO drinking water, pit toilets. The last miles of the road to this campground is unpaved, and may be slippery when wet. One metal, bear-resistant food-storage box provided at each campsite: 47" long x 17" deep x 17-3/4" high.
Fee: $12/night May-October then no fee.

Sunset (in Kings Canyon/Grant Grove)
Open late May to mid-September.
Location: In the Grant Grove area, 3 miles (5km) from Kings Canyon Park entrance. Elevation 6500 feet (1980m)in an open stand of evergreens 1/4 mile (.4km) from a sequoia grove.
No reservations: First come, first served.
Amenities: 157 sites, flush toilets, & payphone. 1/4 mile from visitor center, market, restaurant, gift shop, & showers. In summer: ranger programs & horseback riding nearby. One bear-resistant food-storage box is provided for each campsite: 47" long x 17" deep x 17-3/4" high. There are several additional boxes for sites to share.
Fee: $18/night for regular sites and $40 for the two group sites that accomodate 15-30. The group sites are reservable. From Nov.-April, call 559-565-4357. From May-Oct. call 559-565-4335. Reservations must be by mail or fax, these are information numbers only.

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Things to Do at Seqouia and Kings Canyon National Park

Activities and More Information
Driving in the parks provide mostly up-close views of trees, so the roadside vista points that do exist should not be overlooked:

The road to Cedar Grove provides many excellent views of the narrow Kings Canyon.
Between Grant Grove and Lodgepole is only one major lookout. Great view of the Sierras.
The steep and winding road from Giant Forest down to the Ash Mountain entrance has some good vistas of the Kaweah River valley.
Some of the scenic attractions in Sequoia and Kings Canyon, divided by area, are:

Grants Grove, a grove of giant Sequoia trees at the west entrance to the parks.
Giant Forest, a collection of groves at the center of Sequoia a few miles south of the main Visitor Center, including the General Sherman Tree, the world's largest (but not tallest) tree. The areas centers around a museum, and the grove can be seen along a 1-2 mile looping trail. The parking area is 0.4 miles uphill from the grove, so those who may not be able to easily walk back up the trail (remember that the elevation is 7000 feet) may want to arrange for a pickup from the main park road.
Crystal Cave, Crystal Cave Road, 15 miles (24 km) from the Sequoia Park entrance on Hwy 198, and 3 miles (5 km) south of the General Sherman Tree Maximum vehicle length is 22' (6.7 m); +1 559 565-3759. Tour times: Saturdays 11am, 12pm, 3pm, & 4pm; Sundays through Fridays at 11am, 2pm, & 3pm. A large cave filled with various water-sculpted features. The temperature in the cave is 50°F (10°C) so dress warmly. No strollers, tripods, or baby backpacks are allowed in the cave and it is not wheelchair accessible. Tickets for a tour must be bought at either the Lodgepole or Foothills visitor center, neither of which is located near the cave. No tickets are sold at the cave.Adults (13-61): $10.95, children (6-12): $5.95, seniors (62 and up): $8.95, six and under are free.
Moro Rock-Crescent Meadow Road, a 3-mile (5 km) road leaving General's Highway at the Giant Forest Museum. Leads to several features at the south of the Giant Forest. Note that this road is not recommended for trailers or RVs.
Moro Rock, a granite dome you can climb to the top of via a steep 1/4-mile (.4 km) staircase to the summit (300 foot /91 m elevation gain). The top provides spectacular views of Sequoia's mountains and the Great Western Divide. Note that this is not for those afraid of heights as the staircase is very narrow with steep drop-offs.
Tunnel Log, a fallen sequoia that can be driven through. A bypass is available for tall vehicles.
Auto Log, a giant sequoia log formerly available for vehicles to drive onto, for a photo opportunity. The natural process of decay has put an end to the practice as the log can no longer safely support the weight of a vehicle.
Crescent Meadow, a High-Sierra meadow awash with wildflowers in the summer.
Cedar Grove, the main area of Kings Canyon, is about 45 minutes northeast of Grants Grove. The deep canyon offers impressive mountain scenery, a waterfall, and broad meadows.
Mineral Kings, a secluded, narrow, alpine valley accessible by car. Two campgrounds in the area, from which it's possible to make day hikes to lakes and mountain passes with splendid views.
A broad variety of wildlife can be seen in both parks, including deer, birds, and bears.