National and State Parks - Recreational Areas
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Sequoia National Park
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Park Photo Gallery
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Park Event Calendar
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Park Contact Information
National
Park Overview
These parks are home to giants immense mountains, deep canyons and
huge trees. Thanks to their huge elevational range, 1,500 to 14,491, these parks protect 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. Beneath the surface lie over 200 fascinating caverns.
Although Congress created these two parks at different times, Sequoia and Kings Canyon share miles of boundary and are managed as one park. Sequoia was the second national park designated in this country. General Grant National Park, the forerunner of Kings Canyon, was third.
As you explore this landscape of giants, do so in step with nature. Be aware that human activity may conflict with natural events. One example humanbear interactions can result in problems for both players. Store all food properly and learn other ways to keep your parks healthy and wild.
And stay safe! Rivers are especially dangerous now. Several people have drowned this year and
there have been frightening rescues. Please be careful and
supervise children - any water. Enjoy a safe visit to these wonderful parks.
Nature of the Area
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks contain big trees, high peaks and
deep canyons, but the diversity goes far beyond that. Located in the southern Sierra Nevada range, the parks? elevations extend from 1,300 feet (418m) in the foothills to 14,491 feet (4,417m) at the summit of Mount Whitney, the highest mountain in the contiguous 48 states. Plunging in the opposite direction far below the surface are over 200 marble caverns, many with endemic cave fauna. This huge variation in the landscape contributes to the collage of habitats that create a rich assemblage of terrestrial -quatic and subterranean ecosystems. Here one can observe a vast diversity of plants and animals representing an array of adaptations.
Despite the protected status of resources within park boundaries, many threats to park resources exist. These include air pollutants, invasion by alien species, loss of natural fire regimes, habitat fragmentation and
rapid human-caused climatic change.
The Division of Natural Resources strives to
Understand natural processes (such as fire) and human-induced effects on ecosystems (such as effects of air pollution).
Mitigate for the existing and potential human effects on ecosystems (for example, restoring previously developed areas using re-vegetation, re-introducing fire to areas where it has been suppressed for decades).
Monitor for ongoing or future trends in key ecosystem components.
Protect existing natural species, populations, communities, systems and
processes.
Interpret these organisms, systems and
processes to park visitors and to visitor center staffs so they may provide current information to the public.
Camping
All park campgrounds are in black bear habitat and
proper food storage is required. Bears that learn to get human foods become destructive and aggressive and must be destroyed. Dont be part of this problem! Bring coolers that will fit in the bear-proof food-storage boxes provided at most campsites. For bear-box sizes, see details for each campground. In the park, look for instructions on food storage on bulletin boards and in the park newspaper.
Park campgrounds are located in the oak woodlands of the warm, dry foothills and in the higher, cooler conifer forests. They range in elevation from 2100 to 7500. Lodgepole, Dorst, Sunset -zalea, Crystal Springs and
Atwell campgrounds are - giant sequoia groves. Four campgrounds are open year-round. Check detailed information on each campground in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks.
Camping Limit 14 days during the period from June 14September 15 30 days total per year.
Facilities Campgrounds have drinking water (except South Fork), tables, fire grills, garbage cans and
either pit or flush toilets. Most have bear-proof food storage that you must use. Availability of some of these facilities may be limited in winter. There are no hookups in these parks.
Road & Weather Information Before visiting call 559-565-3341, then press 4. Conditions vary widely by elevation. Report is updated by 930 a.m. daily.
Reservations Lodgepole and Dorst campgrounds in Sequoia National Park accept reservations up to five months in advance for the period of mid-May to mid-October. Contact 1-800-365-2267 or http//reservations.nps.gov international requests (301) 7222257 TDD 1-888-530-9796 fax (301) 784-9079. 4 am4 pm PST. All other campgrounds are first-come, first-served. For reservations at some U.S. Forest Service campgrounds, contact 1-877-444-6777 or http//reserveusa.com TDD 1-877-833-6777 international requests 1-518-885-3639.
Limits Most campgrounds permit a maximum of one vehicle and six people per campsite (Potwisha permits two vehicles). Check bulletin boards for information on where to park extra vehicles.
Mid-sized-group Campsites (725) First-come, first-served -vailable only during the summer at Crystal Springs (in the Grant Grove area of Kings Canyon Park) and
Canyon View (in the Cedar Grove area of Kings Canyon).
Large-group Campsites(>15) Available only during the summer -t Dorst (in Sequoia), Sunset (Grant Grove area of Kings Canyon) and
Canyon View (Cedar Grove area of Kings Canyon).
Trails
Backpacking
Some 84% of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks was designated as Wilderness under the 1984 California Wilderness Act. Currently, the parks are gathering information and public input in order to develop a Wilderness Management Plan for these areas.
For more details on planning a wilderness trip, see Backcountry Basics.
Food storage is required as black bears are at home in these parks. Their natural habitat is the forests and shrublands below 8000 (2438 meters), but they will frequently roam above these elevations in order to steal food from backpackers. Federal regulations require proper food storage and prohibit feeding of any park animal. Violations of these regulations will result in a fine of up to $5000. Even stronger than legal obligations is the moral responsibility to respect the wilderness you have come to enjoy. Careless food storage spells death for bears. When a bear repeatedly obtains human food and garbage, it becomes destructive and dangerous and
may have to be killed. You have entered the bears territory learn how to protect your food from bears and
dont let your carelessness destroy them in their own homes.
Wilderness permits are required for all overnight camping outside designated campgrounds. There is an overnight camping fee of $15 for permits issued by these parks. Permits are not required for day hikes, except in the Mt Whitney area. All hikers (even day hikers) to Mt. Whitney are required to obtain a permit.
Reservations Quotas limit the number of people entering each trailhead on a single day. In the summer, the quotas on some popular trailheads are filled. To avoid this, you can reserve a permit in advance for trips between mid-May and September. We can accept backcountry reservations for the current year no earlier than March 1 and no later than 3 weeks before the start of your trip. All reservation requests must be faxed or mailed in. We regret that we are not set up to take backcountry reservations electronically at this time.
Groups are strongly recommended to use the reservation system. The maximum group size is 15 people per trailhead except for Redwood Canyon where the maximum size is 10.
Horseback Riding
There is one pack station and one stable in Kings Canyon National Park and
one pack station in nearby Sequoia National Forest. All are closed from late fall to spring, but exact dates vary. Each offers specific services check with them for details and prices.
In Kings Canyon National Park
Cedar Grove Pack Station 1-559-565-3464 (summer), 1-559-337-2314 (off season)
Grant Grove Stables 1-559-335-9292 (summer), 1-559-337-2314 (off season)
In Sequoia National ForestHorse Corral (between Lodgepole in Sequoia National Park and Grant Grove in Kings Canyon National Park)
PO Box 546Woodlake, CA 932861-559-565-3404 (summer)559-564-6429 (off season)1-559-679-3573 (cell)
More Info
Sequoia National Park, the oldest national park in California offers an array of exciting activities, including hiking, cross-country skiing, fishing and
an array of lodging options.
...uoia National Park is located in the beautiful, scenic state of California, halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco.
...thills the lower elevations of Sequoia National Park Foothills Visitor Center Open daily Sequoia Groves at mid- elevations of Sequoia Kings Canyon Parks Giant Forest Museum in Sequoia Open
...hotograph of the General Sherman Tree in Sequoia National Park, CA. Part of the NPS Web site for Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
...uoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Welcome to the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Page This site is dedicated to providing information on Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks It is
...uoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Weather Page
See the Visitors Guide for more weather information. Giant Forest Sequoia National Park Weather Stats Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct
Plantation Bed and Breakfast provides Central California lodging in the foothills of the Sierras, - Sequoia National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, Visalia, Mineral King and Lake Kaweah.
...illustrated guide to Sequoia National Park, including Giant Forest and Moro Rock
...illustrated guide to Giant Forest and Moro Rock, Sequoia National Park, California
a free, no obligation insurance quoting service that allows you to compare insurance premium quotes from insurance companies in Sequoia National Park CA.SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK CA Auto Insurance
Area Attractions
National Park Service Areas
Death Valley National Park, Yosemite National Park, Manzanar National Historic Site, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Channel Islands National Park, Devils Postpile National Monument, John Muir National Historic Site and
Joshua Tree National Park.
Other Attractions
Giant Sequoia National Monument/Sequoia National Forest, (559)338-2251.
Sierra National Forest (559)855-5360.
Inyo National Forest, (760)873-2500.
PlaneThe closest commercial airports are in Fresno & Visalia.
Car NOTE Gasoline is not sold within park boundaries. Be sure to fill up in one of the towns - the park entrance OR at one of three locations in the national forest bordering part of the park year-round at Hume Lake (- Grant Grove) and
late spring into fall at Stony Creek (between Giant Forest and Grant Grove) or Kings Canyon Lodge (between Grant Grove and Cedar Grove).
To Sequoia Park entrance from Highway 99 at Visalia take Highway 198 east for approximately 1 hour.
Note The 16-miles of road from Ash Mountain to Giant Forest includes 130 curves and 12 switchbacks. Due to this, there is a vehicle-length advisory for the 12 steepest miles within that stretch. From Potwisha Campground to the Giant Forest Museum, the advised maximum vehicle length is 22 feet (6.7 m). The alternative take Highway 180 from Fresno to Grant Grove, then turn south on the Generals Highway.
Maximum legal length limits on the Generals Highway are 40 feet (12 m) for single vehicles or 50 feet (15 m) for vehicles plus a towed unit. If you are towing a smaller vehicle, consider camping in the foothills and using the smaller car to explore.
To Kings Canyon Park entrance from Highway 99 at Fresno take Highway 180 east approximately 12/4 hours.
PET OWNERS Keep in mind that dogs are not permitted on park trails and it may be too hot to leave them in the car.
Bus In Sequoia Park, the 16-miles of the Generals Highway from Ash Mountain to Giant Forest contains 130 curves and 12 switchbacks. There is a vehicle-length advisory for the 12 steepest miles within that stretch. From Potwisha Campground to the Giant Forest Museum, the advised maximum vehicle length is 22 feet (6.7 m). The alternative take Highway 180 from Fresno to Grant Grove and turn south on the Generals Highway as far as the Giant Forest.
Maximum legal length limits on the Generals Highway are 40 feet (12 m) for single vehicles or 50 feet (15 m) for vehicles plus a towed unit.
Public Transportation There is no public transportation to these parks.
Sequoia National Park