National Parks · California

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks

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.

About 1.5 hours from Fresno by car.

Photos: National Park Service

Alerts

  • Information
    Mineral King Road Construction Traffic Delays and Closures

    There are temporary daytime closures and traffic delays on Mineral King Road. A schedule of daily closures and delays can be found on our Road Construction webpage. Click "more" to go there.

    NPS ↗
  • 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 total. There will not be delays on federal holidays.

  • Information
    Fire Restrictions in Place

    Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect. Wood and charcoal fires are prohibited at all low-elevation campgrounds and picnic areas. Additional restrictions apply. Click "more" for details.

    NPS ↗

Fire nearby

  • Wildfire
    Land

    21 mi from the park's reference point · 20 acres

Within 50 miles, as of 2026-10-14. Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Check the park's alerts and the managing office before you drive.

Fees & passes

TypeCost
Private VehicleThis pass is valid for 1-7 days and includes everyone traveling in a single vehicle for Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks and Hume Lake District of Sequoia National Forest/Giant Sequoia National Monument.$35
Per PersonThis entry fee is for a single person traveling on foot or by bicycle. It is valid for 1-7 days in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks and Hume Lake District of Sequoia National Forest/Giant Sequoia National Monument.$20
MotorcycleValid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles, scooters, or similar motorized vehicles with up to 4 total passengers to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks and Hume Lake District of Sequoia National Forest/Giant Sequoia National Monument.$30
Non-commercial GroupsNon-commercial groups traveling in vehicles that have a capacity of up to 15 passengers pay a $35 vehicle entrance fee or use a park pass. Groups traveling in a bus or vehicle with a capacity of 16 persons or more are charged $20 per person, up to the maximums listed for commercial groups with comparable passenger capacity ($100 or $200).$20
NonresidentEach non-US resident aged 16 and older visiting Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks must pay a $100 nonresident fee (in addition to the standard entrance fee), unless admitted with an Annual or America the Beautiful Pass. This includes nonresidents entering as part of a commercial tour group, commercial use authorization (CUA) group, or concessioner tour group.$100
Commercial tours · by vehicle capacity
Mini-busThis entrance fee is for commercial tours of vehicles with a seating capacity of 16-25 people that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. This fee is based on the seating capacity of the vehicle and not the actual number of passengers.$100
Motor CoachThis entrance fee is for commercial tours of vehicles with a seating capacity of 26 or more people that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. This fee is based on the seating capacity of the vehicle and not the actual number of passengers.$200
Per PersonThe fee is $20 per person for any resident 16 years or older. For any nonresident the fee is $100 per person for anyone 16 years or older. This fee is valid for seven consecutive days.$20
Passes
Annual Entrance - ParkThis pass is valid for Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks and Hume Lake Ranger District of Sequoia National Forest/Giant Sequoia National Monument for one year from the month of purchase. The pass admits all passengers in a private vehicle and is non-transferable.$70
From the park

Reservations are not accepted or required. Most credit cards, debit cards, and digital forms of payment are accepted including Discover, Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay, among others. The entrance fee amount varies depending on how a visitor arrives at the park, and whether they are part of a commercial tour group or not.

Buy the $80 America the Beautiful pass, not this park's $70 annual pass, unless this is the only park you will see all year. It covers entrance at every federal site for 12 months. Compare the passes

Hours

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National ParksDaily · All Day

Campgrounds

Potwisha Campground40 sites
$32 a night · Potwisha Campground is open year-round. Reservations are required for all campsites. · 40 reservable
Azalea Campground111 sites
$32 a night · Azalea campground is open year-round. In winter, only the main loop remains open, with capacity reduced to 20 sites on a first-come, first-served basis.
Cold Springs Campground40 sites
$32 a night · Cold Springs Campground usually opens in late May and closes in late October. Gates open or close at noon on the campground opening and closing dates. · 40 reservable
Atwell Mill Campground22 sites
$32 a night · Atwell Mill Campground usually opens in late May and closes in late October. *Potable water is not always available in spring and fall.
Buckeye Flat Campground28 sites
$32 a night · Buckeye Flat Campground is generally open from late March to late September, depending on weather conditions.
Show all 15 campgrounds
Sunset Campground156 sites
$32 a night · Sunset Campground is generally open from late May through the week following Labor Day, depending on weather conditions.
Crystal Springs Campground35 sites
$32 a night · This campground usually opens in late May and closes in late September, weather dependent. Gates open or close at noon on campground opening and closing dates. · 35 reservable
Crystal Springs Campground Group Sites14 sites
$50 a night · This campground usually opens in late May and closes in late September, weather dependent. Group sites may be available later into September. · 14 reservable
South Fork Campground ↗·
$6 a night · Closed until further notice due to extensive damage from flooding and landslides during strong winter storms. When open, the campground is open year-round.
Lodgepole Campground206 sites
$32 a night · Lodgepole Campground usually opens the Wednesday before Memorial Day. Winter closure occurs in phases.
Dorst Creek Campground204 sites
$32 a night · Dorst Creek Campground usually opens in mid-June and closes on Labor Day weekend.
Sentinel Campground82 sites
$32 a night · Sentinel Campground usually opens in late April and closes in late October. · 82 reservable
Canyon View Group Campground16 sites
$50 a night · Canyon View Campground usually opens in mid June and closes in late September. · 16 reservable
Moraine Campground121 sites
$32 a night · Moraine Campground usually opens in late May and closes in early September. Moraine Campground is currently closed until July 4th weekend. · 121 reservable
Sheep Creek Campground111 sites
$32 a night · Sheep Creek Campground usually opens in late May and closes in early September. CAMPGROUNDS OPEN AT NOON ON OPENING DAY AND CLOSE AT NOON ON CLOSING DAY. · 111 reservable

Every campground here has its own page on Campsite Atlas, with site counts, hookups, rig limits and booking windows. All of them on one page → How park camping works

Visitor centers

  • Foothills Visitor Center ↗Passport stamp

    The Foothills Visitor Center is one mile east of the Ash Mountain Entrance on Generals Highway. Stop by for information, maps, books, gifts, water, and restrooms. Explore exhibits on foothills ecology and human history. Open year-round, except during weather, emergency, or operational closures.

  • Giant Forest Museum ↗Passport stamp

    The Giant Forest Museum is in a historic market building in the Giant Forest sequoia grove at 6,500 feet (1,980 m), about 16 miles north of the Ash Mountain Entrance on Generals Highway. Stop by for information, maps, books, gifts, water, and restrooms.

  • Kings Canyon Visitor Center ↗Passport stamp

    The Kings Canyon Visitor Center is located in Grant Grove Village, about three miles north of the Big Stump Entrance Station, at 6,500 feet (1,980 m). Stop in for maps, information, books, gifts, water, and restrooms.

  • Lodgepole Visitor Center ↗Passport stamp

    Renovated in 2023, the Lodgepole Visitor Center is located in the coniferous forests at an elevation of 6,700 feet (2,040 m), about 21 miles north of the Ash Mountain Entrance Station on Generals Highway.

  • Cedar Grove Visitor Center ↗Passport stamp

    The Cedar Grove Visitor Center, located in a small historic cabin beside the South Fork of the Kings River, sits in a mixed coniferous forest at an elevation of 4,600 feet (1,400 m) in Cedar Grove. It is approximately 30 miles east of Grant Grove Village along CA-180.

  • Mineral King Ranger Station ↗Passport stamp

    Located in a mixed-conifer forest at 7,600 feet (2,320 m), the Mineral King Ranger Station houses some exhibits on Mineral King's human and natural history. Food storage canisters are available. Obtain wilderness permits here.

Explore

Things to do

  • Paradise Creek1-2 Hours

    Explore Paradise Canyon in the Foothills of Sequoia National Park. This gentle trail parallels Paradise Creek, taking you past waterfalls and pools.

    Opens on the Park Service site
  • Wolverton Winter Trail1-2 Hours

    This short trail connects the Old Lodgepole Road with the Wolverton Parking area. This steep hillside route requires considerable control for downhill travel when skiing away from Wolverton.

    Opens on the Park Service site
  • Visit the Foothills Visitor Center5-75 Minutes

    This visitor center is one mile past the Ash Mountain entrance station along the Generals Highway. Stop here for information, maps, books, gifts, and restrooms.

    Opens on the Park Service site
  • Explore Hidden Sequoias at Muir Grove2-3 Hours

    Take a hike to a sequoia grove that is tucked away from the road. Muir Grove provides a quiet experience among these giant trees. If you find other sequoia groves to be a bit crowded, take a walk to experience Muir Grove.

    Opens on the Park Service site
  • See the General Sherman Tree in Snow15-60 Minutes

    Enjoy an up-close experience walking around the big trees, including the largest tree on Earth.

    Opens on the Park Service site
  • Visit the Kings Canyon Visitor Center5-75 Minutes

    At the Kings Canyon Visitor Center, learn about three regions in Kings Canyon National Park: giant sequoia groves, Kings Canyon, and the High Sierra. Watch a 15-minute movie (English/Spanish).

    Opens on the Park Service site
Show all 12
  • Monarch Lake

    Upper and Lower Monarch Lakes are gorgeous alpine lakes that lie at the base of Sawtooth Peak. You can hike this 10-mile route as a day hike or an as an overnight backpacking trip, but be aware that camping is only allowed several miles into your…

    Opens on the Park Service site
  • Eagle and Mosquito Lakes

    Both Eagle and Mosquito lakes offer beautiful views of Mineral Kings alpine landscape. Eagle and Mosquito Lakes trails share the same route for the first 2 miles. The trail for both is 10 miles out and back with over 3,000 feet of elevation change.

    Opens on the Park Service site
  • Cold Springs Nature Trail

    The Cold Springs Nature Trail is a great option for visitors looking for an easier trail and staying at the Cold Springs Campground. Many of the hikes in the Mineral King area are long and steep.

    Opens on the Park Service site
  • Roaring River Falls

    This is a short, paved walk to a cool waterfall (literally and figuratively!) On a hot day, it’s a great place to stop because the powerful falling water creates its own wind! Watch the mist swirl through the treetops as you take a moment to relax…

    Opens on the Park Service site
  • Road's End

    Road's End is the last stop in the Cedar Grove area, at the literal end of Highway 180. This area is the jumping off point for many high Sierra hiking trails, but also is an access point for easy trails in the valley.

    Opens on the Park Service site
  • Mist Falls

    An 8-mile round-trip walk to this spectacular cascade makes a great all-day walk. The first miles are relatively flat and open; in the last mile the wooded trail gains 600' in elevation.

    Opens on the Park Service site

Films

The Life and Accomplishments of General Charles Young · 2.7 min · on NPS.gov ↗
Accessibility Film Series: Crystal Cave ASL Tours · 3 min · on NPS.gov ↗

National Park Service productions, public domain.

Webcams

Camera images load live from the National Park Service and partner agencies

Events

  • Ranger's Choice Talk (Grant Grove Area)10/14
    02:00 PM · runs through Oct 31 · free
    Bradley Meadow Benches in Grant Grove Village, across from Kings Canyon Visitor Center
  • Forest Feature (Giant Forest Area)10/14
    11:00 AM · runs through Oct 31 · free
    Meet in front of the Giant Forest Museum
  • Grant Grove Revealed (Grant Grove Area)10/15
    10:30 AM · runs through Oct 29 · free
    Grant Tree Trailhead
  • Canyon Chat (Cedar Grove Area)10/16
    03:00 PM · runs through Oct 31 · free
    Meet outside Cedar Grove Visitor Center.
  • Zumwalt Meadow Hike (Cedar Grove Area)10/16
    10:30 AM · runs through Oct 31 · free
    Meet at the Zumwalt Meadow Trailhead in Cedar Grove.
  • Get to Know Sequoias (Grant Grove Area)10/16
    11:00 AM · runs through Oct 30 · free
    Meet at the base of the General Grant Tree.
Show all 10
  • Mountain Meadow Walk (Giant Forest Area)10/17
    01:00 PM · runs through Oct 31 · free
    Meet outside of Giant Forest Museum
  • Sign of the Times (Foothills Area)10/17
    10:00 AM · runs through Oct 31 · free
    Sequoia Entrance Sign (0.25 miles from Three Rivers entrance station)
  • Stories in Stone (Foothills Area)10/17
    02:00 PM · runs through Oct 31 · free
    Hospital Rock Picnic Area
  • Among the Giants Walk (Grant Grove Area)10/17
    11:00 AM · runs through Oct 31 · free
    Meet at the Grant Tree Trailhead

News

Map

Interactive map by the National Park Service

On the National Register nearby

California on Register Atlas →

Guidebooks for California's national parks

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

  • Hiking Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
    Laurel Scheidt, 2022
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Moon Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon
    Ann Marie Brown, 2021
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Hiking Joshua Tree National Park
    Bill Cunningham, 2019
    Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject.

Reference

Wildlife

212
Bird species
74
Mammal species
4
Species seen this month

Seen this monthAmerican Black Bear 14× · Yellow-bellied Marmot 3× · Ringtail 1× · American Pika 1×Research-grade observations within 25 km, last 30 days, via iNaturalist

Full checklist: 201 birds, 74 mammals
Birds

Raptors & owlsAmerican Kestrel · Bald Eagle · Barn Owl · Barred Owl · Broad-winged Hawk · Cooper's Hawk · Flammulated Owl · Golden Eagle · Great Gray Owl · Great Horned Owl · Hen Harrier · Long-eared Owl · Merlin · Mountain Pygmy Owl · Northern Saw-whet Owl · Osprey · Peregrine Falcon · Prairie Falcon · Red-shouldered Hawk · Red-tailed Hawk · Sharp-shinned Hawk · Short-eared Owl · Swainson's Hawk · Turkey Vulture · spotted owl · white-tailed kite

Waterfowl & wadersAmerican Coot · American White Pelican · Black-necked Grebe · Bufflehead · Canada Goose · Common Loon · Common Merganser · Common Teal · Double-crested Cormorant · Great Blue Heron · Harlequin Duck · Horned Grebe · Lesser Scaup · Northern Pintail · Ruddy Duck · Tundra Swan · Wood Duck · black swan · pied-billed grebe

Shorebirds & seabirdsAmerican Avocet · Black Storm Petrel · California Gull · Caspian Tern · Common Snipe · Killdeer · Red-necked Phalarope · Spotted Sandpiper

Gamebirds & dovesBand-tailed Pigeon · Blue Grouse · California Quail · Common Pigeon · Mountain Quail · Mourning Dove · White-tailed Ptarmigan · Wild Turkey

WoodpeckersAcorn Woodpecker · Black-backed Woodpecker · Downy Woodpecker · Hairy Woodpecker · Ladder-backed Woodpecker · Lewis' Woodpecker · Northern Flicker · Nuttall's Woodpecker · Pileated Woodpecker · Red-breasted Sapsucker · Red-naped Sapsucker · White-headed Woodpecker · Williamson's Sapsucker

Hummingbirds & swiftsAllen's Hummingbird · American Black Swift · Anna's Hummingbird · Black-chinned Hummingbird · Calliope Hummingbird · Rufous Hummingbird · Vaux's Swift · White-throated Swift

Also on the checklistAmerican Bushtit · American Crow · American Dipper · American Dusky Flycatcher · American Goldfinch · American Grey Flycatcher · American Robin · American pipit · Ash-throated Flycatcher · Barn Swallow · Belted Kingfisher · Bewick's Wren · Black Phoebe · Black-chinned Sparrow · Black-headed Grosbeak · Black-throated Sparrow · Blue Grosbeak · Blue-gray Gnatcatcher · Bohemian Waxwing · Brewer's Blackbird · Brewer's Sparrow · Brown-headed Cowbird · Bullock's oriole · California Thrasher · California towhee · Canyon Wren · Cassin's Finch · Cassin's vireo · Cedar Waxwing · Chipping Sparrow · Chukar · Clark's Nutcracker · Common Nighthawk · Common Peafowl · Common Poorwill · Common Starling · Common Yellowthroat · Dark-eyed Junco · Eastern Kingbird · Evening Grosbeak · Fox Sparrow · Gadwall · Golden-crowned Kinglet · Golden-crowned Sparrow · Gray Catbird · Great Grey Shrike · Great-tailed Grackle · Greater Roadrunner · Green-tailed Towhee · Gyrfalcon · Hammond's Flycatcher · Hermit Thrush · Hooded Oriole · Horned Lark · House Finch · House Sparrow · House Wren · Hutton's Vireo · Lark Sparrow · Lawrence's Goldfinch · Lazuli Bunting · Lesser Goldfinch · Lincoln's Sparrow · Loggerhead Shrike · Mallard · Mountain Bluebird · Northern Goshawk · Northern Mockingbird · Northern Raven · Northern Rough-winged Swallow · Pacific slope flycatcher · Phainopepla · Pine Grosbeak · Pine Siskin · Pinyon Jay · Purple Finch · Purple Martin · Pygmy Nuthatch · Red Crossbill · Red-breasted Nuthatch · Red-winged Blackbird · Rock Wren · Rose-breasted Grosbeak · Roughleg · Ruby-crowned Kinglet · Rufous-crowned Sparrow · Sage Sparrow · Savannah Sparrow · Say's Phoebe · Song Sparrow · Steller's Jay · Summer Tanager · Surf Scoter · Swainson's Thrush · Tecolote occidental · Townsend's Solitaire · Tree Swallow · Varied Thrush · Vesper Sparrow · Violet-green Swallow · Warbling Vireo · Western Bluebird · Western Kingbird · Western Meadowlark · Western Tanager · Western Wood Pewee · White-breasted Nuthatch · White-crowned Sparrow · Willow Flycatcher · Winter Wren · Wrentit · brown creeper · cliff swallow · gray-crowned rosy finch · mountain chickadee · oak titmouse · olive-sided flycatcher · spotted towhee · western scrub-jay

Mammals

Small mammalsAlpine Chipmunk · Amargosa Vole · American Beaver · American Pika · American Water Shrew · Belding's Ground Squirrel · Botta's Pocket Gopher · Broad-footed Mole · Brush Deermouse · Brush Rabbit · Bushy-tailed Woodrat · California Deermouse · California Ground Squirrel · California Pocket Mouse · Coronation Island vole · Deer Mouse · Douglas's Squirrel · Dusky Shrew · Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel · Heather Vole · Lodgepole Chipmunk · Merriam's Chipmunk · Montane Vole · Mountain Beaver · Mountain Pocket Gopher · Northern Flying Squirrel · Ornate Shrew · Trowbridge's Shrew · Western Gray Squirrel · Western Harvest Mouse · Western Jumping Mouse · Yellow-bellied Marmot · big-earde woodrat · common porcupine · pinyon mouse · white-tailed hare

PredatorsAlleghanian Spotted Skunk · American Badger · American Black Bear · American Marten · Bobcat · Common Gray Fox · Coyote · Cross Fox · Ermine · Fisher · Long-tailed Weasel · Ringtail · Striped Skunk · common raccoon

Hoofed mammalsBighorn Sheep · Mule Deer

BatsBig Brown Bat · Black Bat · Brazilian Free-tailed Bat · California myotis · Fringed Myotis · Hoary Bat · Long-eared Myotis · Long-legged Myotis · Pallid Bat · Pinto Bat · Red Bat · Townsend's big-eared bat · Western Pipistrelle · Yuma Myotis · little brown myotis · western mastiff bat · western small-footed myotis

Also on the checklistCatamount · Virginia Opossum · domestic cat · domestic cow · domestic pig

Weather & climate

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.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Sequoia & Kings Canyon?

Entrance is $35 per private vehicle, $30 per motorcycle, and $20 per person on foot or bike. This pass is valid for 1-7 days and includes everyone traveling in a single vehicle for Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks and Hume Lake District of Sequoia National Forest/Giant Sequoia National Monument.

Source: National Park Service

Which passes work at Sequoia & Kings Canyon?

The $80 America the Beautiful pass covers the entrance fee here, and a Sequoia & Kings Canyon-only annual pass is $70.

Source: Is the pass worth it

Can I pay the entrance fee in cash?

No. Sequoia & Kings Canyon takes cards only at the entrance.

Source: National Park Service

Do international visitors pay more at Sequoia & Kings Canyon?

Yes. Visitors who are not US residents, age 16 and up, pay a $100 surcharge on top of the entrance fee, or carry the $250 Non-Resident Annual Pass.

Source: The nonresident fee, explained

When is entrance to Sequoia & Kings Canyon free?

Next on October 27, Theodore Roosevelt's birthday. 2 fee-free days are left this year, for US residents only.

Source: Free entrance days

Do I need a reservation to enter Sequoia & Kings Canyon?

No. There is no timed-entry or entrance reservation at Sequoia & Kings Canyon. Camping and some tours have their own reservations.

Source: National Park Service

Is Sequoia & Kings Canyon open year-round?

Yes. The grounds are open 24 hours a day, year-round.

Source: National Park Service

Can I camp in Sequoia & Kings Canyon?

Yes. The Park Service lists 15 campgrounds in Sequoia & Kings Canyon: Potwisha, Azalea, Cold Springs, Atwell Mill, and Buckeye Flat, and more. 14 take reservations through Recreation.gov.

Source: Every campground, on Campsite Atlas

Which Sequoia & Kings Canyon campgrounds have showers, hookups, or a dump station?

Dump station: Potwisha and Lodgepole.

Source: Campgrounds

Do camping fees at Sequoia & Kings Canyon include the entrance fee?

No. Camping is charged per night on top of the entrance fee or a pass; Potwisha is $32 a night.

Source: Campgrounds

Is anything closed at Sequoia & Kings Canyon right now?

3 active alerts as of October 14, 2026: Mineral King Road Construction Traffic Delays and Closures; Weekday Traffic Delays on Generals Highway North of Giant Forest; and more.

Source: Alerts

Is there cell service at Sequoia & Kings Canyon?

At the park's reference point, FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G and AT&T 4G LTE. No reported coverage for T-Mobile. Coverage inside the park varies by location.

Source: FCC Broadband Map

Follow this park

Alerts feed (RSS)
Every active Park Service alert for this unit, one item each, rebuilt with the nightly data refresh.
Add dates to your calendar (.ics file)
Fee-free entrance days that apply here and each published hours exception, as all-day events.