National Parks · California
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Sequoia and Kings Canyon are administered together but feel like two separate parks. Sequoia holds the General Sherman Tree and the Giant Forest. Kings Canyon has a glacier-carved gorge deeper than the Grand Canyon and the gateway to the High Sierra backcountry.
Best time to visit
Late May to October. Generals Highway is plowed year-round but tire chains are often required November-April. Kings Canyon Scenic Byway closes in winter.
How long you need
Three days to do both parks properly. Most visitors do Sequoia in a day and miss Kings Canyon entirely.
Don't miss
- General Sherman Tree and the Congress Trail loop
- Moro Rock — 350 steps to a granite dome with full Sierra views
- Crystal Cave tour (reservation required)
- Drive Kings Canyon Scenic Byway down to Cedar Grove
- Sunset on Beetle Rock
What people get wrong
Treating it as a day trip from somewhere else. The roads are slow and steep, the giant trees deserve real time, and Kings Canyon is an hour past Sequoia on a winding road most people never drive. Also: the General Sherman parking lot is a zoo. Park at the upper lot and walk down.
About 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.
Things to do
- 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
Weather & when to go
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.
Entrance fees
Entrance - Private Vehicle
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.
$35.00
Entrance - Per Person
This 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.
$20.00
Entrance - Motorcycle
Valid 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.
$30.00
Entrance - Non-commercial Groups
Non-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). People 15 years old or younger, anyone with a pass that may be used for park entry, and drivers hired for transportation only are exempt from the per person fee.
$20.00
Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus
This 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. Passenger ages or entrance passes do not affect the price.
$100.00
Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach
This 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. Passenger ages or entrance passes do not affect the price.
$200.00
Commercial Entrance - Per Person
The 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.
$20.00
Nonresident
Each 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.
$100.00
Operating 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.
Campgrounds
Potwisha Campground
Azalea Campground
Cold Springs Campground
Atwell Mill Campground
Buckeye Flat Campground
Sunset Campground
Crystal Springs Campground
Crystal Springs Campground Group Sites
South Fork Campground
Lodgepole Campground
Dorst Creek Campground
Sentinel Campground
Canyon View Group Campground
Moraine Campground
Sheep Creek Campground
FAQ
- Where should I stay?
- Wuksachi Lodge inside Sequoia, or motels in Three Rivers at the south entrance. Kings Canyon has Grant Grove and Cedar Grove lodges.
- What's the difference between Sequoia and Kings Canyon?
- Sequoia is the giant trees and Generals Highway. Kings Canyon is the deep glacial valley to the north and the eastern backcountry of the Sierra.
- Is Mount Whitney here?
- Yes, but the standard route is accessed from the east side via Lone Pine, not from the park entrances on the west.
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Trip plans and deep-dives from the PeepTrip blog featuring Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks.
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