Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks

About Sequoia & Kings Canyon

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.

From the National Park Service.

Entrance fees

The $100 nonresident fee

Park annual pass

This 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.

Reservations

NPS lists no entry reservation for this park as of October 26, 2026. Campgrounds and tours may still need booking.

Weather and seasons

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.

Hours

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.

Getting there

Two highways enter the parks. Hwy 180 from Fresno leads east to Kings Canyon National Park, then continues 30 miles east to Cedar Grove. Hwy 198 from Visalia leads east to Sequoia National Park via Three Rivers. Inside the parks, Highway 198 becomes the Generals Highway, which connects 198 to 180. Vehicles over 22-feet long should enter the parks via Highway 180. In winter, the Generals Highway between the parks often closes. Chains may be required on park roads. No roads cross the parks east to west.

Campgrounds

• Atwell Mill CampgroundBook on Recreation.gov
• Azalea CampgroundBook on Recreation.gov
• Buckeye Flat CampgroundBook on Recreation.gov
• Canyon View Group CampgroundBook on Recreation.gov
• Cold Springs CampgroundBook on Recreation.gov
• Crystal Springs CampgroundBook on Recreation.gov
• Crystal Springs Campground Group SitesBook on Recreation.gov
• Dorst Creek CampgroundBook on Recreation.gov
• Lodgepole CampgroundBook on Recreation.gov
• Moraine CampgroundBook on Recreation.gov
• Potwisha CampgroundBook on Recreation.gov
• Sentinel CampgroundBook on Recreation.gov
• Sheep Creek CampgroundBook on Recreation.gov
• South Fork Campground
• Sunset CampgroundBook on Recreation.gov

Webcams

• Giant Forest

Visitor centers

• Foothills Visitor Center
• Giant Forest Museum
• Kings Canyon Visitor Center
• Lodgepole Visitor Center
• Cedar Grove Visitor Center
• Mineral King Ranger Station

Alerts

• Park Closure: Some Trails Closed in the Grant Grove Area Due to Prescribed Burn Activity
• Information: Weekday Traffic Delays on Generals Highway North of Giant Forest
• Information: Mineral King Road Construction Traffic Delays and Closures
• Information: Fire Restrictions in Place

As of October 26, 2026. Current alerts on nps.gov

Sources

Prices checked by hand against the park's fees page on October 26, 2026 (page last updated April 17, 2026).

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks fees on nps.gov. Prices, park information and photos from the NPS Data API, checked October 26, 2026. Photos credited to the National Park Service.