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Sequoia & Kings Canyon National ParkHistoric sign - Ash Mt. entrance.
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Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park
Fees & Reservations
 

ENTRANCE FEES 
Part of your entrance and camping fees stay in the park to improve the experience here — repairing roads, campgrounds, trails, picnic areas, and restrooms. Fees have also funded updated exhibits, improved visitor centers, and better naturalist slide programs.

7-day pass for Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and the Hume Lake District of Sequoia National Forest (Giant Sequoia National Monument): $20 per vehicle or $10 per person on foot, bicycle, motorcycle, or bus.

Annual pass for Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and the Hume Lake District of Sequoia National Forest (Giant Sequoia National Monument): $30 admits all passengers in a private vehicle for one year from month of purchase.

Starting in 2007, the America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands passes replaced the Golden Eagle Passport, National Parks Pass, Golden Eagle Hologram, Golden Age Passport, and Golden Access Passport. All National Parks Passes, Golden Eagle, Golden Eagle Hologram, Golden Access and Golden Age Passports will continue to be honored according to the provisions of the pass. Only paper Golden Age and Access Passports may be exchanged free of charge for new plastic passes. For more information, link to Frequently Asked Questions about these passes:
   http://store.usgs.gov/pass/general.html.

For recreational information for all Federal agencies link to http://recreation.gov.

Annual America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass: $80. This pass is available to the general public and provides access to, and use of, all Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity Fee, for a year beginning from the date of sale. At per-vehicle fee areas, it admits the passholder and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle; at per-person fee areas it admits the passholder + 3 adults (not to exceed 4 adults; children under 16 are admitted free). The pass can be obtained in person at the park, by calling 1-888-ASK USGS, Ext. 1, or via the Internet at http://store.usgs.gov/pass.

Senior America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass: $10. This is a lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 or over. It provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity Fee. At per-vehicle fee areas, it admits the passholder and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle; at per-person fee areas it admits the passholder + 3 adults (not to exceed 4 adults; children under 16 are admitted free). The pass can only be obtained in person at the park. The Senior Pass provides a 50% discount on some Expanded Amenity Fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, boat launch, and specialized interpretive services. In some cases where Expanded Amenity Fees are charged, only the passholder will be given the 50% price reduction. The pass is non-transferable and generally does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessionaires.

Access America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass: Free. This is a lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities; documentation is required to obtain it. Acceptable documentation includes: statement by a licensed physician; document issued by Federal agency such as the Veteran’s Administration, Social Security Disability Income or Supplemental Security Income; or document issued by a State agency such as a vocational rehabilitation agency. The pass provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity. At per-vehicle fee areas, it admits the passholder and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle; at per-person fee areas it admits the passholder + 3 adults (not to exceed 4 adults; children under 16 are admitted free).  The pass can only be obtained in person at the park. The pass is non-transferable and generally does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessionaires.

Groups:
Non-commercial groups entering the park in a bus or vehicle with a capacity of 15 persons or more will be charged $10 for each person on board. Exceptions:

•Anyone who is 15 or younger is exempt from paying an entrance fee.

•Passes may be used for entry as defined on the back of the pass.

•In many cases the driver will have been hired for transportation only and is exempt from paying the entrance fee.

•The total fee charged will not exceed the equivalent commercial fee for that type of vehicle.

 

CAMPGROUNDS
The parks offer 14 campgrounds with over 800 established campsites. Fees vary depending on location. There is a camping limit of 14 days during the period from June 14-September 15 with a total of 30 days per year. more...

 

WILDERNESS TRAVEL
Wilderness permits are required for all overnight camping outside designated campgrounds. There is an overnight camping fee of $15 per trip for permits issued by these parks. more...

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 from the Inyo National Forest. more...

 

CRYSTAL CAVE
Anyone wishing to visit Crystal Cave must be part of a guided tour. Tour tickets are not sold at the cave entrance. They must be purchased in person at Foothills or Lodgepole visitor centers in Sequoia National Park. After purchasing tickets allow at least 1½ hours to arrive at the cave. more...

 

FISHING
Fishing is permitted in most parts of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, and in adjacent national forests. Persons 16 years of age or older are required to have a California State Fishing license. Get park-specific regulations at any visitor center.

 

OTHER ACTIVITIES
Special use permits are available for certain activities in the park, such as weddings and scattering of ashes. Please call 559-565-3101.

 Park newspaper
Park Newspaper
View the latest issue for lots of helpful planning information.
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 Road construction sign
Current Advisories
Details on roadwork, delays, and closures.
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Cumulus clouds
Weather Data
Get current information and weather forcasts.
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 Detail of topo map showing Rae Lakes.
Trail Descriptions
Explore descriptions of some main park trails.
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Low fire burns through a grove during a prescribed burn.  

Did You Know?
Fire is an essential part of Sierra forest ecology. Plants and animals have adapted to the periodic, low-intensity fires that naturally occur here. In fact, sequoias need fire to open their cones and release the seeds, and to leave cleared beds of ash where they sprout and grow best.

Last Updated: March 10, 2008 at 13:52 EST