• Giant Sequoia Trees

    Sequoia & Kings Canyon

    National Parks California

There are park alerts in effect.
show Alerts »

  • Fire Danger is HIGH in the Parks - Observe Current Fire Restrictions

    On Saturday, July 14, 2012, fire restrictions began and will continue until further notice. Follow link to read the full news release for info on wood, BBQ, & propane fires, and smoking in campgrounds, picnic, & wilderness areas below 6,000 ft. More »

  • Road Construction Delays in Sequoia NP thru end of November 2012 (if entering/exiting Hwy 198)

    Expect 20-minute to 1-hour delays on weekdays and 20-minute delays on weekends along main road through parks. Weeknight closures with one pass through the construction zone at 11:30 p.m. See link to schedule and map or call 559-565-3341 (press 1, 1, 1,). More »

  • 22-foot Vehicle Length Limit in Sequoia NP thru end of November 2012 (if entering/exiting Hwy 198)

    Planning to see the "Big Trees" in Sequoia National Park? If you enter/exit via Hwy. 198, all vehicles must be less than 22 feet in length. Even vehicles towing trailers must be less than 22 feet in combined length. Longer vehicles must enter at Hwy. 180. More »

News

Please read important park alerts by clicking the red tab above before you come to the parks.

Fire danger is HIGH in the parks. Read our current fire restrictions here (PDF, JPEG).

Visit News You Can Use! for the latest news releases and updates about Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

 

Expect Traffic Delays due to Road Construction through End of November 2012

For the current two week schedule for September 21 - October 5, 2012 and a map of the construction zone location scroll down.

Where are the longest delays?

You will find 20-minute to 1-hour delays between the entrance to Sequoia National Park (Hwy 198) and the Giant Forest sequoia grove and General Sherman Tree. Construction schedules may change with little notice. For the most up-to-date information call the parks (24 hrs): 559-565-3341 (press 1, 1, 1).

How to avoid long delays
Traffic is permitted to pass from either side of the construction zone according to the schedule below. Plan your travel to arrive at the construction zone close to these times. Please note the approximate driving times from the following locations:

  • Sequoia National Park entrance (Hwy 198): 25 minutes to reach the lower end of the construction zone.
  • Lodgepole Visitor Center: 25 minutes to reach the upper end of the construction zone.
  • Giant Forest Museum: 15 minutes to reach the upper end of the construction zone.
 

DAYTIME - Traffic passes through construction zone:

Monday - Friday, Sep. 24-28

  • 6 a.m.-7 a.m: Every 20 minutes on green light
  • 7 a.m.-5 p.m: Every hour at 7, 8, 9, 10, & 11 a.m. and 12, 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 p.m.

Monday - Thursday, Sep. 24-27

  • 5 p.m.-9 p.m: Every 20 minutes on green light
Monday - Friday, Oct. 1-5
  • 6 a.m.-7 a.m: Every 20 minutes on green light
  • 7 a.m.-5 p.m: Every hour at 7, 8, 9, 10, & 11 a.m. and 12, 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 p.m.

Monday - Thursday, Oct. 1-4

  • 5 p.m.-9 p.m: Every 20 minutes on green light
 

NIGHT TIME - Road closed overnight - Only one pass-thru at 11:30 p.m:

Sunday - Friday, Sep. 23-28:

From 9 p.m. Sunday until 6 a.m. Friday

Sunday - Friday, Sep. 30 - Oct. 5:

From 9 p.m. Sunday until 6 a.m. Friday

 
WEEKENDS - Traffic passes through construction zone every 20 minutes on green light:


Friday - Monday, Sep. 21-24

From 5 p.m. Friday until 6 a.m. Monday

Friday - Monday, Sep. 28 - Oct. 1

From 5 p.m. Friday until 6 a.m. Monday

 
Map of Road Construction Location in Sequoia National Park
Map of road construction location in Sequoia National Park.
National Park Service
 

RVs AND TRAILERS

The main road (Generals Hwy.) to the General Sherman Tree, Giant Forest, and Lodgepole is closed to vehicles longer than 22 feet (total combined length) shortly after the Sequoia National Park entrance. Longer vehicles should enter and exit the parks via Hwy. 180 at Kings Canyon National Park.

MOTORCYCLES AND BICYCLES

Road project work may cause slick, oily, and hazardous road conditions. Slow down and be safe!

Did You Know?

Woodcuts from park newspaper symbolizing three special areas in the parks.

The park newspaper (The Guide) comes out five times a year. It covers Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, and the Hume Lake area of Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument. Planning a trip? See the most recent issue for the season you expect to be here and see what to expect. More...