• Giant Sequoia Trees

    Sequoia & Kings Canyon

    National Parks California

There are park alerts in effect.
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  • 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 »

Operating Hours & Seasons

fall

NPS Photo

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

The parks are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, weather permitting. Our highest visitation is in July and August. Campsites may be difficult to obtain on summer weekends and holidays, as well as off-season holidays.

Because of the extreme elevation range in the parks, weather conditions vary greatly from area to area and day to day. Please see the links below for more information on the season that corresponds to the time when you will visit the parks.

Redbuds and Moro Rock
SPRING: approximately April to June
Sequoia groves are often still snowy. Rivers and creeks become especially swift, cold, and dangerous. Spring brings warm weather and abundant wildflowers to the foothills. Read Plan Your Spring Visit...
 
Bullfrog Lake

SUMMER: approximately July to mid-September
Snow has usually melted from High Sierra passes. Most facilities are open and many free ranger programs are offered. The foothills are hot and dry, which makes the dangerous rivers tempting - be careful! Sequoia groves offer comfortable temperatures. Read Plan Your Summer Visit...

 
Fall aspens

FALL: approximately mid-September to November
Sequoia groves get chilly at night; light snows that melt quickly may begin in late October. Facilities begin to reduce hours or close, and fewer ranger programs take place. Crystal Cave closes in late October. The foothills cool down and rains may start by November. Read Plan Your Fall Visit...

 
Winter at Hockett Meadow Ranger Station

WINTER: approximately November to April
Sequoia groves are snowy, peaceful, and cold, and rangers offer free outdoor activities. Foothills are cool, green, and decked with wildflowers starting as early as January. Solitude is abundant. Read Plan Your Winter Visit...

  • Campgrounds Campgrounds

    The parks offer 14 campgrounds with over 800 campsites. Read More

  • Cave Tours Cave Tours

    Fees, times, and know-before-you-go information on Crystal Cave tours. Read More

  • Park Newspaper Park Newspaper

    View the latest issue for lots of helpful planning information. Read More

Did You Know?

Speleothem, a cave formation.

Crystal Cave, a marble cavern, is a complex maze more than 3 miles long. Parts of it are open via tours. Many varieties of beautiful speleothems decorate the cave, including rarely formed "shields" and "raft cones." A number of unique species of animals live in the cave and its stream. More...