National park · United States
Sequoia National Forest
Drive in free: no entrance fee on forest roads. Base at Hume Lake or Johnsondale, walk the Trail of 100 Giants in 30–45 min, and go May–Oct before the first snow closes the high roads.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
4,853 km² (1,874 sq mi)1,874 sq mi (4,853 km²)
approximate
Established
1908
Best months
May–Jun, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 12Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
- California ↗Agricultural inspection stations sit on major road entrances into the state; you may be asked about farm visits and fresh produce.
- California ↗Outside San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego cores, a rental car is effectively required; book it before you land.
- Sierra Nevada ↗Chain controls are routine from October to May; carry chains or cables and know how to fit them.
- Sierra Nevada ↗Use bear boxes. Food, coolers, toothpaste and scented soap all attract bears.
- Sierra Nevada ↗Above about 2,400 m, expect breathlessness on day one; sleep lower if you feel unwell.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 4,853 km² (1,874 sq mi)1,874 sq mi (4,853 km²)
- About 4,850 km² (1.19 million acres) in two sections; figures vary by boundary revision (check).
- Established
- 1908
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Fresno
Sequoia National Forest wraps around Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in two blocks, north and south, split by the park boundary. It holds giant sequoia groves of its own, most of them inside Giant Sequoia National Monument, plus fire lookouts on bare rock, the Kern River canyon and miles of unpaved road. There is no gate fee on forest land, which makes it the cheap way to stand under sequoias — but the biggest and most famous trees, and the paved cave and shuttle services, are in the national park next door.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national site · 2000Giant Sequoia National Monument covers roughly half the forest.
Size and age
4,853 km² (1,874 sq mi)1,874 sq mi (4,853 km²) · national park since 1908
About 4,850 km² (1.19 million acres) in two sections; figures vary by boundary revision (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Fresno.
Why go
- Giant sequoias without a park entrance fee — the Trail of 100 Giants grove is a 1.3 km (0.8 mi) loop off the paved road.Giant sequoias without a park entrance fee — the Trail of 100 Giants grove is a 0.8 mi (1.3 km) loop off the paved road.
- Fire lookouts you can drive or hike to: Buck Rock sits on a bare granite dome, Delilah stands about 18 m above the ground.
- The Kern River canyon in the south for rafting, fishing and hot springs, on the road to Kennedy Meadows.
- Cheap camping: several forest campgrounds are free or under US$25 a night, against park rates.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulGo
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanHigh roads snowed in; most grove access closed
- FebSnow; chains needed on open roads
- MarSnow lingers; lower Kern River is open
- AprThaw mud; some roads still gated
- MayGrove roads open; wildflowers low down
- JunWarm, dry, long days
- JulHot at low elevation; afternoon storms
- AugHottest, busiest; fire-smoke risk
- SepClear, cooler, crowds thinning
- OctDry and quiet; first snow possible late
- NovCold nights; some roads close after storms
- DecSnow gates; check road status before driving
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black bears around campgroundsApr–Oct · Use food lockers; never leave coolers out. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Mule deer in the groves and meadowsMay–Oct | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Golden trout and native fish in the KernMay–Sep · California fishing licence required. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Wildflowers at lower elevationApr–Jun | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Fresno
CA-180 east to the Hume Lake and General Grant area; the northern section starts about an hour out.
1–1.5 h
Open the page →
From Bakersfield
CA-178 east through Kernville to the southern section and the Kern River canyon.
1–1.5 h
Open the page →
From Los Angeles
I-5 north then CA-178 or CA-99 to Fresno; a car is essential.
3.5–5 h
Open the page →
From Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Forest roads ring the parks; Generals Highway links the north and south sections.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Northern section (Hume Lake and General Grant) | Sequoia groves, Buck Rock and Delilah lookouts, Hume Lake, Chicago Stump. | Open by road May–Oct; snow gates in winter. |
| Giant Sequoia National Monument | About half the forest, protecting groves including the Trail of 100 Giants and Long Meadow. | Open; some grove roads are unpaved and closed after storms. |
| Southern section (Kern River and Kennedy Meadows) | The Needles, Dome Rock climbing, Kern River rafting, Greenhorn and Packsaddle caves. | Open year-round at low elevation; high country snowed in. |
| Wilderness areas | High country shared with the parks, including routes toward Mount Whitney. | Foot and horse only; self-issue permit at trailheads. |
Sketch map
- 1Forest supervisor's office, Porterville · Headquarters≈36.065, -119.017Approximate; main forest office for maps and permits.Map ↗
- 2Hume Lake · Town≈36.790, -118.905Approximate; store and cabins in the northern section.Map ↗
- 3Buck Rock Lookout · Viewpoint≈36.735, -118.860Approximate.Map ↗
- 4Trail of 100 Giants · Trail≈35.980, -118.590Approximate; grove northeast of Johnsondale.Map ↗
- 5Dome Rock · Viewpoint≈35.870, -118.470Approximate; view of The Needles.Map ↗
- 6Kennedy Meadows · Village≈36.020, -118.130Approximate; general store and resupply.Map ↗
- 7Kernville · Town≈35.755, -118.425Approximate; gateway on the Kern River.Map ↗
Take the points offline
7 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions across both forest sections, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forest entry (Sequoia National Forest) | Free | vehicle | No entrance fee on national forest land; you pay only for camping, permits or parking where signed. |
| Giant Sequoia National Monument groves | Free | vehicle | Trail of 100 Giants and most groves are free to walk (check for seasonal parking fees). |
| Forest campground, developed | US$0–30 | night | 2026 estimate; some sites free, others about US$20–30. Reserve on Recreation.gov where listed. |
| America the Beautiful annual pass | US$80 | year | 2026 estimate; not needed for the forest, but covers Sequoia and Kings Canyon parks next door. |
| California campfire permit | Free | person | Free online; required for stoves and fires outside developed sites when fire restrictions allow. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Campfire permit permit or guide
Overnight wilderness (Sequoia–Kings Canyon wilderness) permit or guide
Whitewater rafting on the Kern no permit
Christmas tree cutting permit or guide
Park rules
- Campfires
- Only in developed fire rings when restrictions allow; a free California campfire permit is required for stoves and fires elsewhere. Summer bans are common.
- Sequoia trees
- Do not carve, climb or drive over roots; stay on trails in the groves.
- Drones
- Not allowed to launch or land on national forest land without authorisation (check).check
- Wilderness
- No motor vehicles or bikes in designated wilderness; self-issue permit at the trailhead.
- Water and waste
- No taps in most campgrounds; carry water in and pack all rubbish out.
Where to stay
In the park
Forest campgrounds (Buck Rock, Quaking Aspen, Upper Peppermint and others)
Tent and small-RV sites; some free, others about US$20–30. Bring water.
In the park
Hume Lake and Johnsondale
Cabins and a small store inside the forest; the closest beds to the northern groves.
Near the park
Kernville
Motels, lodges and rafting outfitters on the Kern River, 30–60 min from the southern section.
Near the park
Three Rivers
Gateway town for Sequoia National Park, with motels and rentals.
Safety
Winter road closures high
Heat and altitude medium
Wildfire and smoke high
Remote roads medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The Trail of 100 Giants loop has paved and boardwalk sections suitable for wheelchairs and strollers.
- Buck Rock Lookout and the cave routes involve stairs, ladders and rough ground; not accessible.
- Most forest campgrounds have vault toilets but no paved paths; check individual site listings.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on trails in the groves — sequoia roots are shallow and compacted soil kills seedlings.
- Use existing fire rings and check restrictions; escaped campfires are the main cause of Sierra wildfires.
- Pack out all rubbish; bear-proof bins are rare outside developed sites.
- Buy fuel and food in Kernville, Fresno or Three Rivers so gateway towns keep the income.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Sequoia National Forest?
Nothing. There is no entrance fee on national forest land, so driving forest roads and walking the Trail of 100 Giants is free. You pay only for camping (free to about US$30 a night), any signed parking, and permits such as the free campfire permit. The national park next door does charge an entrance fee.
What are the best hikes in Sequoia National Forest?
The Trail of 100 Giants is the easiest — a paved 1.3 km loop through sequoias. Buck Rock Lookout is a short climb to a fire lookout on a granite dome. Dome Rock gives a view of The Needles. Longer routes into the wilderness toward Mount Whitney need a self-issue permit.
When is the best time to visit Sequoia National Forest?
May to October. Grove roads and lookouts open after the snow melts, usually from May, and stay open until the first big storm in late October or November. July and August are hottest and busiest; September and October are drier and quieter. Winter access is limited to low-elevation roads such as the Kern River canyon.
Do I need a pass or permit?
No entrance pass. A free California campfire permit is required for stoves and fires outside developed sites when restrictions allow, and wilderness overnight trips need a self-issue permit at the trailhead. The America the Beautiful pass is only worth it if you also visit Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
Is Sequoia National Forest the same as Sequoia National Park?
No. The forest is national forest land managed for multiple use and surrounds the park in two sections. The park holds the General Sherman tree, the biggest groves and the paved cave tours, and charges an entrance fee. The forest is free, quieter and has more dirt roads.
Can I camp for free?
Yes, at some forest campgrounds such as Buck Rock and Upper Peppermint, and at dispersed sites along open dirt roads. Developed campgrounds run about US$20–30 a night. Most have no water, so bring your own and pack out rubbish.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go