National park · United States
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
One $35 vehicle ticket covers both parks for 7 days. Base at Grant Grove or Lodgepole, drive the Generals Highway, and start the Sherman and Moro Rock walks before 9:00 to beat the summer queues.One $35 vehicle ticket covers both parks for 7 days. Base at Grant Grove or Lodgepole, drive the Generals Highway, and start the Sherman and Moro Rock walks before 9:00 AM to beat the summer queues.
- 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
3,504 km² (1,353 sq mi)1,353 sq mi (3,504 km²)
approximate
Established
1890
Best months
Jun, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing 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.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 3,504 km² (1,353 sq mi)1,353 sq mi (3,504 km²)
- Combined area of both parks, about 865,952 acres; most is designated wilderness (check).
- Established
- 1890
- Best months
- Jun, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Sequoia and Kings Canyon are run as one unit: a single entrance fee, one road (the Generals Highway) linking the giant sequoia groves of Sequoia with the deep Kings River canyon at Cedar Grove. Sequoia holds the General Sherman Tree, the largest tree on earth by volume, and the granite dome of Moro Rock. Kings Canyon is the quieter half — a 4,000 ft-deep canyon reached by Highway 180, with Cedar Grove open only in the snow-free months. Most visitors see Sequoia and skip Kings Canyon; the reverse gives you the crowds-free half.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1890.
Size and age
3,504 km² (1,353 sq mi)1,353 sq mi (3,504 km²) · national park since 1890
Combined area of both parks, about 865,952 acres; most is designated wilderness (check).
Why go
- The General Sherman Tree and the Giant Forest groves — the largest trees on earth, walkable in an hour.
- Moro Rock: a 350-step granite staircase to a 360° view over the Great Western Divide.
- Kings Canyon's Cedar Grove, a 4,000 ft-deep canyon with a fraction of Sequoia's traffic.
- Crystal Cave, marble passages under the sequoia belt, reached by a winding side road.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanDeep snow at grove level; chains required
- FebSnow; Cedar Grove road closed
- MarSnow lingers; some roads still shut
- AprThaw and mud; lower trails open
- MayWildflowers in the foothills; snow on high trails
- JunWarm days, most roads open, long light
- JulPeak season; book lodging early
- AugHot foothills, cool groves; afternoon storms
- SepClear, quieter, stable weather
- OctCrisp air, thin crowds, early snow possible
- NovFirst snows; Cedar Grove closed
- DecWinter access via Highway 180 only
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black bears (active in campgrounds and picnic areas)Apr–Oct · Store all food in bear boxes; never leave packs unattended. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Mule deer in the meadowsMay–Oct | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Wildflowers in the foothills and Crescent MeadowMay–Jul | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
| Marmots and pikas on high trailsJun–Sep | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | 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
Highway 180 east to the Big Stump entrance at Grant Grove; no public transport into Kings Canyon.
1.5–2 h
From Visalia / Three Rivers
Highway 198 northeast to the Ash Mountain entrance, then the Generals Highway north.
1–1.5 h
From Los Angeles
Highway 99 north, then Highway 198 via Visalia; the southern entrance is the shorter approach.
4–5 h
Open the page →
From San Francisco
Highway 99 south, then Highway 180 via Fresno to Grant Grove.
4.5–5.5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Foothills | Oak and chaparral country at 1,500 ft, with the Foothills Visitor Center and the lower Kaweah canyon. | Open year-round; hot in summer. |
| Giant Forest | The main sequoia groves, General Sherman Tree, Moro Rock and Crescent Meadow. | Open year-round; free shuttle in peak season. |
| Grant Grove | Sequoia groves around Grant Grove Village, including the General Grant Tree. | Open year-round; Highway 180. |
| Cedar Grove / Kings Canyon | The deep canyon of the Kings River, Zumwalt Meadow and Road's End trailheads. | Highway 180 open roughly May–October, weather dependent (check). |
| Mineral King | A narrow alpine valley off Highway 198, reached by a slow single-lane road. | Road usually open late May–October; not for RVs (check). |
Sketch map
- 1Ash Mountain entrance · Gate≈36.491, -118.825Map ↗
- 2Foothills Visitor Center · Headquarters≈36.491, -118.825Map ↗
- 3Giant Forest Museum · Ranger station≈36.565, -118.773Map ↗
- 4General Sherman Tree · Trail≈36.582, -118.751Map ↗
- 5Moro Rock · Viewpoint≈36.544, -118.765Map ↗
- 6Grant Grove Village · Village≈36.740, -118.963Map ↗
- 7Cedar Grove · Town≈36.791, -118.670Map ↗
- 8Road's End · Trail≈36.795, -118.598Map ↗
Take the points offline
8 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 along the Generals Highway and Highway 180, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance, private vehicle | US$35 | vehicle | Covers both parks for 7 days; 2026 estimate (check). |
| Entrance, per person (walk/bike) | US$20 | person | 7 days, both parks; 2026 estimate (check). |
| Motorcycle entrance | US$30 | motorcycle | 7 days; 2026 estimate (check). |
| Crystal Cave tour, adult | US$12–15 | person | Tickets sold only at Lodgepole or Foothills visitor centres, not at the cave; 2026 estimate (check). |
| Annual pass (America the Beautiful) | US$80 | vehicle | Covers all federal fee areas for a year; 2026 estimate (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entrance permit or guide
Wilderness permit permit or guide
Crystal Cave tour permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$35
- US$20
- US$30
- US$12–15
- US$80
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on NPS — Fees and passes before you go.
Park rules
- Food storage
- All food and scented items must go in a bear box or hard-sided vehicle; fines apply.
- Drones
- Launching drones is prohibited in both parks.
- Pets
- Allowed only on paved roads and in campgrounds, never on trails or in the backcountry.
- Campfires
- Only in provided rings; fire restrictions tighten in dry summers.
- Wilderness camping
- Overnight backcountry trips need a free permit and a bear canister in most areas.
Where to stay
In the park
Grant Grove Village
Cabins and a small lodge at the Highway 180 entrance, closest to Kings Canyon.
In the park
Lodgepole and Wuksachi
Lodging and campgrounds in the Giant Forest area, central for Sequoia.
Near the park
Three Rivers
Motels and rentals outside the Ash Mountain entrance, 10–20 min from the gate.
Safety
Altitude at grove level (6,500–7,000 ft) medium
Winter driving on the Generals Highway high
Heat in the foothills medium
Long vehicle limits 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 General Sherman Tree has an accessible parking area and a paved route to the viewing platform.
- Visitor centres at Foothills, Lodgepole, Grant Grove and Cedar Grove have accessible restrooms.
- Moro Rock, Crystal Cave and most trails are not wheelchair accessible.
Visiting lightly
- Use the free Sequoia shuttle in peak season instead of circling for parking.
- Refill water bottles at visitor centres; the parks sell little bottled water.
- Keep to trails around sequoia roots — compacted soil harms the shallow root systems.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks?
One fee covers both parks for 7 days: about $35 per private vehicle, $30 per motorcycle, or $20 per person arriving on foot or by bike (2026 estimate). An $80 America the Beautiful annual pass covers this and other federal fee areas for a year.
What are the best hikes in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks?
For most visitors: the General Sherman Tree walk and the Congress Trail loop in Giant Forest, the Moro Rock staircase, and the Zumwalt Meadow loop in Cedar Grove. Alta Peak is the serious day hike, 6–8 hours from Wolverton.
When is the best time to visit Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks?
June and September–October. June has the most roads open and long daylight; September and October bring clear, stable weather and thinner crowds. Cedar Grove and Mineral King roads close with snow, usually November to May.
Do I need a reservation to enter the parks?
No timed-entry reservation is normally required for Sequoia and Kings Canyon. You pay at the entrance station or show a pass. Lodging and campgrounds do fill months ahead in summer, so book those early.
Can I see both parks in one day?
You can drive the Generals Highway between Grant Grove and Giant Forest in about 1.5 hours and see the headline sights, but it is a rushed day. Two days lets you add Moro Rock, Crystal Cave and a Cedar Grove walk.
Is there gas or food inside the parks?
Fuel is not sold inside the parks apart from emergency cans at the Grant Grove market. Fill up in Three Rivers, Fresno or Visalia. Food is limited to village stores and a few seasonal outlets.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- officialNPS — Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
- officialNPS — Fees and passes
- officialNPS — Visitor centers
- officialNPS — Park transit and shuttles
- secondaryWikipedia — Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
- secondaryWikivoyage: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, revision 5236540 (CC BY-SA 4.0)