From Betsy Malloy,
Your Guide to California Travel.
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Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, two technically separate parks administered jointly make up one of California's most spectacular and undiscovered treasures. Here you'll find the General Sherman Tree, the largest living thing on the planet; Mount Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous United States; Kings Canyon, by some measures the country's deepest canyon, and the second-largest road-free wilderness area in the U. S.

Besides the two national parks, part of the area you will visit is administered by other government agencies. You'll only have to pay one entrance fee, though. For simplicity, we refer to Sequoia National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument jointly as "Sequoia National Park" in the descriptions below.

See It Now: Photo Tours

When to Visit Sequoia National Park

Sequoia National Park is open year round, and is seldom crowded, receiving only about one-third of the visitors that threaten to overrun nearby Yosemite. Most weekends, even in mid-summer, you can find hotel rooms available, sometimes the same day. However, the lower parts of Kings Canyon close from November 1 through mid-May. Winter visitors will find the giant sequoias decked out in snow, but will miss the opportunity to see the magnificent Kings Canyon.

Sequoia National Park Dining

Most of the hotels have cafes or restaurants, and the one at Wuksachi Village is especially nice (reservations required). When it's available, the Wolverton barbecue can be the best meal in the park: succulent barbecued ribs and chicken with all the fixin's, served on a deck next to a flower-filled meadow. Guests at Wuksachi Lodge can also order a box lunch for the next day's picnic.

Getting to Sequoia National Park

To get to Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon, take US 99. Coming from Los Angeles and the south, exit onto CA 198 at Visalia and follow it through Three Rivers to the Ash Mountain entrance, about a one-hour drive from US 99. This is the most scenic way to enter, but this twisting road is not suitable for vehicles over 22 feet long.

Coming from Sacramento and the north, exit at Fresno and take CA 180 east. It will take about 1.5 hours to reach the Foothills entrance.

Getting Around Sequoia National Park

When driving from one location to another, expect to average 25 mph or less. It takes about 1 to 1.5 hours to drive from Grant Village to Roads End in Kings Canyon. It's about a three-hour drive from Sequoia National Park to Yosemite National Park via CA 41.

Winter snow sometimes closes the road between the Giant Forest and Grant Village, and you should always have chains with you in winter. When this road is closed, you won't be able to get into Sequoia National Park from CA 180. Call (449) 565-3341 for a recorded message about road conditions.

If you have a big RV or are towing something, the size limit for single vehicles is 40 feet long and it's 50 feet for a vehicle and towed unit combined.

What You Need to Know About Sequoia National Park

• You won't find gas pumps inside either of the national parks, but you can buy gasoline at Hume Lake, Stony Creek and Kings Canyon Lodge. However, it will cost significantly more than if you fill up in Fresno or Three Rivers on your way to the park.

• Sequoia National Park has a bear problem. To prevent damage to your vehicle, follow all the rules very carefully.

• In the national parks, pets are allowed only in campgrounds, picnic areas, and other developed areas. In the National Forest, they can go on trails with you but must be on a leash less than 6 feet long.

Special Concerns for Sequoia

Elevation varies at Sequoia, but starts at over 6,000 feet. Before you go, take a look at our high elevation checklist. It will help keep you well and comfortable.