Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Designation: National Parks
Location: California
📘 Park Overview
Huge mountains, rugged foothills, deep canyons, vast caverns, and the world’s largest trees exemplify the diversity of landscapes, life, and beauty here. Explore these pages to plan your visit or to learn about the plants and animals here and the threats they face. Ancient giant sequoias may seem invincible, but they, too are vulnerable.
🌤 Weather Information
Because of the extreme elevation range in the parks, weather conditions vary widely between areas. In summer, the sequoia groves have comfortable temperatures and the foothills are hot and dry. Snow lingers on high-mountain passes well into summer. In fall, conditions can range from summer-like to winter-like. Winter brings snow to sequoia groves and rain to the foothills. Be prepared for tire chain requirements. Spring is a great time to hike in the foothills and snow begins to melt at higher elevations.
🚗 Directions
Two highways enter the parks. Hwy 180 from Fresno leads east to Kings Canyon National Park, then continues 30 miles east to Cedar Grove. Hwy 198 from Visalia leads east to Sequoia National Park via Three Rivers. Inside the parks, Highway 198 becomes the Generals Highway, which connects 198 to 180. Vehicles over 22-feet long should enter the parks via Highway 180. In winter, the Generals Highway between the parks often closes. Chains may be required on park roads. No roads cross the parks east to west.
Images
The Glaciers carved the Kings Canyon's steep granite cliffs, leaving a wide U-shaped valley.
Credit: NPS/Rick Cain
Just above Lodgepole Valley, the trail to the Watchtower offers views above the treeline.
Credit: NPS/Rick Cain
A historic stairway leads to the top of Moro Rock, offering views from foothills to peaks
Credit: NPS/Paul Johnson
For those who don't mind icy roads, winter offers stunning views of sequoias in snow.
Credit: NPS
Giant Forest Museum offers exhibits, park information, and a bookstore.
Credit: NPS/Rick Cain
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
Entrance Passes
3-Day Weather Forecast
Wednesday, Jan 14
Sunny
High: 43.3°F | Low: 33.1°F
Humidity: 42%
Wind: 9.2 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 0.7
Sunrise: 07:07 AM
Sunset: 05:01 PM
Moon: Waning Crescent (20%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 25.5°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Thursday, Jan 15
Sunny
High: 45.7°F | Low: 33.3°F
Humidity: 42%
Wind: 8.1 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 0.7
Sunrise: 07:07 AM
Sunset: 05:02 PM
Moon: Waning Crescent (13%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 27.2°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Friday, Jan 16
Sunny
High: 44.1°F | Low: 34.7°F
Humidity: 26%
Wind: 7.8 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 0.7
Sunrise: 07:06 AM
Sunset: 05:03 PM
Moon: Waning Crescent (8%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 23.2°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Weather Alerts (2)
Dense Fog Advisory issued January 14 at 12:51PM PST until January 15 at 11:00AM PST by NWS Hanford CA
Effective: Jan 14, 2026 3:51pm
Expires: Jan 15, 2026 12:00am
* WHAT...Visibility one quarter mile to as low as 200 feet in dense
fog.
* WHERE...A portion of central California.
* WHEN...From 11 PM this evening to 11 AM PST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Highways include, but are not limited to,
Interstate 5, State Routes 99, 41, 43, 46, 58, 59, 140, 152, 165,
168, 180, and 198.
Dense Fog Advisory issued January 14 at 8:47PM PST until January 15 at 11:00AM PST by NWS Hanford CA
Effective: Jan 14, 2026 11:47pm
Expires: Jan 15, 2026 8:00am
* WHAT...Visibility one quarter mile to as low as 200 feet in dense
fog.
* WHERE...A portion of central California.
* WHEN...Until 11 AM PST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Highways include, but are not limited to,
Interstate 5, State Routes 99, 41, 43, 46, 58, 59, 140, 152, 165,
168, 180, and 198.
Park Alerts
Park Events
Giant Forest Meadow Walk (Sequoia)
Join a guided walk learning about meadows, giant sequoias, and the variety of life they support! Hike is 1.5 miles (2.4 km) on a paved path with 100 feet (30 m) of elevation change.
1.5 hours
Meet at the Giant Forest Museum
Location: Meet at the Giant Forest Museum.
Date: Dec 1, 2025 12:00am to Dec 7, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
The Trek to the Nation's Christmas Tree - Kings Canyon
-
The Trek to the Nation's Christmas Tree has taken place at the General Grant Tree in the Grant Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park on the second Sunday of December for 100 years now.
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This event is hosted by the Sanger Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the National Park Service.
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Chairs will be provided but we recommend bringing your own chairs in case.
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Warm clothing and sturdy shoes are recommended, and people should look up the weather prior to driving up to plan accordingly.
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This event is open to the public and no RSVP's are required.
- Visitors can expect a program that includes local and NPS leadership, caroling, Honor Guard presenting of the colors, and NPS laying a wreath at the base of the General Grant Tree in honor of those who have served and died in service to our country.
Location: General Grant Tree
Date: Dec 14, 2025 12:00am to Dec 14, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
Grant Grove Ranger's Choice Talk (Kings Canyon)
Discover an exciting aspect of Kings Canyon National Park!
20 minute talk
Meet at Kings Canyon Visitor Center in Grant Grove Village.
Location: Meet at Kings Canyon Visitor Center in Grant Grove Village.
Date: Dec 18, 2025 12:00am to Dec 21, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
Sign of the Times (Sequoia)
Make a short stop to learn the history of the entrance sign.
Location: Sequoia Historic Entrance Sign
Date: Dec 20, 2025 12:00am to Dec 27, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
General Sherman Talk (Sequoia)
Gain a deeper understanding of giant sequoia trees, including the world's largest living tree by volume, the General Sherman Tree.
15 minutes
Meet at the base of the Sherman Tree
Accessibility: Program is wheelchair accessible. There is no seating for this event. From the Sherman Tree Accessbile Parking Area, a paved, slightly-sloped path leads to the General Sherman Tree. The trail is about 500 feet (150 m) long and features benches along the way.
Parking in Summer: Accessible parking is available at the Sherman Tree Accessible Parking Area and Trailhead. General Parking and five additional designated accessible parking spaces are available at the Main Sherman Tree Parking Area, located 0.5 miles (0.8 km) from of the Sherman Tree Accessible Parking Area. These spaces accommodate cars and vans, and include access aisles and curb cuts. From here, take an accessible shuttle to the Sherman Tree Accessible parking Area and Accessible Trailhead.
Location: Meet at the base of the General Sherman Tree.
Date: Dec 20, 2025 12:00am to Jan 3, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Forest Feature Talk (Sequoia)
An introduction to natural or cultural figures of Sequoia National Park.
Location: Meet outside the Giant Forest Museum
Date: Dec 20, 2025 12:00am to Dec 20, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
Foothills Focus (Sequoia)
This short program is available to be given multiple times during the 1.5-hour window. During your interaction with the ranger, you will have the opportunity to learn about as aspect of the Foothills, which is the most diverse area within the parks. Find the ranger outside the Foothills Visitor Center.
Location: Outside the Foothills Visitor Center. During intense heat, program may be moved to the inside of the visitor center.
Date: Dec 21, 2025 12:00am to Dec 28, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
Echoes of Existence (Sequoia)
For thousands of years, human history has been woven into the story of Sequoia National Park. Come walk through time to learn about people's lasting impact on these lands.
1 hour, 1 mile (1.6 km) round-trip across uneven dirt and rocky surfaces. Shoes with good traction recommended.
Location: Meet across from the Potwisha Campground, at the Overflow Parking lot.
Date: Dec 21, 2025 12:00am to Dec 28, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
Grant Tree Talk (Kings Canyon)
What is the significance of sequoia trees? Meet at the General Grant Tree for this ranger-led talk.
Location: Meet at the base of the General Grant Tree.
Date: Dec 22, 2025 12:00am to Dec 28, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
Grant Grove Ranger's Choice Talk (Kings Canyon)
Discover an exciting aspect of Kings Canyon National Park!
20 minute talk
Meet at Kings Canyon Visitor Center in Grant Grove Village.
Location: Meet at Kings Canyon Visitor Center in Grant Grove Village.
Date: Dec 22, 2025 12:00am to Dec 28, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
47050 Generals Highway
Three Rivers, CA 93271
🏤 Mailing Address:
47050 Generals Highway
Three Rivers, CA 93271
📞 Voice Phone: 5595653341
📞 Fax Phone: 5595653730
✉️ Email: SEKI_information@nps.gov