"Deadman Canyon, Sequoia-Kings Canyon Wilderness, 8/4/2011" by U.S. National Park Service , public domain
![]() | Sequoia & Kings Canyon GuideSummer 2021 |
Summer Visitor Guide to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (NP) in California. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
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covered parks
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Trip Planner
Summer 2021
Information in this newspaper can change at any time as we work to safely increase access to these parks.
What to Expect
Free Mobile App
Install the new free National Park Service app
for more trip-planning information. Search for
National Park Service in the iTunes or Google
Play stores, and then choose Sequoia and Kings
Canyon. Be sure to download content for use
offine during your visit. WiFi may be available
at Kings Canyon Visitor Center in Grant Grove
or at Foothills Visitor Center near the Sequoia
entrance, but it's best to install before you get to
the parks.
To protect the safety of you, our employees, and
our partners, we've made changes that will affect
your visit. For current updates, check at visitor
centers, our free mobile app, online at www.nps.
gov/seki, and at our partner websites.
Cover your snout!
Many popular trails may be
congested. Bringing a mask
keeps you—and your fellow
hikers—safer. Masks may be
required.
Give people space!
Give others plenty of room
whether you are on a trail, in
a park store, or in a parking
lot. Be prepared to cover your
nose and mouth if you’re near
others.
On behalf of park employees and partners, thank you
for wearing your mask to keep us safe!
General Information ........... 2
Wildlife Safety ........................5
Grant Grove & Cedar Grove...8
Información en español ..... 10-11
Safety ................................... 3
Foothills ..................................6
National Forest Lands ............9
Información de seguridad ...... 10
Camping & SPC Tours .......... 4
Giant Forest & Lodgepole ......7
Wilderness ..............................9
Shuttles & Parking................... 12
2
General Information
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions
Accessibility
Cell service
Pets
Cell service is extremely limited here, and mainly is
available for some networks near entrance stations.
Pets are not permitted on any trails in Sequoia and
Kings Canyon. Pets must be kept on a leash at all
times, or appropriately crated or caged. Pets cannot
be left tied and unattended at any time. The leash
must be no longer than 6 feet (1.8 meters) long.
We are committed to a continuing efort to improve
the accessibility of our trails and facilities so they
can be enjoyed by all. If you have questions or
suggestions about accessibility, please email us at
SEKI_Interpretation@nps.gov or call us at
559- 565-3341.
Drones
Accessibility Guide
EMERGENCY — DIAL 911
No coins are needed in payphones
for 911 calls.
Sequoia & Kings Canyon (NPS)
559-565-3341 (24 hour): Recorded information is
available for road conditions, weather, current fres,
camping, lodging, wilderness, and more.
Unmanned aircraft are not allowed in these parks.
This includes drones and other remotely piloted
vehicles.
Marijuana
GPS
GPS programs often misdirect travellers here. Use
maps and signs, or ask for directions.
Web & Social Media
www.nps.gov/seki
@sequoiakingsnps
@sequoiakingsnps
@sequoiakingsnps
Sequoia National Forest/
Monument (USFS)
559-338-2251, fs.usda.gov/sequoia
Yosemite National Park (NPS)
209-372-0200, nps.gov/yose
California Road Conditions (CalTrans)
800-427-7623, dot.ca.gov
Free Public WiFi Locations
Foothills Visitor Center (Sequoia National Park),
Kings Canyon Visitor Center (Grant Grove).
Campground Reservations
Visit Recreation.gov or call 877-444-6777
(TDD: 877-833-6777).
Possession or use of marijuana and other controlled
substances inside the national parks is prohibited.
While California law provides for limited possession
and use of marijuana, it remains an illegal drug under
federal law, which is enforced within the parks.
Fire Restrictions
Because of summer heat and dry conditions, fre
restrictions may be in place to reduce the possibility
of accidental human-caused fre. Prohibited
locations for wood or charcoal fres will be posted,
especially in park campgrounds.
Restrictions may increase throughout the summer
as fre danger increases. Check for updates on park
bulletin boards, at visitor centers, or by visiting
go.nps.gov/sekifrerestrictions.
Firearms in these National Parks
People who can legally possess frearms under
federal, California, and local laws may possess
frearms here. You are responsible for understanding
and complying with all applicable California, local,
and federal frearms laws. Discharge of frearms in
the parks is prohibited.
Free Public WiFi Locations
Foothills Visitor Center (Sequoia National Park),
Kings Canyon Visitor Center (Grant Grove). No
password is needed.
Translations
Delaware North (Authorized Concessioner)
Welcome - You may borrow a Braille copy of
the park map & guide at visitor centers.
Visit www.visitsequoia.com or call (866) 807-3598
for lodging reservations.
Bienvenidos - Hay un folleto en español disponible
en los centros de visitante.
Cedar Grove Pack Station
(Authorized Concessioner)
Bienvenue - Une guide ofcielle est disponible dans
les centres d’information.
Grant Grove: 559-335-9292
https://grantgrovestables.com/
Wilkommen - Eine Landkarte ist auch in deutscher
sprache im Besucher-zentrum erhaltlich.
Cedar Grove: 559-565-3464
cedargrovepackstation.com
Benvenuti - La traduzione in lingua Italiana della
mappa e’ disponibile in tutti i centri di informazioni.
Ask at any visitor center for a printed accessibility
guide. This new publication ofers details about
accessible park features by area and for diferent
user groups. The information in the guide is also
available online at www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/
accessibility.htm.
Visitor Centers
All visitor centers and museums have paved, fat
paths leading from parking areas to information
desks, exhibits, bookstores, water bottle flling
stations, and restrooms. Cedar Grove Visitor
Center is small, and may be difcult for people
in wheelchairs to navigate. Mineral King Ranger
Station has steps leading to the entrance and may not
be accessible to people with mobility impairments.
Wheelchairs may be borrowed at no cost at Kings
Canyon and Cedar Grove visitor centers, or at Giant
Forest Museum. They can be used anywhere in the
parks but must be returned by the end of the day,
before each visitor center closes. Be prepared to
provide your address and phone number.
Assistive listening devices and open captioning are
available for ranger programs and park flms. Borrow
a device at park visitor centers.
Wheelchair-Accessible Trails
General Sherman Tree Trail (Giant Forest):
This short trail leads a few hundred feet from an
accessible parking area to the General Sherman Tree,
the largest tree on earth.
Big Trees Trail (Giant Forest): This level trail is a
0.75-mile (1.2 km) loop. It circles a meadow
surrounded by giant sequoias.
Panoramic Point Trail (Grant Grove): This
paved trail leads to views that reach deep into park
wilderness.
Roaring River Falls (Cedar Grove): A 528 foot
(160 m), shady walk features a powerful waterfall
rushing through a granite chute. Park 3 miles
(4.8 km) east of the Village road. Paved, relatively
accessible.
Be Safe
You are Responsible for Your Safety
3
Explore Safely
Beautiful, yet remote and rugged, these parks present hazards. Mountain weather
changes quickly, trees fall without warning, and wild animals pose dangers. People
cause other hazards by driving poorly, leaving campfres burning, and making bad
decisions. Cell phones can’t be relied on and GPS directions may send you in the
wrong direction. Every day, we help visitors who have emergencies.
•
Avoid traveling alone. Tell someone
your plans and expected return time.
•
Take a map, water, fashlight, and extra
layers of clothes. Do not rely on your
phone's map or fashlight.
Please help us by being prepared—review these safety warnings. Your safety is in your own hands!
•
Be alert for potential hazards above,
around, and on the ground.
River Safety
á
While swimming in the
parks' lakes and rivers can
be tempting, drowning is
the primary cause of death
here!
Tree Hazards
Branches and trees may fall,
whether dead or alive, and when
there is no wind. Keep eyes
and ears open. Run if you hear
cracks or snapping from roots, trunks, or branches
(sometimes there is no sound). Don't linger under
dead, cracked, broken, or hanging branches. Avoid
spending any time under trees that are rotten at the
base or have cracked bark that is peeling of the trunk.
Air Quality
Poor air quality often afects
the parks, especially during the
summer. In summer months,
ozone concentrations often exceed
federal health standards. Ozone can have negative
health efects, particularly for sensitive groups such as
children, older people, and those with heart or lung
disease. For air quality forecasts, visit the park website
or follow @SequoiaKingsAir on Twitter.
Rivers present great danger due to their
swift currents and slippery rocks. In riverrelated deaths, many people did not intend
to swim, but fell in. Currents are strong
even during low water. Drop-offs and
undertows are ever-present. Be vigilant.
Once in a river, getting out can be nearly
impossible. Cold water rapidly saps your
strength and hypothermia can set in
quickly even if it is warm outside.
•
Do not swim in areas with strong
currents, or steep drop-offs.
•
DO NOT leave children unattended.
•
Swimming and alcohol or drugs do
not mix. Swim sober.
•
Wear sturdy shoes. Sharp objects in
the water can cut bare feet.
•
During storms, get out of the water
and exit beach areas.
•
NEVER SWIM ALONE.
West Nile Virus & Tick Bites
West Nile virus is passed by bites
from infected mosquitos. Human
illness is not common but take
steps to avoid mosquito bites. Ticks
are common in grassy, brushy lowelevation areas. They can carry diseases that harm
humans. Check yourself for these insects after walks;
their bite is painless. Remove them carefully with
tweezers and seek a doctor’s advice.
j
Rattlesnakes
Rattlesnakes are common in the
Sequoia foothills and in the Kings
Canyon at low elevations. Watch
where you put your hands and
feet! Do not harass or kill them;
this is when most bites occur. Bites are rarely lethal,
but tissue damage can be severe. If bitten, don’t panic
and call 911.
Plague & Hantavirus
Plague and hantavirus are
associated with wildlife here, but
cases of human infection are rare.
Rodents and their feas may carry
plague, which may infect humans
when bitten. Hantavirus is an airborne virus that
comes from infected deer mice. Typically people
contract hantavirus after they clean areas or are in
enclosed spaces with deer mice feces.
`
Keep Pets Safe
D
Don't Lose Your Brakes
To keep pets and wildlife safe,
animals must be on a leash at all
times. Pets are vulnerable to tick
and snake bites. Bears and deer
have also been known to charge or
attack dogs. Pick up all pet waste
and dispose of properly. Pets are not allowed on any
park trails. Do not leave pets unattended or in vehicles
where they can easily overheat.
Poison Oak
This common shrub grows up to
5,000 feet (1,524 m) in elevation,
and can cause an itchy rash if you
touch it. Poison oak has leaves in
groups of three. Leaves are red and
berries whitish in fall. The plant is bare in winter, and
has shiny green leaves in spring. If you touch any part
of it, wash skin and clothes with soap and warm water
right away.
If you keep a foot on the brake for
too long, brakes may fail. Instead,
always downshift when going
downhill. In automatic vehicles,
put the gearshift on 1, 2, or L. The
engine gets louder, but your brakes won't overheat.
4
Camping
Campgrounds Are Open, with
Reservations Only
In 2021, most park campgrounds are scheduled to
reopen. Reservations will be required for ALL park
campgrounds. No frst-come, frst-served sites will
be available. Due to increased demand and closure
of some campgrounds for hazard tree removal, we
expect campground availability to be very limited
this year. Make reservations by midnight at least two
days before your check-in date, or up to one month
in advance:
RV and Trailer Length Limits
If you're driving an RV, trailer, or a longer vehicle,
check length limits on park roads and at campsites.
Check-in and Check-out
Check-in is at 12 pm or later. Check out before
12 pm. If you have not checked in by noon on the
second day of your reserved period, your reserved
site may be considered unoccupied and opened to
new campers.
Campsite Amenities
(877) 444-6777
Each campsite has a table, food storage box, and a
fre ring with a grill. Each accommodates up to six
people and one vehicle. There are no RV hook-ups
in the parks.
(877) 833-6777 TDD
Roadside Camping
www.recreation.gov
Group Camping
Roadside camping is not permitted in the park.
Camp only in designated sites in campgrounds.
In the national forest, it's permitted unless posted
otherwise.
Group camping is suspended until further notice
due to COVID-19.
Fire Restrictions, Campfres, & Firewood
(888) 448-1474 customer service
No Showers Available At This Time
Fire restrictions may be in place at any time and can
change when there's a danger of wildfre. Fires must
be out cold before you leave. If it's too hot to touch,
it's too hot to leave.
Gather only dead and down wood; do not cut limbs
of trees. Please don’t transport frewood. It can
carry insects and diseases that threaten living trees.
Find or buy wood close to where you will use it.
Quiet and Generator Hours
Noise should be audible in your site only. Quiet
hours are 10 pm–6 am (no generators). At
Lodgepole, generator use is permitted from
8 am to 11 am and 5 pm to 8 pm.
Propane and Fuel Canisters
Please recycle fuel canisters at home. Do not put
them in park trash cans or leave them here.
Dump Stations
RV dump stations are available at Potwisha and
Lodgepole campgrounds, or for a fee at Princess
Campground in the Sequoia National Forest.
Lodgepole Dump Station will be closed May 24–
June 11. Potwisha Dump Station will be closed June
14–July 3. Closures schedules for maintenance may
change.
Sequoia Parks Conservancy
Sequoia Parks Conservancy (SPC), the ofcial
nonproft partner to Sequoia and Kings Canyon
National Parks, welcomes you! We work hand-inhand with the National Park Service to provide tours
and retail services, fund critical projects, and protect
and preserve park treasures for future generations.
Visit us online to learn more about everything we do.
We’ve saved a place for you—come join us!
Crystal Cave Tour - 50 minutes
Tours begin on Friday, May 28, 2021. General tour
schedule is:
Formations in
Crystal Cave
Crystal Cave
@SeqParksCon
Crystal Cave Tours
Tickets on sale now! Reserve tickets online at www.
recreation.gov at least 48 hours in advance but three
weeks advance purchase is recommended.
Getting There
Crystal Cave Road is 15 miles (24 km) from Sequoia
National Park's entrance at Highway 198 and 3 miles
(5 km) south of Sherman Tree. Maximum vehicle
length on this narrow road is 22 feet (6.7 m).
Tours on Thursday through Sunday (closed
Monday through Wednesday)
•
Tours at 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm
and 4 pm
Ticket prices: Age 5–12 $8; 13–64 $16; 65 & up $15.
No discounts for SPC members, or National Parks or
America the Beautiful passholders.
@SequoiaParksConservancy
Shop our online store!
•
SPC Adventures
When traveling to the cave, plan time for delays in
getting through the park entrances or on busy roads,
especially on weekends and holidays. Please arrive
in the parking lot 15 to 20 minutes prior to your
designated tour time. The Cave Road closes one
hour after the last tour of the day.
We've Saved A Place For You!
Prepare For Your Tour
For more information, call 559-565-4251, or visit
www.sequoiaparks.org/adventures.
Be sure to use the parking lot restrooms as the cave
has none. Wear sturdy shoes for the steep 0.5-mile
(0.8-km) trail to the cave. Wear a jacket; it’s 50°F
(10°C) inside. No strollers, tripods or bags/packs are
permitted inside the cave (they can be used on the
trail from the parking area but must be left outside
unattended during the tour.). No fash/lighted
photography/video. Not wheelchair accessible. Tour
times are subject to change.
We're here to help you have a fun and memorable
journey in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National
Parks. We'll connect you to the biggest trees, the
darkest skies, and the wildest wilderness. Everything
is here waiting. The only thing missing is you.
Dark Skies & Dark Sky Festival
We are going virtual again this year! Join our virtual
festival this year September 10-12, 2021. Visit our
website at www.sequoiaparksconservancy.org/
darkskyfestival for more information.
Keep Bears Wild and Safe
Other camping options
Due to COVID-19, camping may be limited. Visit
www. fs.usda.gov/sequoia for details about their
facilities and services, and visit
Recreation.gov for camping reservations.
5
Bears can grab unattended food or break into cars where food is visible. They
become bold and aggressive if they get human food. Too often, these bears must
be killed. Food storage is key to keeping humans safe and bears alive.
Lodges
Remove all food and child
safety seats from your vehicle.
Sequoia National Forest (U.S. Forest Service)
Near Grant Grove
In Wilderness
Hanging food often fails! Store
all food in a bear-resistant
storage container. These
containers weigh less than 3
pounds (1.3 kg), hold up to
5 days of food, and ft in a
backpack. A list of approved
containers can be found on
our website. Metal boxes are
located in a few wilderness
locations.
HUME LAKE AREA CAMPGROUNDS
Princess, Hume Lake, Tenmile, Landslide, and
Convict Flat campgrounds
BIG MEADOWS AND STONY CREEK
AREA CAMPGROUNDS
Stony Creek, Upper Stony Creek, Horse Camp,
and Big Meadow campgrounds
Keep Yourself Safe
DISPERSED CAMPING
Self-contained camping, with no water,
restrooms, trash cans, or other amenities is
permitted in the national forest (not in the
national parks). Check with Sequoia National
Forest for time and group size limits.
Free fre permits are required for open fres and
portable stoves. Get them online at www.fs.usda.
gov/sequoia, ask a local forest ranger, or check
with the Kings Canyon Visitor Center.
Lake Kaweah (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)
Near Three Rivers
Day Hikers
Properly store all food, scented items, and foodrelated supplies left at the trailhead inside a provided
food storage box, including coolers. If you're
concerned about touching the handles of shared
boxes, consider using hand sanitizer before and after
touching them. If no food storage box is available,
store food in your car trunk. For vehicles with no
trunk, place food items low and out of sight and
keep windows closed. When hiking, don't leave your
backpack and walk of to take a photograph—always
stay within arm's length of your food. Bears know
backpacks are a source of food.
Horse Creek Campground
Don’t let bears approach you,
your food, picnic area, or campsite. Wave your arms,
make loud noises, and throw small rocks toward
them (avoid hitting the face or head). Keep a safe
distance but be persistent. Abandoning your food
teaches bears that foods come from humans; the
bear may hurt a person in the future to get food. If a
bear does get your food, NEVER try to get it back.
Touring and Picnicking
Food items MUST be stored in food storage boxes
when provided. If no food storage box is available,
food items must be inside your car trunk or if no
trunk, place food items low in the vehicle, out of
sight, and keep windows closed. While picnicking,
never move away from coolers and tables when food
is out. Stay within arm's length of food.
Bears can smell anything with a scent—such as hand sanitizer, cosmetics, toiletries, trash, and
cleaning supplies—and will mistake these items for food. Store anything with an odor.
Wildlife Viewing & Safety
Keep Wildlife Safe
Mountain Lions and Bobcats
Do not feed or touch ANY wild animals. All animals
in the parks are wild. View animals at safe distances
(the length of two city buses) or through binoculars.
Rarely seen, bobcats are larger than house cats and
have bobbed tails. Mountain lions (cougars) are
much larger and have long tails. Cats usually run
when seen. If you see a mountain lion that doesn’t
run:
Never disrupt, approach, or disturb animals from
behaving normally.
•
Do not run; running may trigger pursuit.
•
Pick up children.
•
Try to appear as large as possible—don’t crouch
down.
•
Hold your ground or back away slowly while facing
the mountain lion.
•
If the mountain lion acts aggressively, wave your
hands, shout, and throw stones or sticks at it.
•
If attacked, fght back! Report any sightings.
© Kiel Maddox
6
Foothills
Explore the golden foothills, home to more species of plants and animals than the rest of these parks combined.
Chaparral, oak woodlands, and river canyons offer spring wildfowers, hot summers, and mild winters.
Services and Facilities
Marble Falls
Paradise Creek
Foothills Visitor Center
Open 8:30 am–4 pm, daily (hours subject to
change). Look for an information kiosk to the
right of the visitor center building. A veces hay
guardabosques aqui quienes hablan Español.
Sequoia Parks Conservancy's Park Store
ô Tunnel Rock
ô Hospital Rock Picnic Area
At Foothills Visitor Center, open weekdays
8:30 am–4 pm,; closed daily 12 pm–1 pm.
Maps, books, and other items are available.
Free WiFi here—no password required.
Snap a picture at this iconic pullout of the Generals
Highway. Walk on the old road under this rock
formation, but do not climb. Poison oak is common
here. A construction project is underway here to
improve access.
See rock paintings and explore exhibits about the
California Native Americans who lived here, and still
visit and live nearby. A short trail built by the Civilian
Conservation Corps leads to a waterfall. Be careful;
drownings occur here. Store your food from bears.
Marble Falls Trail
Paradise Creek Trail
For a short walk along canals or a long walk to a
waterfall, park across the highway from Potwisha
Campground (not in the campground). Near
site #14, follow the dirt road along canals. Climb
3.7 miles (6 km) through to the waterfall. High
temperatures and little shade or water can make this
trail dangerous in the summer.
For a creekside stroll, park at Hospital Rock Picnic
Area (not in campground). Walk 0.6 miles (0.9 km)
to Buckeye Flat Campground. Take the path across
from site #28 and cross a footbridge over the river.
Follow Paradise Creek (not the river) for 1 mile (1.6
km) until the trail grows faint.
Wilderness Offce
Local permits for overnight travel available
7 am–3:30 pm, at the Wilderness Ofce.
Follow the dirt path by the information kiosk.
Go to the Fire Management and Wilderness
Ofce on the far side of the parking lot. When
the ofce is closed, self-registration permits
are available outside the visitor center.
Mineral King
Climb the steep, winding road, the parks' highest, to its peak at 7,800 feet (2,377 m). Enjoy this remote, rugged
place, or follow a trail into a vast wilderness.
Services and Facilities
Mineral King Ranger Station
Open 7:30 am–4 pm. Get trail and local
information. Pay phones nearby at Cold
Springs Campground and the Sawtooth
Trailhead parking area.
Mineral King Valley
Wilderness Permits
Local wilderness permits for overnight travel
are issued at the Ranger Station 8 am–3:30 pm.
Cold Springs Nature Trail
Silver City Mountain Resort (private)
Stroll through meadows and aspen groves on this
slightly sloped, 1-mile (1.6 km) trail. Start at Cold
Springs Campground.
Cabins, gifts, showers, store, restaurant with
a bakery and wif. No gas. Open 8 am–7 pm
Monday–Thursday and 8 am–8 pm Friday
through Sunday. Call 559-561-3223.
Protect your car from marmots!
Marmots in this area sometimes chew through
vehicle wires and fuel lines. Drive over your tarp and
then wrap it around your vehicle, covering wheel
wells. Extra tarps may be available at the ranger
station.
Eagle Lake
Ascend the west side of the Mineral King Valley to a
glacially carved tarn. This steep trail is 3.6 miles (5.7
km) one way, and begins at the end of Mineral King
Road. After 2 miles (3.2 km), the trail splits. Turn left
for Eagle Lake, or take the right-hand trail another
1.6 miles (2.5 km) for Mosquito Lake.
Paradise Ridge
Hike through sequoias to a ridge with views of the
Great Western Divide. Park in the lot east of Atwell
Mill Campground and walk past the campground to
the trailhead. Climb 3.7 miles (5.9 km) to the peak of
the ridge, or continue into wilderness.
Atwell-Hockett to Deer Creek
Walk through sequoias and an old sawmill to
a waterfall. Park in the lot east of Atwell Mill
Campground and walk toward the campground to
the trailhead. This trail heads far into wilderness.
Turn back in 1.5 miles (2.4 km) at Deer Creek.
Monarch Lakes
Upper and Lower Monarch Lakes lie at the foot of
Sawtooth Peak, at the end of a 4.2 mile (one-way)
hike. Since the trail follows a west-facing slope, it
is best to get an early start. The trail passes through
meadows, red fr forest, and the avalanche-scoured
Chihuahua Bowl.
Giant Forest and Lodgepole
7
Welcome to the big trees. Here, free park shuttles will take you through the world's biggest unlogged sequoia
grove, home of the world's largest tree. Park your car and discover serene meadows, rocky streams, and
towering forests. Shuttles travel throughout the Giant Forest and Lodgepole area.
General Sherman Tree
Tokopah Falls
Two trails lead to the world’s largest tree:
Park at Lodgepole Campground parking lot, just
past the campground kiosk. The 1.7-mile (2.7-km)
trail starts in Lodgepole Campground and ends
at a viewpoint near the cascades of Tokopah Falls.
Return the same way for a 3.4-mile (5.5 km) roundtrip hike. Be careful around the water; cold, swift
currents are difcult to escape.
Main Trail - Park at Main Sherman Tree Parking.
This 0.5-mile (0.8-km) trail down to the tree has
stairs and the walk back is uphill. If someone in your
group can't manage the uphill hike, consider picking
them up at the accessible trailhead.
ô Wheelchair-accessible trail from the highwayA disability placard is required to park here.
Congress Trail - Park at Wolverton or Lodgepole
shuttle parking. From the Sherman Tree, continue
along this fairly level 2-mile (3.2-km) loop through
the heart of the Giant Forest sequoia grove.
Moro Rock/Crescent Meadow Road
This 3-mile (4.8-km), dead-end road begins at Giant
Forest Museum. Expect congestion and limited
parking on this road, especially on weekends.
Consider using the park shuttle at Wolverton or
Lodgepole and hiking in from the Giant Forest
Museum.
Col. Young Tree - Begin at the Auto Log and walk to
a sequoia named for a notable Bufalo Soldier.
Crescent Meadow - Sequoias surround this fragile
wetland. Several trails start here, including the 1-mile
(1.6-km) route to Tharp’s Log.
ô Big Trees Trail
This level loop has trailside exhibits about sequoias.
Start at Giant Forest Museum for a 1-mile (1.6-km)
round-trip walk. If you have a disability placard,
park at the trailhead for a 0.75-mile (1-km) loop.
Services and Facilities
Giant Forest Museum
While the museum exhibits are closed, look for our
information kiosk right outside of the museum.
Open 10 am–4 pm daily. Schedule subject to
change; hours may expand to 9 am to 5 pm at a
later date. A veces hay guardabosques aqui quienes
hablan Español.
Sequoia Parks Conservancy's Park Store at
Giant Forest Museum
Open daily, 9 am – 5 pm for sales of maps, books,
bear canister rentals, and other items. Schedule
subject to change; and hours may expand to
7 am–5 pm at a later date.
Lodgepole Campground. Park at Lodgepole
Campground parking lot, just past the campground
kiosk and cross the bridge. Hike along the Twin Lakes
Trail on your way to this secluded meadow.
Bear Hill Trail
Beetle Rock
Park at Giant Forest Museum and walk toward the Big
Trees Trail. The Bear Hill Trail junction will be on the
right. Check maps at the museum's Trail Center kiosk
for more information.
A short walk along a wheelchair-accessible trail
from the Giant Forest Museum parking area. Take
in spectacular views with ample space.
Parking Areas
Little Baldy
This 3.4-mile (5.5-km) out-and-back trail has 700
feet (200 m) of elevation gain and ofers one of the
best views in the park. The trailhead is 1.5 miles
(2.4 km) south of Dorst Campground. Parking is
limited, so get here early or later in the day.
See shuttle routes on page 12 of the newspaper. By
parking at these parking areas, you can take advantage
of some our shuttle routes.
To
Grant
Grove
(1 hour)
Wuksachi
Lodge
Lodgepole
Campground
Panther Gap
Wolverton
Parking available at Wolverton. Under 6 miles (10
km) round trip, this trail follows the Lakes Trail
before veering of to Panther Gap. Ascend 1000
feet (300 m) to the gap and amazing views.
Main Sherman
Tree Parking
Sherman Tree Trail
accessible parking
Sunset Rock
Park at Giant Forest Museum where this level
1.4-mile (2 km)round-trip trail begins. It ends on
top of a granite dome with sweeping views of the
foothills.
Giant Forest
Museum
To
Sequoia
entrance
(1 hour)
Cahoon Meadow
Crescent
Meadow
Moro Rock
This 5-mile (8-km) out-and-back starts at
Wilderness Permits
Wuksachi Lodge (including food services)*
Local permits for overnight travel are issued at
Giant Forest Museum. Before May 28, self-register
at Giant Forest Museum. Beginning May 28, the
Giant Forest Museum Wilderness Desk will be
open, 7 am–3 pm.
The lodge sits at an elevation of 7200 feet, 2.3 miles
(3.7 km) north of Lodgepole Visitor Center. Open
year-round, 24 hours a day. Payphones, wif, and
ATM. 559-625-7700.
Sequoia Shuttles
Take the free, wheelchair accessible Sequoia
Shuttle to sites throughout Giant Forest and
Lodgepole. Turn to page 12 for more information.
Lodgepole Market*
Supplies, clothing, groceries, ATM, and pay phone.
Tentative re-opening in June 2021.
Food services (limited to-go, pre-packed options;
limited indoor and outdoor seating):
•
Breakfast: 7 am–10 am
•
Lunch: 12 pm–2 pm
•
Dinner: 5:30 pm–8 pm.
Schedule subject to
change
Gift Shop: Open 8 am–8 pm. Grab-and-go meals
Souvenirs and minimal supplies.
*Operated by Delaware North Concession
8
Grant Grove
Wander through shady sequoia groves and hike to bird's-eye views of
distant wilderness. From busy Grant Grove Village to lofty Big Baldy Ridge,
Grant Grove offers a chance to explore with amenities nearby.
Grant Tree Trail
This 0.3-mile (0.5 km) paved, loop trail leads to the
world’s second-largest living tree. Drive 0.1 mile
north of Grant Grove Village and look for road signs
to access parking area. On the trail, look for tactile
exhibits about sequoias.
Services and Facilities
Kings Canyon Visitor Center
Open 9 am–4 pm. Beginning May 23, open 8
am–4 pm. Theater and exhibits closed until
further notice. Pay phones and wif are available.
Sequoia Parks Conservancy Park Store
Open 9 am–4 pm. Maps, books, and gifts.
Wilderness Permits
Issued at the visitor center, 8 am–4 pm.
North Grove Loop
This lightly traveled, 1.5-mile (2.4 km) loop ofers a
close look at sequoias and a quiet forest walk. Start
at the Grant Tree bus and RV overfow parking area.
Grant Grove Village
•
Market*: Open 9 am–6 pm. Grab-and-go food,
groceries, supplies, and ATM.
ô Panoramic Point
•
Courtyard*: To-go meals only. Open
7 am–10 am; 11:30 am–2:30 pm; 5 pm–8 pm.
•
Gift Shop*: Open 8 am–9 pm. Souvenirs,
supplies, clothing, and ATM.
•
Post Ofce: Open Monday–Friday, 9 am–4
pm; 24-hour lobby. 559-335-2499.
•
John Muir Lodge*: Located behind the village
meadow. Make a reservation to stay in a lodge
room or cabins. Call 866-807-3598.
A narrow road leads to a short, paved trail to a
viewpoint with beautiful Sierra vistas. RVs and
trailers are not permitted on the road, which begins
behind John Muir Lodge. Park Ridge Trail (2.4
miles/3.8 km) also b