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Changes to Some Opening/Closing Dates for Services and Facilities – Check Back for Updates
Some of the opening/closing dates for facilities and visitor services in the parks have changed due to weather and/or other circumstances. See link for details and match to locations on the park map (under "Park Tools," bottom left, this page). More »
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Road Construction Delays (if Entering/Exiting Hwy. 198)
Expect minimal construction delays on main road through parks (Generals Hwy) through June 2013 on weekdays generally from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. See link for schedule. Call for 24-hour road conditions info: 559-565-3341 (press 1, 1, 1). More »
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Vehicle Length Limits Have Changed in Sequoia NP (if Entering/Exiting Hwy 198)
Planning to see the "Big Trees" in Sequoia National Park? If you enter/exit via Hwy. 198, please pay close attention to new vehicle length advisories for your safety and the safety of others. More »
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You May Have Trouble Calling Us. Use the "Contact Us" Link (Bottom Left) to Send an E-mail.
We are experiencing technical problems receiving some incoming phone calls at the parks. We apologize for the inconvenience. Please keep trying to reach us or check this website for frequently-asked questions. The search box (top, right) may be helpful.
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Prescribed Fires Planned at Ash Mountain/Sequoia National Park (Parks' South Entrance)
Fire crews will be working on hazard fuel reduction project at Ash Mountain (south entrance) starting May 23. There are nine small burn segments near the south entrance. The fire may be visible from the road and will produce smoke for very short periods.
SPROUTS
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The Rangers in the Classroom program, SPROUTS (Student Phenologists Researching Oaks to Understand Trees and Science) engages students in recording and observing phenological events of oak species in their school yard. The SPROUTS program provides students with a hands-on learning opportunity utilizing two relatively new sciences: phenology and citizen science: Citizen science is a research and education tool that allows everyday people to use methods such as biological inventory, long-term monitoring and research to form real and meaningful conclusions about their environment. Citizen science is specifically focused on creating opportunities for non-scientists to experience science first-hand and to develop a connection with the natural world. On a large scale, citizen science may inform the broader community through increasing sense of stewardship and data collection and application. Methods used in citizen science such as biological inventory and long-term monitoring are also tools for phenology. Phenology measures the timing of life cycle events in plants, animals, and microbes, and detects how the environment influences the timing of those events. As life cycle events vary from year to year based on weather, climate and resource availability; phonological observations are simple ways to measure environmental changes such as climate change. The SPROUTS program uses digital web cameras or phenocams located in the Foothills region of Sequoia National Park to provide students with opportunities to make comparisons between Valley Oak in their schoolyard and Blue Oak or Interior Live Oak found inside of the park’s boundary. Using the webcam images, students can monitor tree canopy phenology while also recording budburst, first leaf and leaf shedding using the camera’s telephoto capabilities. 
Phenocams of a Blue Oak and a California Buckeye in the Foothills
Learn More About Phenology & Citizen Science Project Budburst Citizen Science Central Kids in Nature Climate Change Response Program |
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Phenocam Views
Did You Know?
Sequoia National Park is the second-oldest national park in the United States. It was created by Congress on September 25, 1890. General Grant National Park (the area now called Grant Grove), was designated soon after. Only Yellowstone National Park, created in 1872, is older. More...