Sequoia and Kings Canyon have a variety of visitor centers, ranger stations, and wilderness permit stations. Not all are open year-round.
They are listed below in the order in which you would encounter them as you travel from south to north on the Generals Highway (main road through the parks) from the Ash Mountain Entrance.

IN SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK:

Foothills Visitor Center
Open daily 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Phone: 559-565-4212.

Location: On the Generals Highway 1 mile (1.6 km) north of the Ash Mountain Entrance. In the foothills oaks and chaparral; elevation 1,500 feet (457 m).

Exhibits: Focus here is on the Sierran foothills, the most biologically diverse area of these parks!

Services: Crystal Cave tour tickets sold until 3:45 p.m. (summer only); tickets are NOT sold at the cave. Books, maps, educational materials for sale. Local wilderness permits issued. Bear canisters for sale or rent. Accessible restrooms. Pay phone. First aid.

Giant Forest Museum
Closed in winter.

Location: Housed in the historic market building, in the Giant Forest sequoia grove at 6,500 feet (1,980 m) elevation. 16 miles (26 km) from the Ash Mountain Entrance.

Exhibits: Learn about sequoia groves and view short videos on giant sequoia ecology and fire.

Services: Books, maps, and educational items for sale. Fully-accessible restrooms and trails. Pay phone. First aid. During the summer the museum is a stop for the park shuttle.

Lodgepole Visitor Center
Open Friday - Monday 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. in winter. Open daily in summer with a stop for the park shuttle. Phone: 559-565-4436.

Location: On the Generals Highway 21 miles (34 km) from the Ash Mountain Entrance, 2 miles (3 km) north of the General Sherman Tree. In the conifer zone; elevation 6,700 feet (2,040 m).

Exhibits: Explore the natural and human history of the southern Sierra Nevada and view a short video, "Bears of the Sierra."

Services: Crystal Cave tour tickets sold until 3:30 p.m. (summer only) tickets are NOT sold at the cave. Books, maps, and educational materials for sale. Local wilderness permits issued. Bear canisters for sale or rent. Accessible restrooms. Pay phone. First aid.

Mineral King Ranger Station
Closed in winter. Scheduled to open mid-June, 2012.

Location: On the Mineral King Road 24 miles from the junction of Highway 198 in Three Rivers. RVs, buses, and trailers are not allowed on this narrow, winding road.

Call for hours of operation. Phone: 559-565-3768.

Exhibits: This small station houses some exhibits on Mineral King's human and natural history.

Services: Books, maps, and educational items for sale. Bear canisters available. Local wilderness permits. Pay phone in nearby campground. First aid.

IN KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARK:

Kings Canyon Visitor Center (in Grant Grove)
Open daily. Call for hours of operation. Phone: 559-565-4307.

Location: In Grant Grove Village, three miles (5 km) east from the Big Stump Entrance on Highway 180. In the conifer zone; elevation 6,500 feet (1,980 m).

Exhibits: Learn about three areas in Kings Canyon National Park-giant sequoia groves, the canyon environment (Cedar Grove), and the High Sierra. Watch a 15-minute movie (English/Spanish).

Services: Books, maps, and educational materials for sale. Local wilderness permits issued. Accessible restrooms. Pay phone. First aid.

Cedar Grove Visitor Center
Closed in winter. Open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, 2012. Call for hours of operation. Phone: 559-565-3793.

Location: On Highway 180, 30 miles east of Grant Grove. Next to Sentinel Campground on the floor of Kings Canyon. Elevation 4,600 feet (1,410 m).

Services: Books, maps,and educational items are sold here. Accessible restrooms nearby. Pay phone. First aid.

Roads End Wilderness Permit Station
Local wilderness permits, maps,and bear canister rentals. Location: 6 miles east of Cedar Grove Village at the end of Highway 180.