• Giant Sequoia Trees

    Sequoia & Kings Canyon

    National Parks California

  • Road Construction Delays in Sequoia NP through Mid-Aug. (if entering/exiting via Hwy. 198)

    Expect 20-minute to 1-hour delays on weekdays and 20-minute delays on weekends along main road through parks. Weeknight closures with one pass through the construction zone at 11:30 p.m. See link to schedule and map or call 559-565-3341 (press 1, 1, 1,). More »

  • 22-foot Vehicle Length Limit in Sequoia National Park

    Planning to see the "Big Trees" in Sequoia National Park? If you enter/exit via Hwy. 198, all vehicles must be less than 22 feet in length. Even vehicles towing trailers must be less than 22 feet in combined length. Longer vehicles must enter at Hwy. 180. More »

  • Road Conditions in the Parks

    For the latest road and weather conditions, call 559-565-3341 (press 1, 1, 1) More »

Featured Volunteers

Foothills volunteer Jim Dempsey

NPS Photo

Foothills Visitor Center Assistant Jim Dempsey

Jim Dempsey, Foothills Visitor Center Assistant
After a 32 year career in the National Park Service, Jim Dempsey continues his service as a volunteer at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. His experiences in trail maintenance, forestry, safety, interpretation and visitor protection in parks throughout the country make Jim an invaluable reference for visitors and park employees alike. Jim and his wife chose Three Rivers for their retirement home where they have lived for the past 20 years – the longest they've lived in any one place.

For the last 13 years Jim has been at the Foothills Visitor Center assisting visitors and sharing his experiences and expertise in the parks. Jim says he continues to volunteer because he enjoys working with people and being a part of the park service family. His favorite part of the parks is Cedar Grove which he feels is less visited than other areas. After a working there one summer he enjoys returning to the area to enjoy the beauty of the Kings Canyon and camping it offers.

Did You Know?

Conifer forest.

The richness of the Sierran flora mirrors that of the state as a whole. Of the nearly 6,000 species of vascular plants known to occur in California, over 20% can be found within Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.