News Release

Planning for a Busy Labor Day Weekend, Construction Projects to Follow at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Date: August 28, 2025
Contact: Holly Streit

Labor Day Weekend marks the end of the summer season and is historically a busy time at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. For an enjoyable visit, it is important for visitors to plan ahead and be prepared for congestion in the parks. 

Tips for Planning Ahead and Navigating Congestion 

1. Purchase an entrance pass in advance at recreation.gov and arrive before 9 a.m. or after 3 p.m. to reduce wait times at entrance stations. 

2. If visiting the Giant Forest area, park your vehicle in a designated parking space and then use the free Sequoia Shuttle to explore the most popular sites. The Sequoia Shuttle season ends after Sept. 1. 

3. All campgrounds in the parks require reservations. To look for available campsites visit recreation.gov. Do not arrive planning to camp without a reservation. 

4. Be sure to Leave No Trace and keep wildlife wild. All food must be kept in vehicles out of site or stored in designated food storage lockers. If a trash can is full, find another, or take trash with you.  

5. Visit the parks website www.nps.gov/SEKI for trip planning and current conditions. 

6. Download the free official National Park Service app that includes a map and information about all areas of the parks. 

The Cedar Grove and Grant Grove areas of Kings Canyon are currently experiencing significant smoke impacts from the Garnet Fire, located to the west of Kings Canyon in the Sierra National Forest. It is not likely that the fire will cross into or threaten any areas of the parks. To learn more about the Garnet Fire, visit https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/casnf-garnet-fire. For air quality information, visit www.airnow.gov. 

After the holiday weekend, construction projects will begin or ramp up in various areas of the parks, including Mineral King Road construction and a utility pole-replacement project in Sequoia, and waste and debris removal in the Grant Grove area of Kings Canyon. 

Mineral King Road Construction 
From Sept. 2 through the seasonal public road closure on Oct. 29, the construction schedule for Mineral King Road will change to include more frequent daytime closures and delays. A full schedule is available at: www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/road-construction.htm. The closure point will be located approximately 16 miles from the intersection of Highway 198 and Mineral King Road, with an estimated drive time of about 75 minutes. 

Utility Pole Replacement 
Southern California Edison will be replacing a large number of utility poles within the parks from Sept. 2 to Oct. 15 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The project includes a staging area at the Potwisha day-use parking lot and frequent helicopter flights to transport equipment along the Middle Fork drainage. Noise impacts are expected in the Foothills and Giant Forest areas, and brief traffic delays may occur on the Generals Highway near the staging area. 

Grant Grove Waste and Debris Removal 
In the Grant Grove area of Kings Canyon, on Highway 180 near the Grant Grove Stables, large trucks will be mobilized to remove waste and debris on Sept. 4 – 19, excluding weekends, from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Some traffic delays may occur as trucks enter the roadway. Please observe all traffic control signage for your safety. 

The fall is a fabulous time to visit these parks and spend time among the giant sequoias. Aside from these construction projects, visitors can expect picturesque color changes, cooler weather, and less crowded trails. Visit www.nps.gov/seki for current conditions and trip planning information.