Current Conditions

Alerts

Caution

• Tire chains may be required

  Alert 1 , Severity ,caution ,, Tire chains may be required When chain restrictions are in effect, tire chains are required for all vehicles in control areas, including vehicles with snow tires, 4WD vehicles, and AWD vehicles.
  more

Information

• Road Construction Delays

  Alert 1 , Severity ,information ,, Road Construction Delays Date Posted: 11/17/2018 Due to road construction between the Sequoia National Park entrance and the Giant Forest, delays are in effect. For a full schedule, please visit the Road Construction webpage or call [phone].
  more

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If you come to the park, you may need tire chains.

Snow at Grant Grove snowplay areas is patchy, especially on south-facing slopes. If you venture out on trails, plan to hike instead of snowshoeing.

At Giant Forest and Wolverton, snow from recent storms is melting with this week's warmer temperatures. Snow will become patchy and there may not be enough for sledding. Melting or icy conditions may make sledding unsafe. There are many sledding injuries here each year.

A road construction project between the Sequoia park entrance and the Giant Forest is underway. There are delays and vehicle length limits. The schedule changes frequently depending on weather conditions. If your vehicle is longer than 22 feet, it is prohibited on the Generals Highway between Hospital Rock Picnic Area and Giant Forest Museum during the construction project. Consider using the northern entrance to Kings Canyon National Park on Highway 180 instead of the southern entrance to Sequoia National Park on Highway 198.

If you travel here, check forecasts before you come, and drive safely! If you plan to hike in park wilderness, check trail conditions before your trip.

Weather is cool and wet in the Foothills, and it's a great time to hike.

Highway 180 to Cedar Grove and Cedar Grove Visitor Center are closed for the season.

 

Weather

It's always a good idea to check forecasts before your visit.

Because of the extreme elevation range in these parks, weather conditions vary widely between areas. In summer, the sequoia groves have comfortable temperatures and the foothills are hot and dry. Snow lingers on high-mountain passes well into summer. In fall, some areas close or reduce their hours. Winter brings snow to sequoia groves and rain to the foothills. Be prepared for tire chain requirements. Spring is a great time to hike in the foothills and snow begins to melt at higher elevations.

 

Tire Chains and Winter Driving

Snow and ice may be on park roads any time from early fall through late spring. It varies from year to year, but it's important to be prepared. Due to constantly changing conditions, please call 559-565-3341 (press 1, 1) for current, 24-hour road status and advisories.

Before you visit, check our winter driving information, which includes a list of locations near park entrances where tire chains can be rented or purchased.

 

 

• 

  Snow Chains and Cables

  This video demonstrates how and when to install tire chains and/or cables on vehicles when visiting Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, CA. (MPEG/mp4)

  Duration:

  5 minutes, 35 seconds

 

Visitor Guide

Campgrounds

Current Fire Information

Winter Driving & Tire Chains