The General Grant Tree Trail is open in Kings Canyon National Park. This is a half-mile, paved, loop trail among some of the largest trees in the world. Access to this trail is about a 20-minute drive from the entrance to Kings Canyon.
No access to wilderness, camping, river, waterfalls, or trails.
Due to severe road damage along the Highway 180 corridor between Grant Grove and Cedar Grove, Caltrans does not expect repairs to be completed before the end of the summer season. This means public access is not expected into the Cedar Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park for the 2023 summer season.
Sequoia National Park
The Foothills Area (the first six miles of Generals Highway, ending at Hospital Rock) - OPEN (scroll down for what to expect)
FEATURES: No snow or giant sequoias. Camping (by reservation only), trails, wilderness, river, Foothills Visitor Center.
Giant Forest / Wolverton Snowplay Area / Lodgepole / Wuksachi / Moro Rock Areas - CLOSED
No access to giant sequoias, the General Sherman Tree, winter snowplay, camping, wilderness, Moro Rock, or Tunnel Log.
Access Via Highway 180 Through the Kings Canyon/Big Stump Entrance Station: Estimated Range for Reopening is June 2 - 9, 2023. (updated May 11)
Access Via Highway 198 Through the Foothills Entrance Station: Estimated Date for Reopening is July 1, 2023. (updated May 11)
Crystal Cave - CLOSED
Sequoia Parks Conservancy has announced the closure of Crystal Cave for the 2023 season due to damage sustained to the road, trail, and visitor facilities at Crystal Cave during the 2021 KNP Complex wildfire and the extreme winter weather this year. Sequoia Parks Conservancy is working closely with the National Park Service to restore access to the public in 2024.
Mineral King - CLOSED
No access to giant sequoias, camping, trails, Silver City Resort, Mineral King Ranger Station, and wilderness.
Due to severe road damage along the Mineral King Road both inside and outside the park boundary, no vehicular public access is anticipated before August, and likely to be later. Other types of access will be assessed in June after Tulare County completes temporary repair work and park personnel can go in and assess damage within the park boundary. It is still unknown what, if any, public access will be possible this summer.
What to expect when visiting Grant Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park:
Access to giant sequoias, the General Grant Tree, and snowplay areas. The snow is melting quickly but is still present in shady areas. Snowplay access may be limited.
On weekends, expect very limited parking at Kings Canyon Visitor Center and Grant Tree Trail.
Come prepared for winter conditions on most trails. We recommend bringing personal traction devices, snowshoes, crosscountry skis, and wearing warm layers.
Porta Potties are available at Big Stump Picnic Area. Restrooms at the Kings Canyon Visitor Center, Azalea Campground, Grant Grove Market, General Grant Tree, and Columbine Picnic Area are open.
Azalea Campground is now reservations only. Limited sites are available due to snow, expect winter conditions at most sites. The campground is fully reserved for Memorial Day Weekend.
What to expect when visiting the Foothills area of Sequoia National Park:
No access to giant sequoias, the General Sherman Tree, or Wuksachi Lodge.
Six miles of Generals Highway open, up to Hospital Rock.
No snow.
All Foothills hiking trails are open.
The river is very cold and fast-moving from rapid snow melt. Exercise caution when hiking near water.
On weekends, expect very limited parking at Hospital Rock.
Traffic lights around a one-lane section of damaged road can cause delays.
Some one-lane sections of the road. Uphill traffic should yield to downhill traffic. All vehicles should follow posted speed limits and drive with caution.
The Foothills Visitor Center is open daily 9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
Potwisha Campground is open and camping is by reservation only, through recreation.gov. The campground is fully reserved for Memorial Day Weekend.
Buckeye Flat Campground is closed in 2023 due to damage during winter storms.
Restrooms available at Hospital Rock, Foothills Visitor Center, Potwisha Campground, Potwisha Overflow Parking, and Buckeye Flat Campground (campground is closed for camping).
Learn About the Winter Damage
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, in partnership with Tulare County and CalTrans, hosted a public meeting on Friday, March 24 to provide an overview of storm damage and impacts to community and public access. A recording of the public meeting is currently available on the parks' YouTube channel. The version on YouTube is open captioned for the deaf and hard of hearing.
An audio described version is not yet available, however you can view the presentation slides in Microsoft Powerpoint format, and an accessible PDF will also be posted here soon.
General and Area-Specific Conditions
The Grant Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park and Foothills area of Sequoia National Park are open. There is currently no access to giant sequoias, the General Sherman Tree, or Wuksachi Lodge in Sequoia National Park.
Sequoia groves and snowplay areas are located at higher elevations where there is still snow on the ground. There are often wet road conditions as snow continues to melt.
The National Park Service does not tow or repair vehicles. During active storms, tow trucks do not generally enter the park and towing bills can be very expensive. Vehicles that are incapacitated or stuck in snow may not get out for a day or more.
Storms in the mountains can include snow. Check forecasts for the mountains prior to coming to higher elevation areas. Fresh snow could mean tire chain restrictions may be in effect.
For current road conditions, call (559) 565-3341 (press 1, then 1).
Seasonal Road Closures
The Generals Highway is closed between the parks.
Highway 180 to Cedar Grove is closed at the Hume Lake Road gate due to extensive damage from winter storms.
Mineral King Road is closed for the season. We do not currently have a timeline for reopening the Mineral King area.
Moro Rock/Crescent Meadow Road is closed and is not accessible due to the closure of the Generals Highway to the Giant Forest.
Panoramic Drive in the Grant Grove area is closed to vehicles due to snow accumulation but open for skiing and snowshoeing.
Middle Fork Road is closed to vehicles due to damage from winter storms and dangerous conditions.
Crystal Cave Road (Sequoia National Park) is closed for 2023.
Redwood Mountain Road (Kings Canyon National Park) remains closed due to hazardous conditions from the 2021 KNP Complex Fire.
There is no highway access to the Giant Forest due to extensive damage to Generals Highway and other park infrastructure from winter storms. It is not possible to access giant sequoias in Sequoia National Park until the roads are safe to reopen.
When the road is open, tire chains or cables may be mandatory for all vehicles to carry due to icy conditions. The speed limit in chain control areas is always 25 mph. Be prepared for icy and slick wintry roads. For current road conditions, call (559) 565-3341 (press 1,1). Personal traction devices for your shoes may help you avoid slips or falls in areas that are icy or snowy. At this time of year, dress in layers and keep an eye on weather forecasts.
The Grant Grove area is open. It is possible to visit the General Grant Tree and the Grant Sequoia Grove.
Alerts
Temperatures in the mountains are much cooler than in the valleys. Bring extra layers of clothing, and be aware of snow bridges when hiking in the area.
Trails
Grant Tree Trail is clear of snow. Even when the trail is cleared, personal traction devices, such as microspikes or snowshoes, are strongly recommended in the morning in case of ice formation overnight. Grant Tree Road may close during storms.
Gamlin Cabin on Grant Tree Trail is closed due to has structural issues. Do not pass the Do Not Enter tape around the cabin.
Panoramic Drive, which closes to vehicles in winter, is open for hiking or snowshoeing. This strenuous 5-mile (8 km) round trip to Panoramic Point climbs almost 1,000 feet (300 m) in elevation. Snowshoes or traction devices are required. The road is covered in several feet of snow.
Trails in the Redwood Canyon area are closed following damage from the 2021 KNP Complex Fire and will not reopen until conditions are safe. Some trees in the area are still burning and some smoke can be visible from the highway.
Roads
Large amounts of snow remain along the roads in Grant Grove and snow is melting on warm spring days. Expect roads will be wet in areas.
Highway 180 is open up to the Hume Junction Gate. The Kings Canyon Scenic Byway to Cedar Grove is closed due to damage from winter storms.
Hume Lake Road: Please call the Hume Lake Ranger District for the most current road conditions. (559) 338-2251.
The Generals Highway is open from Highway 180 to Montecito Lodge. It is not possible to reach Sequoia National Park via Generals Highway.
Camping
Azalea Campground is open.
Azalea Campground is now requiring reservations through Recreation.gov/
Azalea Campground is fully reserved for the holiday weekend. Please do not plan to camp if you do not have a reservation.
Large amounts of snow remain on some campsites.
Due to a recent water main break, there may not be any restrooms facilities available.
A Boil Water Advisory is in effect, water is not potable.
The campground may close at any time if it's not possible to keep roads clear into the area.
Sunset and Crystal Springs Campgrounds remain closed due to the amount of snow remaining in the campgrounds. Opening dates for Sunset and Crystal Springs have been delayed until at least mid-to-late June.
Snowplay
Big Stump and Columbine Snowplay Areas are open, but snow is melting quickly with warm summer temperatures. Due to a water main break, there is no potable water available in Big Stump Snowplay Area. Snowplay is only allowed in designated snowplay areas. Meadows not in designated snowplay areas are beginning to show signs of spring as snowbridges are melting. Tree wells are prevalent. Check out the winter activities page for additional ideas on how to spend your time in Kings Canyon National Park.
Ranger Programs
Ranger-led walks and talks may be available as weather allows. Go to the Kings Canyon Visitor Center for more information. For a complete list of ranger talks and programs visit our events calendar.
Highway 180 to Cedar Grove is closed. Public access is not expected into the Cedar Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park for the 2023 summer season.
Due to severe road damage along the Highway 180 corridor between Grant Grove and Cedar Grove, Caltrans does not expect repairs to be completed before the end of the summer season.
The Foothills area of Sequoia National Park is open up to Hospital Rock. There is no access to giant sequoias, the General Sherman Tree, or Wuksachi Lodge from the Foothills area.
Hospital Rock Pictographs
By working with local Native Americans, we’ve learned the pictographs at Hospital Rock are sacred to their communities. They are as important as any place of worship. Do not touch or mark on the pictographs or rocks here. If you see someone vandalizing this area, please let a park ranger know right away.
Stay Safe in the Foothills
View the rivers from a distance. The water is very cold and very swift with fresh snowmelt. The soil near and along the rivers is wet and unstable. It can collapse unexpectedly under the weight of people, including children, and result in falls into the river.
Because of recent flooding, creek crossings along trails may be difficult. Water levels can rise through the day as snow melts in the mountains or as rain falls at upper elevations. Localized flooding is likely during storms. Since soils are saturated from recent storms, be cautious on trails that traverse across steep slopes because the trail bed may be soft along trail edges on the downhill side. Please check the weather forecasts before heading into the parks.
Many areas in the foothills are within the 2021 KNP Fire's footprint, where heavy rains on top of burned soil may lead to rockslides or mudslides. The safest option will be to avoid any trail that includes a creek crossing. If you feel uncomfortable crossing or are worried that levels may rise before your return trip, consider turning back. Check our Foothills Trails page for ideas to help you plan your trip.
Closed Trails
Ladybug Trail and Garfield Grove Trail: The portion of South Fork Road within the park boundary that provides access to the trailheads for Ladybug Trail and Garfield Grove Trail suffered severe damage from flooding and landslides during winter storms. The road is impassable to vehicles. The trails have not been evaluated following the storms, but significant damage and challenging or hazardous sections are likely. Anyone wanting to travel on these trails should be self-reliant, as road damage -- as well as any trail damage -- makes any rescue effort challenging and subject to delays.
Camping
Potwisha Campground is open. The campground has sites that are snow-free and reservations are required. Visit Recreation.gov to reserve your campsite.
Campground Closures
Buckeye Flat Campground is closed for 2023 due to damage from repeated winter storms in early 2023.
South Fork Campground is currently inaccessible and closed due to damage from flooding and landslides from winter storms. Damage to the campground and the access road are being assessed. At this time, it is unknown when the campground will re-open.
Know Where You Can Go
Many areas of the parks remain closed due to impacts from winter storms in early 2023. Sequoias are currently only accessible in Grant Grove entering Kings Canyon on Highway 180 from Fresno.
Pets
Pets, including those riding in backpacks, are prohibited on all trails. This includes paved trails, such as the General Sherman Tree Trail, Big Trees Trail, and Grant Tree Trail. In the nearby national forest lands that surround these parks, leashed pets are allowed on trails. Leashes must be less than 6 feet (1.8 meters) long. Learn more about traveling with pets.
Traffic Congestion
During weekends and holidays, our entrance stations become congested. Check out these tips to avoid congestion or the inconveniences it may cause. To save time, buy your entrance pass online before you arrive.
Recent Wildfire Activity
In September of 2021, the lightning-caused KNP Complex Fire burned through a significant portion of the park. You will see evidence of recent wildfire along the Generals Highway and on trails. Check our tips for safety in burned areas if you plan to hike in an area affected by fire. Our closure map shows trails (in red) that are closed.
NPS Mobile App
Download the NPS Mobile app to get started on your next national park adventure. The NPS App can connect you to all 420+ national parks from one single app.
Want to improve your visit to Sequoia and Kings Canyon? Get information on popular features, visitor centers, campgrounds, fees and passes, park alerts, passport stamp locations, and more. When you install the app, check the option to download offline content. Cell service is extremely limited at the parks and this option will allow you to use the app in areas with no coverage.
WiFi and Cellular Service
WiFi is available at Kings Canyon and Foothills visitor centers. However, if you use the NPS Mobile app, download the app and data before you arrive. Cell phone service may be available in the Grant Grove developed area for Verizon customers, and outside the Foothills Visitor Center for AT&T customers. However, cellular service is not reliable at these locations.
Sequoia National Forest is currently closed. For information on the status of the Sequoia National Forest or Giant Sequoia National Monument (managed by the US Forest Service), visit the Sequoia National Forest website.
For information on Lake Kaweah (managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers), visit their website.
Day Hiking: No permits are needed for day hiking. See the Day Hiking Page for more information about trails in different areas of the parks. During the winter months, personal traction devices, such as spikes for footware, are recommended for ice and icy snow.
Trail Closures: Some trails are closed due to impacts from winter storms and from past wildfires.
Wilderness Permits during the Quota Season
May 26, 2023 through September 23, 2023
Wilderness permit reservations are available on Recreation.gov. Reservations can be made up to six months in advance of your trip, and are released daily at 7:00 AM Pacific Standard Time.
During the quota season, the number of people beginning trips each day is limited by entry point and a recreation fee is required. Reservations are available for most, but not all entry points.
Permit pick up will be available at the station closest to your desired trailhead: Mineral King Ranger Station, Foothills Visitor Center, Giant Forest Museum, Kings Canyon Visitor Center, or Road's End Permit Station-Cedar Grove.
Be aware that many areas remain closed and not all trailheads and ranger stations will be open this summer.
The parks have identified significant winter damage to two important backcountry trail bridges, but as conditions allow the park to assess more trails, more damaged trail structures may be discovered. Backcountry travelers should be prepared for the possibility that streams and rivers may not be safe to cross due to high water or damaged bridges.
Wilderness Permits and Overnight Backpacking, Outside of Quota Season
Beginning September 24, 2023
Self-issue wilderness permits are available for overnight backpacking at Foothills and Kings Canyon visitor centers and at Giant Forest Museum.
Most campgrounds in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks remain closed for the winter season, except Azalea and Potwisha.
Most campgrounds fill well in advance of weekends and holidays. There are no first-come, first-served sites available in the parks this summer. Please do not plan to camp if you do not have a reservation.
South Fork Campground is currently unusable and closed, and the road has suffered severe damage and is impassable. We strongly discourage hikers or day users from attempting to explore this area.
2023 Reservations
Reservation booking windows for 2023 will vary by campground. We recommend that you make reservations as far in advance of your stay as possible. Make reservations or get more information on opening dates and booking windows directly on our camping web pages or at Recreation.gov.
