Current Conditions

Alerts

Throughout the next few months, lower elevations will be sunny and warm while higher elevations will be cold and cloudy. Prepare for both before you visit the parks!

NPS Photo / Anna Cirimele

Be Prepared For Variable Conditions

This time of year, change is ushered into the Giant Forest and Sierra Nevada. Days can be very cool, particularly at the elevation of the sequoia groves. Before you visit, check out these tips to enhance your trip!

Weather

Winter is a wonderful time to visit giant sequoias, but it can be below freezing and very cool in the sequoia groves especially in the morning or evening. Weather can include snow and cold rain. Plan ahead by packing multiple layers of clothing so that you can adjust to warmer or colder conditions. Check the weather forecast before you head out!

Driving Mountain Roads

Snow is a possibility in the sequoia groves and rain or snow can occur in the foothills. Tire chains or cables are often required on park roads from fall through spring. Prepare for your visit by learning about tire chains and winter driving. From fall through spring, we recommend that you carry chains or cables in your car, regardless of conditions. Check out our current road conditions before arriving.

Be prepared to drive winding roads with poor visibility and reduced traction. Our roads are steep and curvy, making them very dangerous and slippery to drive on in bad weather. Drive slowly and follow speed limits. Use turnouts when needed. Learn about driving mountain roads.

Black Ice

Black ice is patchy, transparent ice that forms on roadways during snowy or rainy conditions and cannot be easily seen. Roadways become very slippery when black ice forms, leading to hazardous driving conditions and an increased risk of car accidents. Please drive carefully and keep an eye out for black ice!

Seasonal Closures and Road Closures

As the parks transition to winter operations, there are already multiple seasonal closures of roads, areas, campgrounds, visitor centers. Please double check operating hours before arriving! The following areas are closed at this time:

• Highway 180 past the Hume Lake Junction (Cedar Grove area in Kings Canyon National Park)
• Mineral King area (Sequoia National Park)

Road closures are not uncommon when weather gets rough. Roads that may close due to snowy conditions include:

• The section of the Generals Highway that connects the parks, between Quail Flat and Wuksachi Lodge
• Moro Rock/Crescent Meadow Road
• Panoramic Point Road

Check our road conditions page before you head into the parks to plan what route is the best for you. For 24-hour in-park road conditions, call [phone] (press 1, then 1 again). For information about roads outside the park, visit the Caltrans website or call [phone].

 

Air Quality

The dial below represents the current Air Quality Index (AQI) for the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks' reporting area. Local conditions within the parks can vary to be worse or better than what is indicated. In summer months, ozone concentrations often exceed federal health standards. Ozone can have negative health effects. Learn more about air quality and how it can impact your trip.

 

 

Area Specific Conditions

 

Giant Forest and Lodgepole Area Conditions

Weather

• Check weather forecasts. Temperatures in the sequoia groves and the mountains are variable in the fall. Expect any storms in the area to produce snow. The higher in elevation you go, the cooler temperatures become, especially in the mornings and evenings. Bring extra layers of clothing to be prepared for all weather conditions. As always, make sure to protect yourself with sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water.

Roads

• See the Road Conditions page.

Wuksachi Lodge and Restaurant

• Overnight lodging and food service offered. See visitsequoia.com for more information.

Parking

• Expect parking at the Giant Forest Museum and General Sherman Tree to fill early on weekends and holidays.

2024-2025 Winter Holiday Shuttle Dates

• November 28 - December 1
• December 24 - January 1
• January 18 - 19
• February 15 - 16
• The free shuttle operates within the Giant Forest. Visit the shuttle webpage for more information about shuttle routes and stops.

Trails

• Trails within the Giant Forest and Lodgepole areas are open.

Camping

• Lodgepole Campground is now open. It is the most popular campground in the parks and site availability may be extremely limited, especially on weekends and holidays. Reservations must be made in advance through recreation.gov.
• Dorst Creek Campground is closed for 2024.

Lodgepole Concessions

• Lodgepole Market and Grill are closed for the season. When it is open you can find a large selection of supplies and services, including clothing, groceries, grab-and-go food, an ATM, and a payphone. Lodgepole Grill offers casual food including burgers, sandwiches, salads, and snacks. Showers and laundry facilities are also available here.
  • Market, Showers, Laundromat: CLOSED
  • Lodgepole Grill: CLOSED

Free Ranger Programs

• Ranger-led programs are available. Visit the Giant Forest Museum or Lodgepole Visitor Center for more information. For the schedule of ranger talks and programs, see our events calendar. *Ranger programs are posted online about one week in advance.

Grant Grove Area Conditions

Weather

• Check weather forecasts. Temperatures in the sequoia groves and the mountains are variable in the fall. The higher in elevation you go, the cooler temperatures become, especially in the mornings and evenings. Bring extra layers of clothing to be prepared for all weather conditions. As always, make sure to protect yourself with sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water.

Roads 

• See the Road Conditions page.

Trails

• Trails within the Grant Grove area are open. Check at the Kings Canyon Visitor Center for the most up-to-date trail conditions.
• Trails in the Redwood Canyon area are closed following damage from the 2021 KNP Complex Fire and will not reopen until conditions are safe.

Camping

• A portion of Azalea Campground is open through the winter. Twenty sites are available first-come, first-served. The campsites are not cleared of snow. During winter expect to be winter camping with tents pitched on snow.  
• During the spring, summer, and fall, most campgrounds fill well in advance of weekends and holidays. Reservation windows vary between campgrounds, see each individual campground page or recreation.gov for more information.

Free Ranger Programs

• Ranger-led programs are available. Visit the Kings Canyon Visitor Center for more information. For the schedule of ranger talks and programs, see our events calendar. *Ranger programs are posted online about one week in advance.

Cedar Grove Area Conditions

Highway 180 into this area is closed for the season. The highway typically reopens in mid-April depending on snow conditions.

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Information below is available for backcountry wilderness travelers in the Cedar Grove area.

Happy Fire

The Happy Fire is currently burning in the Sequoia National Forest, partially into Kings Canyon National Park.

An area east of the park boundary and north of the highway is currently closed due to the fire. This includes the Hotel Creek Trail from the overlook junction to the Lewis Creek Trail, the Lewis Creek Trail, the Frypan Trail, and the Kennedy Pass Trail. See the closure map on this page for details.

Weather

• Check weather forecasts. This time of year, it is especially important to pack for all weather conditions. Be prepared for cold temparatures and winter weather as you hike into the high country of the Sierra Nevada. Pack layers. As always, make sure to protect yourself with sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water.

Trails

• Trails within the Cedar Grove area are open, except for the Happy Fire area closure, as detailed above.
• Wilderness permits are available for self-issue at Kings Canyon Visitor Center in Grant Grove Village.

Foothills Area Conditions

Weather

• Fall weather brings milder days to the Foothills, with cool nights. Pack for all weather conditions when visiting the parks. Dress appropriately and always bring plenty of water. 
• Stay safe in the foothills. View the rivers from a distance. The water is very cold and swift. The soil near and along the rivers can be unstable. It can collapse unexpectedly under the weight of people, including children, and result in falls into the river. Learn more about river safety

Trails

• Check our Foothills Trails page for ideas to help you plan your trip.

Roads

• See the Road Conditions page for detailed information.

Camping

• Potwisha Campground is open.  Reservations are required. Visit recreation.gov to reserve your campsite.
• Buckeye Flat Campground is closed until further notice due to damage from repeated winter storms in early 2023.
• South Fork Campground is currently inaccessible by vehicle and closed due to damage from flooding and landslides from past 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.

Free Ranger Programs

• Ranger-led walks and talks are available. Visit the Foothills Visitor Center for more information. For the schedule of ranger talks and programs, see our events calendar. *Ranger programs are posted online about one week in advance.

Fire Restrictions

• See our fire restrictions page for details.

Mineral King Area Conditions

The Mineral King Road inside Sequoia National Park is closed to vehicles for the winter season.

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Wilderness Permits

• Mineral King wilderness permits are available as self-issue permits obtained in front of the Wilderness Office behind the Foothills Visitor Center on Generals Highway. To reach the Foothills Visitor Center and Wilderness Office, enter the park at the entrance station on Highway 189 and travel approximately one mile into the park.

Facilities

• Visitors to this area should be self-reliant and expect rustic conditions.

Weather

• Between 7,500 to 14,000 feet elevation, Mineral King is characterized by cold winter temperatures and deep winter snow. Check weather forecasts.

Winter Recreation

• The Mineral King Road is open to day use crosscountry skiiing and snowshoeing. Overnight camping is not allowed along the road corridor.

 

Map of Trail, Road, and Area Closures at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Click on a line or point for the name of the closed location.

• Road and trail closures are shown in red.
• Individual point closures are shown with black pins.
• Area closures are shown in yellow.

Closures can change at any time and may differ from what is shown on this map. Check the Alerts at the top of this page for additional road closures.

 

 

 

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  Weather Forecasts

  Check the weather forecasts for different areas of the parks

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  Winter Driving & Tire Chains

  Be prepared for snowy mountain roads! Chains may be required at any time.

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  Road Conditions

  Check for current road conditions throughout the parks

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  Winter Holidays at the Parks

  Learn how to spend the holidays at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

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  Accessibility

  We offer recreational opportunities suited for a wide range of abilities, including exhibits, walking, camping, and shuttle transportation.

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  General Safety

  Whether you trek into wilderness or stay close to your car, review tips on staying safe in these parks.