Park EntrancesAsh Mountain Entrance to Sequoia National ParkHighway 198 enters Sequoia National Park at the town of Three Rivers. Beyond the entrance station, the road is narrow and winding. Vehicles longer than 24 feet (7.3 m) are not advised between the Foothills Visitor Center and Potwisha Campground. Vehicles longer than 22 feet (6.7 m) are not advised on the stretch of road between Potwisha Campground and the Giant Forest Museum. This limit applies to tow trucks, as well. Big Stump Entrance to Kings Canyon National ParkHighway 180 enters Kings Canyon National Park from the west via Fresno. Highway 180, the northern entrance to these parks, is the preferred route for these longer vehicles. Highway 180 is straighter, less steep, and wider. Lookout Point Entrance to the Mineral King AreaIf you're heading to the remote Mineral King area of Sequoia National Park, look for the junction of Mineral King Road with Highway 198 in the town of Three Rivers, two miles before the Ash Mountain Entrance. This road is extremely narrow and winding and is unpaved in some areas. RVs and trailers are not advised and are not permitted in the campgrounds. It's open from late May through the last Wednesday of October, weather permitting.Only trails connect Mineral King with the rest of Sequoia National Park. Detailed driving maps of the parks and information about current park conditions are also available.
Arriving by CarIf you drive to these parks, be prepared for driving mountain roads that are narrow and winding. Length limits and advisories are in place for RVs, trailers, and any other vehicles over 22 feet (6.8 m) in length. Our detailed driving directions include routes and travel times from nearby cities to both major park entrances. If you drive in winter or anytime roads are snowy, tire chains may be required at any time. For the most up-to-date road conditions and advisories, call (559) 565-3341 anytime and press 1. Arriving by PlaneThe closest commercial airports to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are Fresno Yosemite International Airport and Visalia Municipal Airport. Many other airports, some international, are within a few hours' drive of the parks. Arriving by BusGreyhound Lines stops in the city of Visalia at the Visalia Transit Center, and in the City of Fresno at the Fresno Greyhound Station. Once in Visalia, it's possible to connect with park shuttle routes in summer to take you to Sequoia National Park. In other seasons, renting a vehicle is an option. Arriving by TrainThe nearest Amtrak stations to the parks are in Hanford and Fresno. From Hanford, Amtrak has bus connections to Visalia Transit Center, where it is possible to make a connection with the Sequoia Shuttle (summer only). Hanford is about 20 miles west of Visalia, one hour and 45 minutes from the Sequoia National Park Entrance on Highway 198. |
Last updated: July 25, 2023