Directions & Transportation

Looking for Sequoias?

At this time sequoias, including Grant Grove and the Giant Forest, can only be accessed from the Big Stump entrance to Kings Canyon National Park, on Highway 180. It is not possible to reach sequoias from the Sequoia National Park entrance station on Highway 198 in Three Rivers. Extensive road damage requiring significant repairs occurred during winter storms in early 2023. Some park roads and facilities will be gradually re-opening over the summer.

Details on the Parks' Re-opening

 

Park Entrances

Ash Mountain Entrance to Sequoia National Park
Highway 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 Park
Highway 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 Area
If 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 is also available.

Please note that GPS and route-finding units may give inaccurate directions in this area. Double-check your route using the park map and road signs. Eshom Road may be difficult to navigate in most vehicles, especially when roads are snowy or wet. No roads cross the mountains west-to-east through Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

 

Arriving by Car

If 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 [phone] anytime and press 1.

No gasoline is sold within the parks, though there are gas stations at nearby national forests. Depending on your vehicle, electric vehicle charging stations may be available at park lodges.

 

Arriving by Plane

The 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.

Fresno Yosemite International (FAT) is 1 ¼ hours from the Kings Canyon National Park entrance on Highway 180 and 1¾ hours from the Sequoia National Park entrance on Highway 198. From the airport, you can rent a car to reach the parks.

Visalia Municipal Airport (VIS) is 1 hour from the Sequoia National Park entrance on Highway 198 and 1½ hours from Kings Canyon National Park entrance. From the airport, you can rent a car or, in summer, take a bus to the Visalia Transit Center, where Sequoia Shuttle provides summer shuttle service to Sequoia National Park.

 

Arriving by Bus

Greyhound 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.

The City of Visalia's V-Line bus route provide service between the Visalia Transit Center and Fresno-Yosemite International Airport., with additional stops at Fresno State University and the Visalia Municipal Airport. In summer, this route connects with the Sequoia Shuttle.

Tulare County Area Transit offers service from the Visalia Transit Center to the Memorial Building in the town of Three Rivers. Many companies begin guided sightseeing tours in Three Rivers. There are many private companies offering guided tours of the parks by charter bus.

 

Arriving by Train

The 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.

The Amtrak station in Fresno is about one hour and 45 minutes from the Kings Canyon National Park entrance on Highway 180.

Car rentals may be available near the Hanford and Fresno Amtrak station. Check with Amtrak for more details.