Plan Your Visit

Welcome to the Land of the Giants!

A historic snowpack and flooding this past winter significantly impacted the parks and surrounding areas, but repair and recovery is ongoing and many areas have already re-opened. Be prepared for temporary road repairs, delayed openings of some facilities, and the possibility that some areas may not be able to open in 2023. 

Wherever you visit in the parks, you'll experience one of the finest and wildest areas of the Sierra Nevada mountain range!

No reservations are required to enter the parks. Check our Current Conditions page for more information to help you plan your trip.

 

General Trip Planning Information

  • A man gazes up at a giant sequoia tree.
    Current Conditions

    Need-to-knows before you visit the parks.

  • Trails in Giant Forest offer an up-close view of giant sequoias
    Things to Do

    There are many ways to explore these parks. Find activities that are best for you!

  • Zumwalt Meadow lies along the floor of the spectacular Kings Canyon in Cedar Grove.
    Places to Go

    There are five main areas of the parks to stay and explore. Find out which areas are best for your trip!

  • A tent site at Lodgepole Campground
    Camping

    Learn about camping options throughout the parks. Campgrounds are reservation only and availability is extremely limited in summer months.

  • Wuksachi Lodge in summer
    Where to Eat & Sleep

    Learn about camping, hotels, cabins, and dining options. Find markets and gift shops.

  • Three smartphones with screens showing app features
    NPS Mobile App

    The official National Park Service app can guide you around the parks, no cell service needed.

  • A paved trail leads along a meadow lined by giant trees
    learn more about
    2023 Camping Fees and Reservations

    Read the news release about the 2023 campground fee increase and reservation windows.

  • The Sequoia National Park entrance station
    Avoiding Traffic Congestion

    Weekends and holidays are busy! Learn how to minimize your wait at park entrance stations.

  • A park map
    Maps

    Look here for general park maps, interactive online maps, and regional maps to help you locate and plan a route to these parks.

 

Park Highlights

  • Two hikers below giant sequoias
    Explore Sequoia Groves

    Whether you see them from your car or hike to a remote grove, giant sequoias inspire awe and wonder.

  • A bright orange California newt sits on a granite rock.
    Watching Wildlife

    These parks host a diversity of life across a range of elevations. Learn more about what you can see and how to watch wildlife safely.

  • Ruby-crowned kinglet
    Birds

    More than 200 species of birds nest, stopover during migration, or live year-round in these parks. Photo by Gary Lindquist.

  • Early cars parked in the forest
    History & Culture

    Explore over a century of history in these parks, and learn about the people who lived here before the parks were established.

  • Two people at Amphitheater Point. Photo by Kirke Wrench.
    Drives and Viewpoints

    Explore our mountain landscapes along the Generals Highway and the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway.

  • Deep blue-green colored river flows past granite boulders.
    Rivers, Snow, and Hydrology

    Learn more about rivers and hydrology, and climate change impacts on snowpack and river and stream flow.

 

Day Hikes and Backpacking

  • Hikers walk on a gravelly trail next to a steep cliff with rugged mountains in the background.
    Day Hikes

    From quick strolls to all-day adventures, there are day hikes for all levels of ability in the parks.

  • A moonrise over reddish peaks
    Backpacking

    Learn more about backpacking in these parks. Wilderness awaits!

  • A ranger at a desk talks with a person. Photo by Alison Taggart-Barone.
    Wilderness Permits

    Information about wilderness permits that are required for overnight hiking trips

 

Protect Yourself, Keep Wildlife Wild

  • Western Pacific Rattlesnake curled in pine needles at base of charred tree.
    General Safety

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

  • A fast-moving river cascades over rocks.
    River Safety

    Learn how to be safe when recreating near rivers.

  • A hiker near an alpine lake
    Trail Safety

    High-elevation hiking involves risks. Get safety information to prepare for your trip.

  • A metal food storage box is provided at each campsite.
    Store Food to Protect Wildlife

    Bears are active day and night. When camping or picnicking, all food, trash, and any item with a scent must be stored in food-storage boxes.

  • A black bear steps across a rock alongside a manzanita bush.
    Wildlife Safety

    Some of our charismatic creatures, such as bears, can pose a danger to visitors.

  • Charred vegetation and blackened leafless shrubs are found along a mountain roadway.
    Safety in Burned Areas

    Want to safely visit the parks after a fire? Learn more about the warnings signs of potential dangers in burned areas.

Last updated: June 30, 2023

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

47050 Generals Highway
Three Rivers, CA 93271

Phone:

559 565-3341

Contact Us