Visiting with an Oversized Vehicle

Roads in the parks are narrow, winding, and steep. Because of this, longer vehicles like Recreational Vehicles (RVs), trailers, and commercial buses often cross the double yellow line and pose a danger to other drivers. Advisories are in place on some park roads. Drivers will be held responsible for any hazardous conditions caused by their actions. Follow the recommendations below for your safety and the safety of others.

 

Sequoia National Park

 

The Generals Highway has many hairpin turns and an incline of 5,000 feet over a few miles.

NPS Photo

Generals Highway

Continuation of Highway 198 from Visalia to the Giant Forest Grove.

• Vehicles longer than 24 feet (7.3 m) are not advised between the Foothills Visitor Center and Potwisha Campground in Sequoia National Park.
• Vehicles longer than 22 feet (6.7 m) are not advised on the stretch of road between Potwisha Campground and the Giant Forest Museum in Sequoia National Park.

This 16-mile section of the Generals Highway was built in the early 1920s and can be difficult to navigate for longer vehicles.

 

Alternate Route

Due to the difficult nature of this section of the Generals Highway, it is not recommended to drive an oversized vehicle along this route. Highway 180, the northern entrance to these parks, is the preferred route for longer vehicles. This limit applies to tow trucks, as well.

 

The road to Crescent Meadow, Tunnel Log, and Moro Rock is very narrow.

Moro Rock / Crescent Meadow Road

Along Generals Highway next to the Giant Forest Museum.

• Single vehicles longer than 22 feet (6.7 m) and vehicles towing units are prohibited.

The road to Moro Rock and Crescent Meadow is narrow with heavy traffic from vehicles and shuttles in the summer. In summer, you may park at Giant Forest Museum and take a park shuttle on the road. The road is closed to private vehicles on weekends and holidays. Parking is limited. In winter, the road closes to cars once snow begins to accumulate and remains closed typically until Memorial Day weekend.

Crystal Cave Road

Along Generals Highway before the Giant Forest Grove.

• Vehicles longer than 22 feet (6.7 m) are prohibited on Crystal Cave Road.

Crystal Cave is generally open from late May through late October, weather permitting. The road is open during cave tours and is gated each night after the last tour.

Mineral King Road

Along Highway 198 before the entrance to Sequoia National Park.

• RVs and trailers are not advised.
• RVs and trailers are not permitted in the campgrounds.

This road is extremely narrow and winding and is unpaved in some areas. The road is open from late May through the last Wednesday of October, weather permitting.

Kings Canyon National Park

Panoramic Point Road

Along the continuation of Highway 180 and Generals Highway.

• RVs and trailers are prohibited.

This road leads from Kings Canyon Visitor Center to Panoramic Point and is considered extremely narrow and winding. This road closes for the winter once snow falls, and reopens by Memorial Day weekend, or earlier if snow has melted.

 

Many roads throughout the parks are narrow and winding and can be difficult for RVs.

NPS / John Hockaday

Oversized Vehicle Parking Areas

Sequoia National Park

• General Sherman Tree: Park in the Main Sherman Tree Parking Area. In winter, ask about options for RV parking.
• Giant Forest Museum: Park in RV spaces in the upper parking lot across the highway from the museum (short walk). Use of the small parking area and shuttle stop south of the museum is prohibited.
• Lodgepole Visitor Center and Village: Park RVs in spaces in front of the visitor center and market. Overflow parking is available beyond the market, past the campground entrance.
• Wolverton Picnic Area: This is the only picnic area accessible by longer RVs in the Giant Forest.
• Foothills Visitor Center: Park in RV spaces across the main road from the visitor center. Shorter RVs may be able to park in the parallel spaces in the parking area immediately in front of the visitor center.

Kings Canyon National Park

• Kings Canyon Visitor Center and Grant Grove Village: Park in RV spaces next to the gift shop and market at the north end of the village or in overflow parking beyond the visitor center.
• General Grant Tree: Limited parking for RV’s is available at the Grant Tree Trail parking areas.
• Columbine and Big Stump Picnic Areas: RV parking spaces are available at both areas.
• Cedar Grove Visitor Center and Cedar Grove Village: RV spaces are available in both of these parking areas.
• Roaring River Falls and Zumwalt Meadow: Access to these parking areas is easier from the north via Road’s End. Those with a longer RV can take Highway 180 north to Road’s End, turn around, then return along Highway 180. Shorter RVs may be able to turn into the parking areas from the south.