Explore This Park

• Plan Your Visit
  • Directions & Transportation
    • Park Shuttles

Park Shuttles

Alison Taggart-Barone

 

Summer Shuttles**

Summer shuttle systems let you sightsee as you travel from the Visalia area to the Giant Forest in Sequoia National Park (for a fee), and to travel for free in the Giant Forest area. They also reduce air pollution by reducing the number of cars on the road, and reduce the competition for parking. All buses are wheelchair accessible. Summer shuttles are usually in service from late May through early to mid-September.

**No shuttle operates in Kings Canyon National Park. The Big Trees shuttle, still mentioned on some websites as operating in the Grant Grove area, is no longer in service.

 

Winter Holiday Shuttles

Free shuttles may be available in the Giant Forest area during winter holiday periods, such as late November (Thanksgiving weekend) and late December (depending on when holidays fall).

When in operation, the winter shuttle runs between the Giant Forest Museum and Wuksachi Lodge and Restaurant. Stops may include the General Sherman Tree, Lodgepole, and Wolverton Snowplay Area. Winter shuttles ONLY operate within Sequoia National Park; there are no shuttles in Kings Canyon National Park.

 

Sequoia Shuttle (Sequoia National Park)

Visalia Route - $15 round trip
In summer, the Sequoia Shuttle offers trips from the neighboring towns of Visalia and Three Rivers, up Highway 198 to Giant Forest Museum in Sequoia National Park. A round-trip ride is $15 per person and includes the park entrance fee. Please note that shuttles can only pick up riders at designated stops. Reservations are required and can be made online through the Sequoia Shuttle reservation system or by calling 877-BUS-HIKE.

Free In-park Shuttle
In summer, the Sequoia Shuttle offers free rides in Sequoia National Park's Giant Forest, Lodgepole, Wuksachi, and Dorst Creek Campground areas along the following routes:

 

Giant Forest | Green Route 1 | Free
Departs daily every half hour, starting at 8:00 am and 8:30 am, then every 15 minutes from 9:00 am - 6:00 pm. Stops include:

• Lodgepole
• General Sherman Tree Main Trail and Parking
• General Sherman Tree Accessible Trail
• Giant Forest Museum

 

Moro Rock / Crescent Meadow | Gray Route 2 | Free
On weekends, this shuttle leaves Giant Forest Museum at 8:00 am and 8:45 am, then every 10 minutes from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. On weekdays, it leaves Giant Forest Museum at 8:00 am and 8:45 am, then every 20 minutes from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Moro Rock-Crescent Meadow Road is closed to private vehicles on weekends and holidays. Shuttle stops include:

• Giant Forest Museum
• Moro Rock (on the outbound trip)
• Crescent Meadow
• Auto Log (on weekends and holidays)
• Tunnel Log (on weekends and holidays)

 

Lodgepole/ Wuksachi | Purple Route 3 | Free
Shuttles arrive approximately every 20 minutes from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.

• Lodgepole Visitor Center and Campground
  
• Wuksachi Lodge and Restaurant
• Dorst Campground

 

General Sherman Tree Trails | Orange Route 4 | Free
Free shuttles arrive approximately every 15 minutes from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, connecting Wolverton Picnic Area and Trailhead to the Sherman Tree.

• General Sherman Tree Main Trail and Parking
• General Sherman Tree Accessible Trail
  
• Wolverton Trailhead and Picnic Area

 

Shuttle From Visalia to Giant Forest

This round trip is $15 and includes the park entrance fee. Shuttles pick up riders at Visalia hotels beginning at 6:00 am or in Three Rivers at the Comfort Inn and the Three Rivers Museum beginning at 6:55 am. The Return trips start at 2:30 pm, with the last trip at 6:30 pm.

Please note that shuttles can only pick up riders at designated stops, and it's not possible to board the shuttle at the Foothills Visitor Center.

Reservations are required. Call 877-BUS-HIKE or make reservations online through the City of Visalia's Sequoia Shuttle reservation system.

 

Sequoia Shuttle route map

 

Tips for Shuttle Riders

Parking
When riding the shuttle, conserve parking by using our larger parking areas. Along the Sequoia Shuttle route, those include the Sherman Tree Parking and Trail, Wolverton, Lodgepole Campground Parking Area, Giant Forest Museum, or Wuksachi Lodge. It's best to avoid the Giant Forest Museum parking area on weekends and holidays.

Before Leaving Your Vehicle
Remove all food and scented items from your car or campsite and store them in a bear-resistant box. Learn about bears and required food storage before you come to the parks.

Shuttle Stops
Signs at each stop provide details about bus times and areas of interest at each stop. Some stops are along a loop, and others have shuttles that travel in different directions. Ask the driver for the time of the last pickup to be sure you make it back to your stop in time.

Walk and Ride
Consider taking the shuttle to your destination and walking back to your vehicle. Walking back ensures that there is no risk of missing the last shuttle of the day.

Plan Ahead
Pack a small backpack with what you need for the day: park newspaper and map, snacks, water, extra clothing and money. Lodgepole Visitor Center and Giant Forest Museum (in Sequoia) are excellent places to stop for information and trip-planning ideas.

ATTENTION SHUTTLE RIDERS WITH WILDERNESS PERMITS!

If you plan to arrive in Sequoia via shuttle from Visalia, there are NO in-park shuttles or public transportation from Sequoia National Park to Kings Canyon National Parks If you arrive at Sequoia without a car, it is not possible to reach wilderness trailheads north of Dorst Campground in Sequoia National Park, including those in Grant Grove and Cedar Grove. (The Big Trees shuttle, still mentioned on some websites as operating in the Grant Grove area, is no longer in service.)