About Sequoia
Huge mountains, rugged foothills, deep canyons, vast caverns, and the world’s largest trees exemplify the diversity of landscapes, life, and beauty here. Explore these pages to plan your visit or to learn about the plants and animals here and the threats they face. Ancient giant sequoias may seem invincible, but they, too are vulnerable.
Things to do: Auto and ATV · Scenic Driving · Astronomy · Stargazing · Camping · Backcountry Camping · Car or Front Country Camping · Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use) · Group Camping · RV Camping · Caving · Climbing · Rock Climbing · Fishing
Popular trails
Curated routes with approximate round-trip distance. In the app, tap one to log it.
- Congress Trail2.0 mi
- General Sherman Tree Trail0.4 mi
- Big Trees Trail1.4 mi
- Alta Peak Trail6.0 mi
- Moro Rock Trail5.0 mi
- Tokopah Falls Trail3.6 mi
- Heather Lake Trail3.6 mi
Camping
Approximately 600 campsites across the park's campgrounds. Reservations are strongly recommended in peak season (June – October).
Best time to visit
Peak season: June – October. The park is open year-round, though some roads and facilities close or run reduced hours in winter.
Because of the extreme elevation range in the parks, weather conditions vary widely between areas. In summer, the sequoia groves have comfortable temperatures and the foothills are hot and dry. Snow lingers on high-mountain passes well into summer. In fall, conditions can range from summer-like to winter-like. Winter brings snow to sequoia groves and rain to the foothills.
Be prepared for tire chain requirements. Spring is a great time to hike in the foothills and snow begins to melt at higher elevations.
Entrance fees
- Entrance - Private Vehicle — This pass is valid for 1-7 days and includes everyone traveling in a single vehicle for Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks and Hume Lake District of Sequoia National Forest/Giant Sequoia National Monument.$35
- Entrance - Per Person — This entry fee is for a single person traveling on foot or by bicycle. It is valid for 1-7 days in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks and Hume Lake District of Sequoia National Forest/Giant Sequoia National Monument.$20
- Entrance - Motorcycle — Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles, scooters, or similar motorized vehicles with up to 4 total passengers to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks and Hume Lake District of Sequoia National Forest/Giant Sequoia National Monument.$30
- Entrance - Non-commercial Groups — Non-commercial groups traveling in vehicles that have a capacity of up to 15 passengers pay a $35 vehicle entrance fee or use a park pass. Groups traveling in a bus or vehicle with a capacity of 16 persons or more are charged $20 per person, up to the maximums listed for commercial groups with comparable passenger capacity ($100 or $200). People 15 years old or younger, anyone with a pass that may be used for park entry, and drivers hired for transportation only are exempt from the per person fee.$20
- Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus — This entrance fee is for commercial tours of vehicles with a seating capacity of 16-25 people that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. This fee is based on the seating capacity of the vehicle and not the actual number of passengers. Passenger ages or entrance passes do not affect the price.$100
Annual Entrance - Park: $70. An America the Beautiful pass ($80/yr) covers every national park.
Getting there
Nearest city: Fresno, CA. Park center: 36.430°, -118.680°.
Two highways enter the parks. Hwy 180 from Fresno leads east to Kings Canyon National Park, then continues 30 miles east to Cedar Grove. Hwy 198 from Visalia leads east to Sequoia National Park via Three Rivers. Inside the parks, Highway 198 becomes the Generals Highway, which connects 198 to 180. Vehicles over 22-feet long should enter the parks via Highway 180.
In winter, the Generals Highway between the parks often closes. Chains may be required on park roads. No roads cross the parks east to west.
Common questions
How much does it cost to visit Sequoia National Park?
Entrance - Private Vehicle: $35. Entrance - Per Person: $20. Entrance - Motorcycle: $30.
When is the best time to visit Sequoia?
Peak season is June – October. The park is open year-round, with some roads and facilities on reduced winter schedules. Because of the extreme elevation range in the parks, weather conditions vary widely between areas. In summer, the sequoia groves have comfortable temperatures and the foothills are hot and dry. Snow lingers on high-mountain passes well into summer. In fall, conditions can range from summer-like to winter-like. Winter brings snow to sequoia groves and rain to the foothills.
Can you camp in Sequoia National Park?
Yes — about 600 campsites across the park's campgrounds. Reserve ahead in peak season.
What is the closest city to Sequoia National Park?
Fresno, CA is the nearest major city. Two highways enter the parks. Hwy 180 from Fresno leads east to Kings Canyon National Park, then continues 30 miles east to Cedar Grove. Hwy 198 from Visalia leads east to Sequoia National Park via Three Rivers. Inside the parks, Highway 198 becomes the Generals Highway, which connects 198 to 180. Vehicles over 22-feet long should enter the parks via Highway 180.
What are the best hikes in Sequoia?
Popular trails include Congress Trail (2.0 mi), General Sherman Tree Trail (0.4 mi), Big Trees Trail (1.4 mi), Alta Peak Trail (6.0 mi). The park has roughly 800 named trails.
Plan your trip
The practical bits, so more of the weekend goes to the trail.