About Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
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.
Quick Facts
Entrance Fees
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.
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.
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.
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.
This entrance fee is for commercial tours of vehicles with a seating capacity of 7-15 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.
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.
This entrance fee is for commercial tours of vehicles with a seating capacity of 26 or more 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.
The charge for vehicles with a seating capacity of 1-6 passengers is $25, plus $20 per passenger, with a maximum total fee of $75. This entrance fee is for commercial tours of one or more people traveling on an itinerary 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. Passenger ages or entrance passes do not affect the price.
The per person fee for vehicles with a seating capacity of 1-6 passengers is $20, plus $25 per vehicle, with a maximum total fee of $75. This entrance fee is for commercial tours of one or more people traveling on an itinerary 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. Passenger ages or entrance passes do not affect the price.
Each non-US resident aged 16 and older visiting Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks must pay a $100 nonresident fee (in addition to the standard entrance fee), unless admitted with an Annual or America the Beautiful Pass. This includes nonresidents entering as part of a commercial tour group, commercial use authorization (CUA) group, or concessioner tour group.
Operating Hours
The parks are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Some park roads and roads that access more remote parts of the parks close in the winter due to snow accumulation. Rarely, extreme weather conditions may cause roads into the parks to be closed.
Activities
Getting There
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.
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Entrance Passes
This pass is valid for Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks and Hume Lake Ranger District of Sequoia National Forest/Giant Sequoia National Monument for one year from the month of purchase. The pass admits all passengers in a private vehicle and is non-transferable.
Topics & Themes
Things To Do
Monarch Lake
Upper and Lower Monarch Lakes are gorgeous alpine lakes that lie at the base of Sawtooth Peak. You can hike…
Eagle and Mosquito Lakes
Both Eagle and Mosquito lakes offer beautiful views of Mineral Kings alpine landscape. Eagle and Mosquito Lakes trails share the…
Cold Springs Nature Trail
The Cold Springs Nature Trail is a great option for visitors looking for an easier trail and staying at the…
Roaring River Falls
This is a short, paved walk to a cool waterfall (literally and figuratively!) On a hot day, it’s a great…
Road's End
Road's End is the last stop in the Cedar Grove area, at the literal end of Highway 180. This area…
Mist Falls
An 8-mile round-trip walk to this spectacular cascade makes a great all-day walk. The first miles are relatively flat and…
Visitor Centers
Cedar Grove Visitor Center
The Cedar Grove Visitor Center, located in a small historic cabin beside the South Fork of the Kings River, sits in a mixed coniferous forest…
Hours: Cedar Grove Visitor Center is open seasonally, typically from late May through mid-September. Early and late in the season, the facility may be closed on weekdays. The visitor center may also close for lunch at any time. Please note that operating dates and hours are subject to change.
Foothills Visitor Center
The Foothills Visitor Center is one mile east of the Ash Mountain Entrance on Generals Highway. Stop by for information, maps, books, gifts, water, and…
Hours: Foothills Visitor Center is open year-round, except during weather-related, emergency, or operational closures. Operating hours may vary.
Giant Forest Museum
The Giant Forest Museum is in a historic market building in the Giant Forest sequoia grove at 6,500 feet (1,980 m), about 16 miles north…
Hours: The Giant Forest Museum is open year-round, except during weather-related, emergency, or operational closures. Operating hours may vary.
Kings Canyon Visitor Center
The Kings Canyon Visitor Center is located in Grant Grove Village, about three miles north of the Big Stump Entrance Station, at 6,500 feet (1,980…
Hours: Kings Canyon Visitor Center is open year-round, except during weather-related, emergency, or other closures. Operating dates and hours may vary.
Lodgepole Visitor Center
Renovated in 2023, the Lodgepole Visitor Center is located in the coniferous forests at an elevation of 6,700 feet (2,040 m), about 21 miles north…
Hours: The Lodgepole Visitor Center is open seasonally, from late May/early June through late September/mid-October. Operating hours may vary
Mineral King Ranger Station
Located in a mixed-conifer forest at 7,600 feet (2,320 m), the Mineral King Ranger Station houses some exhibits on Mineral King's human and natural history.…
Hours: Mineral King Ranger Station is generally open from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend. Hours may vary.
Campgrounds
Atwell Mill Campground
The campground is typically open May through October. Reservations can be made up to one month in advance. All sites are reservation only. The campground…
Azalea Campground
The campground is open year-round but has seasonal restrictions during the winter. May through October: Reservations can be made up to four months in advance.…
Buckeye Flat Campground
Not currently taking reservations due to past winter storm damage. Open year-round except when weather or safety conditions require a closure. Reservations can be made…
Canyon View Group Campground
The campground is typically open May through October. All sites are reservation only. Canyon View campground is located on Highway 180, 0.25 miles (400 m)…
Cold Springs Campground
The campground is typically open May through October. Reservations can be made up to one month in advance. All sites are reservation only. Nestled among…
Crystal Springs Campground
The campground is typically open May through September. Reservations can be made up to two days in advance. All sites are reservation only. Crystal Springs…
Crystal Springs Campground Group Sites
The campground is typically open May through September. Reservations can be made up to four months in advance. All sites are reservation only. Crystal Springs…
Dorst Creek Campground
Not taking reservations in 2026 due to past winter storm damage. When open, individual site reservations can be made up to one month in advance.…
Lodgepole Campground
The campground is typically open May through November. Reservations can be made up to four months in advance. All sites are reservation only. This large…
Moraine Campground
Not currently taking reservations. The campground is typically open May through October. Reservations can be made up to one month in advance. All sites are…
Potwisha Campground
Open year-round except when weather or safety conditions require a closure. Reservations can be made up to four months in advance. All sites are reservation…
Sentinel Campground
The campground is typically open May through October. Reservations can be made up to four months in advance. All sites are reservation only. This campground…
Sheep Creek Campground
The campground is typically open May through September. Reservations can be made up to one month in advance. All sites are reservation only. Sheep Creek…
South Fork Campground
SOUTH FORK CAMPGROUND IS CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. South Fork Campground and its access road were heavily and extensively damaged by floods and landslides from…
Sunset Campground
The campground is typically open May through August. Individual site reservations can be made up to one month in advance. Group sites are available up…
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