Sequoia & Kings Canyon
National Parks, California

Standing beneath the enormous trees of Sequoia National Park is enough to make the tallest of vacationers feel like a small child again. This beautiful park is the second oldest in the national park system, protecting these giant trees since 1890.

Sequoia is not only home to the Big Trees but also the largest mountain in the continental US: Mount Whitney. Sequoia is located near Kings Canyon National Park. The two parks are connected by a loop drive, so visiting both is easy.

Are We There Yet?

Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park are located in Fresno County, California. You’ll have to enter the parks from the west. Travel Highway 180 from Fresno to Kings Canyon National Park and then enter Sequoia or take Highway 198 from Visalia directly to Sequoia. The parks are connected by the Generals Highway (which sometimes closes during the winter months).

What’s There?

General Sherman Tree. This whopper is a must-see. This 274.9 foot tree holds the record as the world’s largest living thing. What makes it largest? Not its height, although when you stand at the base of this mighty trunk and look up it would seem to hold the record. What makes this one Guiness material is its bulk: 52,500 cubic feet of wood.

The Tunnel Log. Ever wanted to drive under a tree? Here’s your chance. This sequoia fell in 1937 then the Civilian Conservation Corp cut an eight-foot-high tunnel right through the tree. (Driving a jumbo van? Have no fear–there’s a bypass nearby. The park doesn’t want anyone stuck in the tree.)

Horseback Riding. During the summer months, equestrians and wanna-be riders can enjoy many trails. Several operators offer horses and equipment. Give these operators a call for more information:
•Cedar Grove Pack Station, Tel. 209/565-3464
•Grant Grove Stables, Tel. 209/565-3464
•Mineral King Pack Station, Tel. 209/561-3039
•Wolverton Pack Station, Tel. 209/565-3039

Tour Crystal Cave. If either of you is a budding spelunker, you'll enjoy a tour of Crystal Cave, home to many beautiful cave formations. Guided tours are offered but you must purchase tickets at the Foothills or Lodgepole visitors centers; you can’t get them at the cave itself. (It’s about an hour’s drive from the visitors centers to the cave, so plan ahead.) Tours take about 45 minutes and bring a jacket for everyone–year around the cave is a nippy 48 degrees! Cave tours are offered from mid-May through September only.

Get a Mountain View Mt. Whitney is the largest in the continental US. The mountain is located on the eastern side of the mountain chain, though, so you can’t really view it from the most popular park areas. Get a good view of the summit from the Interagency Visitor Center on Highway 395, south of Lone Pine, California.

When Are We Going?

Sequoia packs ‘em in during the summer months, especially August when numbers really peak. In those summer months the temperatures can be varying, depending on the part of the park you visit. Be prepared for 100 degree temperatures but, tucked in the damp shade beneath the majestic sequoias, you’ll find the temperatures much cooler.

Winter visitors are in for a special treat as visitors numbers are especially low during these months. Some parts of the park are blanketed in heavy snow during the winter months and sometimes the Generals Highway, which connects Highway 180 and Highway 198, closes due to heavy snows.

How Long Are We Staying?

You’ll want to plan most of a day to see the park’s main attractions and to drive through the park itself. Driving distances are long, two hours from end to end plus another two to see the General Sherman giant tree.

What Should We Bring?

A light jacket is useful most of the year.

What Are We Doing Next?

The closest attractions are Yosemite National Park and Devils Postpile National Monument.

Which One Is Our Room?

Except during the winter months, campers will find three options in Sequoia National Park:

Giant Forest/Lodgepole Area. This campsite is open year around but facilities are limited during the winter months. The site is located four miles from Giant Forest Village and offers flush toilets, laundromat, service station, pay showers, market, nature center, and more during peak season. Reservations can be made by calling Tel. 800/365-2267 or 301/722-1257; TDD 888/530-9796; fax 301/722-1174.

Foothills Area. In the Foothills region of the park, you’ll find several campgrounds. The Potwisha camp offers 44 sites year around for $12 per night; facilities include flush toilets, phone, and sanitary disposal station. The Buckeye Flat camp has 28 sites but is only open from mid-April to mid-September. Sites cost $12 per night and facilities are limited to flush toilets. The South Fork camp has 13 sites for $6 a night from mid-May through October (free in the winter); the only facilities are pit toilets. This campsite does not accept reservations.

Mineral King Area. This area also offers several campgrounds (although trailers and RVs aren’t recommended for this steep road.) The Atwell Mill camp has 21 sites and is open spring to mid-November; sites are $6 per night from Memorial Day through September. Facilities include water (only through September) and phone. Cold Springs camp has 40 sites from spring to mid-November for $6 a night with the same facilities. This campsite does not accept reservations.

Kings Canyon National Park is also home to two camping areas:

Grant Grove Area. These campsites are close to those giant trees and are open all year, although don’t be surprised to see snow on the ground anytime from November until the early days of May.

Cedar Grove Area. This area includes the Sentinel campground with 83 sites from May to October.

Bringing along your own trailer or RV? You’ll need to know the following:

•You can’t take a trailer to Buckeye Flat, Atwell Mill or Cold Spring Campgrounds.
•None of the park campgrounds have hookups.
•If your rig is over 22 feet long, avoid the Generals Highway between Potwish and Giant Forest and instead use Highway 180.
•Avoid Mineral King Road due to the steep grade.

Bear Warning!

All campers should know that all food supplies, including ice chests, will need to be stored at all times in metal, bear-proof boxes throughout the park. These boxes measure 2 feet by 2 feet, so don’t bring anything larger than that.

Expect to see bears in these parks, most anywhere below 8,000' elevation. These four legged giants are joined by another critter: the marmot.

Marmots are found in the Mineral King area of the park during the spring and early summer months. These little guys aren’t necessarily looking for your picnic basket, though; they might consider your car nutrition as well. They’ve been known to eat radiator hoses, wiring, backpacking equipment and more.

How do you avoid the marmots? Knock on your hood before starting up the car to scare out any would-be hitchhikers.

Black bears are another problem, and a serious one at that. It’s important to teach children that, for the bears’ own good, they cannot be fed. Bears who are fed become acclimatized to human contact and quickly become pests.

How can you help protect the bears? By taking simple precautions with your food and supplies. The National Park Service recommends these steps:

• Metal Storage Boxes. Cut off the source of the smell and the bear won’t know there’s food around. You’ll find that the park provides metal storage boxes so tuck your food (and the ice chests–these smart animals recognize them as a food box!) inside. Put anything with an odor in the boxes, even items you wouldn’t consider foodstuff, such as toothpaste.
•Air-tight Containers. Metal storage box not available? Then follow the same rule and cut off the source of the smell. Zippered plastic storage bags can be a great first step; continue the effort by then locking food and supplies in your trunk.
•Keep items out of sight. It’s not just enough for the bear not to smell the food–he can’t see it either. Cover up everything if your car doesn’t have a trunk.
•Never leave your camp unattended until all the food is stored.
•Always store the food–not just at night.
•Be tidy.
•Keep your backpack with you. Like ice chests, bears recognize backpacks. Don’t leave yours unattended.
What if you do see a bear? The park service recommends:
•Never approaching a bear, even a small one.
•Act right away. Yell, throw things, make noise.
•Join forces. Have the family stand side by side to make a more intimidating target, but don’t, under any circumstance, surround the bear.
•Be extra careful of cubs. Like any family, bears defend their young.
•Let the bear have it. What to do if a bear grabs your backpack? Let him have it.

Practical Information

Address: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Three Rivers, CA 93271-9700
Operating Season: year round
Restrictions: Restrictions include gathering only dead wood, quiet time from 10 p.m.-6 a.m., putting all food in metal boxes, and not using soap in rivers.
Website: http://www.nps.gov/seki/