Summer is in full swing at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks! Here are a few tips to make the most of your visit:
Summer Crowds
This is the busiest time to visit the parks. You can expect long lines at the entrance stations, and for parking lots to fill quickly. Consider visiting on less-busy weekdays, and take the free shuttle to get around. Learn more about avoiding congestion.
Construction Delays
Expect minor delays on Generals Highway and Mineral King Road this summer. Learn more about current road conditions.
Weather
Check the weather forecasts before you visit. Summer temperatures can exceed 100 degrees in the foothills, while snow lingers in the high country. Plan-ahead before you hike. Wear sunscreen, a hat, and bring plenty of water.
Rivers
It can be tempting to cool off in the rivers, but it is very dangerous. Drowning is the leading cause of death in the parks. Melting snow from the mountains makes river waters swift, icy cold, and extremely hazardous. Learn more about river safety.
Air Quality
The dial below represents the current condition Air Quality Index (AQI) for the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks reporting area. In summer months, ozone concentrations often exceed federal health standards. Ozone can have negative health effects. Learn more about air quality and how it can impact your trip.
Area Specific Conditions
Weather
Check weather forecasts. Temperatures in the sequoia groves and the mountains are variable in the summer. The higher in elevation you go, the cooler temperatures become. Bring extra layers of clothing to be prepared for all weather conditions. As always, make sure to protect yourself with sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water.
Expect parking at the Giant Forest Museum and General Sherman Tree to fill early on weekends and holidays.
There is a free Giant Forest Shuttle service during Summer 2024.
The free shuttle operates within the Giant Forest. Visit the shuttle webpage for more information about shuttle routes and stops.
Trails
Trails within the Giant Forest and Lodgepole areas are open.
Camping
Lodgepole Campground is now open. It is the most popular campground in the parks and site availability may be extremely limited, especially on weekends and holidays. Reservations must be made in advance through recreation.gov.
Dorst Creek Campground is closed for 2024.
Lodging and Meals
Wuksachi Lodge and Restaurant offers overnight lodging and food service. See visitsequoia.com for more information.
Free Ranger Programs
Ranger-led programs are available. Visit the Giant Forest Museum or Lodgepole Visitor Center for more information. For the schedule of ranger talks and programs, see our events calendar. *Ranger programs are posted online about one week in advance.
Weather
Check weather forecasts. Temperatures in the sequoia groves and the mountains are variable in the summer. The higher in elevation you go, the cooler temperatures become. Bring extra layers of clothing to be prepared for all weather conditions. As always, make sure to protect yourself with sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water.
Trails within the Grant Grove area are open. Check at the Kings Canyon Visitor Center for the most up-to-date trail conditions.
Trails in the Redwood Canyon area are closed following damage from the 2021 KNP Complex Fire and will not reopen until conditions are safe.
Camping
Azalea, Crystal Springs, and Sunset Campgrounds are open.
During the spring, summer, and fall, most campgrounds fill well in advance of weekends and holidays. Reservation windows vary between campgrounds, see each individual campground page or recreation.gov for more information.
Free Ranger Programs
Ranger-led programs are available. Visit the Kings Canyon Visitor Center for more information. For the schedule of ranger talks and programs, see our events calendar. *Ranger programs are posted online about one week in advance.
Kings Canyon Scenic Byway (Highway 180) is now open into Cedar Grove.
Concession Hours:
Notice: All Cedar Grove concessions including the Lodge are planned to reopen to guests on Friday, June 28th.
Continental Breakfast: 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Lunch: 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM
Dinner: 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Market & Gift Shop: 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Showers and Laundry: Expected to open the same date as Sentinel Campground no sooner than early July.
For updates on services at the market, lodge, grill, showers, and laundry facilities, go to visitsequoia.com.
Weather
Check weather forecasts. Temperatures in the Kings Canyon valley are typically 80°-90°F in the summer months. Be prepared for cooler temparatures as you hike into the high country of the Sierra Nevada. Bring extra layers of clothing to be prepared for all weather conditions. As always, make sure to protect yourself with sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water.
Roads
The road into Cedar Grove opened on July 10th. See the Road Conditions page for up-to-date information.
Trails
Trails within the Cedar Grove area are open. Check at the Cedar Grove Visitor Center for the most up-to-date trail conditions.
For short hikes, consider the Roaring River Falls Trail (paved), and the Zumwalt Meadow Trail, which offers elevated views of the meadow from the talus slope above.
Camping
All Cedar Grove campgrounds are currently closed.
The Sentinel Campground is projected to open no earlier than July 1, as crews address maintenance issues from the storms. Other campgrounds in Cedar Grove may open this year. Campground reservations will open once a firm opening date is set.
Free Ranger Programs
Ranger-led programs are available. Visit the Cedar Grove Visitor Center for more information. For the schedule of ranger talks and programs, see our events calendar. *Ranger programs are posted online about one week in advance.
Weather
Weather in the foothills area can be extremely hot in the summer. Dress appropriately and bring plenty of water.
Stay safe in the foothills. View the rivers from a distance. The water is very cold and swift. The soil near and along the rivers can be unstable. It can collapse unexpectedly under the weight of people, including children, and result in falls into the river. Learn more about river safety
Trails
Check our Foothills Trails page for ideas to help you plan your trip. Also check the map of closures at the bottom of this page.
The portion of South Fork Road within the park boundary that provides access to the trailheads for Ladybug Trail and Garfield Grove Trail suffered severe damage from flooding and landslides during 2022-2023 winter storms. The road is impassable to vehicles. Anyone wanting to travel on these trails should be self-reliant, as road damage makes any rescue effort challenging and subject to delays.
Buckeye Flat Campground is closed until further notice due to damage from repeated winter storms in early 2023.
South Fork Campground is currently inaccessible and closed due to damage from flooding and landslides from winter storms. Damage to the campground and the access road are being assessed. At this time, it is unknown when the campground will re-open.
Free Ranger Programs
Ranger-led walks and talks are available. Visit the Foothills Visitor Center for more information. For the schedule of ranger talks and programs, see our events calendar. *Ranger programs are posted online about one week in advance.
Fire Restrictions in Summer
Stage 1 fire restrictions have been placed on the Foothills area. See our fire restrictions page for details.
The Mineral King area of Sequoia National Park reopened for day use and wilderness access on May 24th. Services are currently limited.
Road Construction
Expect intermittent 30-minute delays as road crews continue repairs.
Camping
Atwell Mill Campground opens on July 2nd, and is currently accepting reservations on recreation.gov.
Cold Springs Campground may not reopen this season due to a high volume of hazard trees.
Wilderness Permits
Wilderness hikers from trailheads in this area should expect highly hazardous conditions with high creek crossings and snow making route finding a challenge.
Facilities
Visitors to this area should be self reliant and expect rustic conditions. Emergency services will be limited, and due to late-season snow, there is no potable water.
Mineral King Ranger Station is generally open from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend. Hours vary.
Weather
Between 7,500 to 14,000 feet elevation, Mineral King is characterized by warm days and chilly nights in summer. In spring and fall, be prepared for freezing temperatures and the possibility of snow. Check weather forecasts.
Trails
Trails within the Mineral King area are open but some snow patches remain. Be prepared with traction devices for your footwear.
Map of Current Closures at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Click on a line or point for the name of the closed location.
Road and trail closures are shown in red.
Individual point closures are shown with black pins.
Area closures are shown in yellow.
Closures can change at any time and may differ from what is shown on this map.
