Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks: Tips for Fall or Winter Visit

General Sherman Tree, Sequoia National Park

NPS Photo

News Release Date: September 3, 2014

Contact: Dana Dierkes, 559-565-3131

SEQUOIA AND KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS, CALIFORNIA – Are you planning to visit
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks this fall or winter? If so, here are a few trip-planning tips:

• Visitor Centers: Stop at a park visitor center for exhibits, films, books, maps, hats, postcards, etc.
All purchases support the parks! Hours and locations of visitor centers change in fall/winter.
Info: www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm.

• Ranger-led Programs: For specific information about ranger-led or naturalist-led programs, visit www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/rangerprogsched.htm. Programs may be limited in fall and winter at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

• Crystal Cave: Crystal Cave is scheduled to be open through November 30, weather-permitting.
Info: www.sequoiahistory.org/default.asp?contentID=632.

• Food Service/Markets: For information about fall/winter hours and seasonal closing dates for food service and markets inside of the parks, visit www.nps.gov/seki/parknews/newspaper.htm.

• Fee Free Days: Consider a visit during one of our Fee Free Days (listed below), when you can enter Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and other national parks free-of-charge.

• September 27, 2014 - National Public Lands Day
• November 11, 2014 - Veterans Day

• Fire Restrictions: Fire danger is high. Some fire restrictions are in place for public safety.
Info: www.nps.gov/seki/naturescience/fire-restrictions.htm.

• Campgrounds:

• Four out of 14 campgrounds at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks have closed for the season: Dorst Creek, Crystal Springs, Sunset, and Moraine campgrounds.
• While the majority of park campgrounds are first-come, first-serve, reservations may be available for Potwisha Campground (year-round), Buckeye Flat Campground (through the night of September 28, 2014), and at Lodgepole Campground (September 23, 2014: Last night for reservations; From September 24 through the night of October 20, 2014: first-come, first-serve camping). For reservations, call [phone] or visit www.recreation.gov.
• Additional campgrounds close for the season in fall. Three campgrounds (Azalea, Potwisha, South Fork) remain open in the winter. Info: www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm.

• Roads and Parking:

• Some roads and parking areas are open during the fall or winter, weather-permitting, at
  Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. For road conditions, visit the parks’ website at: www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/road-conditions.htm
• Stay tuned to weather conditions: www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/currentcond.htm.
• Generals Highway Reconstruction – On weekdays through October, expect road construction delays of 15 minutes-1 hour in Sequoia National Park: www.nps.gov/seki/parknews/index.htm.

• Shuttle Service:

• No shuttle service is available at Sequoia National Park through November 26, 2014.
• Holiday shuttle service will operate daily inside of Sequoia National Park from
  November 27-30, 2014, and from December 26 - January 4, 2014, from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
  All shuttle buses are wheelchair-accessible. Holiday shuttle service is limited to parking areas adjacent to the General Sherman Tree, Wolverton, and Wuksachi Lodge.
  Info: www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/parktransit.htm

– NPS –