Current Conditions

Alerts

Throughout the next few months, lower elevations will be sunny and warm while higher elevations will be cold and cloudy. Prepare for both before you visit the parks!

NPS Photo / Anna Cirimele

Be Prepared For Variable Conditions

While it can be warm in the foothils, it can still be quite cool in the sequoia groves. Before you visit, check out these tips to enhance your trip!

Weather

Check the weather forecast before you head out! Spring is a wonderful times to visit giant sequoias. However, it can be very cool and occasionally below freezing in the sequoia groves in the morning and evening. Weather can include snow and cold rain. Plan ahead by packing multiple layers of clothing so that you can adjust to warmer or colder conditions.

Driving Mountain Roads

Snow can still occur in the sequoia groves and rain can occur in the foothills. Tire chains or cables can still be required on park roads in the spring. Prepare for your visit by learning about tire chains and driving in snow. From fall through spring, we recommend that you carry chains or cables in your car, regardless of conditions. Check out our current road conditions before arriving.

Be prepared to drive winding roads with poor visibility and reduced traction. Our roads are steep and curvy, making them very dangerous and slippery to drive on in bad weather. Drive slowly and follow speed limits. Use turnouts when needed. Learn about driving mountain roads.

River Safety

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

Black Ice

Black ice is patchy, transparent ice that cannot be easily seen. It forms on roadways during snowy or rainy conditions and during the spring when temperatures fall below freezing overnight. Roadways become very slippery when black ice forms, leading to hazardous driving conditions and an increased risk of car accidents. Please drive carefully and keep an eye out for black ice!

Seasonal Closures of Roads and Facilities

During winter and spring there are multiple seasonal closures of roads, areas, campgrounds, visitor centers. Check our road conditions page before you head into the parks. Also double check operating hours before arriving.

The following areas are closed at this time:

• Highway 180 past the Hume Lake Junction (Cedar Grove area in Kings Canyon National Park) -- reopens April 25.
• Mineral King area (Sequoia National Park) -- expected to reopen May 21
• Panoramic Point Road (Kings Canyon National Park)

Additional road closures are not uncommon when weather gets rough. Roads that may close due to late winter storms include:

• The section of the Generals Highway between Hospital Rock and Giant Forest
• The section of Generals Highway between Quail Flat and Giant Forest

For 24-hour in-park road conditions, call [phone] (press 1, then 1 again). For information about roads outside the park, visit the Caltrans website or call [phone].

 

Air Quality

The dial below represents the current Air Quality Index (AQI) for the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks' reporting area. Local conditions within the parks can vary to be worse or better than what is indicated. 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

 

Giant Forest and Lodgepole Area Conditions

Weather

• Check weather forecasts. Temperatures in the sequoia groves and the mountains are significantly colder than temperatures in the Central Valley and the Sierra foothills. Temperatures are especially cold in the mornings and evenings. Storms in the area produce cold rain and sometimes snow. 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

• See the Road Conditions page.

Wuksachi Lodge and Restaurant

• Overnight lodging and food service offered. See visitsequoia.com for more information.

Parking

• Expect parking at the Giant Forest Museum and General Sherman Tree to fill early on weekends and holidays.

Trails

• Trails within the Giant Forest and Lodgepole areas are open.

Camping

• Lodgepole Campground is closed for the season right now. It partially reopens on May 21. Lodgepole 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 will be closed throughout 2025.

Lodgepole Concessions

• Lodgepole Market and Grill are open for the season. The market has a large selection of supplies and services, including clothing, groceries, grab-and-go food, an ATM, and a payphone. Lodgepole Grill offers casual food including burgers, sandwiches, salads, and snacks. Showers and laundry facilities are also available here.
  • Market: OPEN
  • Lodgepole Grill: Expected to open May 9
  • Showers, Laundromat: CLOSED

Free Ranger Programs

• A schedule of ranger-led programs is available on our events calendar. *Ranger programs are posted online at least one week in advance.

 

Grant Grove Area Conditions

Kings Canyon Visitor Center Is Closed On Tuesdays Until Further Notice

Weather

• Check weather forecasts. Temperatures in the sequoia groves and the mountains are significantly colder than California's Central Valley and the Sierra foothillls. Temperatures are especially cold in the mornings and evenings. Storms in the area bring cold rain and some can produce snow. 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 

• See the Road Conditions page.

Trails

• 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 Campground is open. Through May 7, twenty sites are available first-come, first-served. Some sites may still have snow in them. Be prepared for camping with tents pitched on snow. After May 7, camping is by reservation only, through recreation.gov.
• Crystal Springs and Sunset Campgrounds open on May 21. 
• 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

• A schedule of ranger-led programs is available on our events calendar. *Ranger programs are posted online at least one week in advance.

Foothills Area Conditions

Weather

• Days are mild in the Foothills, with cool nights. Pack for all weather conditions when visiting the parks. Dress appropriately and always bring plenty of water. 

River Safety

• 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.

Roads

• See the Road Conditions page for detailed information.

Camping

• Potwisha Campground is open.  Reservations are required. Visit recreation.gov to reserve your campsite.
• Buckeye Flat Campground is closed for 2025 due to damage from repeated winter storms in early 2023.
• South Fork Campground is currently closed due to damage from flooding and landslides from past winter storms. Repairs to the campground and the access road are being assessed. At this time, it is unknown when or if the campground will re-open.

Free Ranger Programs

• A schedule of ranger-led programs is available on our events calendar. *Ranger programs are posted online at least one week in advance.

Fire Restrictions

• See our fire restrictions page for details.

 

Cedar Grove Area Conditions

Highway 180 into this area is closed for the season until April 25.

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Roads 

• See the Road Conditions page.

Weather

• Check weather forecasts. As always, pack for a range of weather conditions. Be prepared for cool evening and morning temparatures and warm summer temperatures. As always, make sure to protect yourself with sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water.

Trails

• While trails within the Cedar Grove area are open, the trails are inaccessible for day hiking until Highway 180 opens. 
• Wilderness permits are available for self-issue at Kings Canyon Visitor Center in Grant Grove Village. Once the backcountry permit quota period begins on May 23, permits may be available at the Roads End Ranger Station.

Visitor Center

• Cedar Grove Visitor Center is expected to open on May 23, depending on conditions.

Camping

• All camping is by reservation only.
• Sentinel Campground opens on May 9, by reservation only. 
• Sheep Creek, Canyon View, and Moraine campgrounds will open later in 2025, after repairs and safety measures have been completed.
• 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.

Cedar Grove Concessions

• Cedar Grove Market and Lodge are expected to open for the season on May 10. The market has a large selection of supplies and services, including clothing, groceries, and grab-and-go food. Cedar Grove Grill offers casual food including burgers, sandwiches, salads, and snacks. Showers and laundry facilities are also available here.
  • Market and Grill: Expected to open May 10.
  • Showers, Laundromat: Expected to open May 10.

Free Ranger Programs

• Once the Cedar Grove Visitor Center is open, Ranger-led programs will not be avialble until some time after Cedar Grove Visitor Center opens. When programs return, the schedule of ranger talks and programs are posted on our events calendar. *Ranger programs are posted online at least one week in advance.

 

Mineral King Area Conditions

The Mineral King Road inside Sequoia National Park is closed to vehicles for the winter season. It is expected to open on May 21, 2025.

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There will be construction on Mineral King Road in 2025. Expect traffic delays and full road closures on weekdays. A schedule of impacts will be posted once they are finalized.

Wilderness Permits

• Mineral King wilderness permits are available as self-issue permits obtained in front of the Wilderness Office behind the Foothills Visitor Center on Generals Highway. To reach the Foothills Visitor Center and Wilderness Office, enter the park at the entrance station on Highway 189 and travel approximately one mile into the park.

Facilities

• Visitors to this area should be self-reliant and expect rustic conditions.

Weather

• Between 7,500 to 14,000 feet elevation, Mineral King is characterized by cold winter temperatures and deep winter snow. Check weather forecasts.

Winter and Early Spring Recreation

• The Mineral King Road is open to day use crosscountry skiiing and snowshoeing. Overnight camping is not allowed along the road corridor.

 

Map of Trail and Area Closures at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Click on a line or point for the name of the closed location.

• 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.

For road closures, check the Alerts at the top of this page.

 

 

 

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  Weather Forecasts

  Check the weather forecasts for different areas of the parks

• 

  Winter Driving & Tire Chains

  Be prepared for snowy mountain roads! Chains may be required at any time.

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  Road Conditions

  Check for current road conditions throughout the parks

• 

  Winter Holidays at the Parks

  Learn how to spend the holidays at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

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  Accessibility

  We offer recreational opportunities suited for a wide range of abilities, including exhibits, walking, camping, and shuttle transportation.

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  General Safety

  Whether you trek into wilderness or stay close to your car, review tips on staying safe in these parks.