Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

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Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are United States National Parks that are located in the Sierra Nevada region of California. These two neighboring parks offer a variety of mountain and forest scenery. Sequoia is named for its groves of Sequoia trees, the largest trees known, and Kings Canyon is named for the deep valley of the Kings River.

	sequoia and kings canyon national parks Travel Guide : 1 Understand 2 Get in 2.1 By car 2.2 On foot 3 Fees/Permits 4 Get around 4.1 By car 5 See 6 Do 7 Eat 8 Sleep 8.1 Lodging 8.2 Camping 8.3 Backcountry 9 Stay Safe 10 Get out 11 External links

Understand

Although they are individual national parks, Sequoia and Kings Canyon generally operate as a single unit in many ways -- one fee (US $5 per person or US $10 per private vehicle) allows entrance to both parks.

Get in

The parks are relatively distant from major cities and airports, and there is no public transportation to the parks. Any information about private tour buses or other alternatives to driving would be appreciated.

By car

The parks are on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada, and can only be entered by car from the west. The two main entrances are:

• Route 180 east from Fresno. This enters the parks at Grant Grove and divides there to go either northeast to the main part of Kings Canyon or southeast to Sequoia. This is the recommended route from Northern California, and from Southern California if one intends to go directly to Kings Canyon.
• Route 198 northeast from Visalia. This enters Sequoia from the south, and is the recommended route from Southern California. This route is not recommended by the park for long vehicles such as RVs.

Both of these routes are winding mountain roads; driving speeds will be slower than usual and special conditions will apply in winter.

The Northern park entrance is somewhat more than an hour east of Fresno, with the park centers being another 45-60 minutes, and the total driving time from San Francisco should be close to five hours, and a little less from Los Angeles, using the Southern entrance. Those coming from the South may still prefer to enter the parks via the Northern entrance, since that route is less winding once you enter the parks . Larger vehicles such as RVs are not allowed from just inside the Southern entrance to Giant forest.

The Mineral Kings area is accessed via a separate road off Highway 198. Turn right in Three Rivers, before reaching the Ash Mountain park entrance. The road is single lane, and paved only part of the way.

Gasoline is not sold in the park, and so one should be careful to fill up at one of the towns on the way to the park or in the National Forest between Grant Grove and the rest of Kings Canyon.

On foot

The Eastern parts of the park are accessible from trailheads off Highway 395.

Fees/Permits

The park entrance fee is $10 for private vehicles and $5 for individuals on foot or on bike, and is valid for seven days in both Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. The National Parks pass ($50) allows free entry into all national park areas for one year.

Get around

By car

Roads through both parks are at high altitude, and are generally slow and winding. Navigation is relatively straightforward -- Route 198 is the main road through Sequoia, continuing from the Ash Mountain (southwest) entrance north through Sequoia's main sights (most of which are on signposted side roads) to intersect with route 180 at Grant Grove just inside the Big Stump (west) entrance, while Route 180 is the main road through Kings Canyon, continuing north and then east from Grant Grove to the main Cedar Grove area of Kings Canyon. Parking is generally ample at most sights in the park.

See

Driving in the parks provide mostly up-close views of trees, so the roadside vista points that do exist should not be overlooked:

• The road to Cedar Grove provides many excellent views of the narrow Kings Canyon.
• Between Grant Grove and Lodgepole is only one major lookout. Great view of the Sierras.
• The steep and winding road from Giant Forest down to the Ash Mountain entrance has some good vistas of the Kaweah River valley.

Some of the scenic attractions in Sequoia and Kings Canyon are:

• Grants Grove -- a grove of giant Sequoia trees at the west entrance to the parks.
• Giant Forest, a collection of groves at the center of Sequoia a few miles south of the main Visitor Center, including the General Sherman Tree, the world's largest (but not tallest) tree. The areas centers around a museum, and the grove can be seen along a 1-2 mile looping trail.
• Crystal Cave, a large cave filled with various water-sculpted features. Tickets ($10.95 adult, $5.95 child) for a tour must be bought at one of Sequoia's visitor centers, neither of which is located near the cave. The cave is on a windy side road starting just south of the Giant Forest.
• Moro Rock, south of the Giant Forest, provides spectacular views of Sequoia's mountains.
• Cedar Grove, the main area of Kings Canyon, is about 45 minutes northeast of Grants Grove. The deep canyon offers impressive mountain scenery, a waterfall, and broad meadows.
• Mineral Kings, a secluded, narrow, alpine valley accessible by car. Two campgrounds in the area, from which it's possible to make day hikes to lakes and mountain passes with splendid views.

A broad variety of wildlife can be seen in both parks, including deer, birds, and bears.

Do

Sequoia and Kings Canyon both provide many trails for hiking and backpacking, and some facilities for horseback riding.

Suggested Day Hikes:

• Alta Peak: Longer day hike to a rugged peak with excellent views.

Most practical trailhead is Wolverton, just South of Lodgepole.

• Tokopah falls: Easier day hike to a large waterfall, near Lodgepole.

3.5 miles round-trip.

• Lookout peak: Easy day hike from Grant Grove.

Especially attractive in the winter when the road to Cedar Grove is closed, as it affords a similar view.

Mount Whitney, the highest mountain in the continental United States, is in Sequoia National Park. Unlike other day hikes, hiking in the Mount Whitney area requires a permit. It's a one or two-day hike.

Eat

Food and shops are available at Grant Grove, Lodgepole, and Cedar Grove visitor centers. Overnight visitors should consider buying some food in advance on the way to the park.

Sleep

Lodging

Lodging is available at the Wuksachi Lodge in the Lodgepole area (Sequoia), in cabins at Grants Grove (Kings Canyon) and at a motel in Cedar Grove (Kings Canyon). Reservations are recommended.

In addition, a range of hotels and motels are available outside the park, including several lodges in the National Forest (on the road from Grants Grove to Cedar Grove) and motels in Three Rivers (on Route 198 near the southwest entrance).

Camping

Camping is the most common way to stay in the park. There are campgrounds available in all areas of the park, although the ones closest to main attractions may require reservations at peak times. All campers should be aware of the presence of bears, and should stow any unattended food in bear-proof containers as instructed by park rangers.

Backcountry

The High Sierra is a backpackers paradise, and numerous trails wind through King's Canyon and branch out from Mineral King. Permits are required and cost $15 per group. Popular areas may fill well in advance during the summer, so reservations are recommended and can be made by faxing in a form (available from www.nps.gov/seki/resform.htm no later than three weeks prior to the planned start date.

Stay Safe

Get out

• Yosemite National Park

External links

• Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (http://www.nps.gov/seki/) - courtesy of the US National Park Service; see particularly the In Depth section

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