Sequoia National Park
Go for the giant sequoias of the Giant Forest, and for a mountain park that climbs from hot foothills to Mount Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous United States.
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Sequoia National Park lies in the southern Sierra Nevada, east of Visalia, California, and is managed together with neighboring Kings Canyon National Park. It is known first for giant sequoias. The General Sherman Tree, in the Giant Forest, is the largest tree on Earth by volume. Mount Whitney, at 14,505 feet, is the highest point in the contiguous United States and lies inside the park.
The park rises from hot, dry foothills near Ash Mountain, where most visitors enter, to a mid-elevation forest of sequoias, pines and firs. Spring and winter rains bring wildflowers and green growth to the lower slopes, and snowmelt feeds the meadows higher up. About 84 percent of Sequoia and Kings Canyon is designated wilderness, and no road crosses the Sierra Nevada inside the park. The park suits travelers who want big trees, hiking and a drive along the Generals Highway, which links the Giant Forest with General Grant Grove. Plan several days if you want to cover the foothills, the Giant Forest and one higher trail.
Sequoia National Park in five
- Park at Wolverton or Lodgepole and use the shuttleParking at the General Sherman Tree and the Giant Forest Museum is limited and fills early on weekends and holidays. The NPS suggests the larger lots and the fare-free shuttles, which run in summer and some winter holidays.
- Allow extra time on the Generals HighwayThe road climbs through hairpin turns, and tree-removal work has caused weekday delays of up to 30 minutes. Check road status on the morning of your drive.Sequoia and Kings Canyon
- Skip Mineral King unless you want a slow, narrow roadThe road branches off Highway 198 at Three Rivers and is extremely narrow, unpaved in places and not advised for RVs or trailers. Delays and closures are common, so check the alerts first.
- Book campsites on Recreation.govLodgepole and Potwisha camping is by reservation, and several campgrounds are closed for 2026, including Buckeye Flat, South Fork and Dorst Creek. Look at the current conditions page before you plan a tent night.
- Pair it with Kings Canyon, not YosemiteGrant Grove in Kings Canyon is the next stop north on the Generals Highway, and Yosemite is a long drive beyond that.Kings Canyon National Park
Things to do in Sequoia National Park
See all attractions in Sequoia National Park
Need to know
- Entrance
- $35 per vehicle; $100 extra for each non-US resident aged 16+ Read more
- Permits
- No entry reservation; backpackers need a wilderness permit
- Season
- Open every day of the year; snow can close roads and chains may be required
- Nearest town
- Three Rivers, at the Highway 198 entrance
- Getting there
- Fresno (FAT) is about 1 3/4 hours from the entrance; Visalia (VIS) about 1 hour
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryClear7 rainy daysHigh14°Low5°Snow, chainsJanuaryClear
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 71 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, chains
- FebruaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh16°Low6°Snow, coldFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 70 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, cold
- MarchPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh18°Low7°Snow, quietMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 106 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, quiet
- AprilClear4 rainy daysHigh22°Low10°Late snowAprilClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 32 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Late snow
- MayClear2 rainy daysHigh27°Low14°Roads openMayClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 15 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Roads open
- JuneClear0 rainy daysHigh34°Low19°Warm, busyJuneClear
Mixed
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 4 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh39°Low22°Peak seasonJulyClear
Poor
- High
- 39°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Peak season
- AugustClear0 rainy daysHigh38°Low21°Peak seasonAugustClear
Poor
- High
- 38°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 7 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Peak season
- SeptemberClear1 rainy dayHigh34°Low19°Mild, calmerSeptemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, calmer
- OctoberClear1 rainy dayHigh27°Low14°Autumn lightOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 9 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn light
- NovemberClear4 rainy daysHigh20°Low9°Cold, first snowNovemberClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 46 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, first snow
- DecemberClear6 rainy daysHigh15°Low6°Snow, chainsDecemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 66 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, chains
Average daily high and low in Giant Forest, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Sequoia National Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
7
- Feels like
- 5°
- Humidity
- 33%
- Wind
- 3 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Sequoia National Park
03:23 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today8°-4°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low -4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue5°-3°3%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 5°, Low -3°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Wed5°-6°0%Wednesday: Fog. High 5°, Low -6°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu6°-3°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 6°, Low -3°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri8°-3°0%Friday: Clear. High 8°, Low -3°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat11°-1°0%Saturday: Clear. High 11°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun12°1°0%Sunday: Clear. High 12°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 12:37 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Sequoia National Park
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Sequoia National Park, checked
- Vehicles over 22 feet are not advised on the Generals Highway between Potwisha and Giant Forest Museum; longer vehicles should use Highway 180.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- There are no gas stations inside the parks; fuel is in Visalia, Fresno, Three Rivers and a few spots in the national forests.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Sequoia National Park
Two parks, two entrances and one connecting highway
Read the guideKings Canyon National ParkGrant Grove and the canyon at Cedar Grove
Read the guideYosemite National ParkGranite valleys and waterfalls to the north
Read the guideLos AngelesThe usual starting city, a long drive south
Read the guide$100 national parks feeWhich parks charge non-US residents
Read the guideESTA explainedWho needs it and how to apply before you fly
Read the guideAll of the USAParks, cities and trip planning for visitors
Read the guideSequoia National Park FAQ
Is the General Sherman Tree worth the walk?
Yes, it is the headline sight of Giant Forest and sits near a parking area and shuttle stop. Go early or take a shuttle, because parking near it fills, and allow time for the surrounding grove.
How long does it take to drive up to Giant Forest?
Allow extra time. The road from the Highway 198 entrance climbs through many hairpin turns, and tree-removal work can add weekday delays. Check the road status page and leave the foothills with a full tank.
Can you take an RV or trailer into Sequoia?
The NPS advises against vehicles over 24 feet between the Foothills Visitor Center and Potwisha and over 22 feet beyond that to the Giant Forest Museum. Highway 180 is the better route for longer vehicles.
Is Sequoia open in winter?
Yes, it is open every day, but snow can close roads and chains may be required. Giant Forest has winter walks and snowshoe options, and Cedar Grove in Kings Canyon is closed by the winter road closure.
Which is better, Sequoia or Yosemite?
They differ more than they compete: Sequoia is about giant trees and forest walks, Yosemite about granite cliffs and waterfalls. Sequoia has fewer crowds, and Yosemite has more facilities and a bigger visitor flow.