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Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are open 24 hours a day, year round. Visitation in 1997 was 1.539 million for Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks combined. Visitation is heaviest in the summer, with August being the busiest month (263,500 people in 1997). Visitation is lightest in the winter (January, 1997 - 31,000 people).
Sequoia is the second-oldest national park in the United States. It was established in 1890 to protect the Big Trees in Giant Forest, including the General Sherman Tree, the world's largest living thing. Sequoia also contains the Mineral King Valley and Mt. Whitney, the highest mountain in the U.S. outside of Alaska.
A small portion of what is now Kings Canyon was originally set aside in 1890 as General Grant National Park. In 1940, General Grant was absorbed into the new and larger Kings Canyon National Park which eventually grew to include the South Fork of the Kings River and 456,552 acres of backcountry wilderness. Managed as one park, together Sequoia and Kings Canyon total over 863,700 acres.
Viewing the giant sequoias; hiking; backpacking; horseback riding; fishing; cross-country skiing and snowshoe walks; ranger walks, talks and campfire programs.
Ranger led walks, talks, and evening programs are offered throughout the year. During the summer, concessioner-operated bus tours and horseback rides are also available.
Kids of any age can participate in this program!
To get started, purchase a Junior Ranger booklet at any visitor center. Follow the instructions and have fun!
Children ages 5 to 12 can earn a patch while discovering the resources in the park and learning to protect them. This program deepens understanding and appreciation of our limited resources. It adds depth and excitement to your visit to the park. The activities take some time to complete. The requirements are based on age and everyone helps by picking up litter.
Children ages 9 to 12 work toward the Raven Award, children ages 5 to 8 work on the Jay Award.
Are you 13-103? You can earn the Senior Patch.
In summer, there are ranger-led field trips for the entire family, special walks just for kids, and, at Lodgepole, a Kid's Campfire.
For Kids & Teachers
Sequoia Seeds (a great newspaper for kids) - Read all about trees, animals, caves, fire, people of the past, and park rangers.
A Giant's Life (2nd & 3rd grades) Discover the life cycle of giant sequoias and their adaptations for survival. Maximum of 70 students per day. Program is approximately one hour. Takes place at Grant Grove in Kings Canyon National Park (Hwy 180). Programs are offered at 10:00 and 11:00 a.m., Tuesday-Friday, in April, May, September, and October.
Layers in Time (3rd & 4th grades) Participate in a simulated archeological dig and learn about the cultural history of the Kaweah River drainage. Maximum of 35 students per day. Program is approximately 3.5 hours (including lunch). Takes place at Potwisha Campground in Sequoia National Park on Hwy 198. Program start times are flexible (9:30- 10:30 a.m.), Tuesday-Friday, in April, May, September, and October.
Nature's Neighborhood (4th grade) Explore the interdependence of species in a giant sequoia grove. Maximum of 70 students per day. Program is approximately one hour. Takes place at Grant Grove in Kings Canyon National Park (Hwy 180). Programs are offered at 10:00 and 11:00 a.m., Tuesday-Friday, in April, May, September, and October.
Mountains Inside and Out (6th grade) Investigate geologic features, both above and below the earth’s surface, as you navigate through Crystal Cave. Maximum of 35 students per day. Program is approximately 3.5 hours (including lunch). Takes place at Crystal Cave in Sequoia National Park, 7 miles off of Generals Highway. Program start times are flexible (9:30-10:30 a.m.), Monday-Friday in September. This program requires special transportation (vans or cars). The cave road cannot accommodate a school bus.
Reservations are required at least two weeks before your visit. Call Jody Lyle at (559) 565-3703. If needed, leave a message and your call will be returned as soon as possible. You will receive a teacher confirmation packet with logistical information and maps, as well as classroom activities. On the trip, one adult is required for every 10 students.
If you teach a grade level that is not served in the offerings above, you can arrange a park program (for a small fee) from the Sequoia Natural History Association. Call John Lockhart at: 559-565-4251.
Naturalist Programs
Evening programs are usually offered in Grant Grove at 7:30 pm on Fridays in the visitor center auditorium. Check bulletin boards for schedules.
Snowshoe Walks
Discover the winter woods on a 2 hour, 1 mile walk. Snowshoes provided, $1.00 donation requested. It can be strenuous and the snowshoes are large, so this may not be for little children. Reservations are strongly recommended.
Grant Grove: usually held Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 pm. Information and sign-up at Grant Grove Visitor Center, 559-335-2856.
Giant Forest: Saturdays, 1:00 pm. Information and sign-up at Wolverton Ski Hut, Foothills Visitor Center, 559-565-3782 or 3134.
| Visitor Center | Open/Times | Phone/Location | Avaliable Facilities |
| Foothills / Park HQ | Summer 8:00am - 5:00pm Fall, Winter & Spring 8:00am - 4:30pm |
559-565-3135 On the Generals Highway (main park road) 1 mile (1.6km)from Sequoia Park entrance at Highway 198. In the foothills oaks & chaparral; elevation 1500 feet (457m). |
The focus here is on the Sierran foothills, the most biologically diverse area of these parks. Stop and learn about this fascinating ecosystem, very little of which is protected outside this park. Crystal Cave tickets sold until 3:45pm (summer only); tickets NOT sold at cave. Books, maps, educational materials for sale. Local wilderness permits issued. Bear canisters for sale or rent. Accessible restrooms. Pay phone. |
| Gian Forest Museum | 9:00am - 4:30pm | 559-565-4480 Housed in a historic building 16 miles (26km) from Sequoia Park's entrance on Highway 198, in the Giant Forest sequoia grove at 6500 feet (1980m) elevation. |
Exciting new exhibits tell the story of the sequoias of Giant Forest and what we have learned here about how to protect them. Books, maps & educational material are sold here. Fully accessible restrooms and trails are available. |
| Grant Grove | Summer 8:00am - 6:00pm Fall & Spring 8:00am - 5:00pm Winter 9:00am - 4:40pm |
559-565-4307 Three miles (5km) east on Highway 180 from the Big Stump Entrance Station. In the conifer zone; elevation 6500 feet (1980m). |
Slide program on the sights and sounds of Kings Canyon Park in the auditorium. The focus here is on the rich human and natural history of Grant Grove and its world-famous sequoia trees. Books, maps, & educational materials for sale. Local wilderness permits issued. Accessible restrooms. Pay phone. |
| Lodgepole | Summer 8:00am - 6:00pm Spring & Fall 9:00am - 5:00pm Winter Fri - Mon 9:00am - 4:30pm |
559-565-3782 On Lodgepole Road, just off the Generals Highway (main park road) 21 miles (34km) from the Sequoia Park entrance on Highway 198, 2 miles (3km) north of the General Sherman Tree. In the conifer zone; elevation 6700 feet (2040m). |
Slide show about fabulous Sequoia National Park, the country's second-oldest national park. Here you can explore the natural and human history of the southern Sierra Nevada. Crystal Cave tickets sold until 3:45pm (summer only); tickets not sold at cave. Books, maps, & educational materials for sale. Local wilderness permits issued. Bear canisters for sale or rent. Accessible restrooms. Pay phone. |
The second Sunday of December is the annual Christmas Tree Ceremony, held at the General Grant Tree in Kings Canyon National Park.
The Sequoia Natural History Association offers a program of Field Seminars throughout the year. They also offer tours of Crystal Cave from May to September.
The Walter Fry Nature Center, located in Lodgepole campground, is open July - Labor Day.
The road to Mineral King (Sequoia National Park) is open from Memorial Day weekend to 01 Nov, weather permitting.
Highway 180 to Cedar Grove (Kings Canyon) is open from mid April to early November.
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