What is The Closest Airport To Sequoia National Park?

Sequoia National Park, home to the world’s largest trees, is located in the state of CA. Sequoia National Park sits along the top of the southern Sierra Nevada, east of Visalia.  

Entrances to Sequoia National Park include the Ash Mountain Entrance in the south via Highway 198 at the town of Three Rivers and the Big Stump Entrance in the north at Kings Canyon accessible via Highway 180. Choosing which entrance to Sequoia National Park you’ll be using will help you decide which airport for Sequoia National Park you’ll fly to.  

This guide is here to help you choose the best airport near Sequoia National Park and the best flight to Sequoia National Park for your travel plans.  

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CUT STRAIGHT TO THE CHASE

This guide outlines a range of convenient airports that you could be the best for your trip. However, the nearest airport with commercial flights to Sequoia National Park is Fresno Yosemite International Airport and the nearest MAJOR airport to Sequoia National Park is San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

Planning Your Trip to Sequoia 

If you’re looking for an airport near Sequoia national park, then you are in the middle of planning your trip there.  Here is a quick step-by-step planning guide: 

  1. First up, you’ll need to decide when to go
  1. You’ll also need to decide how long to go for
  1. Then, you’ll need to decide where to stay.  There are campgrounds and a lodge inside the park, as well as hotels and vacation rentals in nearby towns like Three Rivers
  1. Now that you have decided where to stay, the next thing is to decide the best way to get to Sequoia National Park.  If you’re taking a road trip, you’ll need to rent a car and plan out your route. Book a car through Discover Cars – you enter your destination and they scan all of the available cars in all the agencies to find the best price for the type of car you want.   You can also read my Guide to Finding the Cheapest Rental Car for handy tips.  Check my Road Trip Packing List to make sure you have everything you need for your trip.      
  1. If you’re going to fly, read on to find an airport close to Sequoia National Park.  That’s what this guide is to help you do! 
  1. Then you’ll need to book a flight.  I recommend using Skyscanner to search through all available flights to find the cheapest. 
  1. Finally, you will need to decide your itinerary
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Closest Airport to Sequoia National Park

How to Decide your Flights to Sequoia National Park 

Taking note of your travel details like the nearest airport to Sequoia National Park will let you travel with ease. You need to consider these things to help you make the most of your trip:  

  • Where else are you planning to go on your trip?  Are you planning to visit other national parks? Yosemite National Park is just two and a half hours from Sequoia, while Kings Canyon National Park is around four hours from there. 
  • When are you going? Preparing for your trip is not just about looking for the closest airport. Sequoia National Park is more accessible to visitors during spring and fall. Going there during the winter months can be more challenging because of slippery roads and road closures due to snow.  
  • Where are you staying? It’s better to choose an airport closer to where you’re staying, especially if Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are your only destinations.   
  • How much time do you have? If you are trying to save travel time, it’s important to know what airport is closest to Sequoia National Park. That way, you can make the most of your trip and avoid hassles.  
  • What’s your budget? Are you looking for budget flights? Major international airports offer more options and competitive flight rates than other airports.  
  • Do you have a frequent flyer program with a specific airline? Some airports have limited airline services than other airports.  
  • Where are you flying from?  Are you flying on a domestic or international flight? Finding the nearest airport Sequoia National Park has to offer includes major airports with plenty of flight destinations to US states and international cities.  
  • What type of car do you want to rent when you arrive? Do you have a specific car rental service in mind? Services and companies differ with each airport. Sequoia National Park is accessible by car so it’s the best option to go around the park.  

What are the best airports near Sequoia National Park?

If you’re still deciding on a Sequoia National Park nearest major airport you can fly to, here’s a list to help you finalize your plans. Flying to the closest major airport to Sequoia National Park should give you convenience, accessibility, and plenty of flight options and services.  

The airports near Sequoia National Park are: 

  1. Visalia Municipal Airport
  2. Fresno Yosemite International  
  3. Los Angeles International Airport
  4. San Jose International Airport  
  5. Oakland International Airport 
  6. Ontario International Airport
  7. Santa Ana John Wayne Airport
  8. Sacramento International Airport
  9. San Francisco International Airport
  10. San Diego International Airport
  11. Harry Reid International Airport Las Vegas

Visalia Municipal Airport (VIS)

A clock tower in the middle of the city, surrounded by buildings and trees in the daytime in Visalia, California, near Visalia Municipal Airport

Visalia Municipal Airport is technically the airport closest to Sequoia National Park. However, there are no commercial flights here.  It is an option for charter flights.  Flying on a personal charter saves time and also offers the benefits of comfort and privacy on your travel, though obviously, most people don’t do this.   

You can rent a car onsite from Enterprise Car Rentals to get to Sequoia National Park. The Ash Mountain Entrance, less than an hour away, is the nearest to the airport. You can access the Big Stump Entrance in about one and a half hours, which is still a manageable distance to drive.  

Location:

Visalia Municipal Airport is located just five miles from Visalia’s downtown area in Tulare County. 

Distance from Visalia to Sequoia National Park:  

  • Distance to Big Stump Entrance: 58 miles 
  • Distance to Ash Mountain Entrance: 40 miles 

Travel time to Sequoia National Park

  • Travel Time to Big Stump Entrance: 1 hour and 20 minutes 
  • Travel Time to Ash Mountain Entrance: 48 minutes 

What airlines fly out of Visalia Municipal Airport? Which airports connect to there? 

  • Charter services by Optimal Aviation Services 

Rental car options: 

  • Onsite: Enterprise 

Getting from Visalia Municipal Airport to Sequoia National Park: 

  • Car rental service  
  • Shuttle service by Sequoia Shuttle 

Pros: 

  • Closest airport by distance  
  • Less time to travel  

Cons: 

  • Only charter flights are offered  
  • Can be more expensive to fly here  

This is the best airport for Sequoia National Park … 

  • If you prefer flying on a private charter  

Fresno Yosemite International (FAT)

Tall buildings in the middle of the day surrounded by trees and brown grasses in Fresno, California, near the Fresno Yosemite International Airport.

Fresno Yosemite Airport is a commercial airport with flights on several major domestic airlines (Alaska Airlines, Allegiant, American Airlines, Delta, Southwest, and United) as well as several cities in Mexico via AeroMexico and Volaris. You can choose budget flights and get miles on your preferred airlines at Fresno Yosemite. 

Fresno is the closest commercial airport to California’s Sequoia National Park. It’s just a short drive to either of the entrances.  The Big Stump north entrance is just one hour from here while the southern Ash Mountain Entrance is around an hour and a half drive.  It’s also convenient if you’re also seeing other national parks like Yosemite and King Canyon.  

There are lots of car rental services at this airport so you can compare rates and services. 

Location:

Fresno Yosemite International Airport lies on East Clinton Way in Fresno County. 

Distance from Fresno to Sequoia National Park 

  • Distance Fresno to Sequoia National Park, Big Stump Entrance: 51 miles 
  • Distance from Fresno, CA to Sequoia National Park, Ash Mountain Entrance: 79 miles 

Travel time Fresno Yosemite International Airport to Sequoia National Park: 

  • Travel Time Fresno – Sequoia National Park, Big Stump Entrance: 1 hours and 5 minutes 
  • Travel Time Fresno Airport to Sequoia National Park, Ash Mountain Entrance: 1 hour and 35 minutes 

What airlines fly out of Fresno Yosemite International Airport? Which airports connect to there? 

  • AeroMexico: Guadalajara, Mexico 
  • Alaska Airlines: Seattle, San Diego, Portland 
  • Allegiant: Las Vegas 
  • American Airlines: Phoenix, Dallas/Fort Worth 
  • Delta: Salt Lake City 
  • Southwest: Las Vegas, Denver 
  • United: Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago (Seasonal), San Francisco 
  • Volaris: Morelia, Mexico, León, Mexico, Guadalajara, Mexico 

Rental car options: 

  • Onsite: Alamo, AVIS, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, Thrifty  

Getting from Fresno Yosemite International Airport to Sequoia National Park: 

  • Car rentals 
  • Greyhound Lines and V-Line bus routes going to Visalia Transit Center, then taking the Sequoia Shuttle service 

Pros: 

  • Short drive to both park entrances  
  • Several options for domestic flights 
  • Plenty of car rental services offered  
  • Visit Yosemite and Kings Canyon national parks  

Cons: 

  • International flights are limited to Mexico 
  • Not all domestic airlines fly here 
  • You may end up with a long layover on a connecting flight 

This is the best airport for Sequoia National Park… 

  • If you want the least amount of driving time 
  • If you’re also visiting Kings Canyon and Yosemite  

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Los Angeles International Airport is a major airport located just southwest of Los Angeles’ downtown area. You have plenty of options for both domestic and international flights here so you have convenient access to other states and cities outside the US. You can also take advantage of frequent flyer programs offered by different airlines.  

Los Angeles International may not be the closest to Sequoia National Park but it’s within a reasonable driving distance if you plan to include Sequoia on a Californian road trip.   

It takes around four hours to the Ash Mountain entrance.  You can take any highway to reach I-5 N and drive towards CA-99 N until you get to Bakersfield/Fresno. Take exit 96 and head to CA-198 E going to Visalia, then continue driving to the Ash Mountain entrance. You can also access the Big Stump Entrance with an additional half-hour drive.  

Car rentals are available offsite but you can get courtesy shuttles to get you to the rental facilities. If you plan to go around the Los Angeles area, you have several transport options like taxis, buses, and train services.  

Location:

Los Angeles International Airport is in the Westchester neighborhood, southwest of the Los Angeles area.   

Distance from LA to Sequoia National Park:  

  • Distance from LAX to Sequoia National Park, Big Stump Entrance: 245 miles 
  • Distance Los Angeles to Sequoia National Park, Ash Mountain Entrance: 208 miles 

Travel time Los Angeles – Sequoia National Park: 

  • Travel Time from Los Angeles to Sequoia National Park, Big Stump Entrance: 4 hours and 35 minutes 
  • Travel Time to Ash Mountain Entrance: 4 hours 

What airlines fly out of Los Angeles International Airport? Which airports connect to there? 

Major domestic and international flight services are available at Los Angeles International Airport. 

Rental car options: 

Offsite: Alamo, AVIS, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Fox, Hertz, National, Sixt, Thrifty, Zipcar 

Getting from Los Angeles International Airport to Sequoia National Park: 

  • Car rentals  

Pros: 

  • Multiple domestic and international flights available  
  • Plenty of car rental services offsite 
  • Value for cheaper flights and points for frequent flyer programs  
  • Visit Los Angeles and attractions in the region like Joshua Tree National Park 

Cons: 

  • Long drive to the park entrances  

This is the best airport for Sequoia National Park … 

  • If you have ample time to travel  
  • If you’re also visiting Los Angeles and/ or seeing other Californian attractions like Joshua Tree National Park 

San Jose International Airport (SJC)

Busses pass through the road with road lights outside San Jose International Airport during nighttime.

San Jose International Airport is a commercial airport located in San Jose, California. Several airlines fly to and from this airport nonstop with domestic flights to key states and international flights to Mexico, UK and Japan.  

You can rent a car to go to Sequoia National Park through onsite companies at the Rental Car Center right across Terminal B. Several ground transportation services also operate at this airport if you are going to travel around San Jose to see some other attractions. 

From the airport, take CA-85 S until it merges with US-101 S. Take exit 356 going to CA-152 E, then CA-99 S. Head off to exit 133B straight to CA-180 E until you reach the Big Stump entrance. The driving distance to this entrance is almost the same as the Ash Mountain Entrance which is more or less around four hours.  

Location:

San Jose International Airport is located in San Jose, California.  

Distance to Sequoia National Park:   

  • Distance to Big Stump Entrance: 205 miles 
  • Distance to Ash Mountain Entrance: 228 miles 

Travel time to Sequoia National Park

  • Travel Time to Big Stump Entrance: 3 hours and 40 minutes 
  • Travel Time to Ash Mountain Entrance: 3 hours and 55 minutes 

What airlines fly out of San Jose International Airport? Which airports connect to there? 

Several domestic flights fly nonstop to major US cities, and international flights to Mexico, Tokyo, Japan, and London (Heathrow), United Kingdom:  

  • Alaska Airlines 
  • American Airlines  
  • British Airways 
  • Delta  
  • Hawaiian Airlines  
  • JetBlue  
  • Southwest  
  • United  
  • Volaris  
  • Zipair  

Rental car options: 

  • Onsite: Alamo, AVIS, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Fox Rent a Car, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt, Thrifty  

Getting from San Jose International Airport to Sequoia National Park: 

  • Car rental services  

Pros: 

  • Plenty of non-stop domestic flights are available  
  • Options for care rental services  
  • International flights to Mexico, Tokyo, and Heathrow 

Cons: 

  • Long drive to park entrances  

This is the best airport for Sequoia National Park … 

  • If you have more travel time 
  • If you’re also seeing California’s San Jose area 

Oakland International Airport (OAK)

Trees and tall buildings surround roads in the middle of the city during the day, and behind are mountains in Oakland near Oakland International Airport

Oakland International Airport, California’s fourth-largest air hub, is located south of the San Francisco Bay Area. The airport is serviced by several major airlines with nonstop flights all across North America, Hawaii, and Europe.  

You can go for cheaper flights and get points for miles on airlines serviced here. 

Ground transportation services available from Oakland International include BART trains with routes to San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland, and other points in the Bay Area. Amtrak and AC public bus transport also give you access to several areas in California, in case you’ll visit other attractions aside from Sequoia National Park.  

Onsite car rentals are offered at the Rental Car Center just a few minutes from the terminals. Sequoia’s Big Stump Entrance is the closest entrance to the airport. Drive towards I-80 E to I-580 E and continue until I-205 E until the merge to I-5 N. Take CA-120 E going to CA-99 S, then you can take exit 133B going to CA-180 E. Continue until you reach the entrance. This route will take you about three and a half hours.  The Ash Mountain Entrance is a little over four hours.  

Location:

Oakland International Airport is located in the San Francisco Bay Area, just 10 miles south of downtown Oakland.  

Distance Oakland to Sequoia National Park 

  • Distance to Big Stump Entrance: 218 miles 
  • Distance to Ash Mountain Entrance: 245 miles 

Travel time to Sequoia National Park

  • Travel Time to Big Stump Entrance: 3 hours and 20 minutes 
  • Travel Time to Ash Mountain Entrance: 4 hours and 5 minutes 

What airlines fly out of Oakland International Airport? Which airports connect to there? 

Nonstop flights to Europe and all across North America, and Hawaii are serviced by the following airlines: 

  • Alaska, Allegiant, Azores, Delta, Frontier, Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest, Spirit, Volaris  

Rental car options: 

  • Onsite (Rental Car Center): Alamo, AVIS, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Fox, Hertz, National, Payless, Thrifty 

Getting from Oakland International Airport to Sequoia National Park: 

  • Car rental service 

Pros: 

  • Several options for domestic flights and airlines 
  • Option for cheaper flights  
  • Availability for specific international flights  
  • Plenty of car rental services available onsite  
  • Range of ground transport in case you’re visiting other places around the San Francisco Bay Area 

Cons: 

  • Long drive to the park entrances  

This is the best airport for Sequoia National Park … 

  • If you have lots of time to travel   
  • If you’re also visiting other destinations in the San Francisco Bay Area  

Ontario International Airport (ONT)

Road in the middle of buildings surrounded by tall trees in San Bernardino, California near Ontario International Airport

Ontario International Airport offers flights to major destinations in the US, Central America, Mexico, and Asia. You can choose from more than ten major airline services flying to and from this international airport. Take advantage of budget flights and points for frequent flyer programs by your chosen airlines.   

Bus and rail services like Amtrak, Greyhound, Metro Bus and Rail, and others are available to get you around Ontario and other major points in the US. Ride-share apps, taxis, and limousine services are also available.  

Ontario International has an onsite Rental Car Center with a free shuttle service to transport passengers between terminals and the center. Other car rental companies are also available and provide transportation for customers from the center to their offices.  

While it’s a long drive from this airport to Sequoia National Park, you can make the most out of your trip by seeing other attractions in the area.  

Location:

Ontario International Airport is situated east of the Downtown Ontario area in San Bernardino County, California.  

Distance to Sequoia National Park:  

  • Distance to Big Stump Entrance: 277 miles 
  • Distance to Ash Mountain Entrance: 240 miles 

Travel time to Sequoia National Park

  • Travel Time to Big Stump Entrance: 5 hours and 15 minutes 
  • Travel Time to Ash Mountain Entrance: 4 hours and 40 minutes 

What airlines fly out of Ontario International Airport? Which airports connect to there? 

  • Alaska: Portland, Seattle 
  • American Airlines: Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Phoenix  
  • Avianca: San Salvador 
  • China Airlines: Taipei 
  • Delta: Atlanta, Salt Lake City, Seattle 
  • Frontier: Atlanta, Denver, Las Vegas, Orlando, Phoenix, Sacramento, San Francisco  
  • Hawaiian Airlines: Honolulu 
  • JetBlue: New York City  
  • Southwest: Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Oakland, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, San Jose  
  • United: Denver, Houston, San Francisco 
  • Volaris: Guadalajara 

Rental car options: 

  • Onsite (Rental Car Center): Alamo, AVIS, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Fox, Hertz, National, Payless, Thrifty 

Getting from Ontario International Airport to Sequoia National Park: 

  • Car rentals are the best option 

Pros: 

  • Plenty of domestic flight services to key US cities  
  • Budget flights available   
  • Major car rental services offered here  
  • See attractions in Ontario and nearby areas  

Cons: 

  • Longer travel to the park entrances  

This is the best airport for Sequoia National Park … 

  • If you have ample time to travel  
  • If you have plans to visit Ontario, California or nearby areas 

Santa Ana John Wayne Airport (SNA)

Roads with cars passing through in the middle of buildings surrounded by trees in the daytime in Santa Ana, California

Santa Ana John Wayne Airport, a smaller commercial airport in Orange County, offers flights to main cities in the US and international flights to Canada and Mexico.  

If you’ll travel around to see sights in Orange County or nearby areas, you can take the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) bus services, as well as train services via Amtrak, Greyhound, Metro with routes to Los Angeles County, and Metrolink with routes to Southern California. 

To get your car rental service, you have several options for onsite and offsite car rental companies. The Ash Mountain Entrance is a five-hour drive while the Big Stump entrance is about five and a half hours from the Orange County area.  

Location:

Santa Ana John Wayne Airport is located in Orange County in Sta. Ana, California.  

Distance to Sequoia National Park:  

  • Distance to Big Stump Entrance: 281 miles 
  • Distance to Ash Mountain Entrance: 243 miles 

Travel time to Sequoia National Park

  • Travel Time to Big Stump Entrance: 5 hours and 25 minutes 
  • Travel Time to Ash Mountain Entrance: 4 hours and 50 minutes 

What airlines fly out of Santa Ana John Wayne Airport? Which airports connect to there? 

  • Air Canada: Vancouver, Canada 
  • Alaska Airlines: Everett, WA, Portland, San Francisco, Santa Rosa/Sonoma, Seattle 
  • Allegiant Air: Austin, Boise, Des Moines, Eugene, Idaho Falls, Las Vegas, Medford, Missoula, Phoenix (AZA), Provo, Sioux Falls 
  • American Airlines: Austin, Chicago (ORD), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), New York, Phoenix 
  • Delta Air Lines: Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Salt Lake City, Seattle 
  • Frontier Airlines: Denver, Las Vegas 
  • JSX: Concord, Las Vegas, Mammoth (Seasonal), Monterey, Oakland, Reno 
  • Southwest Airlines: Austin, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, Chicago (MDW), Dallas/Fort Worth (DAL), Denver, Houston (HOU), Kansas City, Las Vegas, Nashville, Oakland, Phoenix, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Jose, St. Louis 
  • Spirit Airlines: Las Vegas, Oakland, Phoenix (PHX) 
  • United Airlines: Aspen (Seasonal), Chicago (ORD), Denver, Honolulu, Houston (IAH), Newark, San Francisco  
  • West Jet: Calgary, Vancouver, Canada 

Rental car options: 

  • Onsite: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National  
  • Offsite: Fox/Payless, Go Rentals, Los Angeles Van Rentals, Orange County Van Rental, SNA Auto Rental, Stop-N-Go Rent-A-Car, U-Save Car & Truck Rental, United Auto Rental, United Van Rentals 

Getting from Santa Ana John Wayne Airport to Sequoia National Park: 

  • Car rental service 

Pros: 

  • More choices for domestic flights and airlines  
  • Flights to Canada and Mexico 
  • Get to see other places of interest in Orange County and surrounding regions 

Cons: 

  • Longer drive to both park entrances  

This is the best airport for Sequoia Park … 

  • If you have more time to travel   
  • If you plan to visit the Orange County area 

Sacramento International Airport (SMF)

Yellow Bridge above the river and on the opposite side are buildings surrounded by trees under a cloudy sky near Sacramento International Airport

Sacramento International Airport is a major airport hub in California located northwest of downtown Sacramento. If you’re also planning to visit Yosemite National Park, Lake Tahoe, and other North Coast attractions, flying here is a good option. There are nonstop flights to key cities in North America from here.  

If you’re seeing attractions in downtown Sacramento and nearby regions, transport services you can get at the airport include on-demand taxi services, Yolobus, and SacRT bus services.  

You’ll find several car rental services onsite and offsite to conveniently get you to Sequoia National Park. Driving to the Big Stump entrance takes about four hours. You can take the US-50 E/CA-99 S going to Fresno, then drive straight to exit 133B on CA-180 E until you reach the Big Stump entrance. Ash Mountain is almost the same distance as the Big Stump entrance, so you can also choose from either park entrance.   

Location:

Sacramento International Airport is located about 10 miles northwest of the downtown Sacramento area in Sacramento County.   

Distance from Sacramento to Sequoia National Park 

  • Distance to Big Stump Entrance: 236 miles 
  • Distance to Ash Mountain Entrance: 260 miles 

Travel time to Sequoia National Park

  • Travel Time to Big Stump Entrance: 4 hours 
  • Travel Time to Ash Mountain Entrance: 4 hours and 17  minutes 

What airlines fly out of Sacramento International Airport? Which airports connect to there? 

  • American Airlines  
  • Delta  
  • United Airlines  
  • Air Canada  
  • Aeromexico  
  • Alaska Airlines  
  • Frontier  
  • Hawaiian Airlines  
  • Horizon  
  • JetBlue  
  • Southwest  
  • Spirit  
  • Volaris 

Rental car options: 

  • Onsite: Alamo, AVIS, Budget, Dollar Rent a Car, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless Car Rental, Thrifty, Zipcar   
  • Offsite: Airport Van Rental  

Getting from Sacramento International Airport to Sequoia National Park: 

  • Car rentals  

Pros: 

  • Plenty of domestic flight options  
  • Plenty of car rental service  
  • See popular destinations in the North California areas like Vino Valhalla and Lake Tahoe 

Cons: 

  • Long drive to park entrances   

This is the best airport for Sequoia National Park … 

  • If you’re planning to tour other sights like Vino Valhalla and Lake Tahoe, or Yosemite National Park 
  • If you have plenty of time to travel

San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

Aerial view of the San Francisco International airport with the name written above that says San Francisco International and curved roads with a lot of cars outside surrounded by trees and above is a plane flying and

San Francisco International Airport is the largest airport in the Bay Area. It gives you access to over 75 cities across the US with nonstop flights provided by 13 domestic airline carriers. The airport is also serviced by 37 international flight carriers offering nonstop flights to over 40 international cities.  

You can choose from several onsite and offsite car rental companies, with a free airport shuttle service provided to get you to the Rental Car Center.  

Driving from the San Francisco area to Sequoia National Park’s Big Stump entrance takes about 4 hours. You can take I-80 E to I-580 E, then continue to I-205 E until the merge on I-5 N. Take CA-120 E going to CA-99 S. Then drive to exit 133B until you reach CA-180 E, then head towards the Big Stump entrance.  

Location:

San Francisco International Airport is around 13 miles south of San Francisco, in San Mateo County.  

Distance San Francisco to Sequoia National Park:  

  • Distance from San Fran to Sequoia National Park, Big Stump Entrance: 240 miles 
  • Distance to Ash Mountain Entrance: 264 miles 

Travel time San Francisco Airport to Sequoia National Park

  • Travel Time San Francisco, CA to Sequoia National Park, Big Stump Entrance: 4 hours and 10 minutes 
  • Travel Time to Ash Mountain Entrance: 4 hours and 25 minutes 

What airlines fly out of San Francisco International Airport? Which airports connect to there? 

Major domestic and international airlines are serviced at San Francisco International Airport.  

Rental car options: 

  • Onsite: Alamo, AVIS, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Sixt, Hertz, National, Thrifty 
  • Offsite: Airport Van Rental, NU Car Rentals, Payless Car Rental, Fox   

Getting from San Francisco International Airport to Sequoia National Park: 

  • Rent a car  

Pros: 

  • Multiple domestic and international flights and airline options  
  • Budget flights and points for miles  
  • Plenty of car rental services are offered here  
  • Plenty of ground transportation services are available  

Cons: 

  • Long drive to the park entrances  

This is the best airport for Sequoia National Park … 

  • If you are taking an international flight   
  • If you have lots of time for travel  
  • If you’re also visiting Yosemite National Park 

San Diego International Airport (SAN)

A Plane is going to land at the rectangular runway at San Diego International Airport, and outside are cars parked near the airport in San Diego.

San Diego International Airport offers nonstop flight services to over 70 domestic and international destinations. You have plenty of routing options and can get cheaper flights offered by major airlines. It’s farther from Sequoia National Park than the other airports but it does give you accessibility and convenience.  

Traveling within the California area is also easy with several transportation services available via Amtrak Intercity and COASTER commuter trains. City Bus Public also offers services to and from the airport and within the San Diego area, connecting to Trolley, COASTER, and Amtrak stations. You can also get limousine and luxury sedan services from the airport.  

For car rentals, you’ll have several options for both onsite and offsite rental services. To get to Sequoia National Park, you can drive to either I-805 N or I-5 N and head to CA-99N going to Bakersfield or Fresno. Take exit 96 to CA-198 E until you reach Visalia. Continue driving until you get to the Ash Mountain entrance. It would take you a six-hour drive to get there.  

Location:

San Diego International Airport is located three miles northwest of San Diego’s downtown area in California. 

Distance from San Diego to Sequoia National Park:  

  • Distance to Big Stump Entrance: 360 miles 
  • Distance to Ash Mountain Entrance: 323 miles 

Travel time San Diego – Sequoia National Park: 

  • Travel Time to Big Stump Entrance: 6 hours and 30 minutes 
  • Travel Time to Ash Mountain Entrance: 5 hours and 55 minutes 

What airlines fly out of San Diego International Airport? Which airports connect to there? 

Major domestic and international airlines offer nonstop flights to multiple US cities and around the world.  

Rental car options: 

  • Onsite: Alamo, AVIS, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Fox, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt, Thrifty, Zipcar 
  • Offsite: Mex/Ace Rent A Car, NU Car Rentals   

Getting from San Diego International Airport to Sequoia National Park: 

  • Car rentals  

Pros: 

  • Multiple flights both domestic and international are available  
  • Plenty of car rental companies are available  
  • You can get budget flights and points for frequent flyer programs   
  • See other places of interest in San Diego and other California attractions along the way 

Cons: 

  • Farther than other airports  

This is the best airport for Sequoia National Park … 

  • If you have plenty of time to travel  
  • If you are planning an epic Californian road trip, including sights in the San Diego area and in between. 

Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)

Mountains behind McCarran / Harry Reid Airport Las Vegas and at the forehand buildings are surrounded by trees beside the roads with several cars

Another major airport you can fly to go to Sequoia National Park is Harry Reid International Airport. The airport is not the closest to the park, but it has plenty of airline options and flight routes. Most major US airlines fly to and from Harry Reid International, so you can check out budget flights and get points for your favorite airline’s frequent flyer program. 

If other popular attractions like Zion National Park, Grand Canyon’s North and South Rim, Page, and Las/ or Las Vegas are included in your itinerary, this airport makes sense.  

Harry Reid International has plenty of car rental options both onsite and offsite. The Ash Mountain entrance is the closest entrance – though it’s still around a six-hour drive away. From I-15 S, head towards Los Angeles. Take exit 179 to CA-58 W and drive towards Bakersfield. From there, continue to CA-99 N and head towards Fresno. Drive to exit 96 onto CA-198 E going to Visalia, then continue driving until you reach the Ash Mountain entrance.  

Location:

Harry Reid International Airport is located in Paradise, Nevada.  

Distance Las Vegas to Sequoia National Park: 

  • Distance Las Vegas – Sequoia National Park, Big Stump Entrance: 412 miles 
  • Distance to Ash Mountain Entrance: 375 miles 

Travel time to Sequoia National Park

  • Travel Time Las Vegas, Nevada Sequoia National Park, Big Stump Entrance: 6 hours and 35 minutes 
  • Travel Time to Ash Mountain Entrance: 6 hours 

What airlines fly out of Harry Reid International Airport? Which airports connect to there? 

Multiple airlines both domestic and international flights are available at this airport.  

Rental car options: 

  • Onsite (Rent-A-Car Center): Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, Sixt, Payless, Alamo, Dollar, Thrifty, National  
  • Other offsite car rentals are available 

Getting from Harry Reid International Airport to Sequoia National Park: 

  • Car rental service  

Pros: 

  • Plenty of choices for both domestic and international flights  
  • Several car rental companies are available onsite and offsite  
  • Cheaper flights are offered here  

Cons: 

  • Far from the park entrances  

This is the best airport for Sequoia National Park … 

  • If you are taking a Southwest and Californian road trip and want a convenient airport with plenty of flight options 

FAQs About the Best Airport for Sequoia National Park 

How far apart are Sequoia and Yosemite?

Yosemite National Park is 218 miles from Sequoia National Park on CA 41. If you drive non-stop, it will take you about 5 hours and 45 minutes to get there. 

What is the closest international airport to Sequoia National Park?  

The closest international airport to Sequoia National Park is Fresno Yosemite International Airport. In fact, it’s also the closest to Yosemite and Kings Canyon National Park.

What is the best entrance to Sequoia National Park?

The Big Stump entrance that’s accessible via Highway 180 in Kings Canyon National Park is a more popular route because it’s wider, less steep, and more straight which allows longer vehicles to easily get to the park.


Map of Airports Near Sequoia National Park


Travel Insurancefor Sequoia National Park 

A final thought.  When you’re flying to Sequoia National Park, consider getting travel insurance too. Make sure it includes trip cancellation, in case you need to cancel your flight before your travel, so that you can get a refund.    

A great insurance option is Travelex.  It has coverage for all you’ll need. You can swap this link for  either choose the best travel insurance plan for your trip here or get a quote right now:

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Have a great trip to Sequoia!  I hope this guide has helped you decide what airport to fly into for Sequoia National Park.

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Closest Airport to Sequoia National Park

Which of the airports near California Sequoia National Park did you choose?  I’d love to know.  Join my private Facebook group National Parks Collectors and comment and let me know (you can also pick up extra planning tips, share your photos and stories with other national park lovers and more).  

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About the Author

James Ian Yosemite

James Ian is a national park, camping and hiking expert.

He has dedicated his life to travel, visiting more than 80 countries, all 7 continents and all of the main national parks in the United States. With over 35 years experience in the travel industry, James has worked on cruise ships, at resorts and hotels, and as a travel planner who’s helped hundreds of people plan successful trips to US national parks. 

Based on his experience visiting our national parks multiple times, in-depth research and expertise as a travel planner, James has published detailed itineraries for most of the major national parks in the US. These itineraries, as well as in-depth park guides, comprehensive camping and hiking gear reviews and buying guides, and helpful packing lists and gift guides will help you have your own incredible trip to US national parks without stress and hassle.

As a national park expert, James has contributed to many publications, including Time Business News, Savoteur, Best Trip, and Wired.

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