If this is your Sequoia National Park visit, then you may be finding planning your trip there a little overwhelming. It’s not uncommon for first-time visitors to Sequoia National Park to feel that way.
Which is why I’ve created this Sequoia National Park travel guide.
I’m James Ian and I’m a national park expert and I’d like to share these Sequoia National Park tips with you.
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Table of Contents
1. Arrive Early to Secure Parking
Sequoia National Park is a popular destination, especially during the peak season from May to September. To avoid long entrance lines and secure parking at popular sites like the General Sherman Tree, plan to arrive early in the morning, ideally before 9:00 AM.
By arriving early, you’ll also beat the worst of the midday crowds on trails and at viewpoints. Plus, you’ll have a better chance of spotting wildlife like mule deer and black bears, which tend to be more active in the cooler morning hours.
If you’re visiting on a weekend during the summer, consider arriving even earlier (before 8:00 AM) to ensure you get a parking spot.
2. Use the Free Shuttle Service
To ease traffic congestion and protect the environment, Sequoia National Park operates a free shuttle bus system in the Giant Forest and Lodgepole areas. The shuttle runs from late May through early September and is a convenient way to access popular sites without the hassle of finding parking.
You can park your car at the Giant Forest Museum or the Lodgepole Visitor Center and take the shuttle to destinations like the General Sherman Tree, Moro Rock, and Crescent Meadow. Shuttles run every 10-20 minutes from early morning until late afternoon, so you can easily hop on and off throughout the day.
On busy summer weekends, using the shuttle is especially a good idea to avoid parking frustrations.
3. Be Prepared for Narrow, Winding Roads
Even in the summer months, driving in Sequoia National Park can be challenging. The Generals Highway, which is the main road through the park, is narrow and winding with steep drop-offs and limited sight lines and limited guardrails. Many of the side roads, like the one to Moro Rock, are even narrower and more winding.
To stay safe on these roads, drive slowly and cautiously, especially around blind corners. Use pullouts to let faster traffic pass, and never stop in the middle of the road to take photos or admire the view. If you’re not used to driving on mountain roads, consider taking breaks to rest and calm your nerves – the park’s stunning scenery will still be there when you’re ready to go again.
The first time I went there, I was driving an RV and had planned to enter in the north and exit in the south. However, I didn’t know that vehicles longer than 24 feet (7.3 m) are not advised between the Foothills Visitor Center and Potwisha Campground in Sequoia National Park and vehicles longer than 22 feet (6.7 m) are not advised on the stretch of road between Potwisha Campground and the Giant Forest Museum in Sequoia National Park because the road is too narrow and winding. This meant that I had to exit back through the northern entrance.
There are several other roads that are restricted to long vehicles.
- Vehicles longer than 22 feet (6.7 m) are prohibited on Crystal Cave Road.
- Single vehicles longer than 22 feet (6.7 m) and vehicles towing units are prohibited on the road to Moro Rock and Crescent Meadow
- RVs and trailers are prohibited on Panoramic Point Road which leads from Kings Canyon Visitor Center to Panoramic Point.
4. Check Road Conditions and Chain Requirements
During the winter months (usually from November through April), these roads can be covered in snow and ice, making driving conditions treacherous.
Before setting out, check the park’s website or social media for current road conditions and chain requirements.
You may need to carry tire chains and know how to use them, even if you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Use lower gears while traveling downhill.
If you’re not comfortable driving in wintry conditions, consider visiting during the summer months or taking a guided tour instead of driving yourself.
5. Bring Binoculars for Wildlife and Sequoia Viewing
Sequoia National Park is home to an incredible diversity of wildlife, from black bears and mule deer to yellow-bellied marmots and peregrine falcons. While some animals like bears are easy to spot with the naked eye, others like birds and small mammals are much harder to see without the aid of binoculars.
Binoculars are also useful for getting a closer look at the tops of the park’s massive sequoia trees, which can grow to over 250 feet tall. With a good pair of binoculars, you can observe the intricacies of the sequoias’ bark, branches, and cones from the ground, giving you a greater appreciation for these majestic giants.
These Vortex Diamondback Binoculars are my top pick for best binoculars for the money. You can read my full buying guide here.
6. Check for Fire Restrictions and Air Quality
In recent years, wildfires have become an increasingly common occurrence in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, including in Sequoia National Park. These fires can affect air quality, road and trail access, and overall park conditions.
Before your visit, check the park’s website or social media for current fire restrictions and air quality alerts. If fires are burning in or near the park, you may need to adjust your plans or take precautions to protect your health, such as wearing an N95 mask when outdoor air quality is poor.
In extreme cases, parts of the park may be closed due to fire danger, so it’s always a good idea to have a backup plan in case your original itinerary needs to change.
7. Reserve Lodging or Camping Well in Advance
If you plan to stay overnight in Sequoia National Park, make your reservations well in advance, especially if you’re visiting during the busy summer months. The park has one hotel, the Wuksachi Lodge, which often books up months ahead of time.
For camping, there are several campgrounds within the park, including Lodgepole, Dorst Creek, and Buckeye Flat. These campgrounds also fill up quickly, particularly on weekends and holidays. You can make reservations for camping through recreation.gov up to six months in advance.
If you miss out on a reservation, check back periodically for cancellations or consider staying outside the park in nearby towns like Three Rivers or Visalia. Find somewhere to stay on Expedia.
8. Buy Your Entrance Pass in Advance
Like most national parks, Sequoia charges an entrance fee for vehicles and individuals. The current fee is $35 per vehicle, $20 per motorcycle, or $15 per individual on foot or bike, and the pass is valid for seven consecutive days.
To save time at the entrance station, consider buying your pass in advance online at recreation.gov. You can print out the pass or download it on your mobile device and show it to the ranger when you arrive.
If you plan to visit multiple national parks within a year, consider purchasing an America the Beautiful pass, which costs $80 and grants access to over 2,000 federal recreation sites nationwide.
9. Time Your Visit to Avoid Crowds
Sequoia National Park can get very crowded, especially during the summer months and on weekends. To avoid the worst of the crowds and traffic, plan your visit strategically. Arrive early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid peak midday crowds. If possible, visit on weekdays rather than weekends.
Another way to avoid crowds is to visit less-popular areas of the park. While iconic sites like the General Sherman Tree and Moro Rock are must-sees, they’re also the most crowded. Consider hiking to less-visited sequoia groves like the Muir Grove or the Redwood Canyon Grove, or exploring the park’s scenic backcountry trails for a more solitary experience.
10. Don’t Miss Kings Canyon National Park
While you’re in the area, don’t forget to visit Sequoia’s lesser-known but equally stunning neighbor, Kings Canyon National Park. The two parks are managed together and are connected by the Generals Highway, making it easy to visit both in one trip.
Kings Canyon is home to towering granite cliffs, deep gorges, and the powerful Kings River. Highlights include the General Grant Tree (the second-largest tree in the world), the scenic Kings Canyon Scenic Byway, and the rugged backcountry of the High Sierra.
Enjoy your trip to Sequoia!
Do you have any other travel tips for Sequoia National Park? I’d love to hear about them. 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 is a national park, camping and hiking expert.
He has dedicated his life to travel, visiting more than 80 countries, all 7 continents and most of the 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 USA Today, Time Business News, Savoteur, Best Trip, and Wired.
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