Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Located in eastern California, about 5 hours drive from both Los Angeles and San Francisco, Sequoia National Park brings out the best in all those who seek both adventure and tranquility. Though full of mountains of all geological make-ups to climb and scamper in, the park's true greatness is in the forest. Home to some of the largest trees in the world, the Sequoia, this park you have to see to believe. "If trees could be kings," say many, "their royal realm would be in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks."
At A Glance
In The Park
Superintendent: Craig AxtellPhone Number: 559-565-4212
Entrance Fees: Individual Pass (valid for 7 days): $10 (on foot, bicycle, mororcycle, or bus); Vehicle Pass (valid for 7 days): $20; Annual Pass: $30
Sights: Giant Forest; General Sherman Tree; Moro Rock; Tharp's Log; Crescent Meadow; Crystal Cave; Mount Whitney; Congress Trail; Big Trees Trail; Giant Forest Museum; Tunnel Log
Endangered Species: Bighorn Sheep; Bats
Important Dates
Established as Park: September 25, 1890By The Numbers
Acres: 406,426.00Highest Point: Mount Whitney (14495 feet)
Annual Visitation: 954,507 (2006)
Location
Latitude / Longitude :36.544070 / -118.540550 (map it)
State: CA
Nearby Big City: Sequoia National Park, CA
Gateway Communities: Three Rivers, CA; Kaweah, CA; Exeter, CA; Ivanhoe, CA; Lindsay, CA
Nearby Airports: Fresno-Yosemite International Airport (FYI); Visalia Municipal Airport (VIS)
Green Features
Has Recycling? : YesHas Shuttle System? : Yes
Has Volunteer Program? : Yes
Park Photos
Giant Forest Museum
Thomas & Amelia Takacs
Hiking Couple
amygdala imagery
Moro Rock
Sean O. S. Barley
View More Sequoia & Kings Canyon Photos
In Detail
Campgrounds at Sequoia Lodgepole Campground The Lodgepole Campground has 214 sites, is located 0.5-mile east of Lodgepole Visitor Center, at an elevation of 6,700 feet and costs $20 per night in the summer and $10 once snow ... read more.
Lodging & Dining LODGING Comfortable accommodations are available at Sequoia from Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts @ Sequoia (DNC P&R @ Sequoia). Advance reservations are strongly recommended, especia ... read more.
Mount Whitney Crowning the Sierra Nevada, majestic Mount Whitney stands 14,494 feet tall. It is the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States. You can see it only from the eastern reaches of the backcountry ... read more.
Sights To See SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK Sequoia National Park is a masterpiece created by nature. Here you can see the world's largest living organism. The following are just a few of the many sights to see in the pa ... read more.
Walking & Hiking Trails Giant Forest Congress Trail (easy) Distance 2 miles Two miles, one to two hours round-trip; self-guiding trail; trailhead: General Sherman Tree, just off Generals Highway; 200-foot elevation gain. ... read more.
Recent News
- Car Fire Sparks Sequoia Park Blaze August 20, 2008, 12:02 pm
- Travel with The Californian: Sequoia National Park is the land of the giants August 12, 2008, 11:07 am
- 340,000 marijuana plants eradicated from Tulare County mountains August 6, 2008, 11:58 am
- Kings Canyon National Park May 7, 2008, 1:24 pm
- Marijuana Plants Seized In Earth Day Cleanup Operation April 30, 2008, 12:46 pm
Sequoia & Kings Canyon In Depth
News from the Parks
Anglers Wary of North Cascades Plan to Limit Fishing
August 21, 2008 - 10:51am
Not much comes easy in the precipitous ice-and-rock geography of North Cascades National Park -- not the hiking, not the high-lakes fishing, and across the park's 40 years of existence, not even fish management. This is what I'm thinking during the sweaty hike out of the stunning cirque that embraces Monogram Lake, where I've spent a couple hours catching and releasing dozens of pretty cutthroat trout with two mountain anglers who fear that soon there will be no fish in the park's high lakes. Whether trout should be in these lakes at all has been an issue since the park was created in 1968, and it is coming to a head with the release in July of the park's voluminous "Mountain Lakes Fishery Management Plan."
August 21, 2008 - 10:51am
Not much comes easy in the precipitous ice-and-rock geography of North Cascades National Park -- not the hiking, not the high-lakes fishing, and across the park's 40 years of existence, not even fish management. This is what I'm thinking during the sweaty hike out of the stunning cirque that embraces Monogram Lake, where I've spent a couple hours catching and releasing dozens of pretty cutthroat trout with two mountain anglers who fear that soon there will be no fish in the park's high lakes. Whether trout should be in these lakes at all has been an issue since the park was created in 1968, and it is coming to a head with the release in July of the park's voluminous "Mountain Lakes Fishery Management Plan."
Bison Advocates Go for Space
August 21, 2008 - 10:48am
As rancher Rick Knobe slowly guides his pickup around the iconic American bison on the prairie here, he reflects on a time when they roamed freely. "I figure the buffalo were there first, the elk were there first, the wolves were there first," he says, looking over his herd of 28 American bison, on his Lazy RRse Buffalo Ranch. "I figure these animals should be given more the right of way to roam."
August 21, 2008 - 10:48am
As rancher Rick Knobe slowly guides his pickup around the iconic American bison on the prairie here, he reflects on a time when they roamed freely. "I figure the buffalo were there first, the elk were there first, the wolves were there first," he says, looking over his herd of 28 American bison, on his Lazy RRse Buffalo Ranch. "I figure these animals should be given more the right of way to roam."
Rapid Climate Change Threatens to Thaw Icy Wonderland of Alaska
August 21, 2008 - 10:43am
I was in Alaska for 10 days in August, on a fellowship with Michigan State University's Knight Center for Environmental Journalism and the Union of Concerned Scientists, to see firsthand the effects of global warming. I didn't have to look far. I watched massive chunks of glacial ice breaking off into the sea.
August 21, 2008 - 10:43am
I was in Alaska for 10 days in August, on a fellowship with Michigan State University's Knight Center for Environmental Journalism and the Union of Concerned Scientists, to see firsthand the effects of global warming. I didn't have to look far. I watched massive chunks of glacial ice breaking off into the sea.
Park Seeks Construction Comment
August 21, 2008 - 10:38am
The National Park Service proposes to construct new housing, operations and recreation facilities in Big Bend National Park. The public, organizations and other agencies may review and comment upon a draft environmental assessment (EA) describing the proposal. The new construction would occur at Panther Junction, Rio Grande Village and Castolon. The proposal is to construct 27 structures, of which 15 would serve new purposes and 12 would replace temporary or inadequate facilities.
August 21, 2008 - 10:38am
The National Park Service proposes to construct new housing, operations and recreation facilities in Big Bend National Park. The public, organizations and other agencies may review and comment upon a draft environmental assessment (EA) describing the proposal. The new construction would occur at Panther Junction, Rio Grande Village and Castolon. The proposal is to construct 27 structures, of which 15 would serve new purposes and 12 would replace temporary or inadequate facilities.
Looking for Labor Day Park Lodging? It's Not Too Late
August 21, 2008 - 10:11am
With Labor Day a week away, you may think you have a better chance of making a hole in one blindfolded than getting space at a campground or a park lodge for the holiday. But it's not quite that grim.
August 21, 2008 - 10:11am
With Labor Day a week away, you may think you have a better chance of making a hole in one blindfolded than getting space at a campground or a park lodge for the holiday. But it's not quite that grim.
