Backpacking, Hiking, and Rock Climbing:

Some 84% of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks was designated as Wilderness under the 1984 California Wilderness Act. Currently, the parks are gathering information and public input in order to develop a Wilderness Management Plan for these areas.

For more details on planning a wilderness trip, see Backcountry Basics.

Food storage is required as black bears are at home in these parks. Their natural habitat is the forests and shrublands below 8000' (2438 meters), but they will frequently roam above these elevations in order to steal food from backpackers. Federal regulations require proper food storage and prohibit feeding of any park animal. Violations of these regulations will result in a fine of up to $5000. Even stronger than legal obligations is the moral responsibility to respect the wilderness you have come to enjoy. Careless food storage spells death for bears. When a bear repeatedly obtains human food and garbage, it becomes destructive and dangerous, and may have to be killed. You have entered the bears' territory; learn how to protect your food from bears, and don't let your carelessness destroy them in their own homes.

Wilderness permits are required for all overnight camping outside designated campgrounds. There is an overnight camping fee of $15 for permits issued by these parks. Permits are not required for day hikes, except in the Mt Whitney area. All hikers (even day hikers) to Mt. Whitney are required to obtain a permit.

Reservations: Quotas limit the number of people entering each trailhead on a single day. In the summer, the quotas on some popular trailheads are filled. To avoid this, you can reserve a permit in advance for trips between mid-May and September. We can accept backcountry reservations for the current year no earlier than March 1 and no later than 3 weeks before the start of your trip. All reservation requests must be faxed or mailed in. We regret that we are not set up to take backcountry reservations electronically at this time.

Groups are strongly recommended to use the reservation system. The maximum group size is 15 people per trailhead except for Redwood Canyon where the maximum size is 10.

All campers are expected to know and follow the regulations for minimum impact camping. This includes the fact that pets, weapons, and motorized or mechanical equipment are prohibited in national park backcountry.

Stock users, please read the updated Stock Use and Grazing Regulations (in .pdf format) and the minimum-impact stock-use regulations. Check the opening dates for grazing in meadows.

Horseback Riding:

There is one pack station and one stable in Kings Canyon National Park, and one pack station in nearby Sequoia National Forest. All are closed from late fall to spring, but exact dates vary. Each offers specific services; check with them for details and prices.

In Kings Canyon National Park:Cedar Grove Pack Station : 1-559-565-3464 (summer) : 1-559-337-2314 (off season)Grant Grove Stables : 1-559-335-9292 (summer) : 1-559-337-2314 (off season)

In Sequoia National Forest: Horse Corral:

PO Box 546

Woodlake, CA 93286

1-559-565-3404 (summer) : 559-564-6429 (off season) : 1-559-679-3573 (cell)

National Park Service Areas Nearby:

Death Valley National Park

Yosemite National Park

Manzanar National Historic Site

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Channel Islands National Park

Devils Postpile National Monument

John Muir National Historic Site

Joshua Tree National Park

Other Attractions:

Giant Sequoia National Monument/Sequoia National Forest, (559)338-2251.

Sierra National Forest, (559)855-5360.

Inyo National Forest, (760)873-2500.

Plane : The closest commercial airports are in Fresno & Visalia.

Car : NOTE: Gasoline is not sold within park boundaries. Be sure to fill up in one of the towns near the park entrance OR at one of three locations in the national forest bordering part of the park: year-round at Hume Lake (near Grant Grove), and late spring into fall at Stony Creek (between Giant Forest and Grant Grove) or Kings Canyon Lodge (between Grant Grove and Cedar Grove).

To Sequoia Park entrance: from Highway 99 at Visalia take Highway 198 east for approximately 1 hour.

Note: The 16-miles of road from Ash Mountain to Giant Forest includes 130 curves and 12 switchbacks. Due to this, there is a vehicle-length advisory for the 12 steepest miles within that stretch. From Potwisha Campground to the Giant Forest Museum, the advised maximum vehicle length is 22 feet (6.7 m). The alternative: take Highway 180 from Fresno to Grant Grove, then turn south on the Generals Highway.

Maximum legal length limits on the Generals Highway are 40 feet (12 m) for single vehicles or 50 feet (15 m) for vehicles plus a towed unit. If you are towing a smaller vehicle, consider camping in the foothills and using the smaller car to explore.

To Kings Canyon Park entrance: from Highway 99 at Fresno take Highway 180 east approximately 1-1/4 hours.

PET OWNERS: Keep in mind that dogs are not permitted on park trails and it may be too hot to leave them in the car.

Bus : In Sequoia Park, the 16-miles of the Generals Highway from Ash Mountain to Giant Forest contains 130 curves and 12 switchbacks. There is a vehicle-length advisory for the 12 steepest miles within that stretch. From Potwisha Campground to the Giant Forest Museum, the advised maximum vehicle length is 22 feet (6.7 m). The alternative: take Highway 180 from Fresno to Grant Grove and turn south on the Generals Highway as far as the Giant Forest.

Maximum legal length limits on the Generals Highway are 40 feet (12 m) for single vehicles or 50 feet (15 m) for vehicles plus a towed unit.

Public Transportation: There is no public transportation to these parks.