1. Location Description History Visitor Information Sites to See Animals to See Weather

2. Location DISTANCE & TIME to SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK Entrance via Hwy 198 from: Visalia - 46 miles—allow 1 hour Visalia - 46 miles—allow 1 hour Fresno - 76 miles—allow 1 hour 30 minutes Fresno - 76 miles—allow 1 hour 30 minutes Bakersfield - 114 miles—allow 2 hours Bakersfield - 114 miles—allow 2 hours Yosemite NP Wawona Entrance - 138 miles—allow 2 hours 45 minutes Yosemite NP Wawona Entrance - 138 miles—allow 2 hours 45 minutes Los Angeles - 225 miles—allow 3 hours 45 minutes Los Angeles - 225 miles—allow 3 hours 45 minutes Oakland or Sacramento - 250 miles—allow 4 hours 30 minutes Oakland or Sacramento - 250 miles—allow 4 hours 30 minutes Death Valley NP West Entrance - 320 miles—allow 6 hours 15 minutes Death Valley NP West Entrance - 320 miles—allow 6 hours 15 minutes Las Vegas - 400 miles—allow 6 hours 30 minutes Las Vegas - 400 miles—allow 6 hours 30 minutes Main California Is the home to Sequoia National Park

3. History Humans have traveled or lived in the Southern Sierra for at least 6-7,000 years. In the higher mountains, and also down into the western foothills, lived hunters and gatherers remembered today as the Monache or Western Mono. Humans have traveled or lived in the Southern Sierra for at least 6-7,000 years. In the higher mountains, and also down into the western foothills, lived hunters and gatherers remembered today as the Monache or Western Mono. In the late 1700s and early 1800s, Spanish began exploring the edge of the Sierras. Soon afterwards, trappers, sheepherders, miners, and loggers poured into the Sierras seeking to exploit whatever the mountains had to offer. By the end of the 19th century, San Joaquin Valley communities increasingly looked to the Sierras for water and recreation. In the struggle between all these competing interests, two national parks were born that became what we know today as Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Today the parks together protect 265 Native American archeological sites and 69 historic sites. In the late 1700s and early 1800s, Spanish began exploring the edge of the Sierras. Soon afterwards, trappers, sheepherders, miners, and loggers poured into the Sierras seeking to exploit whatever the mountains had to offer. By the end of the 19th century, San Joaquin Valley communities increasingly looked to the Sierras for water and recreation. In the struggle between all these competing interests, two national parks were born that became what we know today as Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Today the parks together protect 265 Native American archeological sites and 69 historic sites. The full story of one week in 1890 when the Giant Forest was added to Sequoia National Park and the precursor to Kings Canyon sprang into existence may never be known. Through clever legislation, some unknown agents grew the two parks that now protect nearly half the remaining sequoia groves in the world. The full story of one week in 1890 when the Giant Forest was added to Sequoia National Park and the precursor to Kings Canyon sprang into existence may never be known. Through clever legislation, some unknown agents grew the two parks that now protect nearly half the remaining sequoia groves in the world. Main

4. Weather SUMMER: July thru early September. Activities and temperatures are at their peak.The foothills chaparral is hot and dry, but the mid- elevation sequoia groves offer warm days and pleasant nights. All roads and facilities are open—conditions permitting. Ranger-led nature programs and Crystal Cave tours are offered daily. SUMMER: July thru early September. Activities and temperatures are at their peak.The foothills chaparral is hot and dry, but the mid- elevation sequoia groves offer warm days and pleasant nights. All roads and facilities are open—conditions permitting. Ranger-led nature programs and Crystal Cave tours are offered daily. FALL: Mid-September thru November. Approximately Cooler temperatures arrive to all elevations. In some areas, fall adds a touch of color to the landscape. Sudden storms can dust everything with snow before quickly melting. Crystal Cave tours continue into October. Most roads and facilities remain open but fewer programs are offered. Summer crowds are gone. FALL: Mid-September thru November. Approximately Cooler temperatures arrive to all elevations. In some areas, fall adds a touch of color to the landscape. Sudden storms can dust everything with snow before quickly melting. Crystal Cave tours continue into October. Most roads and facilities remain open but fewer programs are offered. Summer crowds are gone. WINTER: Late November thru mid-April. Pacific rains turn foothills grasses green and bring deep snowy silence to higher elevations. Come prepared for winter driving on snowy or icy roads. Some facilities shut down for winter. The roads to Cedar Grove and Mineral King close. The main road may close during and after winter storms for plowing. WINTER: Late November thru mid-April. Pacific rains turn foothills grasses green and bring deep snowy silence to higher elevations. Come prepared for winter driving on snowy or icy roads. Some facilities shut down for winter. The roads to Cedar Grove and Mineral King close. The main road may close during and after winter storms for plowing. SPRING: Mid-April thru June. Longer days and warmer temperatures melt snow and clothe lower elevations with wildflowers. At higher elevations, winter conditions often linger. Rivers grow swift, cold and very dangerous. Crystal Cave tours begin mid-May. The road to Cedar Grove usually opens in mid-April and the Mineral King Road by Memorial Day—weather permitting. SPRING: Mid-April thru June. Longer days and warmer temperatures melt snow and clothe lower elevations with wildflowers. At higher elevations, winter conditions often linger. Rivers grow swift, cold and very dangerous. Crystal Cave tours begin mid-May. The road to Cedar Grove usually opens in mid-April and the Mineral King Road by Memorial Day—weather permitting. Main

5. Animals to See Main Marmots are a familiar sight in rocky areas of the High Sierra. Big Horn sheep are among the endangered species protected by the parks. Male Bullock’s Orioles stand out like living embers in the green foliage of Sierran trees. These birds are fairly common in the foothill woodlands throughout the spring and summer. Meadows are a good place to view black bears. Be sure to keep a safe distance -- 300 feet or more. The California kingsnake is found at low elevations in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

6. Description From immense mountains to sweeping foothills, deep canyons to extensive caverns... all these and the world’s largest trees! These parks are monuments to nature's size, beauty, and diversity. From immense mountains to sweeping foothills, deep canyons to extensive caverns... all these and the world’s largest trees! These parks are monuments to nature's size, beauty, and diversity. Park activities, facilities, and landscapes vary tremendously by season and by elevation. Explore your many options using the links below. Park activities, facilities, and landscapes vary tremendously by season and by elevation. Explore your many options using the links below. Did You Know? Sometimes you will see sequoias in a straight row. This may happen because sequoia seeds prefer mineral-rich burned ground. When a fallen log burns long and hot, it leaves a strip of bare mineral-rich soil — an ideal place for new sequoias to grow. Years later, we see a line of sequoias! Did You Know? Sometimes you will see sequoias in a straight row. This may happen because sequoia seeds prefer mineral-rich burned ground. When a fallen log burns long and hot, it leaves a strip of bare mineral-rich soil — an ideal place for new sequoias to grow. Years later, we see a line of sequoias! Did You Know? Not all American black bears are black! Colors also include chocolate, brown, cinnamon, and even blonde. When you see a brown-colored bear in Sequoia and Kings Canyon parks, you are seeing a black bear, not a grizzly. Although a grizzly is on the state flag, none remain in the wilds of California. Did You Know? Not all American black bears are black! Colors also include chocolate, brown, cinnamon, and even blonde. When you see a brown-colored bear in Sequoia and Kings Canyon parks, you are seeing a black bear, not a grizzly. Although a grizzly is on the state flag, none remain in the wilds of California. Main

7. Sites to See Main Foothills Visitor Center: Focus here is on the Sierran foothills, the most biologically diverse area of these parks! Giant Forest Museum: Wonderful exhibits offer an in-depth look at the incredible giant sequoias of Giant Forest, and what we have learned about how to protect them. Lodgepole Visitor Center: Here you can explore the natural and human history of the southern Sierra Nevada. Movie - Bears of the Sierra. Mineral King Ranger Station: This small station houses some exhibits on Mineral King's human & natural history.

8. Visitor Information ENTRANCE FEES Part of your entrance and camping fees stay in the park to improve the experience here — repairing roads, campgrounds, trails, picnic areas, and restrooms. Fees have also funded updated exhibits, improved visitor centers, and better naturalist slide programs. ENTRANCE FEES Part of your entrance and camping fees stay in the park to improve the experience here — repairing roads, campgrounds, trails, picnic areas, and restrooms. Fees have also funded updated exhibits, improved visitor centers, and better naturalist slide programs. 7-day pass for Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and the Hume Lake District of Sequoia National Forest (Giant Sequoia National Monument): $20 per vehicle or $10 per person on foot, bicycle, motorcycle, or bus. 7-day pass for Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and the Hume Lake District of Sequoia National Forest (Giant Sequoia National Monument): $20 per vehicle or $10 per person on foot, bicycle, motorcycle, or bus. Annual pass for Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and the Hume Lake District of Sequoia National Forest (Giant Sequoia National Monument): $30 admits all passengers in a private vehicle for one year from month of purchase. CAMPGROUNDS The parks offer 14 campgrounds with over 800 established campsites. Fees vary depending on location. There is a camping limit of 14 days during the period from June 14-September 15 with a total of 30 days per year. more... WILDERNESS TRAVEL Wilderness permits are required for all overnight camping outside designated campgrounds. There is an overnight camping fee of $15 per trip for permits issued by these parks. more...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 from the Inyo National Forest. more... CRYSTAL CAVE Anyone wishing to visit Crystal Cave must be part of a guided tour. Tour tickets are not sold at the cave entrance. They must be purchased in person at Foothills or Lodgepole visitor centers in Sequoia National Park. After purchasing tickets allow at least 1½ hours to arrive at the cave. more... FISHING Fishing is permitted in most parts of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, and in adjacent national forests. Persons 16 years of age or older are required to have a California State Fishing license. Get park-specific regulations at any visitor center. OTHER ACTIVITIES Special use permits are available for other activities in the park — for example, weddings. Call 559-565-3153. Annual pass for Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and the Hume Lake District of Sequoia National Forest (Giant Sequoia National Monument): $30 admits all passengers in a private vehicle for one year from month of purchase. CAMPGROUNDS The parks offer 14 campgrounds with over 800 established campsites. Fees vary depending on location. There is a camping limit of 14 days during the period from June 14-September 15 with a total of 30 days per year. more... WILDERNESS TRAVEL Wilderness permits are required for all overnight camping outside designated campgrounds. There is an overnight camping fee of $15 per trip for permits issued by these parks. more...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 from the Inyo National Forest. more... CRYSTAL CAVE Anyone wishing to visit Crystal Cave must be part of a guided tour. Tour tickets are not sold at the cave entrance. They must be purchased in person at Foothills or Lodgepole visitor centers in Sequoia National Park. After purchasing tickets allow at least 1½ hours to arrive at the cave. more... FISHING Fishing is permitted in most parts of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, and in adjacent national forests. Persons 16 years of age or older are required to have a California State Fishing license. Get park-specific regulations at any visitor center. OTHER ACTIVITIES Special use permits are available for other activities in the park — for example, weddings. Call 559-565-3153.more... Main