Visiting Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park in the Winter - Travel Guide
Visiting the Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park in the winter should be on your to-do list! You’ll get to see the Giant Sequoias all dressed in white with the snow with plenty of ways to enjoy it. I’ll be going over everything you need to know about visiting these parks in the winter so you’re prepared for a magical winter adventure in some of the most beautiful National Parks.
Snowy Giant Sequoias found along the Grant Tree Trail in Kings Canyon National Park
Location
Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park are located along the Central Valley of California. Kings Canyon National Park can be accessed via Highway 180 through the Big Stump Entrance (near Sanger, CA) and Sequoia National Park can be accessed via Highway 198 through the Ash Mountain Entrance (near Visalia, CA). The neighboring National Parks are connected by the General’s Highway (Highway 198), they are also relatively close to another popular National Park, Yosemite.
Here is a map I put together that show important locations and references.
Fees
At either of the two entrances, you can buy a 7 day pass ($35) or a Sequoia/Kings Canyon Annual Pass ($70) or a National Park Annual Pass ($80). A National Park Annual Pass would be smart if you plan on visiting at least one more national park within the year (Yosemite would be the next closest park). Here is the parks’ page on fees.
Winter Conditions
Driving/Chain Requirements
Chains may be required at ANY time in the winter, so you must carry tire chains, including 4WD and AWD vehicles. You can buy or rent tire chains outside of the parks, snow tires may also be required, depending on what restriction level is enforced (see below). The speed limit when driving with chains is ALWAYS 25 MPH regardless if the speed is posted otherwise, plus driving faster with chains could cause the chains to break and damage your vehicle so I would definitely listen to that rule. There may be chain check points where Park Rangers will check that you are carrying tire chains with you, usually during bad weather. They may turn you around or possibly ticket you if there are already chain requirements in place and you are not following those requirements.
Chain Control Levels:
R1: Snow tires or chains are required. This means your tires must have the letters MS, M/S, M+S or the words ‘MUD AND SNOW’ or ‘ALL SEASON’ on the sidewall, or you must install tire chains.
R2: 4-Wheel Drive or Chains are required. This means your vehicle must be in 4x4 or all-wheel drive or you must install chains.
R3: Chains are required on ALL vehicles. This means there are no exceptions, even if you have 4WD or AWD, you're required to put chains on. I’ve only experienced R3 once in my town (Mammoth Lakes) and when it’s that bad, you don’t want to be driving unless you truly need to be.
Always check on the parks’ website to see what the current conditions are, here is a link to their current conditions page.
Generals Highway between the two parks:
From Wuksachi Lodge (Sequoia National Park) north to HWY 180 (in General Grant, Kings Canyon Park): This road is not plowed during storms and often closes in winter. Between early January and about mid-March, the road does not get plowed and may only be open if there is no snow.
Kings Canyon National Park Road/Area Closures + Conditions
Highway 180 to Cedar Grove: Closes for the winter at the Hume Lake Junction, will reopen (conditions permitting) sometime in April.
Panoramic Point Road in Grant Grove: Closes with snow, will reopen in late May.
Redwood Mountain (NPS) & Big Meadows, Quail Flat/Ten Mile Roads (USFS): This road is unpaved, unplowed, and rutted, closes for the winter.
Converse Basin & Cherry Gap (USFS): This road is unpaved, unplowed, and rutted, closes for the winter.
Sequoia National Park Road/Area Closures + Conditions
Giant Forest: You can park across from the Museum, Sherman Tree parking varies with conditions.
Moro Rock/Crescent Meadow: Closes with snow, will reopen in late May.
Wolverton Road & Snowplay Area: This road is plowed Fridays, Saturdays, Wednesdays, and some holidays. The road is open other days if the road is passable and safe
Mineral King Road: This road is closed until late May (contact Foothills Visitor Center for more info)
South Fork & Middle Fork Roads: These roads are partially unpaved and can get slippery when wet. Middle Fork closes in the winter, park at Hospital Rock.
Weather/Snow Conditions
Winter weather can vary a lot depending on the snow fall that year, but the one thing that stays generally consistent is how cold it can get. Below are the average temperatures (in Fahrenheit) for November - April:
November: 43° / 23°
December: 36° / 17°
January: 37° / 18°
February: 36° / 16°
March: 42° / 19°
April: 44° / 21°
Snowy weather can happen any time between October - May and with the cold temperatures, the snow tends to stick around until springtime once it’s warm enough to melt out the snow. These parks can also experience periods of time without snow fall at all so snow isn’t guaranteed in the winter months. If you’re wanting a snowy experience, I recommend going a few days after a decent sized snow storm (6+ inches). If you go during a snow storm, expect delays and closures while the park clears the roads.
the Parker Group - found along Crescent Meadow Road in Sequoia National Park
What To Do
Kings Canyon National Park (click here for a map)
Hiking
Grant Tree Trail (pictured below) - this 0.3 mile (with options to extent with different path ways) is intermittently plowed.
North Grove Loop - this 1.5 mile loop trail starts at the overflow parking for Grant Tree Trail.
Visitor Center to Grant Tree Trailhead - this 2 mile trail (round trip) is a great way to get more time walking among the Giant Sequoias and see the General Grant Tree.
Snowplay Areas
Cherry Gap Snowplay Area
Columbine Snowplay Area
Big Stump Snowplay Area
Quail Flat Snowplay Area
along the Grant Tree Trail
along the Grant Tree Trail
Sequoia National Park (click here for a map)
Hiking
Moro Rock/Tunnel Log Hike (pictured below) - this 4.5 mile (round trip) hike takes you along the closed Moro Rock/Crescent Meadow road to Tunnel Log then over to Moro Rock. Here’s my trip report on this hike for more details.
Big Trees Trail - this 1 mile (round trip) hike starts at the Giant Forest Museum (or the trailhead if you have a disability placard) and is level, paved and easy.
Tokopah Falls - this 3.4 mile (round trip) hike starts at the Lodgepole Campground and takes you to an icy waterfall, could be icy on the trail.
Sherman Tree Trail - this 0.5 mile (round trip) hike takes you to the world’s largest tree, there is a parking lot for those with a disability placard that is closer.
Congress Trail - this trail starts at the Sherman Tree which adds 2 miles in a loop styled trail that is fairly level.
Snowplay Areas
Wolverton Snowplay Area
Foothills Area (lower elevation area, near the entrance of Sequoia National Park)
Hiking
Marble Falls Trail - this 7.4 mile (round trip) hike starts near Potwisha Campground, near site #14
Paraside Creek Trail - this 5.5 mile (round trip) hike starts near the Buckeye Flat Campground, just across the footbridge near site #28. Make sure you’re following Paradise Creek, not the river.
Moro Rock Road
Tunnel Log
Crescent Meadow Road
Where To Stay
Kings Canyon National Park
In the Park
There are only a few accommodations inside the park during the winter months (and the pandemic), which I have listed below:
Azalea Campground - $18 nightly fee with 20 first-come, first served sites, snow is common here (Grant Grove area).
Outside of the Park
The closest area to Kings Canyon National Park and the Big Stump Entrance would be Miramonte, CA and Squaw Valley, CA (not to be confused with Tahoe’s Squaw Valley). There are quite a few Airbnb options and a couple hotels/motels around the area. Here are a few places I found while researching the area:
Airbnbs
Sequoia National Park
In the Park
There are only a few accommodations inside the park during the winter months (and the pandemic), which I have listed below:
Potwisha Campground - $22 nightly fee, make reservations here (Foothills Area).
Outside of the Park
The closest area to Sequoia National Park and the Ash Mountain Entrance would be Three Rivers, CA. There are quite a few Airbnb options and a couple hotels/motels around the area. Here are a few places to stay I found while researching the area:
Tunnel Log along Crescent Meadow Road (closed in the winter, hence why there’s no crowds)
I hope this travel guide helped you plan a winter trip to Sequoia and/or Kings Canyon National Park or cleared up any confusion you may have had. I think visiting in the winter is a great way to see a different view of the Giant Sequoias and usually with less crowds than the summer, Happy Trails!
Do you have any questions? Feel free to comment below and I’ll help you out!
VIDEOS OF SEQUOIA / KINGS CANYON NP IN THE WINTER
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Thanks for reading my latest adventure!
Tiare Kirkland
Hi! My name is Tiare, but you can just call me ‘T’. I’m a California based hiker and I spend most of my free time taking photos and videos of some of my favorite hikes. You can usually find me ‘Out Hiking’ in the Sierra Nevada mountain range or road-tripping to new areas. Read more about me here and follow along with my adventures by subscribing below!