“Our intention is to continue to increase access safely while maintaining flexibility to adjust operations as conditions change,” acting Superintendent Lee Taylor said. “We’ve implemented a range of mitigation actions based on CDC guidance, but we also rely on visitors to recreate responsibly by dispersing and wearing face coverings at popular sites where social distancing cannot be maintained.”
Beginning Monday, July 6 the following will be available:
- Camping at Potwisha, Lodgepole and Sunset campgrounds with reservations only. The reservation site www.recreation.gov will go live on Monday, June 29 at 7 a.m. PST. Reservations for these three campgrounds will be available through summer, with more campgrounds being added as conditions allow in the coming weeks and months. Announcements will be made when more campgrounds are ready to be added. No walk-up camping will be available this summer. Please refer to our website for more information about reservations and changes to availability this summer.
- Entrance stations for distribution of the park newspaper and map.
- Roads and parking lots throughout both parks. Visitors should only park in designated parking spaces, if a parking lot is full, refer to the park newspaper for other options.
- Trails in developed areas and designated wilderness; if a trail is congested, please consider visiting another location with less people.
- Overnight wilderness access with reservations made ahead of park entry. No walk-up permits will be available this summer. No wilderness permit stations will be open. Bear canister rentals may not be available in the parks but continue to be required in many areas.
- Restrooms and picnic areas. Please practice proper food storage, and per CDC guidance practice social distancing and frequent hand washing.
- Limited overnight lodging, markets, to-go food and beverage services and gift shops operated by the concessioner, Delaware North. Please refer to https://www.visitsequoia.com for more information.
- Guided horseback rides at Cedar Grove and Grant Grove operated by the concessioner, Cedar Grove Pack Station. Please refer to https://www.cedargrovepackstation.com or https://www.grantgrovestables.com for more information.
- Visitor center exhibits and films, bookstores, ranger stations and wilderness permit stations.
- Dine-in restaurants and public showers and laundry operated by the concessioner, Delaware North.
- Begin with the park website at https://www.nps.gov/seki. Here you will find the latest COVID-19 updates, a downloadable Junior Ranger Book, a digital park newspaper, a printable passport book stamp, and more.
- Download the free park mobile app. Search for NPS Sequoia & Kings Canyon in the Apple App and Google Play stores. Use this for maps, self-guided tours and information about nearly 200 park features and locations. Download before you leave home and use in the park even if cell service is limited.
- We highly encourage everyone to pay entrance fees or purchase a park pass in advance through https://www.recreation.gov, or be prepared to pay with a credit/debit card. Arrive before 9 a.m. or after 3 p.m. to avoid long lines at the entrance gates.
- Refer to the park newspaper you receive upon entering the parks. You will find a list of trails to enjoy for each district of the parks, a parking lot map for the Giant Forest, road construction delay schedule, safety information, and more, with Spanish translations included!
