Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park Visitors in Spring / Summer 2023 Will Have Limited Access to Visitor Favorites
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park – June2, 2023 Update: The Generals Highway on the Kings Canyon Side (North Route0 is now open til the Giant Forest Museum. Access to Giant Forest / Wolverton Snowplay Area / Lodgepole / Wuksachi / Moro Rock Areas –Â OPENÂ (Access only from Kings Canyon via Hwy 180)
- Access Via Highway 180 Through the Kings Canyon/Big Stump Entrance Station: Generals Highway from Highway 180 to the Giant Forest is now open. This is currently the only way to reach the Giant Forest/Lodgepole/Wuksachi areas.
- Access Via Highway 198 Through the Foothills Entrance Station: Estimated timeframe for Reopening is early July 2023.
April 28, 2023 – REOPENING UPDATES – Sequoia and Kings Canyon, much like many of the areas in the Sierra, has been majorly affected by Winter storm impact and now the Spring Thaw. Sequoia today is letting guests know that access to the Generals Highway at this time is limited to Zero access for much of the park. and access from grant grove to Cedar Grove and the Wilderness backcountry of Kings canyon will not have access again this summer.
“Thanks to information provided by partner agencies we can share a couple significant updates as part of our weekly review of estimated reopening dates. For a detailed list of reopening dates and today’s news release announcement visit https://www.nps.gov/seki.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Tulare County, Caltrans, and others continue to make progress with damage assessments and repairs at a time when the public is eager to get out into their public lands and plan their summer vacations. Thanks to information provided by partner agencies we can share a couple significant updates as part of our weekly review of estimated reopening dates.
At this time, due to severe road damage along the Highway 180 corridor between Grant Grove and Cedar Grove, Caltrans does not expect repairs to be completed before the end of the summer season. This means public access is not expected into the Cedar Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park for the 2023 summer season.
For Mineral King in Sequoia National Park, due to severe road damage along the Mineral King Road both inside and outside the park, public access is not anticipated before mid-June. Tulare County is working on temporary repairs to three sections of road damage outside the park boundary, these repairs are expected to continue into June. As soon as we’re able, the park will assess whether construction equipment will have the necessary access to begin repairs to severely damaged sections inside the park boundary. It is still unknown what, if any, public access will be possible this summer.
A reminder to those looking to visit in the next few weeks, Grant Grove in Kings Canyon National Park and the Foothills area in Sequoia National Park are currently open!
Grant Grove
Access to giant sequoias, the General Grant Tree, winter snowplay, camping, lodging, restaurant, trails, and more.
The Foothills area between the Sequoia entrance station and Hospital Rock
Access to lower-elevation camping, trails, wildflowers, wilderness, rivers, and more. No access to giant sequoias.
For trip-planning information and the most current park conditions, we urge visitors to visit our website. Updates to the reopening schedule are made on the Current Conditions web page weekly on Thursday afternoons.
OPEN AND CLOSED STATUS, BY AREA:
(Updated on Thursdays, Last Updated: April 27, 2023)
Kings Canyon National Park
Grant Grove – OPEN (scroll down for what to expect)
FEATURES: giant sequoias, winter snowplay, camping, trails, Kings Canyon Visitor Center, overnight lodging, food service, market
Cedar Grove – CLOSED
No access to wilderness, camping, river, waterfalls, or trails.
- Due to severe road damage along the Highway 180 corridor between Grant Grove and Cedar Grove, Caltrans does not expect repairs to be completed before the end of the summer season. This means public access is not expected into the Cedar Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park for the 2023 summer season.
Sequoia National Park
The Foothills Area (the first six miles of Generals Highway, ending at Hospital Rock) – OPEN (scroll down for what to expect)
FEATURES: No snow, camping (by reservation only), trails, wilderness, river, Foothills Visitor Center. No access to giant sequoias.
Giant Forest / Wolverton Snowplay Area / Lodgepole / Wuksachi / Moro Rock Areas – CLOSED
No access to giant sequoias, the General Sherman Tree, winter snowplay, camping, wilderness, Moro Rock, or Tunnel Log.
- Access Via Highway 180 Through the Kings Canyon/Big Stump Entrance Station: Estimated Range for Reopening is May 26 – June 16
- Access Via Highway 198 Through the Foothills Entrance Station: Estimated Range for Reopening is June – July 2023
Crystal Cave – CLOSED
- Initial surveys report significant road damage along Crystal Cave Road. More information is needed to inform a reopening estimate.
Mineral King – CLOSED
No access to giant sequoias, camping, trails, Silver City Resort, Mineral King Ranger Station, and wilderness.
- Due to severe road damage along the Mineral King Road both inside and outside the park boundary, public access is not anticipated before mid-June. It is still unknown what, if any, public access will be possible this summer.
Sequoia National Forest (Outside the Parks) – REOPENS APRIL 30
What to expect when visiting Grant Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park:
- Access to giant sequoias, the General Grant Tree, and snowplay areas.
- Parking remains limited due to high accumulations of snow. Areas are likely to become congested.
- Come prepared for winter conditions on most trails. We recommend bringing personal traction devices, snowshoes, crosscountry skis, and wearing warm layers.
- Porta Potties are available at Big Stump Picnic and Snowplay Area. Restrooms at the Kings Canyon Visitor Center, Azalea Campground, Grant Grove Market, General Grant Tree, and Columbine Picnic Area are open.
- Grant Grove Market is open.
- Overnight lodging at John Muir Lodge (check availability).
- Food service with indoor and outdoor seating.
What to expect when visiting the Foothills area of Sequoia National Park:
- No access to giant sequoias, the General Sherman Tree, or Wuksachi Lodge.
- Six miles of Generals Highway open, up to Hospital Rock.
- Spring wildflowers.
- No snow.
- On weekends, expect very limited parking at Hospital Rock.
- Traffic lights around a one-lane section of damaged road can cause delays.
- Some one-lane sections of the road. Uphill traffic should yield to downhill traffic. All vehicles should follow posted speed limits and drive with caution.
- The Foothills Visitor Center is open daily 9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
- Hiking trails, except closures on the Middle Fork Trail and the portion of Marble Falls Trail beyond the 2.5 mile point.
- Potwisha Campground is open and camping is by reservation only, through recreation.gov.
- Buckeye Flat Campground is closed in 2023 due to damage during winter storms.
- Restrooms available at Hospital Rock, Foothills Visitor Center, Potwisha Campground, Potwisha Overflow Parking, and Buckeye Flat Campground.
Thanks for what is turning out to be the best source of information to help plan my group’s trip that is intended to include General’s Highway. Looking forward to further updates on when the route through to highway 198 is expected to open, and what travelling that route might look like. Our plans presently include travelling the full KH route north to south on July 15. We have an alternate route planned in case this route is not yet open, or if travelling it is so stop-and-go and congested as to not be enjoyable. All updates are greatly appreciated!