Sequoia & Kings Canyon Essentials

Sequoia & Kings Canyon Essentials

Accessibility

All of the visitor centers, the Giant Forest Museum, and Big Trees Trail are wheelchair-accessible, as are some short ranger-led walks and talks. General Sherman Tree can be reached via a paved, level trail near a parking area. None of the caves is accessible and wilderness areas must be reached by horseback or on foot. Some picnic tables are extended to accommodate wheelchairs. Many of the major sites are in the 6,000-foot range and thin air at high elevations can cause respiratory distress for people with breathing difficulties. Carry oxygen if necessary. Contact the park's main number for more information.

Admission Fees

The vehicle admission fee is $10 and valid for seven days in both parks. Those who enter by bus, on foot, bicycle, motorcycle, or horse pay $5 for a seven-day pass. Senior citizens who are U.S. residents over the age of 62 pay $10 for a lifetime pass, and permanently disabled U.S. residents are admitted free.

Admission Hours

The parks are open daily 24 hours. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are in the Pacific time zone.

Emergencies

Call 911 from any telephone within the park in an emergency. Rangers at the Cedar Grove, Foothills, Grant Grove, and Lodgepole visitor centers and the Mineral King ranger station are trained in first aid. National park rangers have legal jurisdiction within park boundaries: contact a ranger station or visitor center for police matters. For non-emergencies, call the parks' main number, 559/565-3341.

Lost and Found

Report lost items or turn in found items at any visitor center or ranger station. Items are held at a central location and are handled by park rangers. For more information, call park headquarters at 559/565-3181.

Permits

If you plan to camp in the backcountry, your group must have a backcountry camping permit, which costs $15 for hikers or $30 for stock users (horseback riders, etc.) One permit covers the entire group. Availability of permits depends upon trailhead quotas. Advance reservations are accepted by mail, fax, or e-mail for a $15 processing fee, beginning March 1, and must be made at least three weeks in advance. Without a reservation, you may still get a permit on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 1 PM the day before you plan to hike. For more information on backcountry camping or travel with pack animals (horses, mules, burros, or llamas), contact the Wilderness Permit Office or visit www.nps.gov/seki/resform.htm.

Contacts

Wilderness Permit Office (530/565-3761). Wilderness Permit Reservations (HCR 89 Box 60, Three Rivers, 93271. 559/575-3766. 559/565-4239).

Public Telephones

Public telephones may be found at the park entrance stations, visitor centers, ranger stations, some trailheads, and at all restaurants and lodging facilities in the park.

Restrooms

Public restrooms may be found at all visitor centers and campgrounds. Additional locations include Big Stump, Columbine, Grizzly Falls, Hospital Rock, Wolverton, Crescent Meadow, Giant Forest Museum, and Crystal Cave.

Visitor Information

Contacts

Delaware North Park Services (Box 89, Sequoia National Park, 93262. 559/565-4070 or 888/252-5757. www.visitsequoia.com). This concessionaire operates the lodgings and visitor services in Sequoia, and some in Kings Canyon. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (47050 Generals Hwy., [Rte. 198], Three River, CA, 93271-9651. 559/565-3341 or 559/565-3134. www.nps.gov/seki). Sequoia Natural History Association (HCR 89 Box 10, Three Rivers, CA, 93271. 559/565-3759. www.sequoiahistory.org). The SNHA operates Crystal Cave and the Pear Lake Ski Hut, and provides educational materials and programs. U.S. Forest Service, Sequoia National Forest (900 W. Grand Ave., Porterville, CA, 93527. 559/784-1500. www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia). Kings Canyon Park Services (Box 909, Kings Canyon National Park, CA, 93633. 559/335-5500 or 866/522-6966. www.sequoia-kingscanyon.com). Some park services, including lodging, are operated by this company.