Fall is a great time to visit national parks in general, and Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks specifically. The cool mountain air, the towering trees, and the relatively empty hiking trails combined offer an incredible setting for an escape.
With that in mind, here are some tips from the parks for visiting in fall, and in winter, to help you out:
• Visitor Centers: Stop at a park visitor center for exhibits, films, books, maps, hats, postcards, etc.
All purchases support the parks! Hours and locations of visitor centers change in fall/winter.
Info: www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm.
• Ranger-led Programs: For specific information about ranger-led or naturalist-led programs, visit www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/rangerprogsched.htm. Programs may be limited in fall and winter at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
• Crystal Cave: Crystal Cave is scheduled to be open through November 30, weather-permitting.
Info: www.sequoiahistory.org/default.asp?contentID=632.
• Food Service/Markets: For information about fall/winter hours and seasonal closing dates for food service and markets inside of the parks, visit www.nps.gov/seki/parknews/newspaper.htm.
• Fee Free Days: Consider a visit during one of our Fee Free Days (listed below), when you can enter Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and other national parks free-of-charge.
- September 27, 2014 - National Public Lands Day
- November 11, 2014 - Veterans Day
• Fire Restrictions: Fire danger is high. Some fire restrictions are in place for public safety.
Info: www.nps.gov/seki/naturescience/fire-restrictions.htm.
• Campgrounds:
- Four out of 14 campgrounds at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks have closed for the season: Dorst Creek, Crystal Springs, Sunset, and Moraine campgrounds.
- While the majority of park campgrounds are first-come, first-serve, reservations may be available for Potwisha Campground (year-round), Buckeye Flat Campground (through the night of September 28, 2014), and at Lodgepole Campground (September 23, 2014: Last night for reservations; From September 24 through the night of October 20, 2014: first-come, first-serve camping). For reservations, call (877) 444-6777 or visit www.recreation.gov.
- Additional campgrounds close for the season in fall. Three campgrounds (Azalea, Potwisha, South Fork) remain open in the winter. Info: www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm.
• Roads and Parking:
- Some roads and parking areas are open during the fall or winter, weather-permitting, at
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. For road conditions, visit the parks’ website at:www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/road-conditions.htm - Stay tuned to weather conditions: www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/currentcond.htm.
- Generals Highway Reconstruction – On weekdays through October, expect road construction delays of 15 minutes-1 hour in Sequoia National Park: www.nps.gov/seki/parknews/index.htm.
• Shuttle Service:
- No shuttle service is available at Sequoia National Park through November 26, 2014.
- Holiday shuttle service will operate daily inside of Sequoia National Park from
November 27-30, 2014, and from December 26 - January 4, 2014, from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
All shuttle buses are wheelchair-accessible. Holiday shuttle service is limited to parking areas adjacent to the General Sherman Tree, Wolverton, and Wuksachi Lodge.
Info: www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/parktransit.htm
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