My wife wants to go to the park & see the giant Sequoia's. First, is the area open? On the website it seems much of the park is closed this summer. We are in our 70's so we just want to drive & view places close to the roads. Also thought about flying into Fresno & renting a car. Can anyone advise me about the current situation in the park.

Parks open, shuttles aren't running. Beautiful place, make time to do the entire run through Sequoia and King's Canyon. All the trails to the giant trees are paved so no problems there.

How many days should we plan? Also is late Aug or early Sep good?

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Originally posted by Anush:
How many days should we plan? Also is late Aug or early Sep good?

I lived there almost two years (in Lemon Cove) and I still had things I wanted to see. Give yourself at least 3 days to see the main attractions, and there are plenty of places to have a nice secluded picnic in either park, usually near a stream or a grove of big trees!



Take the opportunity to have lunch or dinner at the RiverView grill and bar in Three Rivers (just outside the entrance to the park).

Gorgeous area! Spent 3 years in Lemoore. Life was very busy with work, school, and tourney softball but still visited Sequoia or Kings Canyon several times a year.

Hope you have a great time!

3-days minimum, 5-days is about max, really depends on how much hiking you're able to do. Keep in mind, Sequoia isn't the only place where the Giant Sequoias grow, there's a number of groves along the Sierras. Aug-Oct will be hot, which also coincides with fire season, so be aware of news and be flexible to change plans; after Labor Day traffic-visitation drops a bit with back to school.
Among the most prominent, Calaveras Big Trees, is located just outside of Arnold, CA, equally important a grove as Sequoia NP, not as large or, concentred but with much less traffic, and located adjacent to Sierra wine country (Murphys) and historic gold country. Mark Twain spent a chunk of time here ( The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County ) along with a variety of other notable figures of the 19th century.

Yosemite NP has a number of groves within its boundaries. Check out some big trees and check out some incredible geologic formations that are equally awe inspiring; it would make quite a trip for you guys.

I'm not much of a walker or hiker. I went to Sequoia and spent the better part of several hours walking before leaving. But you're going to have to do some walking after parking in the parking lot.

It's not really "sight seeing." It's being there with centuries old, even thousand year old trees.

Google says June through August is the best time to visit when the weather is most stable. But I don't remember September being like storm weather season; it's California. And inside is its own climate, very coolish.

Enjoy.

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It's being there with centuries old, even thousand year old trees.

The oldest known specimen is over 3,000 years old.

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Originally posted by Anush:
How many days should we plan? Also is late Aug or early Sep good?

We camped there late in the year - October maybe - right before they closed for the season. It was pretty cool at night, but fine during the day. The best part was the lack of crowds.

Wife and I camped there two nights in August 2021. We got lucky and found a space at Lodgepole campground. You need to book online. The shuttles were running and we saw everything we wanted to w/out dealing with trying to find parking. I also took the 400 steps to summit Moro Rock. My wife opted out.

Southwest Airlines now flies into Fresno, so that's helpful when pricing airfare. It used to be just puddle jumpers from SFO or LAX.

I want to go to.

I'm thinking 3-5 days. What city/town is best for hotel? Seems like most lodging is near Lake Kaweah
(closer to Sequoia National Park) or Isabella Lake (stringing northward toward Sequoia National Forest). Or Porterville?

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Originally posted by konata88:
I want to go to.

I'm thinking 3-5 days. What city/town is best for hotel? Seems like most lodging is near Lake Kaweah
(closer to Sequoia National Park) or Isabella Lake (stringing northward toward Sequoia National Forest). Or Porterville?

I was working in Porterville when I lived in Lemon Cove. Its nasty. Try Exeter or Visalia, they are both near the 198 which is 4 lanes until just shy of Lemon Cove. Exeter has a Dairy King which, IMHO, is the best damn burger in California. Visalia has all the big city amenities.

Thanks!

You might consider taking in Yosemite while you’re in the area. However, it is a popular park, plan accordingly. IIRC, we went in Sept, it was busy, but manageable. The tunnel view of the valley was spectacular.

Many parks require timed entry passes. They're available at recreation.gov. 50% of them available well in advance (6 months I think) and the remainder 24 hours in advance. The go quickly, be online 8 am local time to get them. There’s $2 admin fee.

Was there in 2018.
DSC_7262.jpg by David Casteel, on Flickr

The big trees are awesome!

flashguy

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Many parks require timed entry passes. They're available at recreation.gov. 50% of them available well in advance (6 months I think) and the remainder 24 hours in advance. The go quickly, be online 8 am local time to get them. There’s $2 admin fee.

Thanks, I paid $10 for a lifetime senior pass in 2016. I am all booked for three nights at the park lodge & American Airlines from Nashville/Dallas/Fresno. Reserved an Avis Rav 4. Not the least expensive lodging but near everything. Roundtrip American was only $351 each from Nashville to Fresno.
Thanks for all the Sig forum help