Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks

About

Sequoia and Kings Canyon are two adjacent national parks in California's Sierra Nevada mountains, managed together and offering a combined wilderness experience that rivals anything in the state. Sequoia is famous for its giant sequoia groves, including the General Sherman Tree - the largest tree on Earth by volume, standing 275 feet tall and over 36 feet in diameter at the base. Kings Canyon features one of the deepest canyons in North America, carved by the Kings River through granite walls that tower thousands of feet above the valley floor.

The Giant Forest in Sequoia contains the densest concentration of giant sequoias anywhere, with roughly 8,000 of these ancient trees growing in a relatively small area. Walking among them is a humbling experience - many of these trees were already old when the Roman Empire fell. The Congress Trail, a paved loop through the Giant Forest, passes the General Sherman Tree and several other named giants, making it one of the most popular and accessible hikes in the parks.

Beyond the sequoia groves, these parks offer everything from easy nature walks to serious backcountry expeditions. Moro Rock, a granite dome in Sequoia, rewards climbers of its steep stairway with panoramic views of the Great Western Divide. Crystal Cave, a marble cavern, offers guided tours through its formations from late spring through fall. The Kings Canyon Scenic Byway descends into the canyon itself, ending at Roads End where backcountry trails head deep into the wilderness.

The parks sit at elevations ranging from 1,370 to over 14,000 feet, so weather and road conditions vary dramatically by season. The Generals Highway connecting the two parks is a winding mountain road that requires careful driving. Lodging is available at Wuksachi Lodge in Sequoia and John Muir Lodge in Kings Canyon, and multiple campgrounds operate throughout both parks. The parks are about a four-hour drive from Los Angeles and five hours from San Francisco.

Accessibility

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks have made significant investments in accessibility and provide detailed resources including a published Accessibility Guide (available in standard and large print) and a series of accessibility films featuring real visitors sharing tips.

The Sherman Tree Trail is the parks' most notable accessible trail - a paved path with accessible parking (placard required in summer) leading to the General Sherman Tree, the world's largest tree. The trail to the tree descends about 0.5 miles and is steep in places, so returning uphill can be challenging for some wheelchair users. As an alternative, the free park shuttle can bring visitors back to the top. The Big Trees Trail near Giant Forest Museum is a paved, mostly flat loop around Round Meadow with boardwalk sections and pulloffs for resting, making it excellent for wheelchair users. The Grant Tree Trail in Kings Canyon is a paved accessible trail through another magnificent sequoia grove.

Free manual wheelchairs are available to borrow at Giant Forest Museum, Lodgepole Visitor Center, and Kings Canyon Visitor Center on a first-come, first-served basis. Wheelchairs can be used anywhere in the parks but must be returned by closing time the same day.

Free shuttle buses in the Giant Forest and Lodgepole areas during summer and holidays are all wheelchair-accessible - some kneel and others have mechanical lifts. Drivers announce all stops. A separate shuttle connects Visalia to the park with the entrance fee included (reservations required).

Accessible lodging is available at Wuksachi Lodge (Sequoia) and John Muir Lodge (Kings Canyon), with rooms featuring roll-in showers, widened doors, grab bars, raised toilet seats, low-density carpet, and lowered peepholes. Beds are 24-29 inches high depending on room type.

Most campgrounds have designated accessible sites with extended picnic tables, raised fire rings and grills, accessible parking, level tent pads, and reachable food storage lockers. First-come, first-served accessible sites open for general use after 5 PM if unoccupied.

Foothills, Lodgepole, and Kings Canyon visitor centers and Giant Forest Museum are wheelchair-accessible. Note that Cedar Grove Visitor Center has barriers including uneven thresholds and narrow passages, and Mineral King Ranger Station is only reachable by stairs.

Temporary accessible parking placards are available at visitor centers for visitors with limited mobility who do not have a DMV-issued placard - no documentation required. Contact the parks at (559) 565-3341 for current trail conditions and accessibility questions.

More accessible places in California

• Griffith Observatory (Los Angeles)
• Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) (Los Angeles)
• San Diego Zoo (San Diego)
• Yosemite National Park (Yosemite)
• Exploratorium (San Francisco)
• Aquarium of the Pacific (Long Beach)

Photo credits

• Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks - ca-sequoia-kings-canyon-national-parks-us-national-park-service-1: National Park Service, Public domain (U.S. National Park Service)
• Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks - ca-sequoia-kings-canyon-national-parks-us-national-park-service-3: National Park Service, Public domain (U.S. National Park Service)
• Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks - ca-sequoia-kings-canyon-national-parks-us-national-park-service-4: National Park Service, Public domain (U.S. National Park Service)