Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

10/30/2026

The National Park Service and the U.S. Wildland Fire Service will conduct prescribed pile burning in multiple locations throughout Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks from Nov. 1 through March 15, 2027, conditions permitting.

Pile burning is planned in the Big Stump, Grant Grove and Cedar Grove areas of Kings Canyon National Park and the Mineral King area of Sequoia National Park. Visitors may see smoke, burning piles, firefighters and firefighting equipment along park roads during this period. The timing of operations will depend on weather, fuel conditions, air quality and staffing.

Smoke may affect visibility and air quality. The U.S. Wildland Fire Service will coordinate with the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District to manage smoke impacts. Current air quality information is available at fire.airnow.gov, with additional regional information at valleyair.org.

The pile burning will dispose of vegetation removed during forest restoration and defensible space projects conducted over the past several years. These efforts reduce hazardous fuels, improve forest health and help protect giant sequoias, park facilities and popular visitor areas from wildfire. Reducing fuels also creates safer conditions for firefighters responding to future wildfires and prepares treated areas for potential prescribed burns. Prescribed fire is a tool that is carefully planned and implemented by fire managers to safely apply low-intensity fire under specific weather and fuel conditions.

NPS photo

10/30/2026

American black bears are busy preparing for winter, eating high-calorie foods like pinecone seeds and acorns throughout the parks. Please give them plenty of space—allowing bears to eat natural foods with minimal disturbance helps them stay healthy for the season ahead.

If you spot a bear while driving, slow down, and if you would like to observe it from a safe distance, pull completely into a designated parking area or turnout to avoid traffic jams and collisions. Please only observe for a short while so that bears do not become habituated to human presence.

Remember to follow all proper food storage and trash disposal guidelines while visiting the parks to keep our wildlife safe and healthy.

NPS photos

10/29/2026

Hear, hear! To our incredible partners at Sequoia and Kings Canyon!

10/29/2026

Experience the magic of the changing seasons at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks! As cooler temperatures and wetter weather arrive, you may encounter rain or snow depending on elevation. Be sure to check the weather before your visit—forecasts for each area of the park are available at https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/weather.htm.

Other seasonal updates:
- Visitor services in the Cedar Grove area of Kings Canyon have closed for the season, but Highway 180 access remains open until Friday, Nov. 13th at 12 p.m.
- Mineral King Road in Sequoia is now closed to the public.
- Many campgrounds have closed; check availability for Potwisha, Lodgepole, and Azalea Campgrounds at Recreation.gov.

Plan ahead, dress for the weather, and enjoy the beauty of autumn in the Sierra Nevada 🍂

10/27/2026

It’s a fee-free entrance day for U.S. citizens and residents at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks!

Today we celebrate Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States, who left a lasting mark on America’s public lands. During his presidency, he established five national parks, designated 18 national monuments, created 51 federal bird reservations, and protected about 230 million acres of public land for future generations.

In 1901, a giant sequoia tree was named after Theodore Roosevelt by acting Sequoia National Park Superintendent Capt. Lincoln Andrews. In his report to the Secretary of the Interior, Andrews wrote, “Between the road and Moro Rock stands a lone Sequoia, considered the most perfect specimen, though not so large, which I have named for His Excellency Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States.”

NPS/H. Roberts

10/20/2026

10/20/2026

National Park Service and U.S. Wildland Fire Service continue to conduct prescribed fire operations in the Grant Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park. Trail closures are currently in place and marked with signage for visitor safety, including portions of North Boundary Trail, Grant Tree Trail, Grant Grove Day Ride Loop, Sunset Loop, and North Grove Loop.

This prescribed fire is part of Sequoia and King Canyon National Park’s ongoing land management program and is planned to restore and maintain the historical fire return interval and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire.

Looking for other hiking trail options in the area? Check out Big Stump, Buena Vista, or Big Baldy trails. Park rangers are also available to help with trip planning at the Kings Canyon Visitor Center.

NPS photo

10/18/2026

Slow down for firefighter safety!

Firefighters are hard at work along Hwy 180 in the Grant Grove area, conducting prescribed fire operations. Please drive slowly, watch for crews and equipment, and follow all posted signs. Your caution keeps everyone safe—thank you for helping us care for Sequoia and Kings Canyon!

NPS photos/K. Sullivan

10/17/2026

Update: Prescribed Burning Planned at Grant Grove starting October 17 to Reduce Wildfire Risk

The National Park Service and the U.S. Wildland Fire Service will conduct a 482-acre prescribed fire in the Grant Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park beginning Oct. 17, 2026, weather conditions permitting.

The Grant Grove Day Ride Loop Trail will close starting Oct. 17. General Grant Tree Trail, North Grove Loop Trail and Grant Tree Road will close starting Oct. 18. Portions of the Sunset Trail will close Oct. 19. All areas will reopen when they have been cleared of hazards and conditions are safe for the public to enter.

Smoke may be visible from the park during and after the prescribed fire. Smoke can affect visibility and air quality. Fire managers will monitor smoke conditions and conduct the burn under conditions intended to minimize smoke impacts to local communities.

Current air-quality information is available at AirNow.gov.

Prescribed fire is a tool that is carefully planned and implemented by fire managers to safely apply low-intensity fire under specific weather and fuel conditions.

10/15/2026

Trail Alert!

The trail bridge on the north end of Log Meadow in Giant Forest—right by Tharp’s Log—will be closed for repairs starting this Friday through December 11. The Log Meadow trail will stay open, but you won’t be able to complete the loop unless you’re ready to cross Crescent Creek (and maybe get your feet wet!). Trail crew will be working Mondays–Thursdays, and if you choose to cross, they’ll help you safely pass through the work zone. Clear signage will be posted at the Crescent Meadow trailhead.

Thanks for your patience as we work to keep your park safe, accessible, and beautiful!