Sequoia and Yosemite are both incredible National Parks that will give you very different experiences and offer different activities. Yosemite is larger and more popular than Sequoia (and neighboring Kings Canyon National Park), which is more compact and more off-the-beaten-path.

Both of these parks are worth visiting, and they’re close to each other. So I suggest combining these national parks into an epic California road trip!

The parks are open year-round, but June – August is when all areas of the parks, shuttle services, and accommodations are open and accessible. Outside of these months, services become more limited, and some parts of the parks become inaccessible due to weather. Sequoia and Kings Canyon are two of the best summer destinations in the U.S.

In September – November, the Mineral King and Cedar Grove areas close, light snow is possible, it will be cold at night, there are fewer ranger programs, and many facilities reduce their hours and operations.

From December – March, you have a great chance of experiencing the beautiful snow-covered parks, but there’s no guarantee of snow. Tire chains are usually required during these months, the Sequoia shuttle service still runs between the Giant Forest Museum and the Wuksachi Lodge and Restaurant, but there’s no shuttle service in Kings Canyon.

Wildflowers and the alpine fields are the reasons to visit in Spring. Full shuttle services restart in May, and many facilities and accommodations will begin to re-open with limited hours in April. Temperatures will still be chilly, especially at night, so have plenty of layers.

Sequoia and The Redwoods are both incredible National Parks that will give you very different experiences and offer different activities. Many people think these parks are too similar or interchangeable, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

These parks each provide completely different and unique landscapes, trees, and experiences, so you should definitely visit both of them!

The parks are open year-round, but June – August is when all areas of the parks, shuttle services, and accommodations are open and accessible. Outside of these months, services become more limited, and some parts of the parks become inaccessible due to weather. Sequoia and Kings Canyon are two of the best summer destinations in the U.S.

In September – November, the Mineral King and Cedar Grove areas close, light snow is possible, it will be cold at night, there are fewer ranger programs, and many facilities reduce their hours and operations.

From December – March, you have a great chance of experiencing the beautiful snow-covered parks, but there’s no guarantee of snow. Tire chains are usually required during these months, the Sequoia shuttle service still runs between the Giant Forest Museum and the Wuksachi Lodge and Restaurant, but there’s no shuttle service in Kings Canyon.

Wildflowers and the alpine fields are the reasons to visit in Spring. Full shuttle services restart in May, and many facilities and accommodations will begin to re-open with limited hours in April. Temperatures will still be chilly, especially at night, so have plenty of layers.

Visalia is the closest city to Sequoia National Park (about a 45-minute drive). But there are small towns that are closer to Sequoia, such as Lemon Cove and Three Rivers.

The parks are open year-round, but June – August is when all areas of the parks, shuttle services, and accommodations are open and accessible. Outside of these months, services become more limited, and some parts of the parks become inaccessible due to weather. Sequoia and Kings Canyon are two of the best summer destinations in the U.S.

In September – November, the Mineral King and Cedar Grove areas close, light snow is possible, it will be cold at night, there are fewer ranger programs, and many facilities reduce their hours and operations.

From December – March, you have a great chance of experiencing the beautiful snow-covered parks, but there’s no guarantee of snow. Tire chains are usually required during these months, the Sequoia shuttle service still runs between the Giant Forest Museum and the Wuksachi Lodge and Restaurant, but there’s no shuttle service in Kings Canyon.

Wildflowers and the alpine fields are the reasons to visit in Spring. Full shuttle services restart in May, and many facilities and accommodations will begin to re-open with limited hours in April. Temperatures will still be chilly, especially at night, so have plenty of layers.

As of this post’s publishing date, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks do not require reservations.

The parks are open year-round, but June – August is when all areas of the parks, shuttle services, and accommodations are open and accessible. Outside of these months, services become more limited, and some parts of the parks become inaccessible due to weather. Sequoia and Kings Canyon are two of the best summer destinations in the U.S.

In September – November, the Mineral King and Cedar Grove areas close, light snow is possible, it will be cold at night, there are fewer ranger programs, and many facilities reduce their hours and operations.

From December – March, you have a great chance of experiencing the beautiful snow-covered parks, but there’s no guarantee of snow. Tire chains are usually required during these months, the Sequoia shuttle service still runs between the Giant Forest Museum and the Wuksachi Lodge and Restaurant, but there’s no shuttle service in Kings Canyon.

Wildflowers and the alpine fields are the reasons to visit in Spring. Full shuttle services restart in May, and many facilities and accommodations will begin to re-open with limited hours in April. Temperatures will still be chilly, especially at night, so have plenty of layers.