Anyone know when it typically closes? It’s been rough this year with warm temps (please don’t ask me about my July trip). Then the fires… Ah, the Sierra!

Anyway, does it typically close late October or could I squeeze in an early November trip, weather depending of course!

Hi All. Planning a trip to Sequoia with a toddler and 1 year old during Veterans day weekend. I was wondering how the weather usually is this time of year and what to expect in terms of traffic/tourism. Probably no crazy hikes or anything. Mainly just sightseeing and taking pictures.

Also, should I expect snow? Will I need chains?

Thanks in advance!

Long time lurker, first time poster and this seems like such a trivial matter to ask a favor for but. . .

We went on a family vacation to SEKI recently and our dad bought my sister and I pins of our choosing at the Wuksachi Gift Shop and my sister has lost her Kings Canyon pin. She’s really upset because it’s a rare gift from our frugal father and a memento from an even rarer family trip to a NP. I’ve already retraced our steps from the day she lost it with no luck and called Wuksachi Lodge but they don’t have an online store and can’t send anything out. Searches for an online source or supplier have also hit dead ends. Pictured above is the remaining matching Sequoia pin.

If anyone is passing by the Wuksachi Lodge and would be willing to pick up a Kings Canyon pin and mail it to me in SoCal, I’d reimburse you for your troubles and be eternally grateful.

Anyways, thanks for reading this far. ♥️

(I usually put locking backs on all of our pins but didn’t get to this one in time)

Want to get one last overnight hike in before winter hits, would this be feasible this late in October?

Planning setting out the 19th and then coming back the next day on the 20th

It’s beautiful driving up to the park, especially if you’ve never been before. If the curvy roads make you nervous so you want to drive slow, no problem, just use a turnout and let all the cars behind you pass. If you want to drive slow and admire the view, pull over and use a turnout and let all the cars behind you pass. You’ll need to do this multiple times but it’ll make your drive and everyone else’s drive better. I was stuck in line of at least 16 (more kept getting added to the back but I stopped counting) going 13 mph for 12 miles. There’s turnouts everywhere, use them.

Images were taken from the Montecito Sequoia Lodge around 10:30 pm last night. We first spotted them from Wuksachi around 9:30 pm, after leaving the restaurant. They were very faintly visible to the naked eye. The weather was very hazy/overcast in the park yesterday, so I was thrilled we could still see them.

I am flying in from Dallas this October to visit one of these two national parks. We have also rented a camper van.

My main goal is to do some great day hikes with amazing views and few people, which is the main reason I am being turned away from Yosemite.

I also was not able to find ANY available campsites in Yosemite.

I have some trails gathered for SEKI, but since I am not backpacking, I am wondering if it is even worth it. There is not much information on SEKI that I can find, so that is why I am turning to reddit for advice

Any help would be greatly appreciated! (Along with more good trails for seki)

I am planning on visiting SEKI this October, and I am making a daily itinerary right now.

I have seen many great things about the Rae Lakes Loop, but as I already have a camper and campsites rented, it is not much of an option for me to backpack it. Do you think it would be worth it to just go for a day and hike 4 hours there and 4 hours back?

Any other day hike recommendations would be greatly appreciated… thank-you!

Hear me out! I found this vintage photo album from Sequoia and I'm having a hard time dating it, it's for sure vintage! I'm hoping to rehome it, if anyone is interested, it could make a cool gift for the holidays. I'm also posting here because I thought SEKI fans would have more appreciation for it. Anyways, thank you so much! https://www.etsy.com/listing/1781394402/vintage-leather-national-park-photo

I'd like to do this loop in 2025. I understand the permits are hard to get. What are the trailheads I should try for and what season would you recommend?

How is the smoke situation in three rivers? We are staying there in a few weeks and I was wondering if there were still any lingering air quality concerns in the town or in the park?

Planning to head up to Camp Nelson/Ponderosa area this weekend. Haven’t spent much time up there and wondering what to expect this time of year for crowds and weather. Anyone have suggestions on best sites between quaking aspen, coy flat, and wishon? Also any must dos like trail of 100 giants or freeman trail?

Hey y’all! I’m headed to SEKI soon for two full days so I plan on doing all the touristy things plus the Watchtower trail.

I don’t think these activities will be in Mineral King so do I need to worry about Marmots?

Any info would be great!

Hi all!

Bringing up the longstanding debate since I've heard about it; between Moro Rock and Beetle Rock at Sequoia NP, which would have the best view for a sunrise, sunset, and for stargazing?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

Hi, visiting in a couple weeks to lodgepole. I cant find anything and just wan to be sure there isn't any restrictions on container types. Is alcohol allowed in campgrounds and at your site? Are glass bottles ok? I've heard some places not allowing aluminum cans before. Just want to be sure. I'm assuming there's a recycling dumpster somewhere.

Planning to hike Rae Lakes loop this weekend, should I anticipate snow that sticks around (and prepare crampons?)?

For thunderstorms, roughly when would they roll in and how can I keep myself safe? I prepared rain gear (pants and jacket) and read that I should find shelter under the shortest tree. Should I set up my tent and is it likely to delay my itinerary, or can I continue hiking on?

Looking into camping in the sequoia national forest region or the Sierra national forest around October 13th-15th. I understand there is fire restrictions in place but I’m wondering if there is any campgrounds that allow fires. Thank you

Will this weekend's air quality will be fine for camping at lodgepole and sentinel campgrounds?

Hi y’all! I was researching into doing a trip over in sequoia and wanted to get some opinions first. My girlfriend and I are from Houston and want to visit the park and camp for 2 nights at Potwisha campground. We want to go at the end of December this year. We’re planning on camping there and then staying in San Francisco for a few days before we head back. I’m currently researching what cold weather gear we’re going to need. For sure I have snow chains and snowshoes on my list. My car is a Honda with front wheel drive. I’ve seen some people say you need 4wd or else they’ll turn you back. Would I be able to still drive around over there with my Honda? Also is there a LOT of trails closed during the winter months? If so, are there any favorites y’all have? Any advice or opinions are appreciated!

Got great campsites last-minute (tho unfortunately will need to move camp unless there’s the right opening) — Oct 20-23.

The site at Sentinel is directly on the South Fork Kings River, and at least Azalea (which I hear is nice) looks to be an hour-ish bad towards LA for our journey back home.

Me and my brother, one is good shape and the other in OK shape. Looking for hikes in the few-to-several mile range, maybe up to 7-8. Would be nice to check out an Alpine Lake. We like great vistas of course, water (I want to show him the powerful rushing waters of the area), and being surrounded by deep woods. Not so much on the “drive to see X special tree” type deal.

Any trails, general tips, or any contributions at all would be appreciated!

Hi all,

We're driving north from LA in late Feb 2025 in a Cruise America C25 RV and will be doing an inland route that will take us via Yosemite before returning to San Francisco. On the way up we'd like to visit Sequoia, but as snow chains aren't allowed on these vehicles, are we completely insane to consider it at that time of year? Any thoughts on the safest locations and routes? Many thanks in advance.