Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are open year round, 24 hours a day. Summer of course is the most popular time to visit with August being the most populous month. Winter is the lightest. Camping at King's Canyon is quite relaxing with at least 13 campgrounds. Campers are spoiled with the luxury of real showers and indoor toilets that use water. Most areas except South Fork have drinking water and sanitary disposal stations. There are no hook-ups for RV's in any of the park campgrounds. Showers are available in summer at Lodgepole, Grant Grove, and Cedar Grove. But for those who don't want the trouble of the crowd of campers, Kings Canyon lodgings are available options.
King's Creek is reasonable and satisfactory especially because it seems a world away from the commercial tourism to the north. King's Canyon Resort on the other hand, is the cause of most budget travelers' complaints. King's Canyon lodgings also consist of Cedar Grove Lodge, Giant Forest Lodge and Grant Grove Lodge. Grant Grove Lodge in Kings Canyon is open all year. Cedar Grove Lodge and Giant Forest Lodge are open during the summer. There is Kings Canyon lodge which is located 17 miles east of Grant Grove where you have the option of white water rafting. The main concern of most travelers is that there isn't any cheap accommodation or real camping to be had in the park any more. Remember, the farther the King's Canyon lodge is, the cheaper the rate is.
Are you ready to explore? The one best part about traveling to national parks such as King's Canyon is you won't feel out of place traveling alone. Why do people come from all over the world to visit King's Canyon? The viewing of the giant sequoias! There are the hiking, backpacking; horseback riding, fishing, cross-country skiing, snowshoe walks, ranger walks, talks and campfire programs. If you love the outdoors, you will love King's Canyon. You don't have to be an adventurer to love King's Canyon. Just the solitary quality of coming to the park coincides with the serenity it offers. Man and nature intertwine and merge into one unequal force. That itself can be very spiritual, relaxing, and refreshing. Come relax and forget the crowded city life. And the best part is you can do it alone. There's something about being a lone traveler: you pick up conversations very easily, whereas if you're in a couple or group it's not so easy.
One place to visit at King's Canyon is Kathleen Springs. This offers the only other walk in the park. And what a lovely walk: just 1.3km into the little gorge, passing through some interesting relics from pastoral days complete with explanatory signs, and at the end of the walk a peaceful, dark water hole, surrounded by thick vegetation and sheer, red walls. This provides the solitary peace with the constant wind whistle ling through the treetops.
But before jumping ahead, planning is the key to traveling. First-time visitors would find the General Sherman and General Grant trees an interest. The view is fantastic above Moro Rock. There are the giant sequoias at the Giant Forest General Sherman giant sequoia tree at 275 feet in height have trunks that weigh approximately 1,385 tons with circumference at nearly 103 feet. Then there are the oak trees, chaparral vegetation and the dry foothills to the West. Middle Fork of the Kaweah River is to the south more than 5,000 vertical feet down. The snow peaks of the Great Western Divide at 13,802 feet are to the east. All are just quite out of sight. Don't forget the highest mountain in the 48 states, Mount Whitney, reaches 14,494 feet of elevation.
Fees
Individual Entry (Bike, Foot) $ 5.00 (Seven Day Pass)
Private Non-commercial Vehicle $ 10.00 (Seven Day Pass)
Annual Pass $ 20.00 (Good For One Year)
Gold Access Passport (Blind or permanently disabled individuals) Free (Lifetime - good in all national parks)
Golden Age Passport (one time fee - for those 62+ years young) $ 10.00 (Lifetime - good in all national parks)
Golden Eagle Passport (good one year from date of purchase) $ 50.00 (good in all national parks)
No reservations are needed to enter Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Golden Access Passport is a free pass available to those who qualify which entitles the bearer and immediate family or accompanying passengers in a private vehicle, to free admission to all U.S. National Parks, Monuments, Forests, and Historic Sites, as well as half price camping. Apply in person at any National Park Service or U.S. Forest Service area.