Visiting Sequoia National Park in Winter: The Ultimate Guide

Article Summary: Visiting Sequoia National Park in Winter

Imagine the world’s largest trees covered in a dusting of fresh white snow, surrounded by snow-covered peaks and frosty air. For peace and quiet, there is no better time to visit Sequoia National Park. This guide to visiting Sequoia National Park in winter includes everything you should know about chain restrictions, things to do in the snow, where to sled, what to bring, and more.

If you’re visiting Sequoia in winter, make sure you are prepared for the conditions. While it can be an extremely rewarding time to visit the park, it’s important to know what to expect and how best to prepare yourself before arriving.

Keep reading for my tips for a successful visit to Sequoia National Park in winter.

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Sequoia Winter Restrictions

Many hazardous conditions may be present and visitors should prepare for closures at any time.

For the most up-to-date information, visit the official website to check current conditions. You can also call (559) 565-3134.

Road Closures

Typically, the park is open to Hospital Rock (about 7 miles from the Ash Mountain entrance) daily.

When conditions allow, the park also opens the Generals Highway to the Giant Forest. Sometimes the road is open as far as Lodgepole, sometimes it is closed at Wolderton Road or the Giant Forest Museum.

Trail Closures

Generally, trails are open in the winter, including Moro Rock and General Sherman Tree Trail. However, hazardous conditions can close trails at any time.

There could be hazards present at any time, including some buried under snow. Things to watch out for include falling debris, hidden holes, and exposed roots or rocks.

Bring Water

Water may not be available if conditions disrupt the water supply.

Where To See Giant Sequoias if the Giant Forest is Closed

If the Giant Forest is closed, the Foothills area is the only accessible portion of Sequoia National Park. While there is plenty to do here, Sequoia trees don’t grow at such a low elevation. Your only option would be to drive to Kings Canyon National Park.

When you arrive in Grant Grove, you can visit the General Grant Tree, the second largest tree in the world (second only to the Giant Forest’s General Sherman, the world’s largest tree by volume). The Grant Tree is also the Nation’s Christmas Tree and a living shrine to America’s veterans. Stop by the Kings Canyon Visitor Center for more things to do in Kings Canyon in winter.

What’s Closed in Sequoia in Winter?

Historically, the only closures that occur in Sequoia in the winter are the Watchtower Trail, Crystal Cave, the main General Sherman Tree parking area, Crystal Cave Road, and Moro Rock/Crescent Meadow Road. While these two roads are closed to vehicle traffic, visitors are still permitted to walk on the roads in winter.

Typically, the Generals Highway between Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park also closes after the first snowfall, but sometimes reopens if precipitation is limited.

To visit the General Sherman Tree, park in the smaller winter lot. The larger, main lot closes in winter. Unfortunately, this often leads to parking congestion. Arrive early or plan to do something else while you wait and hope for a spot to open up. During the holiday periods, take the Sequoia Shuttle to the Sherman Tree.

Furthermore, you will not find any gas stations in the Sequoia National Park in winter. Fill up before your visit!

Is Winter in Sequoia Crowded?

If you’re hoping to avoid crowds, winter can be a great time to visit Sequoia. However, this comes with some exceptions.

During Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year, the park is extremely busy. During this time, you’ll find limited parking for the General Sherman Tree, Giant Forest Museum, and Wolverton.

To avoid parking woes, the park encourages the use of its Sequoia Shuttle. In winter, the shuttle only operates during the holidays.

The park is also very crowded on weekends. Prepare to have trouble parking for the General Sherman Tree if visiting on Saturday or Sunday. For fewer crowds, visit Sequoia National Park in winter on weekdays outside of the holidays.

Chain Restrictions

Due to snowy conditions, the park often requires that visitors carry snow chains in their vehicles. These can be rented in the gateway town of Three Rivers at various establishments.

When renting tire chains, ensure they are the appropriate size for your vehicle’s tires. Do some research on this beforehand. There’s nothing worse than paying for chains, then driving an hour to find out they don’t fit!

After periods of snowfall, chain restrictions can fluctuate between being required in the vehicle or being required on your vehicle. Those conditions are detailed below.

It is highly recommended to always carry chains in case conditions change.

Snow/ice warnings: You are required to carry chains

R1: If you don’t have mud/snow tires, put chains on

R2: If you don’t have 4-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, put chains on

R3: All vehicles are required to put chains on

It is rare that the park enters R3 conditions. Historically, if the road conditions are that treacherous, the road will be closed to protect the safety of visitors and park rangers.

Remember, even if roads are open and there are no chain restrictions, you should be prepared to drive narrow, windy mountain roads under slippery, wet, or snowy conditions at any time.

Things to Do in Sequoia National Park in Winter

While many popular things to do in Sequoia are available year-round, here are some particularly fun activities to enjoy when visiting Sequoia National Park in winter.

While many of these areas can be quite beautiful, there’s no guarantee that everything will be open or clear. Be prepared for closures, as mentioned above.

Wolverton Snow Play Area

Located at the end of Wolverton Road in the Giant Forest is the Wolverton Snow Play Area (Wolverton Meadow in summer). This is the perfect place for sledding, snowball fights, building snowmen, or other winter activities.

This large parking lot is also equipped with a few picnic tables for anyone looking for a place to eat or rest. Remember to store your food properly in the provided containers or in your vehicle. Sequoia is home to many bears, and they’ve been known to be present in winter. Read more about bear safety before your visit.

Note: Sometimes, there is enough snow to cover hazards on the hill at Wolverton. Be aware that there could be tree roots, stumps, or rocks buried under the snow. Sledding could be dangerous when there is too much or too little snow.

Snowshoeing, Skiing, or Hiking

Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing can be a great way to explore areas of the park that are closed for vehicle traffic. This includes Moro Rock/Crescent Meadow Road or less popular trails like Sunset Rock or the Trail of the Sequoias.

Some trails in the Giant Forest are marked for skiing and snowshoeing. They include the Alta Trail, Sunset Rock Trail, Crescent Trail, and Congress Trail. Look for yellow triangles with symbols to indicate specific trails. You can purchase these maps in the Foothills Visitor Center, Giant Forest Museum, or online.

For those without snowshoes or skis, stick to popular trails that may be packed down and safer to use. These include Congress Trail, Big Trees Trail, and the General Sherman Tree area.

The Sequoia Parks Conservancy also offers many programs, including guided snowshoe walks. Due to Covid-19, the Pear Lake Winter Hut has been closed since 2019. However, once it reopens, a winter hike to this destination should not be missed.

For more ideas of where to go, check out my post on the best hikes in Sequoia.

While Moro Rock is open in the winter, the icy steps can be treacherous. The Parks Expert highly recommends that all visitors purchase traction devices for their shoes, particularly those hoping to climb Moro Rock.

Camping

In winter 2022, the only campground open in Sequoia National Park is Potwisha Campground. The campground is open on a first-come, first-served basis when conditions allow. Due to recent high levels of precipitation, the park encourages visitors to pay for one night at a time in case of closures.

For more information, read my Sequoia camping guide.

What to Bring When Visiting Sequoia in Winter

Sequoia National Park is a beautiful place to visit in winter. With the right gear and preparation, it can be an enjoyable experience for all. Bring these items to make sure your trip is safe and enjoyable.

In order to save money, I would recommend purchasing a national parks pass. These cost $80 and are valid for a full calendar year (from the date of purchase) at all public lands in the United States. After you visit 3 national parks, it’ll have paid for itself. It also makes a great gift for national park enthusiasts! Learn more about park entry fees.

These passes are valid at both Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks.

Warm Layers: Regardless of what time of year it is, layers are always key in Sequoia National Park. In winter, the park can experience temperatures below freezing. Make sure to pack a hat, gloves, and a warm coat.

Traction Devices: Be sure to wear shoes and bring traction devices (like Yaktrax) if there is snow or ice on the trails. It’s also best to stay off of Moro Rock unless conditions allow for it.

Sunscreen: The sun can be strong in the winter, so make sure to protect yourself with sunscreen.

Food and Drinks: There are no food services in Sequoia National Park in winter and no potable water in the Giant Forest. Make sure to pack snacks and water.

Winter Boots: While not always necessary, a good pair of winter boots can make your visit more comfortable and winter hikes more enjoyable.

Hiking Poles: Poles are helpful for hiking, but also crucial for balance on icy trails.

Snowshoes: If there is a significant amount of snow, consider packing snowshoes. It may be the best way to hike!

Sled: A sled can be a fun way to enjoy the views of Sequoia National Park in winter. Remember to watch out for icy spots that can make sledding dangerous.

Where to Stay Near Sequoia National Park

While there are currently no lodging options in Sequoia in winter, there are plenty of places to stay near Sequoia National Park. If everything goes well, the Wuksachi Lodge near the Lodgepole Visitor Center may reopen in 2022, but there is currently no timeline for this. Another option is the John Muir Lodge in Kings Canyon National Park’s Grant Grove Village.

Pin The Expert Guide to Visiting Sequoia National Park in Winter

With the right gear and preparation, a winter trip to Sequoia National Park can be an enjoyable experience for all. We hope this guide to visiting Sequoia National Park in the winter was helpful for planning your trip. If you have any questions, feel free to send us an e-mail or leave a comment below!