Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks announced today that the recently closed parks will once again be accessible to visitors starting Jan. 11, 2019. Some visitor services, including campgrounds and entrance stations, will reopen using revenue generated by recreation fees.
All areas that are typically open this time of year, including campgrounds, restrooms, trails, and roads, are open, except visitor centers. These areas will remain open unless winter conditions or other factors require otherwise.
These areas include:
*
Giant Forest and General Sherman Tree
*
Grant Grove and General Grant Tree
*
Foothills and Hospital Rock
*
Potwisha and Azalea Campgrounds
*
Big Stump and Wolverton snow play areas
National Park Service officials have determined that by using Federal Land and Recreation Enhancement funds to immediately bring back park maintenance and law enforcement crews to plow roads, clean restrooms, remove trash, and provide health and safety operations, the park will be able to restore accessibility to the park for visitors while ensuring health and safety.
Outdoor areas of the park will remain accessible. Some facilities including visitor centers will remain closed. Entrance stations will be open to provide safety information to arriving visitors, but entrance fees and camping fees will not be collected.
“We greatly appreciate the generous contributions of our park partners and surrounding communities who have helped in many ways during this lapse in appropriations," said acting park superintendent Christy Brigham. “We are happy to see our park clean and with excited visitors already enjoying their national parks."
While basic visitor services have been restored, other services may be limited or unavailable during the lapse in appropriations, including visitor centers, ranger talks and programs.
Visitors are advised to call 559-565-3341 for current road conditions, closures, and weather before visiting. Tire chains may be required at any time, and winter conditions are expected in the coming days.
For programs and services offered by Sequoia Parks Conservancy, visit www.sequoiaparksconservancy.org.
For concession and lodging information visit www.visitsequoia.com.
For updates on the shutdown, please visit www.doi.gov/shutdown.
-NPS-
About Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
These two parks, which lie-side-by-side in the southern Sierra Nevada in Central California, serve as a prime example of nature’s size, beauty, and diversity. Over 2 million visitors from across the U.S. and the world visit these parks for the world’s largest trees (by volume), grand mountains, rugged foothills, deep canyons, vast caverns, the highest point in the lower 48 states, and more. Learn more at http://www.nps.gov/seki or 559-565-3341.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
