For Immediate Release: April 27, 2023
Contact: Sintia Kawasaki-Yee, Chief of Communications
Phone: (559) 679-2866
Reference Number: 8550-2316
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Tulare County, Caltrans, and others continue to make progress with damage assessments and repairs at a time when the public is eager to get out into their public lands and plan their summer vacations. Thanks to information provided by partner agencies, we can share a couple of significant updates as part of our weekly review of estimated reopening dates.
At this time, due to severe road damage along the Highway 180 corridor between Grant Grove and Cedar Grove, Caltrans does not expect repairs to be completed before the end of the summer season. This means public access is not expected into the Cedar Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park for the 2023 summer season.
For Mineral King in Sequoia National Park, due to severe road damage along the Mineral King Road both inside and outside the park, public access is not anticipated before mid-June. Tulare County is working on temporary repairs to three sections of road damage outside the park boundary, these repairs are expected to continue into June. As soon as we’re able, the park will assess whether construction equipment will have the necessary access to begin repairs to severely damaged sections inside the park boundary. It is still unknown what, if any, public access will be possible this summer.
Current status and projected reopening timeframes for 2023:
Sequoia National Park
The Foothills area between the Sequoia entrance station and Hospital Rock – CURRENTLY OPEN
Access to lower elevation camping, trails, wildflowers, wilderness, rivers, and more. No access to giant sequoias.
The Giant Forest/Wolverton Snowplay Area/Lodgepole/Wuksachi Areas
Access to giant sequoias, the General Sherman Tree, winter snowplay, camping, lodging, wilderness, Moro Rock, Tunnel Log, and more.
Access via Highway 180 through the Kings Canyon entrance station
Estimated Reopening: May 26- June 16
Access via Highway 198 through the Sequoia entrance station Estimated Reopening: Sometime in June – July 2023
Crystal Cave
Initial surveys report significant road damage along Crystal Cave Road. More information is needed to inform a reopening estimate.
Mineral King
Due to severe road damage along the Mineral King Road both inside and outside the park boundary, public access is not anticipated before mid-June. It is still unknown what, if any, public access will be possible this summer.
Kings Canyon National Park
Grant Grove – CURRENTLY OPEN
Access to giant sequoias, the General Grant Tree, winter snowplay, camping, lodging, restaurant, trails, and more.
Cedar Grove
Due to severe road damage along the Highway 180 corridor between Grant Grove and Cedar Grove, Caltrans does not expect repairs to be completed before the end of the summer season. This means public access is not expected into the Cedar Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park for the 2023 summer season.
For trip-planning information and the most current park conditions, we urge visitors to visit our website at nps.gov/SEKI. Updates to the reopening schedule are made on the Current Conditions web page weekly on Thursday afternoons.
