For Immediate Release 

Contact: Rebecca Paterson Phone: (559) 702 3400 Email: seki_public_affairs@nps.gov

SEQUOIA AND KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS, Calif. January 18, 2023 – As National Park Service personnel continue to assess damage and respond to emergencies in the parks following recent storms, a decision has been made to further postpone the public meeting scheduled for tonight in Three Rivers, CA, on the topic of visitor experience and access. Tomorrow, January 19, NPS officials will host a public meeting on the topic of storm impacts and response at the Three Rivers Memorial Building at 6 p.m.  

While the parks plan to resume their focus on the important work of long-term solutions to visitor experience and access challenges as soon as possible, storm response is currently the top priority, and these changes in the public meeting schedule reflect that. The public comment period associated with the visitor experience and access project has been extended through February 15, and the new date in February for the public meeting will be announced once it is established. For more information and to submit a comment, click here. 

The storm systems that have been battering the state of California in recent weeks have caused significant damage to the Generals Highway, the main road that connects the parks. It is currently not possible to visit giant sequoias, including the world-famous General Sherman Tree, in Sequoia National Park. Severe damage has been found in most areas of the parks, with much more still to be assessed. The public meeting tomorrow, January 19, will detail what is known and unknown at this time, and endeavor to provide timelines where possible.  

While Grant Grove in Kings Canyon National Park has remained open throughout this time, major snow accumulation in that area has created its own access challenges. For current conditions, please visit our website.