Sequoia & Kings Canyon in Snow

Red sequoia trunks in white snow, a big sledding hill at Wolverton, and the world's largest tree with almost no crowds.

4.5 hrs drive · 3 days · Best for toddlers to teens · Dec–Mar

Day 1: Drive and Big Trees

7:30 Call 559-565-3341 (press 1, then 1). If the Generals Highway is open to Grant Grove, take it north; if not, skip to driving home via Visalia
9:30 Walk the short trail to the General Grant Tree (no sledding on this trail)
10:45 Sledding at Columbine or Big Stump snowplay area
12:15 Warm up and bathrooms
1:00 Drive home via Hwy 180 and Fresno
5:30 Arrive home

The Big Trees Trail is the easy win in snow: a flat loop that works in good snow boots, and kids liked climbing on a fallen sequoia along the way. No Back Home
Wolverton has the biggest sledding hills but gets packed on weekends. Big Stump on the Kings Canyon side is the backup. No Back Home
Rent chains at A-1 Totem Market in Three Rivers, the closest shop to the Sequoia entrance. Call the Chevron ahead if you plan to use it, since it isn't always staffed. No Back Home
Skip the Congress Trail with kids in snow unless you have a GPS track. It's poorly signed under snow and one parent ended up walking 3.7 miles instead of 2–3. No Back Home
On the way out, stop at Reimer's Candies in Three Rivers for housemade fudge and the wild blackberry ice cream in a waffle cone. Weekend Sherpa

All vehicles must carry chains or cables in chain control areas or may be turned back, even 4WD. R1/R2/R3 levels set who must put them on, and the speed limit drops to 25 mph. Chains are not sold inside the park.
The Generals Highway between Lodgepole/Wuksachi and Grant Grove is unplowed and often closed from the Friday after Jan 1 to the third Friday in March. If it is closed, add about 2 hours between Grant Grove and Giant Forest.
Designated sledding is only at Wolverton (Sequoia, 7,250 ft), Columbine and Big Stump (Kings Canyon). It is banned on the Grant Tree Trail area and Sherman Tree Road. Once snowy, Wolverton Road is plowed Fri–Sun, Wednesdays and holidays.
Ranger snowshoe walks were not offered in 2025; when offered they start in mid-January. The 2026–27 schedule is not posted. Last season Lodgepole Market rented snowshoes 10–5 daily: adult $30/day, child $20, poles $11.
In late 2025 Kings Canyon had no indoor lodging; John Muir Lodge and Grant Grove cabins reopened after April 10, 2026, and Montecito Sequoia Lodge was closed through May 22, 2026. Wuksachi Lodge is listed as open year-round (866-807-3598). Three Rivers is the easy base.
A 7-day pass is $35 per car for US residents; non-residents pay $100 extra. On holiday weeks entrance lines can run 2–3 hours, so NPS suggests entering before 9 or after 3. The main Sherman Tree lot is closed in winter; park at the accessible lot.