3 Ways to Get from Fresno to Sequoia National Park
Cassie’s Compass contains affiliate links and is also an Amazon Services LLC Associates Program member. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. See my Privacy Policy for more information.
Sequoia is one of California’s most iconic National Parks. Where else can you put your arms around the largest living organism in the world?
The sequoias are the largest trees in the world by volume. In addition to being home to the highest concentration of these groves, Sequoia National Park also has some diverse terrain, ranging from glacier-carved valleys to rocky canyons.
As a Fresno local and frequent visitor, I know firsthand what Sequoia offers. That’s why I created this guide detailing the different ways to get from my hometown to the National Park.
The good news is that getting from Fresno to Sequoia is easy.
Whether you’re looking for a quick escape or planning a week-long retreat, depending on your budget and preferences, there are a few different ways to access the park.
There are three ways to get from Fresno to Sequoia National Park:
- Drive a car ($$)
- Take the shuttle ($)
- Pay for a tour ($$$)
In this post, I will give you the pros and cons of these three options, plus stops to make along the way. So grab your gear, throw on your hiking shoes, and save this post for your upcoming visit!
Just looking for the best day tour? It’s this Semi-Private Sequoia Tour with Park Entry!
Where is Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park is located in Central California on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
Visalia is the closest city to Sequoia National Park. However, Fresno is the closest major city.
The park covers over 600 square miles and has hiking trails, cave systems, and sequoia groves. Sequoia shares a border with Kings Canyon National Park to its north. Because the parks share a border and are governed by the same park system, many people visit Sequoia and Kings Canyon in the same day.
In fact, many people also include Yosemite in their visit on a route known as the Majestic Mountain Loop.
How far is it from Fresno to Sequoia National Park?
The distance from Fresno to Sequoia is 85 miles and takes about ninety minutes of drive time. There are two main highways to get there from Fresno, but both are about equal in drive time and distance.
The total distance from Fresno to the Giant Forest Museum, the park’s most popular area, is 95 miles and two hours of drive time.
Overall, it is close enough to drive there and back within the same day, making Sequoia a popular Fresno day trip.
Driving from Fresno to Sequoia
Driving from Fresno to Sequoia is the most common way to visit the park.
If you are visiting from out of town, it is worth it to rent a car. Of all the ways to get to Sequoia from Fresno, driving gives you the most freedom and access to the most places within the park versus taking a tour or the shuttle.
This is my favorite AUDIO TOUR to learn about the park as you drive! 🚗
There are two main routes to get from Fresno to Sequoia:
- Highway 180 to the General’s Highway (from the north)
- Highway 99 to Highway 198 and Sierra Drive (from the south)
The General’s Highway takes you through Kings Canyon National Park and is more scenic than driving through Visalia. However, it is often closed in the winter.
On both routes, much of the road is a two-lane highway with an average speed limit of 45mph and limited places to pass. Once you get into the foothills, the road becomes windy, and steep drop-offs are on many shoulders as you drive up over 5000 feet in elevation.
The Best Entrance to Sequoia National Park from Fresno
There are two main entrances to Sequoia National Park: the Big Stump Entrance and the Ash Mountain Entrance. The Big Stump Entrance is the northern entrance from General’s Highway. Ash Mountain is the southern entrance from Visalia and Sierra Drive.
Both entrances are equidistant to Fresno, but the Ash Mountain Entrance is more accessible year-round as the General’s Highway often closes in the winter.
No matter which entrance you use, it is best to arrive early in the summer months as lines can form, causing more than an hour’s wait to get through the entrance.
There is a day-use, per-vehicle entry fee to get into the park that you will pay at the entrance station.
If you are visiting more than one National Park this year, or if you will be frequenting Sequoia, it is worth investing in a Parks Pass instead of paying the entry fee.
Get the America the Beautiful Parks Pass to access any park for a full year!
Parking in Sequoia National Park
The main drawback to driving to Sequoia is finding a place to park. Parking lots fill up quickly, especially in the summer, so you’ll want to arrive early.
The best place to park for day visitors is the Giant Forest Museum. These are the largest parking lots, the in-park shuttle is most accessible, and plenty of walkable sites are from here.
Once you park, it is best not to move your car again as you might not find another spot.
After parking, take the in-park shuttle to the different hikes and areas of interest within the park.
Points of Interest from Fresno to Sequoia
Another benefit of driving is being able to stop and experience points of interest on the way from Fresno to Sequoia.
From the North
First, right after the entry station in Kings Canyon National Park, you will find the first grove of sequoias called Big Stump Grove. You can easlity pull aside at the entry station to find a short walking trail.
Next, you will come to a fork in the road to continue on the 180 or turn toward Sequoia National Park. Before you take the turn onto the General’s Highway, take a few minutes to detour on the 180 to see a few more sequoia groves.
Find Grant Grove, featuring the General Grant Tree. You will also find Grant Grove Stables here where you can take a horseback ride through the sequoias.
Back track and take the turn onto General’s Highway. As you continue towards Sequoia you will find another grove of sequoias called Lost Grove.
After that, you will find the amin areas of the park starting with the Lodgepole Campground, General Sherman Tree, and then the Giant Forest Museum.
From the South
From the south, keep your eyes peeled for Tunnel Rock on the shoulder of the road just past the entrance station.
Next, there are several panoramic viewpoints to pullout and enjoy the scenery before you find a turnoff to Crystal Cave (closed 2023.) The only way to see the marble cavern is through a guided tour, so be sure to book in advance.
Finally, back on the General’s Highway, lookout for the Four Guardsmen sequoia trees that signify the entrance to the main part of the park.
You could even take both routes in a loop to hit all the spots!
Fresno to Sequoia Map
The Best Fresno to Sequoia Tours
If you’re looking for a hassle-free way to get to Sequoia National Park, taking a tour is the most convenient way to see the park with minimal planning and no stress. Eliminate the hassle of renting a car, finding places to eat, paying admission fees, parking, and deciding what time to go. These tours handle it all!
- The best tour: Semi-Private Sequoia Tour with Park Entry
This semi-private tour is my favorite because it includes lunch, park entry, and Sequoia’s best sites. It’s a simple and easy way to see the sequoias.
2. The best bucket list tour: Stargazing in Sequoia National Park
Sequoia has one of the darkest skies in the United States. This nighttime tour is a memorable and unique way to see the park! Warmers, binoculars, and star maps are included.
3. Best private tour: Customizable Kings Canyon & Sequoia Private Tour
If you want a splurge with every detail planned, this tour is for you. Customize your pick-up location, sites, and hikes based on your preferences and get all the one-on-one guidance you need.
Taking the Shuttle from Fresno to Sequoia National Park
The Sequoia Shuttle is the shuttle system that takes visitors to and from the park.
The Sequoia Shuttle also provides public transportation within Sequoia to the main attractions within the park. Once in the park, the shuttle is free to use.
It offers daily service with several convenient stops and pick-up locations from Visalia. However, you can get to Sequoia from Fresno without a car by taking the V-line from the Fresno Yosemite International Airport.
Furthermore, the Sequoia Shuttle also helps reduce traffic congestion in the park. The benefits of taking the shuttle are that you won’t need to worry about parking, and it is the most environmentally friendly way to get to Sequoia.
Best of all, the shuttle fee includes entry to the park, so you do not need to pay the entry fee.
To take the Sequoia Shuttle into the park, be sure to schedule your pickup time and location ahead of time.
FAQ
Visalia is the closest city to Sequoia National Park, just 50 miles away. Fresno is the closest major city, 43 miles from Visalia.
Contrary to popular belief, Sequoia National Park is not the closest place to find sequoia trees from Fresno. The Grant Grove near Shaver Lake is the closest sequoia trees to Fresno, just 56 miles away.
Yes, Fresno is the nearest major city to Sequoia National Park. Depending on traffic, it is less than a two-hour drive from Fresno to the entrance of Sequoia National Park.
Overall, no matter how you choose to get from Fresno to Sequoia, you’re in for an epic trip.
I hope these options, from the quick and convenient to the more scenic, help you have the best adventure.
However you get there, enjoy the majesty of the giant sequoias!
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:
