How to Get Around Sequoia National Park with the Sequoia Shuttle
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If you’ve ever wanted to walk among giants, Sequoia National Park is the place to go. Tucked away in California’s Sierra Nevadas, this park offers easy hiking, and spectacular views, and the ability to walk among the largest living organisms in the world.
Best of all, the park is incredibly accessible and easy to navigate.
In season, you don’t need a car to explore Sequoia National Park. Here is everything you need to know to use the Sequoia National Park shuttle.
How to Get to Sequoia National Park Without a Car
From May through September, you don’t need a car to get to Sequoia National Park. The Sequoia Shuttle provides roundtrip transportation from Visalia, the nearest city to Sequoia National Park (a 90-minute drive.)
You can also get to Sequoia National Park from the major city of Fresno without a car by taking the V-Line and connecting to the Sequoia Shuttle (45 minutes from Fresno to Visalia.) Fresno is the airport closest to Sequoia National Park, and the V-Line will pick you up directly from the Fresno Yosemite International Airport.
For only $20 round trip the Sequoia Shuttle takes you from multiple points in Visalia right to the Giant Forest Museum where the in-park shuttle connects. The shuttle is a great way to contribute to the National Park Service’s green initiative by carpooling.
Plus, the shuttle spares you from having to find parking within the National Park- a difficult task in season. Best of all, the shuttle price includes park admission which is normally $30 per vehicle. You also saved money because parking at the Visalia shuttle stops is free!
How to Get Around Sequoia National Park
Once you are in Sequoia National Park, a separate shuttle system runs every 15 minutes along four routes throughout the park. The shuttle system within Sequoia National Park also runs from May through September. It is also potentially running during the Thanksgiving and Christmas weeks, depending on the weather.
The shuttle within the National Park is free to everyone, so expect long lines and for this shuttle to be more crowded. Unlike the shuttle into the park, you are not guaranteed a seat on the in-park shuttle as it is completely ticketless.
Overall, it is very easy to navigate getting around without a car as the shuttle stops are well-marked and easy to find along the roads and at all major trailheads. Maps of the trails and shuttle stops are also frequent throughout the park.
Sequoia Shuttle Stops
Visalia Convention Center
The Visalia Convention Center is the easiest and most popular place to catch the Sequoia Shuttle. Parking here is usually free. Best of all, it is a five-minute walk from The Darling, a renovated 1930s courthouse turned boutique hotel.
Moro Rock Loop
Moro Rock is one of the top things to see in Sequoia National Park. After all, climbing a staircase built into a mountain is a pretty unique experience. Moro Rock is surprisingly accessible to almost anyone. Visitors stepped right off the Sequoia Shuttle to the base of the staircase.
This loop starts at the Giant Forest Museum and includes Moro Rock, Bear Hill Trail, Sugar Pine Trail, Crescent Meadow, Log Meadow Trail, and the iconic Tunnel Log.
General Sherman Loop
The General Sherman Tree is the most popular attraction at Sequoia National Park. Standing at 275 feet tall, it is the largest tree in the world by volume. Visitors can hike to the base of the tree and see its massive trunk up close.
Fair warning, there is typically a line to even get on this shuttle, and General Sherman was by far the busiest place in the park. If you are hoping for some solitude or good pictures with the tree, I would get there very early in the morning.
This loop starts at the Giant Forest Museum and includes the General Sherman Tree, Lodgepole Campground, Lodgepole Marketing & Visitors Center, Tokopah Falls trail, and the Twin Lakes Trail.
Note that although they share a border, the shuttle does not run in Kings Canyon National Park.
Sequoia National Park Shuttle FAQs
Yes. It is possible to use shuttle transportation from Visalia to Sequoia National Park from May through September.
Yes, there is an in-park shuttle system that is free to park visitors. It operates from May through September.
The Sequoia Shuttle typically runs from May through September.
No reservations are needed to enter the park.
Yes. Reservations are required to take the Sequoia Shuttle from Visalia into Sequoia National Park.
Yes. Sequoia National Park has a $30 entrance fee. However, the $20 cost of taking the Sequoia Shuttle from Visalia covers that entrance fee.
If you enjoyed this list, be sure to check out my other guides to California’s National Parks. Is Sequoia National Park on your bucket list? I’d love to know what you think of these giants in the comments or you can always DM me on Instagram @cassiescompass.
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- The Ultimate Guide to Fresno
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2 Comments
Ryan Biddulph
General Sherman is mind-boggling Cassie. I would get there first thing to avoid huge crowds, as we do at all spots heavily frequented by tourists. We saw a 2000 year old tree here in New Zealand a few months ago, and that sucker was massive too. Cars could park inside of the trunk of the thing, like a little parking lot.
Cassie
Wow, I can’t believe a tree can be 2,000 years old. That would be awesome to see! And yes, unfortunately I did not get there early enough to avoid the lines this time 🙁