Most visitors drive up from the Los Angeles area or Visalia, taking Highway 198 east straight to the Ash Mountain Entrance. If you fly, grab a rental car at Fresno Yosemite International Airport for the hour-and-45-minute drive to the gates.
Ash Mountain Entrance, CA-198, Tulare County, California
The 225-mile drive takes about four hours. Take I-5 North out of the Los Angeles basin, then merge onto CA-99 North toward Bakersfield and Fresno. Take exit 96 to catch CA-198 East toward Visalia. This route leads straight to the Ash Mountain Entrance.
The final stretch on the Generals Highway climbs sharply into the mountains with tight, twisting hairpin turns. RVs and oversized vehicles should avoid this route. Fill your gas tank in Three Rivers before passing the gate. The park has no year-round fuel stations.
Visalia is the closest major city to the park's main gate. Follow CA-198 East for 36 miles directly to the Ash Mountain Entrance. The drive takes about 45 minutes, making Visalia a practical base if you skip staying inside the park boundaries.
Remember that winter storms can close high-elevation roads with little warning. Tire chains might be required at any time between December and spring, limiting access to high-elevation attractions. Check current road conditions by calling 559-565-3341 before you set out.
Fresno Yosemite International is the nearest major commercial airport, located about 55 to 60 miles from the park. Rent a car at the terminal and choose your entry point.
To reach the Kings Canyon entrance, take CA-180 East for an hour and 15 minutes. To enter through Sequoia's Ash Mountain gate instead, drive south via CA-99 and CA-198, which takes an hour and 45 minutes. Having a car gives you access to both jointly managed parks — they connect directly via the Generals Highway.
Fly into Visalia Municipal Airport, then catch a local bus to the Visalia Transit Center. From late May to early September, the Sequoia Shuttle runs directly from the transit center into the park. A round-trip ticket costs $20.
Once inside, you can rely on the park's free shuttle system around the Giant Forest and Lodgepole areas. This setup skips the stress of driving the steep Generals Highway. It also avoids the limited parking near the General Sherman Tree and Moro Rock on busy summer weekends.
Take an Amtrak train to the station in Hanford, which sits closer to the park connections than the Fresno stop. From Hanford, board an Amtrak connecting bus to the Visalia Transit Center.
During the summer season, you can transfer here to the Sequoia Shuttle for the final leg into the park. It takes careful planning to align the train, bus, and shuttle schedules. This car-free route only works from late May through early September when the park shuttle operates.
The main parking area for the General Sherman Tree sits off Wolverton Road, while visitors with disability placards can use a dedicated lot along the Generals Highway for a 500-foot wheelchair-accessible path. Parking is covered by the $35 vehicle entrance fee. Summer lots fill fast, so it's best to ride the free, lift-equipped shuttles around Giant Forest to skip the congestion.
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| From | Mode | Time | Cost | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Area | Car | 4 hours | Fuel costs (no toll roads) | Take I-5 North to CA-99 North, then grab exit 96 for CA-198 East straight to the Ash Mountain Entrance. |
| Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) | Rental Car | 1 hour 45 minutes | Rental rates vary | This is the closest major commercial airport. Take CA-198 or CA-99 south to reach the Sequoia entrance, or CA-180 east if you want to start in Kings Canyon. |
| Visalia | Car | 45 minutes | Fuel costs only | The closest sizable city to the main gates. Drive 36 miles east on CA-198 directly to the Ash Mountain entrance. |
| Visalia Municipal Airport (VIS) | Bus / Shuttle | 1 hour | ~$20 round-trip | Take a local bus to the Visalia Transit Center to catch the Sequoia Shuttle. It only runs from late May to early September. |
| Hanford Amtrak Station | Train + Bus | Varies by connection | Amtrak fare plus ~$20 shuttle | Amtrak runs a connecting bus from Hanford to the Visalia Transit Center. From there, transfer to the summer-only Sequoia Shuttle to enter the park. |
Entrance stations do not accept cash. Pay the $35 vehicle fee with a card or digital wallet at the gate. If you only have paper money, buy your pass at the Foothills or Kings Canyon Visitor Center first.
Fill your tank in Three Rivers or Dunlap. Sequoia National Park has no year-round gas stations inside its borders. Running empty on the steep, twisting Generals Highway is a bad way to spend an afternoon.
The Ash Mountain Entrance on Highway 198 climbs through tight hairpin turns. Park rangers heavily discourage RVs and oversized vehicles from taking this route. Expect a slow, steep drive.
Parking near the General Sherman Tree and Moro Rock fills up fast on summer weekends. Leave your car at a larger lot. The free summer shuttle loops through the Giant Forest and Lodgepole areas, stopping directly at the major trailheads.
Snowstorms shut down high-elevation roads with zero notice. You might be required to install tire chains at any point during winter and spring. Call 559-565-3341 for current road conditions before starting your drive.
The Ash Mountain Entrance is about 225 miles from the LA area, which takes roughly four hours to drive. Take I-5 North to CA-99 North, then grab exit 96 for CA-198 East straight to the park.
Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) is the nearest major commercial option, sitting about 55 to 60 miles away. From there, you can rent a car and reach the Sequoia entrance in an hour and 45 minutes via highways 99 and 198.
Yes, but only in the summer. From late May to early September, the Sequoia Shuttle runs from the Visalia Transit Center directly into the park for about $20 round-trip. You can reach the transit center by taking an Amtrak train to Hanford and transferring to a connecting bus.
No, the entrance stations do not accept cash at all. You'll need a credit card, debit card, or a digital payment method to cover the $35 private vehicle pass. If you only have bills, buy your pass beforehand at the Foothills or Kings Canyon visitor centers.
RVs and oversized vehicles are heavily discouraged on the Generals Highway if you use the Ash Mountain Entrance. The route climbs through steep elevation changes and tight, twisting hairpin turns. Some side routes, like Crystal Cave Road, enforce a strict 22-foot maximum combined vehicle length.
Fill your tank in Three Rivers or Dunlap before crossing the boundary. There are no gas stations inside Sequoia National Park, though Stony Creek Village sells fuel seasonally. Running out of gas on the steep mountain roads is a fast way to ruin a trip.
Ride the free shuttle system that operates around the Giant Forest and Lodgepole areas during the summer. It runs along four color-coded routes and drops you right at major trailheads and museums. This lets you skip the congestion at the main lots entirely.
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