Giant Sequoia National Monument
Western Divide and Kern River Ranger Districts Winter Road Closures
To provide for public safety and protect natural resources, using any type of motorized wheeled vehicle on the National Forest System roads the Exhibit and attached map, except persons using a tracked over-the-snow vehicle when there is a minimum of twelve inches of snow on the road.
Hume Lake Ranger District Road Closure Except ATV/OHV and Tracked Vehicles - 2025
To provide public safety and protect natural resources, using any type of motorized wheeled vehicle on the National Forest System roads listed below and shown on the attached map (Exhibit A) is prohibited.
Hume Lake Ranger District Road Closure Except Tracked Vehicles - 2025
To provide public safety and protect natural resources, the following act is prohibited within the Hume Lake
Hume Lake Ranger District Winter Roads Closure - No Exceptions - 2025
To provide public safety and protect natural resources, using any type of motorized wheeled vehicle on the National Forest System roads listed below and shown on the attached map (Exhibit A) is prohibited.
Wildlife Alert - BEARS
Be Bear Aware During Your Visit.Are you prepared to store your food properly on your next camping or backpacking trip?Much of the Sequoia National Forest is American black bear habitat. They belong here.
Sequoia National Forest Camping and Parking Restrictions
The following acts are prohibited within the Sequoia National Forest. 1. Camping for more than 14 consecutive days within any 30-day period anywhere on National Forest System lands within the Sequoia National Forest. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(a).
Day Use Only Prohibition FOREST ORDER NO. 0513-25-04
The following is prohibited within the Sequoia National ForestBeing in an area designated as Day Use Only after sunset or before sunrise.
Kings River Scenic Byway Dispersed Camping Prohibition 2025
To protect natural resources, camping within 250 feet of the Kings River Scenic Byway (State Highway 180) from its intersection with Tenmile Road (Forest Road No. 13S09) and continuing east approximately 21.1 miles to the Sequoia National Forest boundary. See map.
Kern River Ranger District Glass Container Prohibition
The following act is Prohibited within the Kern River Ranger District of the Sequoia National Forest: Possessing or storing food or beverages in glass containers in the Kern Canyon and Isabella Lake Glass Container Prohibition Areas, as described in Exhibit A, and shown on Exhibits B, C, and D.
North Fork Kern Wild and Scenic River Camping Prohibition
Camping is prohibited outside of the developed campgrounds and designated dispersed camping areas listed in the Exhibit and locations shown on the map.
Brush Creek Dispersed Camping Area Prohibition
Camping is prohibited within 50 feet of the Brush Creek water’s edge, between the intersection of Brush Creek with the Kern River and points 0.5 miles east of the Kern River along both branches of Brush Cree
Chico Flat Dispersed Camping Area Prohibition
Kern River Ranger DistrictChico Flat Dispersed Camping Area Prohibition
Occupancy limitations
The Sierra National Forest has issued Forest Order 05-15-00-25-20 to address occupancy limitations and challenges caused by extended stays and unattended property, which can lead to resource damage, safety hazards, and reduced access for other visitors.
Recreation Site, Road, and Trail Closure 05-15-00-25-19
Forest Order closing trails, roads and trails with the Garnet Fire footprint.
Recreation Site, Road, and Trail Closure
Forest Order closing trails, roads and trails with the Garnet Fire footprint.
Termination of Forest Order No. 05-15-52-25-17
Termination of Forest Order No. 05-15-52-25-17 USDA Forest Service Sierra National Forest Garnet Fire Closure
Termination of Forest Order No. 05-15-00-25-07
Termination of Forest Order No. 05-15-00-25-07 USDA Forest Service Sierra National Forest Fire Restrictions
Temporary Fire Restrictions from Order 05-15-00-25-07 Lifted
Effective October 11, 2025, the Sierra National Forest is lifting temporary fire restrictions placed into effect by Forest Order 05-15-00-25-07 on June 27, 2025.
Nelder Grove Historic Area Closure
Going into or being upon the Nelder Grove Historical Area as shown
Mammoth Pool Boat Launch Rehabilitation
Entering the Mammoth Pool boat launch rehabilitation area is prohibited
Wilderness Campfire Restrictions Order
Ansel Adams and John Muir Wilderness Campfire Restrictions within the Sierra National Forest
Wilderness Use Restrictions
Wilderness use restrictions within the Ansel Adams, John Muir, Kaiser, Dinkey Lakes, and Monarch Wildernesses located in the Sierra National Forest
Food Refuse Storage Order
Possessing or storing any food or refuse within a Developed Recreation Site in a manner that allows bears or other wildlife to gain access is prohibited
Overview
Giant Sequoia National Monument encompasses 328,315 acres across two geographically separate sections of Sequoia National Forest in California's Sierra Nevada. The monument, designated in 2000, protects 33 giant sequoia groves containing some of the world's largest and oldest trees. The monument is currently open but recovering from significant recent wildfire impacts. The 2020 Castle Fire and 2021 Windy Fire killed thousands of mature giant sequoias—an unprecedented loss representing a significant percentage of the global population. Restoration efforts are ongoing, though controversial Forest Service post-fire logging projects face legal challenges from conservation groups. Winter access requires preparation: many forest roads are seasonally closed due to snow and ice, and chains may be required. The popular Trail of 100 Giants in the southern section is accessible year-round on paved roads but expect winter conditions. Standard Forest Service regulations apply, including 14-day camping limits, bear food storage requirements, and various area-specific closures. Fire restrictions recently lifted but check current conditions. Snowmobiling is limited to designated roads within the monument. The area offers extensive backcountry opportunities, dispersed camping (where not specifically prohibited), and winter recreation including cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Gray wolves have recently recolonized the area as of 2023, marking their return after over a century.
Top Campgrounds
- Belknap
- Convict Flat Campground
- Cove Group
- Coy Flat
- Frog Meadow Recreation Rental
- Grouse Valley Cabins
- Holey Meadow
- Hume Lake
- Lava Butte Campground
- Leavis Flat Campground
- Leavis Flat Campground
- Long Meadow Group
- Lower Peppermint Campground
- Poso Guard Station
- Poso Guard Station Cabin
- Quaking Aspen
- Quaking Aspen Cabin
- Redwood Meadow
- Redwood Meadow Campground
- Stony Creek Campground
- Stony Creek Sequoia
- Ten Mile Campground
- Tenmile Campground
- Upper Peppermint Campground
- Upper Stony Creek Campground
- White River Campground
- Wishon Cabin
- Wishon Campground
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