SeasonMapWhat's on in Sequoia National Park, United States through the year
Sequoia National Park, United States has 6 curated events through the year — 1 natural spectacle, 1 holiday, 1 hazard season, 2 seasonal openings and 1 local rule. The ones to plan around: Foothill wildflowers (March) and Crystal Cave tours (May). June to August are its peak-crowd months.
Updated September 2026 · every event curated and sourced · dates for 2026 where they are announced, the usual window where they are not
Best time to visit Sequoia National Park: weather, crowds and notes →
Sequoia National Park events and crowds by month
| Month | What starts | Crowds |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | Busy |
| February | — | Quiet |
| March | Foothill wildflowers | Busy |
| April | — | Shoulder season |
| May | Crystal Cave tours, Mineral King Road season | Shoulder season |
| June | Summer peak | Peak crowds |
| July | Wildfire smoke season | Peak crowds |
| August | — | Peak crowds |
| September | — | Busy |
| October | — | Shoulder season |
| November | Winter chain controls | Busy |
| December | — | Busy |
January in Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park weather in January →Busy — Winter / Christmas break in United States, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it
Nothing new starts in January.
Still on: Winter chain controls (1 Nov – 30 Apr (usually))
February in Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park weather in February →Quiet — one of its worst months for weather
Nothing new starts in February.
Still on: Winter chain controls (1 Nov – 30 Apr (usually))
March in Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park weather in March →Busy — Spring break in United States
- Nature
Foothill wildflowers
1 Mar – 25 Apr · usuallyWildflowers & bloomsThe low chaparral along the road up from Three Rivers flowers weeks before anything at the sequoias' elevation, so early spring means walking the bottom of the park and looking up at snow.
Still on: Winter chain controls (1 Nov – 30 Apr (usually))
April in Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park weather in April →Shoulder season — an ordinary month
Nothing new starts in April.
Still on: Foothill wildflowers (1 Mar – 25 Apr (usually)), Winter chain controls (1 Nov – 30 Apr (usually))
May in Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park weather in May →Shoulder season — an ordinary month
- Opening
Crystal Cave tours
20 May – 10 Sep · usuallySummer season opensBook earlyGuided marble-cave tours run in the warm months and only with a ticket bought ahead; there is no walk-up. The narrow access road has closed mid-season for repairs, so check before driving to it. Source ↗
- Opening
Mineral King Road season
25 May – 31 Oct · usuallyTrail seasonClosuresTwenty-five miles of narrow switchbacks open from late May to about the end of October and take well over an hour each way. Marmots chew through car wiring here in early summer, which is why cars get wrapped. Source ↗
June in Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park weather in June →Peak crowds — Summer peak, Summer break in United States
- Holiday
Summer peak
15 Jun – 25 AugSchool holidaysCrowdedThe Giant Forest parking fills by mid-morning through the school holidays and the shuttle is the way in. The road from the entrance climbs 1,500 metres of switchbacks and it queues at the gate. Source ↗
Still on: Crystal Cave tours (20 May – 10 Sep (usually)), Mineral King Road season (25 May – 31 Oct (usually))
July in Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park weather in July →Peak crowds — Summer peak, Summer break in United States
- Hazard
Wildfire smoke season
15 Jul – 15 Oct · usuallyLate summer brings smoke from fires in the Sierra and up out of the Central Valley, and the groves themselves have burned within the last few years. Some Septembers the view is a hundred metres. Source ↗
Still on: Crystal Cave tours (20 May – 10 Sep (usually)), Mineral King Road season (25 May – 31 Oct (usually)), Summer peak (15 Jun – 25 Aug)
August in Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park weather in August →Peak crowds — Summer peak, Summer break in United States
Nothing new starts in August.
Still on: Crystal Cave tours (20 May – 10 Sep (usually)), Mineral King Road season (25 May – 31 Oct (usually)), Summer peak (15 Jun – 25 Aug), Wildfire smoke season (15 Jul – 15 Oct (usually))
September in Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park weather in September →Busy — Summer break in United States
Nothing new starts in September.
Still on: Crystal Cave tours (20 May – 10 Sep (usually)), Mineral King Road season (25 May – 31 Oct (usually)), Wildfire smoke season (15 Jul – 15 Oct (usually))
October in Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park weather in October →Shoulder season — an ordinary month
Nothing new starts in October.
Still on: Mineral King Road season (25 May – 31 Oct (usually)), Wildfire smoke season (15 Jul – 15 Oct (usually))
November in Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park weather in November →Busy — Thanksgiving break in United States
- Rule
Winter chain controls
1 Nov – 30 Apr · usuallyClosuresRiskChains have to be carried on the Generals Highway all winter, four-wheel drive included, and the road closes outright during storms. The sequoias under snow are the reward for the drive up. Source ↗
December in Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park weather in December →Busy — Winter / Christmas break in United States, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it
Nothing new starts in December.
Still on: Winter chain controls (1 Nov – 30 Apr (usually))