Sequoia-Kings Canyon

Sequoia-Kings Canyon is a biosphere reserve in California's Sierra Nevada that spans from about 1,370 feet to over 14,500 feet in elevation. It combines deep river canyons, dramatic granite walls, and forests home to massive ancient sequoia trees.

Protection came in two stages, with Sequoia National Park established in 1890 and Kings Canyon National Park added in 1940. Together they represent one of the earliest efforts to preserve large wilderness areas in the United States.

Indigenous peoples left behind village sites and objects that show how they lived in these mountains for countless generations. You can still sense their presence in the landscape and the names of places throughout the region.

The area is open year-round, though higher elevations receive heavy snow in winter and some roads may close seasonally. Plan your visit considering the elevation changes, as weather and hiking difficulty vary greatly depending on which trails and areas you choose.

The reserve protects some of the oldest living things on Earth, with giant sequoia trees living more than 3,000 years. Some of these individual trees were already centuries old when ancient civilizations were rising elsewhere.