Best Route to Sequoia Park in California

This may be late but I just got here.
Take the 180. Don't shortcut on the 245.
Go N 99 to N 41 to E 180.
If SB 99 then S 99 to E 180.

Once you enter the Kings Canyon NP there will be a R turn and that's the inter-park road that'll connect you to Sequoia NP.

There are a lot of places that you could just pull off the side of the road and dry camp. Have a Great Trip!

Bob in Oakland, Calif.

Just thought that I'd resurrect this post as I'm heading to Sequoia myself. My rig is 23 feet. Supposedly, there are 22 foot restrictions in place going up 198. Does anybody actually check? Does an extra foot actually matter? I just traded in my Class B for my C and of course the first place I'm planning on going has issues.

Also, does anyone have suggestions for places to camp? I don't need hookups. Haven't been up there for years so I have no idea how crowded it is.

Thanks, John

If you are driving a motor home do not use 198 into the park. From Visalia go north on 63 to 180 and then go into Sequoia on 180. MUCH, MUCH better mountain road into the park. Should you go 198, it will be two trips in one, your first and last.
If you are driving a car, 198 is OK, but very steep, windy road with switchbacks.
I have driven both roads many, many times over the years, and would NOT take a motorhome or pull a trailer up 198!!!

danhercules wrote:
How is the 245 to the 180 to 198? I will be staying overnight in Visalia KOA, then to Lodgepole.

I could go stright shot north on the 63 to the 180, but the 245 looks a lot shorter. Thoughts?

How is the 245 to the 180 to 198? I will be staying overnight in Visalia KOA, then to Lodgepole.

I could go stright shot north on the 63 to the 180, but the 245 looks a lot shorter. Thoughts?

I was there about 3 weeks ago and there is road re-construction in the park on 198. I camped at Lake Kaweah and just drove the truck up.

It is worth it to drive the extra 30 miles and take highway 180. You do not need to go as far north as Fesno, you can get off 99 about 15 - 20 miles before reaching Fesno, and save about 40 miles overall driving distance.

There are a lot of switchbacks. I never really cared, or noticed them with my 75 F-350 and camper, but in the 27' class C, it was steep and underpowered. In my 30' Bounder, it was a fun drive, yet that is because I like mountain driving, and can handle a 7% downgrade without overheating the brakes, yes I did have to stop for about 15 minutes, and take in the views, so the brakes would not have overheated.

Yes you can, but no - I would not recommend it to anyone who does not love mountain driving.

Highway 180 has about a 7-10mile downgrade of about 5% to 6%. Remember to lock out overdrive, and slow to about 40, then shift to 2 gear (if you have a 4 speed) to avoid overheating the brakes. When you have more than 6 cars behind you, California law requires that you pull off at a turnout, to allow faster vehicles to pass.

Fred.

I read the 198 out of Visalia was getting repaved and has additional length restrictions. 27' should be fine. Call and check. There is a steep slow section with hairpin curves if that is a bother. Nothing is better than driving between the General Grant and General Sherman trees on the way in. IIRC the names. Fill the tank before you go up the hill.

bertnspike wrote:


BTW, I got NO cell phone signal and no internet while there.

Susan

Now THAT'S roughing it !!!;)

I went to Sequoia NP from Morro Bay in March via rt 198. Nobody told me I couldn't.... I have a 36' motor home w/toad. It's slow going - I think I probably averaged 30 mph, if that, but there was nothing that scared me. The switchbacks and ups and downs are tiring behind the wheel of something so big, but certainly doable.

I managed to scare myself while at Sequoia with the toad, lol, but no problems with the motor home.

BTW, I got NO cell phone signal and no internet while there.

Susan