A small building is surrounded by incense-cedar and small, young sequoia trees. Needles from the trees cover the ground, forming a reddish carpet. The building is rustic, made in the style of a log cabin. The logs are painted brown. In the center of a building is a single doorway with two paned windows on either side. To the right of the door when facing the front door, there's a sign kiosk with maps and a bulletin case. Next to the kiosk is a pay phone. To the left of the building is a restroom, painted in the same color of brown.

This visitor center is next to the South Fork of the Kings River in mixed conifer forest at an elevation of 4,600 feet (1,400 m). Learn about the natural and cultural history of the Cedar Grove area. Nearby services include accessible restrooms and a pay phone.

The Cedar Grove Visitor Center is a log cabin nestled among tall pines.

Cedar Grove Visitor Center

Three information signs posted at Cedar Grove Village

Cedar Grove Village Information Signs

Cedar Grove Visitor Center is open seasonally, generally opening the Friday before Memorial Day weekend and closing in mid-September. The visitor center may close on weekdays early or late in the season, and may close for lunch any time of the year.

Winter Road Closure

Cedar Grove Visitor Center November 2020 passport stamp

Cedar Grove Visitor Center November 2020

The Foothills Visitor Center building is a Mid-Century Modern design. It is a one story, rectangular building with masonry, glass, and yellow-paneled walls. On one side is an extension in light yellow stucco. The main building has a low pitched gabled roof with wide overhanging eaves that shade the concrete walkway to the entrance doors. A masonry wall across from the main entrance creates a hallway to the restrooms. On front of the building from left to right: The National Park Service Emblem, in the shape of a brown arrowhead, pointed downward. Inside the arrowhead are the words in white lettering, “National Park Service” with a green sequoia tree shape to its left. Near the bottom of the arrowhead is a white buffalo silhouette set against a green meadow, with a white lake and snowcapped mountain behind it. A tall, narrow window with a yellow panel runs from the ground to the roof’s peak. Next to it is the Foothills Visitor Center Sign, with the words, “Foothills Visitor Center” and a colorful illustration of the head and shoulders of a quail, shown in profile. Its head is brown with a small pointed beak. The crown of the quail’s head has a curved black top knot that curls forward. A black and white streak curves behind the eye and along the black neck. The neck has rows of blue and black crescent shaped “feathers”. The shoulders are brown, and the breast is blue and brown. Behind the quail is the faint outline of a light green silhouette of yucca plant, with a spiky ball of leaves at the base, and a single tall spire of flowers, rising like a plume above it.

This visitor center is one mile past the Ash Mountain entrance station along the Generals Highway. Stop here for information, maps, books, gifts, and restrooms. Browse exhibits about the ecology and human history of the foothills, and join a free ranger-led program.

View of the Foothills Visitor Center and sidewalk approaching front door.

Foothills Visitor Center

A freestanding exhibit panel in the foreground and wall-mounted panels in background of Foothills VC

Two wood panels are mounted on the visitor center walls.

Except when weather or safety conditions require a closure, Foothills Visitor Center is open every day. Hours vary seasonally.

Temporary Closure Due To Impacts From Winter Storms -- End Date Subject To Change based on Conditions

Foothills Visitor Center Passport Stamp

You are on a plaza just outside of The Giant Forest Museum building. It is a long single story wooden building with a peaked roof. The structure is built with tongue and groove wooden posts and beams visible on the exterior of the building. Each end has a forward facing peaked roof and over the center of the building facing the plaza is a gabled roof with six windows. An engraved wooden sign hangs from the gabled roof. It reads, “Giant Forest Museum”. The building has brown planked wood siding. There are six wooden double doors spread along the length of the building. Above them are a row of small paned transom windows. Between each set of doors are larger multi-paned windows, with mullions and frames painted light green. On the ground outside, below each large window, is a crescent shaped stone ledge at curb height. The entrance is through the first set of double doors as you cross the road from the parking area and enter the plaza. There is a post with a handicap press pad on the stone ledge to the right of the entrance doors. The doors open outward. Above the door frame, the hours are posted.

The museum is housed in a historic market in the Giant Forest sequoia grove at 6,500 feet (1,980 m) elevation. Explore exhibits about sequoias and learn why this landscape grows the biggest of big trees. Stop here before you explore the grove. During quota season, wilderness permits can be picked up from 7:00 am - 3:30 pm.

Giant Forest Museum is long one-story log structure, painted brown with green window trim.

Giant Forest Museum

Several visitors walk around and examine exhibits in the Giant Forest Museum.

A young boy sits on a bench next to a wall mural and reads.

A visitor flips up an interactive panel in a Giant Forest Museum exhibit.

Giant Forest Museum is open year-round except when weather or safety conditions require a closure. Hours vary seasonally, and hours for wilderness permits may vary from information desk hours. In winter 2022-23, wilderness permits are available at a self-registration station outside the museum.

Temporary Closure Due to Impacts from Winter Storms - End Date is Subject to Change Based on Conditions

Giant Forest Museum Passport Stamp

Kings Canyon Visitor Center is a single story wooden building with a peaked roof, made of corrugated metal. The building has brown, planked wood siding with bulletin boards and windows. The roof extends over the entrance door, supported by thick wooden beams and posts. The lobby and double entrance doors are glass and open outward. On the wall, adjacent to the entrance, metal lettering mounted on the building reads, “Visitor Center”. Below it is the National Park Service logo, in the shape of an orange arrowhead, pointed downward. Inside the arrowhead are the words in white lettering, “National Park Service” with a green sequoia tree shape to its left. Near the bottom of the arrowhead is a white buffalo silhouette set against a green meadow, with a white lake and snowcapped mountain behind it. A tall flagpole is on the right side of the visitor center. Along the building, to the left of the entrance, is a walkway under the eaves, where the restrooms, water fountain, and bulletin boards are located. A square framed wooden planter in front of the restrooms provides low seating around the native shrubs planted inside.

This visitor center is in Grant Grove Village at an elevation of 6,500 feet (1,980 m). Learn about three regions in Kings Canyon National Park: giant sequoia groves, Kings Canyon, and the High Sierra. Watch a 15-minute movie (English/Spanish). A park store sells books, maps, and educational materials.

A visitor stands at the information desk, where a park volunteer and ranger work to answer questions

Kings Canyon Visitor Center

Several wall-mounted exhibits are on a wood paneled wall in the Kings Canyon Visitor Center.

A ranger in uniform stands next to an information desk.

Several tactile exhibits are shown in front of wall-mounted exhibit panels featuring wildlife.

Kings Canyon Visitor Center is open every day of the year except when weather or safety conditions require a closure. Hours vary seasonally. A pay phone and WiFi are available.

Temporary Closure Due to Impacts From Winter Storms -- End Date Subject To Change Based on Conditions

Kings Canyon Visitor Center Passport Stamp

The Lodgepole Visitor Center is closed until further notice for renovations. You are standing on a paved courtyard with low stone edging and wood benches, around the low grass and conifer trees that landscape Lodgepole Visitor Center. Adjacent to the entrance is a large granite rock with a plaque on a grassy area. Lodgepole Visitor Center is a single story wooden building with a high peaked roof, made of corrugated metal. The building has brown, planked wood siding with bulletin boards and windows. The double entrance doors open outward. There is an additional peaked roof over the entrance door, supported by large wooden posts and beams. Along the building, to both the left and right of the entrance, is a low stone border that creates a walkway under the eaves of the roof. Centered under the entrance roof is an embossed wood sign over the door. It reads, “Visitor Center”. Above it is the National Park Service logo, in the shape of a brown arrowhead, pointed downward. Inside the arrowhead are the words in white lettering, “National Park Service” with a green sequoia tree shape to its left. Near the bottom of the arrowhead is a white buffalo silhouette set against a green meadow, with a white lake and snowcapped mountain behind it. To reach the restrooms, follow the covered walkway to the right of the entrance doors. The restrooms are at the end of the building.

The Lodgepole Visitor Center is closed until further notice for renovations. Located in the conifer zone at an elevation of 6,700 feet (2,040 m). Here, you can view exhibits, get a wilderness permit, or watch a park film. Explore the habitats of the parks and human history of the southern Sierra Nevada. The Lodgepole Visitor Center (along with Foothills Visitor Center) also sells Crystal Cave tickets at the Sequoia Park Conservancy Park Store.

Exterior of the Lodgepole Visitor Center, with visitors in the foreground.

Lodgepole Visitor Center

A female park ranger stands behind a desk and assists a male visitor.

Lodgepole Visitor Center is open seasonally. It opens on the second Friday in May and closes in mid-October. Hours vary by season.

Closed for Renovations

When you reach Mineral King Ranger Station there are two parking areas, the first is in front of the ranger station. It has an orientation kiosk, directions to the Campfire circle and restrooms. The second parking area is across the road. It has a smaller wood framed building with a Bear Safety exhibit. There are two metal bear storage lockers. There is a creek running by this lot. Picnic tables are next to the creek so it is a shady place to stop and rest. In front of the Ranger Station is a stone border, behind it, six stairs lead up to the deck of the Ranger Station. On the deck is a wayside exhibit about local trails, and a flagpole, flying the U.S. flag. The Station itself is a single-story cabin-style wooden building with a peaked roof. It has reddish brown planked wood siding. Large wooden joists support the roof. The entrance door is covered by a smaller overhanging roof, supported by rustic wooden posts and beams, with an embossed wooden sign over the door that reads, “Mineral King Ranger Station Elevation: 7,580 Ft.”. Posted beside the entrance door are a variety of notices. There are windows on either side of the door. High on the wall, is the National Park Service logo, in the shape of a brown arrowhead, pointed downward. Inside the arrowhead are the words in white lettering, “National Park Service” with a green sequoia tree shape to its left. Near the bottom of the arrowhead is a white buffalo silhouette set against a green meadow, with a white lake and snowcapped mountain behind it.

Located in a mixed-conifer forest at 7,600 feet (2,320 m), the Mineral King Ranger Station houses some exhibits on Mineral King's human and natural history. Books, maps, and educational items for sale. Food storage canisters are available. Obtain wilderness permits here. Planning to park overnight? Marmots may attempt to get in your car's undercarriage or damage wiring. Make sure that you wrap the underside of your vehicle in a tarp.

Cars parked in front of a rustic building

Mineral King Ranger Station

Mineral King Ranger Station is generally open from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend. Hours vary.