Feeling antsy? Camping returns to Sequoia, Kings Canyon with reservations

Visalia Times-Delta

Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks opened most campsites to visitors with reservations this week after being closed since March 20 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

After quarantining for months, campers from across California pitched their tents under the big trees, including the Ramirez family.

"What excites me is just leaving everything behind and enjoying nature," said Martin Ramirez, who made the four-hour trek from Los Angels.

"Swimming in the water is so fresh and clean," his mother Sabrina added.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks opened camping in three areas Monday, July 6, 2020. Spaces in Lodgepole, Potwisha and Sunset campgrounds are limited and available by reservation only for the rest of this year. Visitors can pay entrance fees or purchase a pass online before arriving.

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Park officials said reopening certain campsites and concessionaires is the second phase of Sequoia's plan to balance public health and access to public lands. Last month, the park opened its gates to visitors but all park amenities and functions remained closed.

"Our intention is to continue to increase access safely while maintaining flexibility to adjust operations as conditions change,” acting Superintendent Lee Taylor said, noting that the park is in regular contact with federal, state and local health officials.

Taylor said he and the National Park System "rely on visitors to recreate responsibly" by distancing themselves from others and wearing masks when doing so isn't possible.

Mea Moreno, 5, helps her family assemble a tent in Lodgepole campground Monday, July 6, 2020. Monday was the first day camping was allowed in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks this year. Spaces in Lodgepole, Potwisha and Sunset campgrounds are limited and available by reservation only for the rest of this year. Visitors can pay entrance fees or purchase a pass online before arriving.

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Potwisha, Lodgepole and Sunset campgrounds are now open with reservations only. Reservations can be made online at www.recreation.gov through the summer, with more campgrounds being added as conditions allow in the coming weeks and months, officials said.

No first-come, first-served camping will be available this summer. Visitor centers, shops, dine-in restaurants, laundry and shower facilities will also remain closed to minimize virus transmission, Taylor said.

Yosemite National Park also recently reopened but all visitors are required to reserve a day pass so that the landmark — one of the nation's busiest — can limit overall attendance by 50% for the time being.

Yosemite drew 4.4 million visitors last year while Sequoia counted about 2 million.

On June 19, Sequoia and Kings Canyon began to offer limited recreation and food services:

Entrance stations for fee collection and distribution of the park newspaper and map.
Roads and parking lots throughout both parks. Visitors should park only in designated parking spaces, and if a parking lot is full.
Trails in developed areas and designated wilderness; if a trail is congested, please consider visiting another location with fewer people.
Overnight wilderness access with reservations only. No walk-up permits will be available this summer.
Restrooms and picnic areas. Please practice proper food storage, and per CDC guidance practice social distancing and frequent hand washing.
Wuksachi Lodge & Gift Shop, Wuksachi Pizza Deck (to-go orders only, limited outdoor seating), Grant Grove Market, Grant Grove Gift Shop, Lodgepole Market.

Erin Green, left, and her father Randy Green of Visalia assemble a tent in Lodgepole campground Monday, July 6, 2020. Monday was the first day camping was allowed in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks this year. Spaces in Lodgepole, Potwisha and Sunset campgrounds are limited and available by reservation only for the rest of this year. Visitors can pay entrance fees or purchase a pass online before arriving.

Park Ranger Summer Elcock opens the gates to Lodgepole campgrounds in Sequoia National Park on Monday, July 6, 2020. Spaces in Lodgepole, Potwisha and Sunset campgrounds are limited and available by reservation only for the rest of this year. Visitors can pay entrance fees or purchase a pass online before arriving.

Joshua Yeager covers water, agriculture, parks and housing for the Visalia Times-Delta and Tulare Advance-Register newspapers. Follow him on Twitter @VTD_Joshy. Get alerts and keep up on all things Tulare County for as little as $1 a month. Subscribe today.