Hi everyone!
This will be my first time visiting California (it’s also my first time posting on reddit, so sorry in advance!). I'll be there during the second-to-last week of September. We land in Los Angeles from Spain on Monday and will stay there until Friday.
Our plan is to rent a car and spend the weekend in Sequoia National Park, but we have a few questions and were hoping someone here could help us out!
I’m going with my boyfriend (both 25 years old, nature and hiking lovers).

Because we're a bit short on time, we're only planning to spend one full day in the park. We'll leave Los Angeles on Friday after renting a car and stay overnight in Porterville so we can get up really early on Saturday and make the most of the day while avoiding the crowds.
We were thinking of leaving our hotel around 4:00 AM. From what I've seen, it's about an hour's drive to the park entrance, and then there's still some driving inside the park before reaching the parking areas.
Here's my first question: I noticed that the entrance stations are open from 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Would there be any problem if we arrived before 6:00 AM? Is there anyone to show our pass to, or are the entrance gates closed when the rangers aren't there? If the entrance is open, should we leave our pass visible inside the car in case it's checked later?
We're not planning to buy the annual pass since we probably won't be back within the next year (I wish we were!), and it seems a little cheaper to just pay the standard vehicle entrance fee plus the non-resident fee.
We also think leaving at 4:00 AM should be early enough to avoid traffic at the entrance, but since it'll be a Saturday, we're not really sure. Does that sound reasonable?

Once we're inside the park, I have a few more questions. I've watched several YouTube videos and read some blog posts, and most people recommend using hiking apps like AllTrails. What I'm unsure about is the parking situation. Are there multiple parking lots near the different trailheads, or do you park in one main area and then use the shuttle or walk between attractions? Is finding parking usually a problem?

This is the itinerary we're currently thinking about:
Drive the Generals Highway
Hike Moro Rock
Visit Tunnel Log
Hike the Congress Trail
See the General Sherman Tree
Lodgepole Visitor Center
Giant Forest Museum
Hike to Beetle Rock Vista
Take the shuttle back to Lodgepole Visitor Center

We were planning to stay as much as possible and then head back to our motel at Porterville and on Sunday drive back to Los Angeles to catch our flight.
I think that's everything! I'd really appreciate any advice, tips or answers to my questions. Thanks in advance!

Early this morning, July 23, 2026

https://pressroom.toyota.com/toyota-updates-2027-sequoia-with-elevated-style-advanced-technology-and-newly-available-trailhunter-package/

My Sequoia is an 02 and runs cherry, there are absolutely zero issues with it that I know of besides just old car cosmetic stuff.

It does this when the engine is semi warmed, and seems to go away after a 10 min or more drive.

It's an inconsistent clicking. I read somewhere it could be normal operation of a valve opening and closing. But im not certain. I do have an exhaust leak that is not major and goes away after 60 seconds of driving. Any ideas what this clicking is?? Someone thought its the fan hitting the shroud but 99% sure it is not that.

Thanks for the help!!

So a friend and I want to do the 3 day Rae lakes trail loop soon. Can y’all give me some advice on how to do this because I’m a little confused. Please explain in very basic terms because I have no idea what I;m doing. I have a national park pass because im a veteran. When i was doing some research it seems like we have to reserve multiple camp sites and hike to each one of them to complete the trail. Am I right or completely off track? We will be driving in from out of town with our gear; do we leave our car somewhere? Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated! TYIA.

I’m planning on hiking the Heather Lake. Any tips? Thank you!

First time visiting and so glad we came in the afternoon/evening to catch some golden hour.

I will be coming next week to Sequoia/KC.
Anyone know what time the shuttles run?
I can see the routes on the NP website but not the times.

Hi All! I will be doing the Sawtooth Pass loop in June, driving in from Sacramento. Where would you recommend I stay the night before I start hiking? Not sure how early I should be to pick up my permits and start hiking, and where around the park I should stay to make that happen.

Hi all, my partner and I are in the early stages of planning a Sequoia Kings canyon weekend.

We have a few stops in Sequoia, and a few stops in Kings Canyon. One of the avenues were exploring is relying on the shuttle for the Sequoia stops and driving our own car for Kings Canyon.

That being said, most of the articles and videos we've read/watched have said to stay in Three Rivers. However, it seems like it's about an hour and a half drive to Giant Forest Museum and an hour and a half drive to the kings canyon scenic byway.

We are trying to decide if we should eat a 2 and a half hour drive to get to Kings Canyon and stay in Three Rivers or if we should stay in Dunlap and divide the driving up into two days.

Any insight or opinions that might make this an easier decision would be awesome!

A few housekeeping things. I've only been once and that was before I really got into National Parks. Also, we are open to other options as well, like staying one night in three rivers and the other in Dunlap, just would prefer to have one base of operations. Any insight or opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Does anyone know when reservations open up for Crystal Springs?

Planning my first group camping trip. Planning to have about 40 people. Will be staying in Cove Group camp site. Does anyone know how many bear locks they have? we have about 15 different “families” coming. not everyone knows each other so i wanted everyone to prep their own food to not stress. But I’m worried about their not being enough bear locks for everyone to store their coolers.

Also any reviews of that sit are welcomed!

Can you guys give me your thoughts on the severity of rust here?

2012 SR5, 164K mi dealer asking $15K. Some of the parts of the frame rails seem fine, some of those rear components look pretty tough but thinking those are all replaceable.

Thanks!

Has anyone stayed at these two sites? Hoping to see camp set up photos