For Immediate Release                               
Contact: Sintia Kawasaki-Yee
Phone: (559) 679 2866
  Reference Number: 8550-2312
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks to close at 6pm Thursday 9 March

SEQUOIA AND KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS, Calif. March 8 2023Park managers are now planning to close the Kings Canyon National Park entrance tomorrow, Thursday March 9, at 6 p.m. PST, in addition to the previously announced planned closure of the Sequoia National Park entrance at the same time. This is due to the forecasted atmospheric river storm, which is predicted to bring extremely heavy rain beginning tomorrow evening.  

These closures are being put in place to protect public and employee safety. Heavy rain is expected at elevations where there is currently as much as 12 feet of snow on the ground. There is major potential for flooding and serious road and infrastructure damage, in the parks as well as the surrounding communities. We urge the public to act with an abundance of caution if you will be in or must travel through affected areas during the upcoming weather event.  

Additional updates, including timeframes for reopening, will be issued as information becomes available. For current conditions, visit go.nps.gov/SEKIconditions. Follow the developing weather predictions at https://www.weather.gov/. For road conditions outside the parks check https://roads.dot.ca.gov/ 

[SOURCE: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks]