Spring has arrived. But here’s why Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks aren’t open yet

Anyone planning a visit soon to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks may need to reconsider.

Heavy snowpack and hazardous trees have a way of forcing changes.

Just this week, Azalea Campground was closed because of a number of tree hazards. Azalea had been the only open campground in Kings Canyon National Park.

“This is a temporary closure,” the National Park Service says in a statement. “In an abundance of caution for park visitors, crews are working to address these tree hazards before facilities open for the season. Cutting and clearing these trees is one of the highest priorities for crews at Sequoia and Kings Canyon this spring, as conditions allow.”

The agency added there is 6 to 10 feet of snow on the ground in parking lots and around buildings in Giant Forest and Lodgepole, both in Sequoia National Park. The main Sherman Tree parking area and comfort station are still buried in snow.

The Winter Sherman Tree parking area has space for 15 vehicles, while many visitors are parking at the Giant Forest Museum parking lot and hiking or snowboarding 2.7 miles on the Alta Trail to see the Sherman Tree.

In Kings Canyon National Park, the General Grant Trail remains open.

Potwisha, Buckeye Flat and South Fork campgrounds in the lower elevations of Sequoia National Park are open.

Recent snow surveys show Sequoia and Kings Canyon has 153 percent of normal snowpack.

The park service warns to be prepared for winter conditions at Giant Forest and Grant Grove since the snowpack persists at higher elevations.

This story was originally published April 5, 2019 at 3:24 PM.