Bike the Parks

Parks / California

Sequoia National Park

One of California's toughest climbs, from foothill oaks to the giant sequoias.

2/5
Limited riding

The Generals Highway is a monster climb from the foothills to the giant sequoias, but there are no bike paths or trails.

Riding here

Sequoia is for climbers. The Generals Highway rises steeply from the foothills at the Ash Mountain entrance to Giant Forest and the General Sherman Tree in a long series of switchbacks, with narrow lanes and big drop-offs. The Mineral King road is quieter but narrow and winding. There are no bike paths, and trails are off-limits.

Where you can ride

Under NPS rules, bikes may use park roads open to vehicles, including the Generals Highway and Mineral King Road in season.

Where you can't

No bikes on trails or in wilderness.

Rides

  • Generals Highway: Ash Mountain to Giant Forest

    • Road
    • One way
    • Paved
    • Hard

    A sustained climb of thousands of feet on a narrow, winding road. Ride early, before traffic.

    Start: Foothills Visitor Center, Ash Mountain entrance

When to go

Late spring and fall. Summer is hot in the foothills; winter brings snow and chain controls up high.

Safety

Narrow, steep, curvy roads with big drop-offs and heavy summer traffic. Carry water and lights.

E-bikes

The park's own bicycling page doesn't spell out e-bike rules. Under the NPS e-bike rule (36 CFR 4.30), an e-bike with working pedals and a motor under 750 watts is generally allowed where regular bikes are, and riding on the motor alone is barred anywhere cars can't go. Parks can restrict them, so confirm with the park before you bring one.

Fees

Arriving by bike, you pay the park's individual (per-person) entrance fee, normally valid for 7 days, or ride in on an annual or America the Beautiful pass. Amounts change, so check the park's Fees & Passes page. From 2026, non-US residents aged 16 and over pay an extra $100 per person at this park unless covered by a pass (the non-resident America the Beautiful pass is $250).

Rentals, tours and shuttles

  • Your bike shop hereSample listing

    This spot is for one rental shop, guide service or shuttle near Sequoia: your name, what you offer, and a link straight to your booking page, at the top of this section.

    Feature your shop on this page, free until spring 2027

Run a shop near Sequoia? Add it here.

Sources

Checked November 2026 against these sources. Rules, closures and fees change; confirm with the park before you ride.

  1. Road Information — Sequoia & Kings Canyon (NPS)
  2. Driving Mountain Roads — Sequoia & Kings Canyon (NPS)
  3. NPS e-bike regulations (2020)
  4. Entrance fees by park, incl. 2026 non-resident fee (NPS)

Edited by David Bussell. Spot something out of date? Tell us.

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