Latest news with #ClayJordan
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
Sequoia National Park's Crystal Cave to reopen after wildfire, winter storms shuttered it for years
THREE RIVERS, Calif. – Crystal Cave in Sequoia National Park will reopen on Memorial Day weekend after wildfires and winter storms led officials to close the site for four years. Officials said the KNP Complex wildfire in 2021 and severe winter storms between 2022 and 2023 in Central California created unsafe conditions for those visiting the marble cave. Ever since the severe weather events shuttered the cave, a number of projects have been initiated to restore access to the geological feature, according to the National Park Service. Workers have replaced power lines, stabilized the road and cleared more than 7,000 hazardous trees along the road to Crystal Cave. Park officials noted that removing the felled hazard tree may create traffic delays for park visitors this year, and that work will continue beyond the 2025 season. How To Watch Fox Weather The NPS noted that an average of 51,000 people visit Crystal Cave every summer. "The opening of Crystal Cave is a big step forward in disaster recovery for Sequoia and Kings Canyon," said Clay Jordan, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks superintendent. "We're excited to be able to reopen this incredible attraction to visitors and encourage people to enjoy all of the beauty and wonder these parks have to offer." Visitors can only see Crystal Cave through guided tours due to fragile features in the cave, according to the NPS. Mammoth Cave National Park Struck By Kentucky Flooding Guided tours will be available from May 23 to Sept. 7, and tickets for the tours can be purchased in advance at the Sequoia Parks Conservancy website. Officials noted that tickets will not be available for purchase on-site. Those hoping to visit Crystal Cave are encouraged to leave plenty of time to reach it, as it takes about an hour to reach the cave parking lot from the entrance of Sequoia National Park without any traffic article source: Sequoia National Park's Crystal Cave to reopen after wildfire, winter storms shuttered it for years
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
Sequoia, Kings Canyon National Parks are going cashless soon. Do this if you only have cash
Visitors to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks will soon no longer be able to pay with cash to enter. The national parks are transitioning to a fully cashless fee system, the National Park Service recently announced. 'Cash sales represent 14% of in-person sales in the park,' said park superintendent Clay Jordan in a statement. 'During peak season, park rangers spend up to eight and a half hours per day documenting, reporting, and transferring cash receipts. Moving to a cashless system will reduce the amount of time park staff spend managing cash and increase their availability for other work.' Mobile payments, credit cards or debit cards will be required to pay entrance fees. However, visitors who only can pay by cash do have an option. They can purchase a park pass from one of five local third-party vendors, according to the National Park Service. All entrance stations at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks will be cashless starting May 21, according to FAQs. Additionally, wilderness backcountry permit issuing stations and campgrounds will be cashless, but bookstores, lodges, markets, gift shops and restaurants will still accept cash. Cash users can purchase an entrance pass at the following locations for their Sequoia National Park visit, according to the National Park Service: Sequoia Parks Conservancy in the Foothills Visitor Center; 47050 Generals Highway #10, Three Rivers Kaweah Arts; 42249 Sierra Drive, Three Rivers Three Rivers Historical Museum; 42268 Sierra Drive, Three Rivers Cash users can purchase an entrance pass at the following locations for their Kings Canyon National Park visit, according to the National Park Service: Sequoia Parks Conservancy in the Kings Canyon Visitor Center; 83918 CA-180, Grant Grove Village Project Survival Cat Haven; 38257 E. Kings Canyon Road, Dunlap It depends. A standard entrance pass for most motorists is going to be $35. For people entering the park on bike or foot, the cost is $20 for everyone 16 years old or older. There are four more days this year where Californians — and anyone — can visit one of the hundreds of parks within the National Park System for free, including Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. June 19 – Juneteenth National Independence Day Aug. 4 – Great American Outdoors Act signing day Sept. 27 – National Public Lands Day Nov. 11 – Veterans Day The parks are open 24 hours a day all year, however park visitor centers do have various operating hours. Visit the parks webpage on the National Park Service's website. Paris Barraza is a trending reporter covering California news at The Desert Sun. Reach her at pbarraza@ This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Sequoia, Kings Canyon are going cashless in May. Here's what to know
