Sequoia’s Mineral King Road Scheduled to Close for Winter October 28: What Three Rivers Drivers Should Know

THREE RIVERS / SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK — October 27, 2026. Drivers planning a trip into the remote Mineral King area have a narrow seasonal window. The National Park Service lists October 28, 2026 as the date Mineral King Road closes for winter, after a fall construction schedule that includes significant daytime closures and restricted vehicle passage.

What construction meant before the winter closure

The NPS road-construction notice describes work on the narrow Mineral King Road between September 8 and October 28. During the work period, Monday–Thursday schedules include a full roadway closure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and possible delays at other daytime hours. Weekend schedules include closures with limited scheduled passthroughs. These are published plans subject to weather and construction changes.

Why Three Rivers visitors should pay attention

Mineral King Road branches from Highway 198 in Three Rivers before the main Ash Mountain park entrance. The destination is separate from the Generals Highway route leading to Giant Forest and the General Sherman Tree. A closure on Mineral King Road should not be interpreted as a closure of the main entrance to Sequoia National Park.

The road is steep, curving and narrow, with unpaved sections. The NPS advises against traveling there with recreational vehicles or trailers. Winter road conditions can make travel unsafe and the road is routinely closed to regular vehicle access for part of the year.

How to check before departing

Visitors should use the park’s current road-status page and alerts rather than relying on calendar dates alone. The published October 28 seasonal closure may be adjusted by conditions. Never pass barriers or attempt to drive around a construction closure to reach a trailhead.

Official sources: National Park Service — Mineral King construction and seasonal winter closure schedule and NPS road status page.

Find more in Three Rivers News and California58’s local newspaper directory.

Editor’s note: Seasonal road dates were published by NPS and can change. This article does not state that all of Sequoia National Park is closing.

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