![]() |
![]() The historic Honeymoon Cabin |
| Mineral King is a glaciated valley located in the western part of the Sierra Nevada mountain range and is part of Sequoia National Park |
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& is only accessible a few months a year |
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Nearby cities & towns: |
city mountain mountain country |
Helpful Phone Numbers:
| Sequoia National
Park P.O. Box 789 Three Rivers, CA 93271 559/561-3341 |
Park Info 559/565-3134 |
Weather Info 559/565-3351 |
Wilderness Permits 559/565-3306 |
- 559/565-3708 wilderness office / ranger
- 559/561-3411 mineral king
- 559/565-3768 mineral king entrance station
- 559/561-3411 mineral king

Horse Pack Trips are popular as well as Backpacking into the high Sierra
![]() A spectacular alpine valley and miles of trails into the high Sierra. The road leading here has hundreds of curvy turns & takes over an hour to go the 25+ twisty miles. One lane road most of the way, you must be prepared for a tight squeeze on some parts & on coming traffic at all times. Overview MAP |
![]() be warned: local evil marmots can cause radiator hose damage. Come prepared. Mostly a nuisance in the Springtime. |
< mapclick on map to enlarge |
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This place is a back packers dream. Where else can you drive right up to the doorstep of 11,000-12,000 foot Sierra peaks & climb right up into alpine back country in just a few hours.
- fire permits are required
- permits are required for overnight back country camping
- check with the correct ranger district for all back country camping restrictions
Trail head parking spots located at:
- Monarch Lakes
- Franklin Lakes
- Tar Gap via Cold Springs Campground
Campgrounds![]()
click on campground
name for photos & more descriptions
| campground | elev. |
|
veg | toilet | water | fee | comments | |
| Atwell Mill | 6650' | 23 | pines | pit | piped | $10 | 7
mi. from Mineral King |
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| Cold Springs | 7500' | 37 | pines | pit | piped | $10 | on
river near Mineral King |
The National Park does not allow dispersed car camping anywhere along the Mineral King Rd. Other remote camping options are to the south in the Sequoia National Forest. A small section in between Kings Canyon & Sequoia National Parks - located just next door, features Jennie Lakes & Monarch Wilderness.
Forest Service Rds.#
- 19S36 - The dirt roads from Sequoia National Forest, Mountain Home State Forest & Balch Park do not connect through the mountains (via Grouse Pk. / Case Mtn) through the western valleys due to private land communities with locked gates.
- Crunigan Creek Rd up to Milk Ranch Peak doesn't go very far. It is gated one mile up due to private property.
The majority of day hikes out of Mineral King tend to be moderately
strenuous up & over passes into the high Sierra.
A nice meadow hike along creeks via Cold Springs campground.
FOOTBRIDGE HIKE: A great short day hike to Kaweah River bridge from Atwell Mill campground.
Crystal Lake: 10 miles RT; no maintained trail beyond Crystal Lake.
Franklin Lakes: 10.8 miles RT
Monarch Lakes: a long day hike/ one of the easier hikes in Mineral King valley. 8.4 miles RT
Timber Gap: 4 miles RT
White Chief Trail: 6 miles RT ; scenic hike up west side of Mineral King Valley.
Eagle / Mosquito Lakes: 11 miles RT; good fishing
Sequoia NP
Mineral King
Official Site


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