General Information

Please be aware that pets are not allowed on any trails in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. In developed areas, pets must be kept on a leash at all times.

Be Safe! Poison oak is abundant in the lower elevations. In the spring and summer, this twiggy shrub has shiny green leaves in groups of three. Its berries are white. Touching even the woody stems may cause a reaction. If you have any contact with poison oak, wash your skin and clothes as soon as possible.

Ticks may hitch a ride as you wander through the foothills. Tick bites are painless, but a small percentage of ticks carry Lyme disease. If you have been hiking in brushy or grassy areas, check yourself thoroughly when you return from your hike. If you find a tick, remove it with tweezers and/or seek a doctor's advice.

Rattlesnakes are common in the foothills. Most snakebites occur as a result of teasing or trying to handle snakes. Very few people die from rattlesnake bites, but their poison can cause severe tissue damage. If bitten, avoid panic; call a ranger or 911.