Big Stump Snow Play

Fresno -
54 miles
Visalia -
53 miles
Bakersfield -
132 miles

Big Stump Snow Play

Big Stump Snow Play is found along Highway 180 just inside the northern entrance to Kings Canyon National Park. Around the perimeter of the parking lot are great places for small children to enjoy the snow.

An advantage of the Big Stump Snow Play Area is that it is only a short drive from Grant Grove where visitors will find a restaurant, store, and visitor center. A parking lot and restrooms are available at Big Stump. Little slopes for sleds are nearby, but long sliding hills are in short supply.

Elevation

6,320 feet

Directions

Drive up Highway 180 from Fresno to Kings Canyon National Park. Continue 0.6 miles past the park entrance station and watch for the Big Stump parking lot on the left.

Things to Know

Park visitors in the winter must carry chains. Roads are often covered with snow and chains may be required at any time, even for 4-wheel drive vehicles.
Snow play is prohibited in residential areas, Grant Grove (except Columbine Picnic Area), the Grant Tree Trail area, the Sherman Tree Road, and other areas as signed.

Nearby Services

At Grant Grove, the Visitor Center and the Grant Grove Restaurant are open daily year-round.
In Sequoia National Park, services are at Giant Forest Museum. The museum is open daily year-round.
Facilities at Lodgepole close for the winter, but nearby Wuksachi Lodge is open year-round.

Big Stump Snow Play Area Contact Information

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
(559) 565-3341
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Current Conditions and Weather Forecast

Current Conditions in Sequoia and Kings Canyon
Sequoia National Park Webcams

Nearby Snow Play Areas

Columbine Snow Play Area is on the road leading to the General Grant Tree, ½-mile from the Visitor Center in Grant Grove. Parking spaces and a restroom are provided there.

Cherry Gap Winter Trailhead is 3.1 miles north of Grant Grove on Highway 180. It is most popular for cross-country skiing and snow play. However, there are no facilities and parking is limited.

Cherry Gap

Generals Highway Winter Trailheads

Two Winter Trailheads off the Generals Highway south of Grant Grove are primarily used by cross-country skiers and snowmobilers, but undeveloped snow play areas can also be found there. Vault toilets are available. Both trailheads are in the Sequoia National Forest.

Quail Flat Winter Trailhead is located off the Generals Highway, 3.7 miles south of the intersection with Highway 180 near Grant Grove. Restrooms and parking are available.
Big Meadows Winter Trailhead is located off the Generals Highway, 7½ miles south of Highway 180. The trailhead area is a short distance up a Forest Service Road (13S55).

Quail Flat

Snow Apparel Shops Along the Road

REI 7810 N Blackstone Ave., Fresno, CA
Big 5 Sporting Goods 1544 E Champlain Dr, Fresno, CA; 1430 S Mooney Blvd, Visalia, CA; and 1746 W Olive Ave, Merced, CA
Walmart 3055 Loughborough Dr, Merced, CA
Target 3900 Sisk Rd, Modesto, CA