Sequoia Shuttle returns summer 2026

The Sequoia Shuttle is running again for summer 2026, restoring bus service from Visalia into Sequoia National Park during the peak travel season. The service began May 21 and is scheduled to run through Sept. 7, according to the shuttle’s official website. (sequoiashuttle.com) Round-trip transportation is marketed as an alternative to driving Highway 198 and searching for parking inside the park. The Visalia Times-Delta reported the return of the service on May 23. ### When did service restart, and how long will it run? May 21, 2026, is the listed start date for the summer season on Sequoia Shuttle’s website. (sequoiashuttle.com) The site says the 2026 season runs through Sept. 7, with service operating during the main summer visitation window. The National Park Service also directs visitors to the summer shuttle from Visalia on its transportation pages for Sequoia and Kings Canyon. NPS says the paid service connects visitors from Visalia to Sequoia National Park in summer, while separate in-park shuttles serve major areas once visitors arrive. (sequoiashuttle.com) ### Where does the shuttle go from Visalia? Visalia is the main origin point named by both the shuttle operator and the National Park Service. The shuttle website says buses depart from locations in Visalia, Lemon Cove and Three Rivers, while NPS transportation guidance says summer travelers can take a bus to the Visalia Transit Center and connect to Sequoia Shuttle service into the park. (sequoiashuttle.com) Sequoia Shuttle’s website describes the service as transportation “to and from Sequoia National Park,” and NPS says it can take visitors to the Foothills and Giant Forest areas. (nps.gov) Inside the park, free local shuttles operate separately and connect major visitor areas, including Giant Forest and Lodgepole. ### How much does it cost, and why is the price unclear? The fare listed on Sequoia Shuttle’s website is inconsistent across pages. The home page and the “About Us” page say round-trip tickets are $15 and include unlimited shuttle service inside the park. (nps.gov) The reservations page, however, says round-trip tickets are $20 and also include unlimited shuttle service inside the park. A National Park Service stop page for Wuksachi Lodge likewise says round-trip shuttles from Visalia are $20. Neither source, in the material reviewed, explains the discrepancy. (sequoiashuttle.com) ### Do riders need reservations, and what happens inside the park? Reservations are required for the Visalia-to-park shuttle, according to Sequoia Shuttle and the National Park Service. The shuttle operator directs riders to book online, and NPS accessibility guidance also says reservations are required for the summer route between Visalia and the Giant Forest. (sequoiashuttle.com) Inside Sequoia National Park, the local shuttle network is separate from the paid intercity bus. Sequoia Shuttle pages say internal buses run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the 2026 season, are free to park visitors and do not require reservations. (sequoiashuttle.com) ### Who runs the service? The Sequoia Shuttle is a partnership between the City of Visalia and the National Park Service, according to the shuttle’s contact page. The service is presented as a seasonal transportation option intended to move visitors from the San Joaquin Valley into the park without each traveler bringing a car. (sequoiashuttle.com) The next step for riders is straightforward: Sequoia Shuttle says reservations and season information are available on its website, and the current 2026 season is scheduled to continue through Sept. 7. (sequoiashuttle.com 1) (sequoiashuttle.com 2) (sequoiashuttle.com 3)