Sequoia National Park is home to the world's tallest sequoia trees. Established in 1890 as a measure to protect giant sequoia from getting logged, this National Park has now become a hotspot for travelers. The park's impressive landscape with huge mountains, rugged foothills, deep canyons, and vast caverns, attracts travelers of every age group.
Before you travel to Sequoia National Park, be sure to purchase visitors medical insurance plan that offers suitable financial coverage for injuries, accidents, and other mishaps.
Visitors Medical Insurance for Travelers in Sequoia National Park - FAQs
Sequoia National Park will serve as the best traveling destination for you. But with its beauty, it has several pitfalls too, such as its uneven grounds, wild animals, sudden rock slides, and the toppling of trees. Any of these can cause an unexpected injury or accident and obtaining medical care for an injury can be costly, so traveling with visitors medical insurance is a sensible option.
Why buy visitors medical insurance before traveling to Sequoia National Park?
While you are visiting the park, an illness or injury can occur without warning. Seeking medical care at a hospital in the U.S. will hit your budget hard, but if you have proper insurance, you have less to worry about. A suitable visitors medical insurance can give financial coverage to medical emergencies and evacuation. It can cover the cost of plan-approved hefty hospital bills. This way you can travel and enjoy the Sequoia National Park without worrying about the financial burdens.
What should I look for in my Sequoia National Park visitors medical insurance?
Your visitors medical insurance can cover the financial cost of treating injuries and accidents as a result of adventure sport, physical activity, or any other accident. It also offers emergency evacuation of the patient and hospitalization. Review the plan to ensure coverage for emergency medical evacuation or repatriation to get you transported to the nearest medical facility that can offer adequate treatment and if you or any in your traveling group have an old, pre-existing injury that can flare up, having a plan with coverage for acute onset of pre-existing conditions would be wise.
To save yourself from paying hefty hospital bills during any medical emergency, be sure you buy visitors medical insurance. Before purchasing a plan, be sure to read over it to know what coverages are included in the wording.
Things to Do when you travel to Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park is over 400 thousand acres (over 161,874 hectares) of forested mountainous terrain. There's a lot to explore when you travel to this breath-taking place. Here's what you can do:
Visit the Largest Tree on the Planet
The General Sherman Tree is the largest living structure in the world. Standing at a staggering height of 275 feet (almost 84 meters), it's easy to feel small in comparison with this magnificent tree. The tree is more than 2,700 years old. It's an easy walk down from the main parking lot, so you can start your expedition to the park from here. You can drive or take a shuttle bus during the summertime.
Go Hiking The Moro Rock Trail
This short hike of 350 steps will take you to an elevation of about 6,700 feet (over 2,042 meters), where you can get a kick out of the mesmerizing view of the mountains, forests, and valleys. You'll feel safe as you climb as there are handrails the whole way. But don't look down!
Enjoy The Views At Kings Canyon
This nine-mile (about 14.5 -kilometer) hike gives splendid natural views. Enjoy the Roaring River on the way and the beautiful Hume Lake. Drive through the Kings Canyon scenic drive, along the rivers, and enjoy the view of falls. You'll easily find experienced and friendly rangers to show you the path in case you wander off.
See The Natural Spectacle At Crystal Cave
Other than giant trees and mountains, Sequoia National Park has other things to offer too. The Crystal Cave is a subterranean marble cavern filled with beautiful mineral deposits. It features all sorts of colorful minerals. The cave naturalists will guide you through the cave, explaining the formation of breath-taking minerals you'll see on your way. This is a spectacle you don't want to miss when you travel to Sequoia National Park.
Drive Through The Tunnel Log
An enormous 275 foot tall tree fell across the road in the 1930s, creating a 17-foot-wide (about 5.2-meter-wide) tunnel. It has now become a tourist destination as you can drive through this tunnel. It's advisable to start early in the morning if you're planning to visit Tunnel Log to avoid the crowd. Only vehicles shorter than 8 feet (about 2.4 meters) tall can drive through it, so if you're hiring a rental car, make sure you keep this in mind.
Key Guidelines for Travelers in Sequoia National Park
Weather Concerns
The best time to visit Sequoia National Park is between June and August when the weather is stable. In December, the park receives heavy snow. In September, the park reduces activities guarded by trained rangers. However, the park is open 24/7, year-round.
Safety Concerns
As safety should be a top priority, there are a few items to keep in mind while visiting Sequoia National Park. The park does not have gas stations, so be sure to have ample fuel before setting out on your journey. Have a map of the park to ensure you do not get lost, and even if you are familiar with the area, it is best not to camp alone at night. Black bear sightings are common, but keep your distance to maintain your safety.
Transportation
You can rent a car to travel to the park. During summertime, you can travel to a free park shuttle that offers rides in the Giant Forests and other camping areas. It's common to lose your way in the vastness of the park, but you'll find signs and markers to guide you. You'll also find rangers throughout the park to show you the way.
Medical Concerns
Most of the hiking trails in the park are at an elevation above 5,000 feet (1,524 meters). You're at risk of developing Acute Mountain Sickness at such high elevation. The symptoms of this include dizziness, fatigue, headaches, rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, and dehydration. The immediate option would be to descend to a lower altitude, and then if the symptoms persist, seek medical help.
Before you go to Sequoia National Park - Do This
Pack a bug spray and carry it when you travel to Sequoia National Park. Also, get the map of the park from the visitor's center.
Be prepared for altitude sickness when you're hiking at great heights.