Sequoia & Kings National Park should be on everyone’s list for travel destinations to explore it’s picturesque mountains, rugged foothills, deep and canyons and of course the ancient giant sequoias (the world’s largest trees) but there’s something you should be aware of before leaving your car and setting off at the trail head.
Sequoia & Kings National Park is home to a population of mischievous marmots that are notorious for damaging vehicles. The marmots are attracted by the smell of engine components and fluids and marmots regularly crawl into undercarriages for exploratory nibbles and that causes damage to radiator hoses and car wiring. The have even been known to stowaway in cars and ended up hundreds of miles away from home.
In the past the generally accepted protocol to prevent marmot intrusions was to wrap the lower portion of vehicles in chicken-wire but the park has revised their recommendations to using tarps.
“Physically block marmots by driving over a tarp and then wrapping it around your entire vehicle. Cover the wheel wells. Wrapping chicken wire around the vehicle is no longer advised, as marmots have learned to get around the wire.”
If you’re planning on checking out The Land of Giants makes sure to pack a tarp. Read Sequoia & Kings full marmot recommendations below and check out this story about a marmot who took an accident 600 mile voyage from Colorado to Arizona.
Sequoia & Kings National Park Marmot Guidelines:
You Are Entering Marmot Country.
From spring through mid-summer, the marmots of Mineral King have been known to dine on radiator hoses and car wiring. They can disable a vehicle. On several occasions, marmots have not escaped the engine compartment quickly enough and unsuspecting drivers have given them rides to other parts of the parks; several have ridden as far as southern California!
How to protect your vehicle and marmots:
Wash the outside, undercarriage, and engine compartment of your vehicle before visiting.
Physically block marmots by driving over a tarp and then wrapping it around your entire vehicle. Cover the wheel wells. Wrapping chicken wire around the vehicle is no longer advised, as marmots have learned to get around the wire.
Use only non-toxic methods to prevent marmots from accessing your vehicle. Do not use any poison or substance that pose a risk to the environment, human or animal health, safety or property.
If you visit Mineral King, especially before August, check for possible damage when you return to your vehicle. Before starting your car, look under the hood for marmots or signs of chewing. Check hoses, belts, electrical wiring, insulation, and radiator fluid level. Inspect under the vehicle for signs of coolant or brake fluid leakage.
Turn key to “on”, but do not start your vehicle. Check that all indicator lights come on. If lights don’t come on, wiring may have been damaged.
Start the engine and listen for unusual sounds.
Report any damage to your vehicle.
The National Park Service and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are not responsible for damage caused by marmots. Our suggestions for protecting your vehicle may not prevent damage.