No, you don't. But the visitor center is full of information and has a little museum of sorts inside and a room where you can see a video/ movie about areas there in Sequoia. We found it very informative, even the little ones got a lot of information from it. You won't regret stopping in. Plus there is the general store/ market a post office, restrooms etc.. I'd recommend you stopping in.. enjoy the trip.
No
No, you can bypass it to Gen Grant Seqouia, or to Kings Canyon but the Visitor Center is fun, information, restaurant, souvenir store, market, bathrooms. I enjoy the Village as they call it.
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