Kings Canyon National Park Guide
Kings Canyon is Sequoia National Park's less-loved twin: people usually pop into the Grant Grove section briefly, look at the sequoia trees, and then leave. Like any less-loved twin or sibling knows though, they’ve got a lot more to offer than most people realize, which is why I’m here to list those hidden qualities that mom and dad just couldn’t see for themselves.
When to Visit
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Kings Canyon is divided into two parts: the Grant's Grove area and Cedar Grove. Grant Grove stays open year-round, though expect a fair amount of snow in the winter. Cedar Grove on the other hand, is essentially located at the bottom of Kings Canyon, and the road (CA-180 W) to it is generally closed from late fall until early spring due to snow. Sometimes roads that are normally open in winter close after a heavy snow for plowing, so it's best to check conditions here if you plan on that time of year. Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak season, where you'll find the biggest crowds. If you come right after Labor Day though, you're likely to still have good weather and have much of the park to yourself.
How to Get There
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Kings Canyon is nestled within the Sierra Nevada mountains, so its going to take some driving no matter where you're coming from to get there. Fresno is the closest city to Kings Canyon with a major airport, about an hour west of the park. For cities with major airports though, it's about a four hour drive from Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose, or Los Angeles to Grant Grove Village. If you plan on going into the Cedar Grove region of the park, it's another hour, downhill from the village on CA-180 West. If you're extra adventurous, it's about a seven hour drive from Las Vegas, which will also take you through Death Valley National Park.
Grant Grove & the General Grant Tree
Time: 45 minutes - 1 hour.
Distance: .5 miles.
Okay, let's actually get the most popular one down first. The Grant Grove section of Kings Canyon is home to a number of giant sequoia trees, the largest on Earth. While maybe not as dense with trees as Sequoia National Park is, Grant’s Grove is worth checking out. The paved, half-mile loop trail takes you among many of these giants, and even lets you walk through a downed one: the Fallen Monarch. The Centennial Stump is all that remains of a sequoia that was cut down and shipped to Philadelphia to celebrate the centennial of the United States in the 19th century. The Gamlin Cabin, built in 1872, still stands along the trail. Enough with old cabins and fallen trees though, the main feature here is the General Grant Tree. The second-largest in the world, it stands 267.4 feet fall, and has a circumference of 107.6 feet. It’s so revered, that in 1926, it was declared the nation’s Christmas Tree, and every December 25th a wreath is placed at its base. If you’re looking for the largest tree on Earth though, you’ll have to venture to Sequoia National Park. For more information on the General Grant Tree though, click here.
About Me
Hi there, I'm Dan: videographer, travel-addict, and beer-lover. I left corporate life behind to start my own video business and travel the world. Want to know more about me and Dan Treks?
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Things to Do in Kings Canyon National Park
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Big Stump Grove
Time: 1 - 1.5 hours.
Distance: 1.6 miles.
Likely the first trail you'll pass if you're coming into the park from Fresno, Big Stump Grove actually doesn't get nearly as much love as the other sequoia groves in the park. Why? Well, because most of the mature sequoias here are long gone, and only their stumps are left. Heavily logged in the late 1800's, hike this short loop trail to take a look at these massive stumps for yourself, see the remains of a fallen tree, spot a handful of mature sequoias who were spared the axe, and take the staircase to the very top of the massive Mark Twain Stump. For more on the Big Stump Grove Trail, click here.
The Mark Twain Stump in the Big Stump Grove.
The second-largest tree on the planet.
The North Grove
Time: 1 - 1.5 hours.
Distance: 1.7 miles.
If the General Grant was too crowded for your tastes but you still want to see some more sequoia, look no further than the North Grove. This short loop trail starts in the parking lot just past the General Grant's, and is frequently overlooked and far less crowded. The gated area at the parking lot marks the start of the trailhead, and a portion of it connects to the Sunset Trail, but if you're looking to keep things shorter, just stick with the trail for the North Grove. Massive sequoia are frequent, with many being approachable, unlike the General Grant trail. If peace and quiet among the trees is what you're looking for, then this is the trail for you; for more on the North Grove, click here.
The North Grove has plenty of amazing sequoias, and far less crowds than the General Grant.
Panoramic Point
Time: 30 minutes.
Distance: .25 miles.
Drive yourself across the road from Grant’s Grove, past the lodge and cabins and 2.5 miles up to the parking lot for Panoramic Point. The paved and handicapped-accessible trail is only .25 miles long, but mostly uphill. Make it to the top, and you’re rewarded with one of the best views of Kings Canyon below. Granite mountains, alpine lakes, and large swaths of green forest cover the landscape. It’s so amazing, it makes you want to actually head down there and explore it—so that’s what you should definitely do. For more on Panoramic Point, click here.
Panoramic Point is spectacular, but driving to the bottom might be even better.
Boyden Cavern
Time: 45-60 minutes.
Distance: N/A.
And you thought this park was all mountains and trees, didn't you? Well, actually a lot of it is, and at the bottom of the canyon you actually have the opportunity to go under the mountains. Boyden Cavern is located within the Sequoia National Forest, between the Grant Grove and Cedar Grove sections of Kings Canyon. For around $20.00, you can schedule a tour of the cavern and get to check out all of the unique formations inside. Since the cavern is located along Highway 180 heading into Cedar Grove, it's only open from approximately May through October every year. Click here to buy tour tickets in advance, and check out my complete guide to the cavern here.
The Christmas Tree formation in Boyden Cavern.
Grizzly Falls
Time: 15 minutes.
Distance: .1 mile.
Take highway 180 out of Grant’s Grove and down to Cedar Grove—this is the only road to this section of the park, so don’t worry about getting lost. Enjoy the 26 mile drive down into the canyon, as the walls get steeper and steeper around you on either side. There are plenty of pull offs to stop and take a look at some of the amazing scenery. Finally, near the bottom of the canyon on the left hand side (approximately three miles before the Kings Canyon/Cedar Grove boundary), you’ll spot signs for the Grizzly Falls Picnic Area. The .1 mile trail from here takes you to one impressive waterfall you won’t want to miss. For more on Grizzly Falls, click here.
It's the easiest hike ever to see Grizzly Falls, so what are you waiting for?
Credit: Alexander Migl.
Kings Canyon National Park Cinematic Video
See the second largest tree in the world as you explore the sequoia groves of Kings Canyon, alpine waterfalls, lush meadows, and the roaring King's River as you explore a canyon deeper than the Grand Canyon in this cinematic video.
Zumwalt Meadow
Time: 1-2 hours.
Distance: 1.5 miles.
One of the most scenic short hikes you can do in Kings Canyon, the Zumwalt Meadow trail can be found near the end of the canyon road. From the parking lot, you’ll cross a bridge across the King’s River and it's up to you which way you want to take this 1.5 mile loop trail. Through forests, along a boardwalk, and across a granite moraine, there’s a little bit of everything on this hike, eventually leading you to the meadow itself. Flanked on either side by large, granite mountains, you’ll feel like you’re in a miniature Yosemite Valley, minus the crowds. It's one of the best, and most popular views in Cedar Grove. For more on hiking Zumwalt Meadow, click here.
Zumwalt Meadow in desperate need of a mowing.
Roaring River Falls
Time: 20 minutes.
Distance: .3 miles.
The Kings River can be quite turbulent, and nothing shows this off better than the Roaring River Falls. The .3 mile paved trail can be found about halfway down the canyon road. Starting from the parking lot, you’re likely to hear the falls before you see them. Come midday when the sun is still striking the water to really appreciate the beauty of the aqua-blue water of the Kings River. For more information on Roaring River Falls, click here.
Roaring River Falls.
Kings Canyon National Park Video Guide
Explore the giant sequoias of Grant Grove, amazing Sierra Nevada views, countless waterfalls, the jaw-dropping Boyden Cavern, and venture deep into the backcountry to the stunning Paradise Valley--all in this video guide to one of America's less-traveled national parks!
Mist Falls
Time: 3-5 hours.
Distance: 8.7-9.2 miles.
While there's a few short hikes in the Cedar Grove region of the park, many of the best sights down here are seen from the trails found where Highway 180 terminates at an area known as Road's End. The thing is though, many of these hikes are long, and usually used by overnight backpackers, but some can be done as day hikes; Mist Falls might be the most popular of the day hikes down here, and for good reason. While 9 miles might sound like a lot, the vast majority of the trail is relatively flat, taking you through scenic parts of the canyon, tranquil forest, and running parallel to the Kings River the entire time. At the end, you're treated to a modest waterfall, and a spectacular and classic view of Paradise Canyon. For more on hiking the Mist Falls trail, click here.
Paradise Valley from the Mist Falls trail.
Backcountry Backpacking
Time: Days? Weeks?
Distance: Miles upon miles!
It’s no secret that Kings Canyon National Park is really more of a wilderness park—the parking lot at the end of the canyon’s road is likely to be filled with the vehicles of backpackers off to enjoy some of the park’s best kept secrets. These trails are long, and will likely require several days of camping (or far more, depending on what you’re up for) to complete. If you want to experience the ruggedness and beauty of the Sierra Nevadas, bring your gear, stop by the permit station at Road’s End, and head out for a wilderness adventure.
The views only get better on a backpacking trip through Kings Canyon.
Where to Stay in Kings Canyon National Park
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Hotels and Lodges
Not everyone likes camping, I get it; that's why Kings Canyon has several lodging options for you to choose from. In Grant Grove Village you'll find the largest option with the John Muir Lodge. You have the choice between standard hotel rooms, or a number of cabins as well. Expect to pay over $200.00 a night in peak season, and around $130.00 in the off season. Additionally, the Cedar Grove Lodge is open seasonally, and while smaller, it's in the heart of the park's solitude and costs around $160.00 per night. Click here to book.
The John Muir Lodge (above) and Cedar Grove Lodge (below).
Camping
You're in luck if you love camping: Kings Canyon has a number of campgrounds with ample space. In Grant Grove alone you have Azaela, Sunset and Crystal Springs Campgrounds, with the first two taking reservations during the busy season, and the last being first-come-first-served. In Cedar Grove, Sheep Creek and Moraine Campgrounds are first-come-first served, with Sentinel and Canyon View (a group campground) taking reservations. If you're looking to steer clear from crowds, the Cedar Grove campgrounds are the place to be. Visit Recreation.gov to book campsites.