Panoramic Point Guide

If there's an all-in-one view in Kings Canyon National Park, it's probably panoramic point. Lucky for you, it's also one of the easiest views in the entire park to reach. One of the widest, detailed, and most beautiful views is waiting for you here, so why not pay it a quick visit?

When to Visit

Summer and fall will be free of snow, but summer especially might bring some crowds up here. Winter is hit or miss: the road to Panoramic Point could be plowed and free of snow, or it might not be--best to check with rangers at the visitor center in Grant Grove Village first if it's snowed recently. If you do visit in winter, don't forget that chain laws will likely be in effect up here.

How to Get There

Taking Highway 180 into Kings Canyon, head into Grant Grove, passing Grant Grove Village until you come to a crossroads. Left takes you to the General Grant Tree, and right takes you to the John Muir Lodge and Panoramic Point. Head right, staying right the entire way up the road. While only 2.5 miles from Grant Grove Village, it takes 10-15 minutes to reach the top, as it's a narrow and winding road. A large parking lot with a pit toilet greets you, along with the trailhead.

Panoramic Point

Time: 30 minutes.

Distance: .25 miles.

The trail is short and accessible, but does feature a single switchback--a small price to pay for such an amazing view. Hike to the top and, well, there it is! A line of magnificent granite, Sierra Nevada peaks lays in front of you, green pine forests cover the valley, with the blue waters of Hume Lake dropped in the middle. All the pictures in the world wouldn't do this place justice--but don't let that stop you from taking them!

The start of the trail (above) and the viewpoint at the top (below).

Seeing this view kind of makes you want to go down into the valley, right? Lucky, you can, as the Cedar Grove area of Kings Canyon is waiting down there, and the same road you took into the park (Highway 180) will take you straight to the bottom. For information of more things to do in Kings Canyon, including down in Cedar Grove, click here. One of the best, first stops when driving into the canyon though? The incredibly short trail to the amazing Grizzly Falls.

Find Grizzly Falls at the bottom of Kings Canyon. Credit: Alexander Migl.

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?