Kings Canyon NP

(Sierra Nevada Mountains - California)

General info about the park...

Kings Canyon National Park, located just north of Sequoia National Park in the Sierra Nevada range, is frequently included when visiting the more popular Sequoia. Covering over 460,000 acres with an average of 600,000 visitors per year, Kings Canyon boasts a glacier carved valley, towering redwood trees, and numerous 14,000 foot peaks which are among some of the tallest in not only the Sierra Nevada mountain range, but the continental United States as well.

Geologists have dated the granite mountains in the Sierra range back to 10 million years ago. This range features some of the most dramatic elevation relief in North America.

Visitor's center & park roads

King's Canyon has two visitor centers. One of them is at the main park entrance called Grant Grove at 6,500 ft elevation. The second is Cedar Grove Visitor Center at 4,600 ft elevation which is next to the South Fork of the river on the canyon floor. In both visitor centers you have basic park amenities such as information, maps, ranger programs, and restrooms. You can also apply for backcountry permits at either visitor center. Please note Cedar Grove Visitor Center is closed in winter.

The Kings Canyon Scenic Byway (highway 180) is the main park road that starts at Grant Grove and descends down the canyon towards Cedar Grove traversing 50 scenic miles.

Grant Grove and the General Grant Tree

Grant Grove was the original section of the national park designated in 1890 while the rest of the park's lands including King's Canyon was under review by the national park service until finally being designated in 1940.. This 150 acre grove features some of the largest sequoia trees in the world.

Located within Grant Grove, one of the main sections of the park, the second largest sequoia tree in the world General Grant Tree is known as the "Nation's Christmas Tree". Standing at nearly 270 feet tall with a base diameter of almost 30 feet, this tree is believed to be over 1,500 years old. An easy 1/3 mile paved trail takes visitors to the base of the awe inspiring tree.

You can also see the historic Gamlin Cabin during this short hike which was built in 1872 by Isiaih Gamlin who claimed 160 acres of timber in what is today the Grant Grove area of the park and stayed here raising cattle with his brother until 1890. Later the cabin became a storehouse for US Cavalry through the early 1900s and eventually served as the first park ranger's station. The cabin was the first building in the park. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.

King's Canyon Scenic Byway

Beginning in the Sierra Nevada foothills passing through Grant Grove and finally ending 50 miles later near Zumwalt Meadow at the end of drivable section of King's Canyon National Park. The starting point at the ranger station near Lake Hume is relatively low elevation at 2,000 feet. By the time you reach Grant Grove Village, you are at 6,500 feet of altitude, before descending into Kings Canyon- one of the deepest canyons in North America. Along the way you will pass jarring overlooks. When you make it to the canyon floor, you will drive along the rushing waters of the Kings River and see some waterfalls, too. Roundtrip driving would be 2-3 hours with no stops, but of course it's highly recommended to stop at every viewpoint.

Roaring River Falls

A short 1/3 mile walk on a paved path takes you to the lower pools of this powerful tributary of the King's River. Here you can watch and listen to the cascading river.

As of summer 2023, parts of highway 180 within the Cedar Grove section of the park were closed due to road damage from winter storms. Always check the NPS website for road closures, weather reports, park hours, and trail conditions.

Zumwalt Meadow

This peaceful meadow contrasted by the granite peaks is a gorgeous 1.5 mile loop passing by the Kings River to this verdant valley within Kings Canyon. A perfect spot on a sunny afternoon while taking in the 360 degree scenic beauty around you. The nearby portion of the Kings River is also a great shady place to cool down on a warm summer day.

Zumwalt Meadow is 4 miles past the Cedar Grove section of the park and nearly at the end of highway 180, Scenic Byway so plan for at least a 1 hour drive from General Grant Village.

Camping & lodging

King's Canyon has 7 campgrounds to choose from with 3 of them being in the Grant Grove Village section of the park and 4 being on the canyon floor in the Cedar Grove section. As of 2023, only the campgrounds in Grant Grove (Azalea, Crystal Springs, and Sunset) are open. The campgrounds in Cedar Grove are closed in summer 2023 due to storm damage.

King's Canyon also had good options for lodging including the John Muir Lodge in Grant Village and the Grant Grove Cabins. The lodge and cabins are both in close proximity to a market, restaurant, gift shop, post office, and the park visitors center.

There is also the Cedar Grove Lodge which is usually open from Spring to Fall, but is closed for summer 2023.