The draw of the 1/3 mile paved, fenced, and rarely-flat General Grant Tree Trail is General Grant Tree (duh). At 270 feet tall and 107 feet around, after General Sherman and the President Tree, it's the third largest tree by volume. But that seems so "bronze medal" that I prefer to point out that it has the largest base of any tree in the world. Gold medal! (psst, nerds: using the traditional metric that does not take into account branches, it's actually the second largest). In 1926, President Coolidge proclaimed it Nation's Christmas tree and it's fun to imagine big mountain lions jumping into it and trying to knock down the ornaments.
Another popular site is the small and empty Gamlin Cabin, bulit from sugar pines in 1872, though it is riddled with carved graffiti. Rightfully ranked 65 out of 69 on TripAdvisor's list of things to do in Kings Canyon. I think 66-69 are probably the bathrooms.
My favorite part is the Fallen Monarch, a giant redwood log felled 300 years ago. You can enter from either side and walk 125 feet or more through the entire tree. If you videotape your journey, make sure to speed up your 42 second video in editing so you don't bore the friends you made watch. It was used as temporary shelter as Gamilin Cabin was built, as shelter for the U.S. Cavalry's horses 1890-1914, and, if you can believe it, a hotel/saloon. Can you imagine staying there? Every day you would have to ask for broom service. And I'm certain the wi-fi sucked.
Nearly all of these reviews refer to the General Grant Tree Trail. However, the North Grove Loop (1.5 mile trail for meadows, creeks and a close look at big trees) also starts here. Other trails for the Grove include Buena Vista Peak (2 miles up a granite peak for 360-degree view) 6 miles SE of the village, Redwood Canyon (16 miles of short fire-maintained hike) about 2 miles down a dirt road, and Big Baldy Ridge (4.5 mile to a 8200' summit w/ 600' elevation gain). But for grandma's sake, do this easy, clean trail with popular sites.
Grant Grove is a mile northwest of Kings Canyon Visitor Center, and one many sites on the north half of the park including Big Stump (which you pass to get here), Panoramic Point (the opposite side of 180), plus continuing up 180: Junction View (11 mi up), Hume Lake (12mi), the Scenic Byway and Boyden Cavern (20mi), Grizzly Falls (25mi), Roaring River Falls (32 mi), and Mist Falls near Road End (35mi). read more