As part of our quest to visit all 63 U.S. national parks, we set off on a six week road trip. I have a personal rule: I only count a national park as "visited" if I actually spend time there, hike or walk through it, and truly experience it. On this trip, we visited 14 national parks, and Kings Canyon National Park quickly became one of my favorites. We stayed five days between Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, which gave us plenty of time to explore both at a relaxed pace. Staying in the middle made it easy to enjoy everything the area has to offer. Kings Canyon is simply breathtaking. The drive into the canyon reminded me very much of Going to the Sun Road in Glacier National Park. Around every curve, another spectacular view appears. Towering granite cliffs rise dramatically above the canyon, while the Kings River rushes below with crystal clear water, waterfalls, cascades, and rapids. It is one of those roads where you constantly want to pull over just to admire the scenery. Yes, the giant sequoias are magnificent, but Kings Canyon offers something different. The combination of the massive granite walls, the river carving its way through the valley, lush forests, and peaceful meadows creates an entirely different experience from neighboring Sequoia. The two parks complement each other beautifully. We were fortunate to drive into the canyon on a Sunday morning before the crowds arrived, making the experience even more enjoyable. The traffic was light, and we were able to stop often, take our time, and truly appreciate the beauty around us. The following day we returned, only to discover road construction and long delays, so we definitely felt lucky with our timing. One thing I would encourage visitors to do is not stop at Sequoia National Park alone. Many people come to see the giant trees and then leave, missing one of the most spectacular drives in California. Kings Canyon deserves just as much attention. In my opinion, the two parks should always be visited together. Whether you come for the towering sequoias, the dramatic granite peaks, the roaring river, or the incredible scenic drive, Kings Canyon National Park delivers an unforgettable experience. It is peaceful, majestic, and one of those places that reminds you just how extraordinary our national parks truly are. read more

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I've been to Sequoia once, long time ago, and I just recently found out there's another side of the park where you can see beautiful mountains, waterfalls, and rivers. We came during Memorial Day weekend, and thank God the entrance was free. Surprisingly, it wasn't too crowded even though it was a long weekend. We didn't get the chance to explore all the scenery because the wait at the restaurant inside the park was super long -- around 2 hours or so. We still managed to do a short hike at General Grant Grove and explored Boyden Cavern afterward. That ended up being the highlight of our short trip. I highly recommend the cave tour -- it was absolutely beautiful inside, and the history behind it was fascinating. We'll definitely be coming back next time for camping! read more

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The drive over to Kings Canyon is what makes it. Be sure to stop at the various lookouts along the way because there is nothing like it. We were there during the golden hour and it felt like the Wallace were shining back at us with the vibrancy of color. read more

What to do on the Fourth of July? Join the horde of other visitors at a National Park! We started on our way early enough to be at the gate to Kings Canyon National Park by 8:38 AM. I highly suggest arriving as early as possible to avoid slow & stopped traffic on the road and a long wait time at the gate. We entered here and left from Sequoia National Park. As we drove out, we were struck by the sheer volume of cars waiting to enter the park. The last car waiting was about a mile away!! There is an entrance fee to pay for most people. U.S. Military personnel and individuals with the Access Lifetime Pass enter for free. We have a National Park Pass, so we were good to enter. The signs with prices are posted at the gate. TIP: Bring a major Credit Card or Mobile Payment because this is a cashless park. The road is windy, so take care while driving. I'd also like to recommend that slower vehicles use the pullouts so others can pass. We stopped in at the Kings Canyon Visitor Center & Grant Grove Village for a potty break and to check out souvenirs and information there. There's also a restaurant here if you need sustenance for your day. If you need Wi-Fi, you can connect here. Otherwise, reception is spotty at best out in the park! There are so many majestic Sequoia Trees to enjoy! This park is home to a famous tree named General Grant. We came to take in its grandeur! This is the third largest tree in the world by volume! By viewing this tree, I've now seen the world's widest-known Sequoia! Things to see while taking a leisurely stroll around General Grant Trail, which is about a 0.7-mile loop: *General Grant Tree - named after General Ulysses S. Grant & is a Living Shrine *Gamlin Cabin - built in 1872 by the Gamlin brothers, who lived there until 1878. This park was established as General Grant National Park in 1890. The cabin was turned into a store and later became the first Park Ranger's quarters. *Centennial Stump *Fallen Monarch - view the log which is the upper part of the tree is down slope from the Grant Tree. There are many trails and places to explore in this park! Enjoy the great outdoors! read more

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The roads towards the meadows closed during winter, so the best time to visit in spring to fall. The rangers are very hepful. I like the Kings Canyon Visitor Center, it has lot of things to offer, restaurant, gift shop, restrooms and USPS. General Grant Tree Trail was awesome, it's an easy walk to see the Fallen Monarch and the grant tree. A must visit place for nature lover. read more

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Beautiful place for a wedding, my older sister held her wedding here (with a permit) and omg it was stunning. Because of the government shutdown there wasn't an entrance fee to pay (normally there is to enter most national parks), but there's still plenty of park rangers that drive about to supervise the campgrounds. The nights were pretty chilly in late October if you were camping, the fall foliage was stunning. We got a visit from a mama bear and her cub! Lots of trails to hike on, almost no WiFi, lots of deer read more

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Where tall trees meets the deep canyons! Beautiful park overall! I came during winter season 2024, I'll admit the main road that goes into the canyon lands was closed so I'll have to come back another time. Other than that, we visited Hume Lake, General Grant Tree Trailhead, and of course the visitor center. It wasn't peak season so we got to do some hikes and find easy parking. There's also park rangers roaming around the area so I'd love to come back again to see the rest of the park. read more

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This place is tough in the winter - a lot of the main roads stay closed until May/June for winter and I came in March so I was pretty limited (couldn't do Zumwolt meadow, but the pics look stunning!). Nevertheless, it's a good entrance to sequoia national park if you're coming from Fresno or north of it (which I was). I went to the general grant tree (America's Christmas tree!) and the big stump grove, which isn't a hike but it's a nice little walk. It was decently muddy that day at the end of March bc of snow melting though so bear it in mind! There was also quite a bit of snow in the clearings, about 3/4 of the trail it had already melted. You can see some cool historical signs about the history of the trees along this route. I stopped at the visitor center too - the rangers there know about sequoia too so they advised me on trails (eg telling me lakes trail is only possible with snow shoes, or in the summer - so I couldnt make it). They have clean bathrooms and passport stamps there for kings canyon. Hope to come back in summer sometime to get to the meadow and other trails! read more

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It's a photo op playground with tons of trees, stumps, rocks, and trails to climb, jump and sit on. What a blast! Lush ferns, flowers, and greenery. We came mid-June and the weather was perfect! High 50s, low 60s. Crisp and gorgeous! So much to see and do. read more

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Who would not love seeing beautiful American national parks? Kings Canyon makes you wonder what happened to make all that is here occur. I'm just fascinated. Absolutely stunning!! read more

While Sequoia National Park remains the more popular of the conjoining national parks and has more groves of the giant trees that bear its name, Kings Canyon National Park showcases multiple canyons and valleys, and numerous waterfalls. If you visit Kings Canyon, you must see the General Grant tree, named after General Ulysses S. Grant. It is the world's second-largest tree and is named the nation's Christmas tree. The General Grant tree is the centerpiece of Grant Grove Village, which is located close to the west entrance to the park. Not far from the west entrance to Kings Canyon National Park and just 50 miles away from Fresno you will find Hume Lake. It is a beautiful lake with clear, pristine waters and sandy coves and beaches aligning its shores. It is an ideal place to hike, camp, mountain bike, swim, and fish. You can also rent kayaks and canoes there. Like all the national parks, there is just too much to see and so many things to do when you visit one. Kings Canyon National Park is certainly no exception. A drive up to Panoramic Point, a hike to Roaring Rivers Falls, a 50-minute walk inside the Boyden Cavern, and another short hike to Zumwalt Meadow are some of the activities that I have bookmarked to do next Spring. read more

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Really pretty Park to come to and do a hike. This place is huge and when I say huge, I mean its big and so many things to see. Came here in July of last year 2023 for my birthday week. It is extremely hot so make sure to hydrate and have a few drinks with you. Do not leave any food in vehicle or in sight because there are hungry bears in the area, and they will try to get it. The views are amazing! They also have camping available. read more

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I highly recommend Kings Canyon for camping, hiking and exploring the great outdoors. read more

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Trees, canyons and waterfalls! I have been to KC a couple of times, dropped kids at camp in Hume, and done some exploring but never have I driven to Road's End like I did a few weeks ago. I took a friend who had never been so we explored old & new to me territory. We hiked around Grant Grove, walked around Hume Lake, and drove through Wilsonia. The new experiences to me were white knuckling the car down a harrowing road to Road's End and stopping at Cedar Grove Lodge to get an ice cream. We enjoyed a picnic lunch next to the Kings River while watching people jump off Muir Rock into the river. We took the short walk to Roaring River Falls. We took stunning photos of the scenery. Unfortunately we did not have time to hike to Grizzly Falls or visit Boyden Cavern. I have plans to spend the night at Cedar Grove Lodge to enjoy the inner depths of the park. The park was clean, employees were friendly, roads were maintained and parking was plentiful on a summer Saturday. What a gem! read more

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Sometimes you have to make do with what life gives you, which is exactly what my husband and I did over MDW. Our original plan was to go to Sequoia National Park, but there was still no access to the giant sequoias due to all the winter storms CA has had. Luckily on the NPS website it recommended adjacent Kings Canyon National Park. Though, half of Kings Canyon park is also inaccessible currently due to road closures (i.e. Zumwalt Meadow and Roaring River Falls). Overall, we were very satisfied with the hikes and trails we got in. There were plenty of park rangers over MDW, perhaps since it was a holiday and we were able to find a few trails to enjoy. 1. General Grant Trail (0.7 miles), easy. Parking lot is located directly by it, and restrooms are also available by the parking entrance. There's also the Fallen Monarch on this easy trail. Parking lot filled up fast & early over MDW. 2. North Grove Loop Trail (~2 miles), easy-medium. Trail starts at the additional parking lot spaces for General Grant. Some of the trail has washed away due to the winter storms, so I wouldn't say it was the easiest trail climbing over some fallen trees/washed out areas. As long as you can find the reflective red dots on the trail, you're going in the right direction. 3. Panorama Point (~5 miles), medium. Trail starts near the John Muir Lodge in the Grant Grove Village with the visitor center. Lots of incline since the road that you're climbing is what the cars usually are able to drive up to the trail. Medium difficulty climbing with the incline and parts of the asphalt road is like rivers with all the melting snow. The part where the trail to Panorama Point actually normally starts is still covered in snow. The "Accessible Trail" is completely not accessible due to all the fallen trees. You'll have to climb over some fallen trees and find your way to the top, but I felt the views were great and worthwhile. In summary, I think Kings Canyon was a great substitute park to visit since we couldn't get to Sequoia. At the Visitor Center, we were told a road from Kings Canyon going down to Sequoia National Park should be open in about a week or so (Mid-June). I think it's a longer route, but at least access to the Sequoias in Grant Grove Forest will finally be available this year (hopefully)! read more

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I LOVE National Parks. We came here to celebrate my birthday, which happens to fall along National Park Week. As a NPS fanatic, I love knowing that my birthday shares this with the parks. We came April 26-28. We stayed at the John Muir Lodge in the park near Grant Grove Village. There was a really bad snow storm this year which had about 80% of the park closed. We weren't able to do as much as we would've liked on this visit (the east part of the park was completely closed), however we made the most of it! We did the General Grant Tree loop and attended a Ranger Talk. It was really fun to learn about the Sequoias and the history of the park. I loved craning our necks to try to see the top of the trees. My favorite part of this walk was being able to walk inside a tree. A majority of the roads were closed due to snow or damage. The normal drive to Panoramic Point Overlook was covered in snow. The visitor center told us we were able to snowshoe up to the view. So on my birthday, I tried snowshoeing for the first time and had a blast. Thankfully the hike wasn't too strenuous, but it wasn't that simple with the snowshoes. We rented the snowshoes from the park store next to the post office. When we finally got to the overlook it was absolutely stunning! I'm so happy I got to visit this park! I'm hoping to come back when there is less snow/damages so I can visit more and do more hikes on the east side. After visiting and attending the ranger talks, it was a bit of a wake-up call. This is just a friendly reminder to take care of our earth. read more

Kings Canyon National Park - Grant Grove loop - Parks Near Me - Three Rivers, California

This review is for the General Grant Trail was a ~0.7 mile round trip that took ~30 mins to complete. Great views of the giant sequoias! There were still remnants of trail damage from the 2023 winter storms. Plenty of parking spots with a restroom. Short video of the hike for those interested: https://youtu.be/_HMR6aFWvas read more

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Great park to visit! Even though the road leading to the waterfalls and nice hikes is closed and will be closed until next summer, there are still many things you can see: General grant tree, several lakes, just stopping by different vista points. It is amazing to see the trees so tall and to know that some are over 1,000 years old and have lived through countless droughts and forest fires. read more

Kings Canyon National Park - Parks Near Me - Three Rivers, California

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Definitely an underrated park, Kings Canyon has way less crowds than the nearby Sequoia NP. Humbled by the towering mountains and giant Sequoias at Grant and Cedar Grove, Kings Canyon is the deepest vertical drops in the Sierra Nevada Mountain range abd most of the park is closed to roads in the winter, meaning summer's the only time you can really visit the canyon at the park in a car. There is a ton of trails though, all day trips don't need a reservation,, but some of the longer overland trails do require a permit which you can get at the ranger station at Road's End. My recommendation for your first trip will probably be the 8 mile, 4-5 hour roundtrip to Mist Falls, which the journey was great to get a gist of Kings Canyon, Zumwalt Meadows for a short 1.5 mile, flat hike, and the General Grant tree in the Grant Grove side of the park. Roaring River Falls is another good one from what I've heard, and you can do all of the above in a single day if you start at dawn. As for camping, it was reservation only and looked pretty full in August. I'd stay in the National Forest near Hume Lake instead of the park or overnight with a permit on those long multiday hikes. Overall, lovely spot and will probably try the Rae Lakes loop for deep backpacking next time. read more

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Located north of Sequoia, with way less people. No shuttle system needed (unlike Sequoia). While I still recommend checking out Sequoia at least once in your lifetime (Gen. Sherman and Moro Rock are worth seeing, for sure), I'd probably prefer to spend my time in Kings Canyon. It's much more serene. Gen. Grant (second largest tree in the world) is located here. Still a popular spot but nothing close to the crowds at Gen. Sherman. You can actually get a photo without waiting in line. Driving through the park is also a lovely experience. The scenic byway has stunning views. But my absolute favorite experience here? ZUMWALT MEADOW. It's extremely inconvenient in its location, right before the road ends. You can't exit the park on that side and have to drive all the way back, the way you came. It was about a 3-hour drive total (there and back) for us. It significantly lengthened our drive home that day but you know what? It was totally worth it! It's one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. It was like stepping into an alternate universe. All my senses were engaged. The sweet scent of the flowers. The buzzing of the insects and the songs of the birds. The warm sunlight on my skin. There was even a little creek nearby that we drank cool/fresh water from. It felt like a totally insular and magical world. When I stepped outside its bounds, I felt an intense urge to cry. I wanted to stay there forever. Needless to say, I highly recommend it. We stayed in Miramonte in order to visit both Kings Canyon and Sequoia. Miramonte is actually closer to Kings Canyon (Three Rivers is better for Sequoia). Either option requires a bit of driving. Camping inside one of the parks is probably a better option to cut down on driving. read more

Kings Canyon National Park - The magical Zumwalt Meadow - Parks Near Me - Three Rivers, California

Top things to see in my opinion ranked in order... -Mist Falls (One of the longer hikes in the park) -Roaring River Falls -General Grant Tree -Zumwalt Meadow Trail If you can get up to Mist Falls I highly recommend it given the views of the canyon and the waterfall at the end. read more

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Beautiful park with less people. Located adjacent to the famous Sequoia National Park. Most people visiting at the Sequoia stays certain popular area and don't venture out to the Kings Canyon. Drive here is interesting and be predicted to take a lot of pictures of unique mountain ranges There are a lot of parts where wilderness permits are required and it looks fun to come back here to go for backpacking for several days from here. I liked the desert part and woods area. As soon as I entered the woods area, I was overwhelmed with the scent of woods and rain. I stuck my head out of the car window like a dog to enjoy the scent of natures. If you plan to hangout by the water, be extra careful as current is stronger than it looks. Water sure was inviting. read more

Kings Canyon National Park - Cute gas station. They sell ice cream here too. - Parks Near Me - Three Rivers, California

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Sequoia National Park and King Canyon National Park are currently open for the public to explore mother nature at her finest (but some areas of the park are currently closed). Please note that these parks are joint together and so admission to one park will allow you access to the other ($35 for up to 7 days but if you plan on visiting other national parks, it may be worth purchasing America the beautiful annual pass like we did since we have plans to visit other parks in the near future). Please note that currently either of these national parks do not require a reservation prior to your visit. Being that these parks are in California, you are required to wear a mask, however you will see several park visitors not wearing the mask (I suppose it is fine if there is no one for miles but you should bring it with you when you do see people and have to pass by them on a narrow trail). People that come to visit Sequoia don't always seem to visit King Canyon and so it isn't nearly as busy with people. If you would like to enjoy mother nature in her bounty of waterfalls, redwoods, deep valleys and canyons, then you should come to this side of the park. You can enjoy the scenic drive from Sequoia to King Canyon, check out all the amazing redwoods in Grant Grove and hike the numerous of trails (a lot of which my husband and I, along with our little girl, found were shaded). If you are feeling really adventurous, you can check out Boyden Cavern (Found on your drive from Sequoia to King Canyon)- Tours are available with reservations made in advance (but you can make them on the day of and may get lucky to get some spots). Tour last 45- 60 minutes and cost between $21-$31, depending if you come on a weekday, weekend or holiday. Walking up to the cavern is the most difficult, as it is very steep but the walk up is very short (maybe 5 minutes). Inside the cavern, is very narrow. You are not allowed to bring in a backpack and can check them into a small locker or should leave them in your car. Please note that this is not dog friendly, in case you are travelling with your pup and it is best to dress warmly since it can get real cold inside the cavern. I would recommend that you wear closed toed shoes to protect your feet. Worth a drive over from Sequoia (you already paid for the entrance fee so why not use it to its full value?). read more

Kings Canyon National Park - Cute dog may not be available upon your visit - Parks Near Me - Three Rivers, California

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Kings Canyon isn't as crowded as its neighbor Sequoia. I came in winter so there's a road that is blocked to get to Sequoia. Since it is winter there are also a lot of trails closed so plan accordingly. Visit Grant Grove and General Grant Tree. The hikes are short and the pathway is paved. read more

Kings Canyon National Park - Parks Near Me - Three Rivers, California

After a bunch of research I made a guide to follow. Think of the park as a NORTH half and a SOUTH half from the entrance near 180/196. Each half covers about 35 miles of driving. NORTH HALF: * * * From the entrance, 1 mi to BIG STUMP Picnic Area (left). Trail left of bathrooms: 200' grade, shady short hike (1.5 mil), inc. the climbable Mark Twain Stump (photo op) and the Sawed Tree (saw scars), all of which are pretty much unmarked. * * * 2.6 miles to Kings Canyon Visitor Center with gift shop * * * Near Azalea Campground is an intersection, meaning you can go left or right. 1.1 mile to the LEFT takes you to GENERAL GRANT TREE area. Loop trail (1/3 mile) easy. Walk inside a Fallen Monarch (fire hollowed tree used for shelter and as a US Cavalry stable til 1914) and the 100+ yr old Gamlin Cabin, see Centennial Stump (cut/reassembled for 1876 Worlds Fair in Philadelphia and thought to be "California hoax". 1.2 miles to the RIGHT takes you to PANORAMIC POINT for paved 1/2 mile to view at 7250'. * * * Go back to 180 and go 7.2 miles (just past Princess Campground) where you have the option to drive 3 miles to HUME LAKE (I didn't go) * * * Another 4 miles to JUNCTION VIEW (left), a popular turnout for views of Western Sierra and Kings River. * * * 9 miles to Boyden Cavern. Tickets for 45-60 minute walking tour run $21-31 and require online reservations. This is along the gorgeous Scenic Byway following the rushing river with huge granite boulders. * * * 5 miles to GRIZZLY FALLS Picnic Area. Walk a wide 300' dirt path to an 80 foot waterfall visible from road. Bring a blanket in case picnic tables are taken: Great, shady area for lunch. * * * 7 miles to ROARING RIVER FALLS. Hike a wide paved trail for a short, easy, shady hike to a small but roaring waterfall. (Swim in the icy pool below if you dare for a photo op) * * * 3 miles the Highway ends. From there you can do the MIST FALLS. 9 mi round trip (no shade the first 2) and 810' elevation (600 of it near end). Will take 3.5 hrs without breaks. (I skipped this). It's about 38 miles back to the entrance. From there, you can start the SOUTH HALF or come back another day. With zero traffic, the North Half took me 8 hours, which did not include the Mist Falls hike. SOUTH HALF * * * 28 mi from entrance to LODGEPOLE Visitor Ctr. From there take 2nd left from Lodgepole Rd to trailhead pkg area. Follow rd into Campground w/ the river on left. Left at the split and cross the bridge. Turn right for the TOKOPAH FALLS trail. 4.2 mile gradual hike gaining 639' straight to the 1200' falls. (2 hr+) * * * 2.3 miles to CONGRESS TRAIL w/ easy paved 3 mi loop climbing 470' including the General Sherman Tree (world's largest tree by volume: 275' high & 36' diameter base). * * * 1.9 miles to BIG TREES TRAIL w/ super easy, short loop to big trees (duh). * * * 2.1 miles...turn left down Crescent Meadow Rd (not sure if it's marked) to get to trailheads. First left gets you to N) PARKER GROUP (closely-spaced group of sequoias well situated for photos) and further up the SEQUOIA TUNNEL (17' wide, 8' high). [High Sierra Trailhead is beyond that]. Go back down, cross the Road to get to P) HANGING ROCK Trailhead ( 1/2 mile trail with 111' elevation) easy hike to a hanging rock. Follow the road to MORO ROCK Trailhead ( 1/2 mile trail with 187' elevation)- well-favored 15 minute hike for panoramic views of the giant sequoia tops. Though it's closed during COVID, see if CRYSTAL CAVE is open for tours beyond that. After Moro Rock, check your GPS to see if it is quicker to drive the 32 miles back up to your entrance or to continue along 198 and exit through the south. Bring BUG SPRAY. Trust me. The flies and bees (my wife got stung) hover mid-air, buzzing near your ears like helicopters and it feels like Long Beach at night. Highlights: 1) Scenic byway (if you're a fan of rocky rushing rivers), 2) walking through the Fallen Monarch, 3) eating lunch feet from Grizzly Falls, 4) historical tress, 5) climbing the Sawed Tree. No offense, but the park reminds me of a dirtier, dry Glacier National Park. read more

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What a beautiful tranquil place to visit. I was in the area for business and found this under things to do in the area. I had no idea that something like this existed. Due to you are in farm town the drive may be a bit long, but there is no traffic. You have choices when it comes to eating, you can pack your own lunch or eat in the restaurant or deli. I had a lot of time so I choose the restaurant. It was delicious and a great place to unwind. The bathroom is inside for those in the restaurant. Gift shops. They have 2 with so much to offer. I found a high quality water bottle. It keeps ice frozen all day. And if you don't want a screw top, you can get a sipper on Amazon. I"m so glad i got it. A little pricy, but worth it for the quality. You can take the all day hike or the easy walk about trail. I took the easy walk about trail and had a really good time. I look forward to going back and I recommend this stop for you. I went by myself and had a fabulous time and took tons of pictures. read more

The attraction IS the park. I got disoriented and went on the wrong path to Grant's Grove. Ha, there were about 10 trees that COULD have been the Grant tree. Amazing how these towering giants are "just a tree", and there are giant sequoias... and large giant sequoias. The Grant tree is the 3rd largest but "only" 1700 years old. Make no mistake, the park is remote. It took 2 hours to get there and then you have to navigate the parks themselves. It's not an easy or relaxing drive, especially with a lot of construction. read more

Adjacent to sequoia national park so if you visit one, be sure to allow an extra day or two to see both! Kings canyon national park has a huge fallen tree that you can walk through. It's awe inspiring to be in the presence of such huge trees that have been alive longer than we. The national Christmas tree is on display and is huge! It is a giant sequoia and was dedicated in a ceremony as the national tree for its size and beauty. Make sure if you get motion sickness to take medicine for the drive to/from Kings Canyon because many of the roads are winding. Totally worth the drive for the sheer beauty. read more

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Absolutely beautiful. Plenty of parking and information. Roads are well maintained and spacious. Highly recommend. read more

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I came straight here from the Sequoia National Park. Kings Canyon National Park don't seem to be in good shape currently, with all the charred trees and very smoky air. I would come back again when Cedar Grove is opened again. read more

***My 1,200th Review*** Kings Canyon kind of stole my heart a little bit. Okay, maybe A LOT-bit. I know that it often gets overshadowed by its' big brother Sequoia National, but it was my favorite park to visit out of the two. This has got to be one of the best national parks that I've visited thus far. For one thing, it isn't super crowded like Yosemite or Sequoia which allows you to really soak in the entire experience. The King's Canyon visitor center is one of the most informative that I've ever been to, and it doubles as a small museum that's filled with tons of history about both parks. There are a plethora of hiking trails, campsites, stunning groves, and beautiful scenic byways throughout the park. The drive to the canyon from the visitor center is truly mystical! You'll gain thousands of feet of elevation gain throughout the journey and you'll be exposed to the most breathtaking views of the canyon! The geological makeup of the Kings River Canyon is unlike anything that I've ever seen before. Make it a point to stop at as many viewpoints as possible on your way to and from the canyon and take advantage of the informational maps on the side of the road. You'll be exposed to the most incredible views of both the Middle Fork and South Fork Rivers, the 7 sisters (Grand Dike), monumental peaks and ridges, Mount Harrington, Spanish Mountain, Crown Rock, and so much more! You'll see glimpses of rock erosion in the mist as you ascend deeper into the canyon. There is NO shortage of wildlife! The canyon is filled with a numerous amount of species! I was able to spot butterflies, marmots, deer, lizards, and several different species of birds all within a one day's visit. I would also encourage a stop at Grant Grove and the Kings River. Grant Grove is just a short distance from the visitor center and can be visited before or after your trip to the canyon. The grove features a small paved walking path that will take you alongside some of the oldest and tallest Sequoias in the park, including General Grant himself. You'll even be able to walk inside of a giant tree! This area is excellent for kids to explore too. The Kings River is located closer to the canyon entrance. You can easily pull off on the side of the road to get to the river. Many people fish for trout here and the water from the river is so refreshing to witness. My favorite part of exploring Kings Canyon was embarking on a moderately strenuous hike up to the Cedar Grove Overlook! There are tons of hiking trails in the canyon. I hiked the Hotel Creek Trail to Cedar Grove Overlook which is a moderately strenuous 5.2 mile out and back trek with a steep 1,200 foot elevation gain. The park measures the elevation gain at 1,200 feet but my Alltrails record measured the gain as just short of 1,500 feet. Either way, it's an incredible hike that will expose you to the most stunning views of the canyon! If you are planning on hiking this trail, I would wear a head net and/or bring bug spray to avoid the bugs during the first mile through the meadows because they are really intense on the way up. Once you get higher into the canyon, they'll start to thin out. The trail begins with a gradual incline that soon becomes several steep switch backs until you reach the highest point. It's mostly unshaded with a mix of rocky and sandy pathways and there are many fallen trees that you'll have to traverse over along the path. Make sure you wear sturdy hiking shoes as the path can be very slippery where the sand is. Bring lots of water, sunscreen, and your lunch so that you can enjoy it at the top of the Cedar Grove Overlook! The entire hike will take between 3-4 hours to complete. It's an out an back, but you can add more mileage by connecting to the Lewis and Clark trail (this will add another hour or two to your hike and approximately 2.5 more miles). The trail is filled with an abundance of wildflowers and beautiful Cedar trees as well as the most scenic views of the canyon. You won't run into too many people on this trail. I think I ran into maybe 3 or 4 people/groups during my entire journey. If coming in the summer time, start your hike early because it can get incredibly hot! Also, be mindful of marmot season (usually late spring to summer) because they can chew through your car's engine. Look over instructions of how to tarp wrap your car, or come when it's not marmot season so you don't have to worry about it. This was definitely one of the most memorable hikes that I've ever done! Kings Canyon is so fascinating! You could spend months at this park and still not even feel like you've scratched the surface. This is a park visit that you must scratch off of your bucket list! read more

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We love visiting national parks. I've been to quite a few and this was my second visit to this one. The last time I was here was 15 years ago so I didn't remember it all that well. I was really surprised by the lack of hiking here. That's usually the main thing we do at national parks. We went to the Grant Grove, Panoramic Point, Zumwalt Meadows, and drove the scenic byway. Everything was really pretty. We spent a day here and I felt like that was enough time. It's a nice national park, but doesn't quite live up to some of the more well known national parks. read more

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Unfortunately, Sequoia National Park is closed off due to the fires. We decided to go to Kings Canyon for the weekend and it was the perfect getaway. The only campground open this weekend was Azalea and it is 3.5 miles from Kings Canyon entrance. A smaller number of sites are open from November to mid April and it's first come first serve. Fire pits, potable water, flushable toilets, food storage lockers, and some cell service. (Verizon works, not sprint/T-Mobile) After entering Kings Canyon, you can take the 180 to go down to the bottom of the canyon. It's about 33 miles, took about an hour. Gorgeous drive and many fun spots to stop. There are some great overlooks, Boyden cave (closed for 2021 season, opens April 30), roaring river falls, Zumwalt meadows! Be prepared, the road is a loop and you can not drive through, but great for a day trip to explore. And of course, check out general grant tree near the entrance. read more

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King's Canyon is adjacent to Sequoia but is less popular and hence less busy than its neighbor to the south. We stayed in Three Rivers and made the trip out to Kings Canyon on the first day of our trip. It was about 1.5 hours each way on a windy road. While in Kings, we hiked Big Baldy, saw the General Grant tree, had lunch at the Hume Lake Snack Shop and walked the perimeter of Hume Lake. We saw only one other couple on our hike of Big Baldy, which was amazing - we essentially had the whole thing to ourselves. I'm not sure if it's because it was a weekday or because King's is just less popular than Sequoia, but it was a definite plus. Note that, like Sequoia, the air quality here is not great for a National Park. read more

Want to get away from the huge crowds you normally have to contend with in a National Park and still be surrounded by awe inspiring views? Kings Canyon may be the place for you. The highlight of this NP for me was the Fallen Monarch, a wooden tunnel made from...well, a fallen Monarch tree (kind of self explanatory). This is on the Grant Grove loop trail on the way to seeing the General Grant tree. This park is a little different. It's pretty much split in two and divided by the National Forest. The first part is the Grant Grove area, and the second is about an hour windy drive down the canyon to Cedar Grove. On the way, King's river was in full force and there were some really nice waterfalls. A little past Cedar Grove, you hit Road's End (also self explanatory). The road literally ends and you hit back country. You'll have to U-turn it and go back up the way you came. King's Canyon is a great park if you really want to be one with nature, but it doesn't have a lot of "main attractions" that most people flock to. read more

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King's Canyon is connected to Sequoia National Park via General's Highway. I recently visited both in a day, and it was nowhere near the time required to explore this glorious forest, but still so worthwhile. After spending the day hiking Sequoia National Park, we finished with Grant's Grove. It was less congested than other areas, with plenty of parking available, but still clearly a destination. The trailhead has restrooms and trash bins, and cabins as well as a campground are available for reservation. The trail itself is an easy one, and features highlights including The Fallen Monarch, a large tree you can walk through, and The Gamlin Cabin, originally built in the 1800s and open for exploration. In this same area of the park you will find a gift shop, a restaurant open seasonally, and a conveniently located post office so you can send out postcards (do other people still do that or is it just me?). I only checked out the gift shop, but they carried a decent variety of products, and the employee working was friendly and helpful. I really was not here long enough to give any particularly useful tips, but I can say this is a park you must visit at least once. The sequoias truly took my breath away, and I hope someday to return and stay for a much greater length of time. read more

Kings Canyon seems to be the less popular companion to Sequoia National Park and admittedly it's got a confusing layout and can be a bit difficult to get to. However, don't underestimate this gem of a park and if you're in the area, plan at least one full day in the park. I was staying in Three Rivers so getting to Kings Canyon was at least a 90 minute journey, even to get to the General Grant Tree. Unfortunately I started later in the day than intended and had planned a long hike, so I skipped stopping at the grove thinking I'd have time later in the day (didn't happen.) Once you leave the area of Grants Grove, head down the Kings Canyon Scenic byway. You'll be rewarded with amazing canyon views and eventually be traveling along the Kings River. My stops included Roaring River Falls, Zumwalt Meadow and Roads End with a 9 mile hike to Mist Falls. If I had a full week I'd love to go back and do another day hike from Roads End and do a hike from Grants Grove. It's about an hour to drive the full length of the canyon one way, and by the time we made it back up, it was getting late and still another 90 minutes back to Three Rivers. Definitely head out leave early, plan your routes and pack a cooler (this year during Covid, the Cedar Grove area is closed/they normally have camping, lodging and a market.) Even though I missed Grants Grove on the first day, this was still a wonderful and adventurous road trip. I did end up coming back out just for Grants Grove after a day in neighboring Sequoia National Park-I'm so glad I did-it was truly impressive-definitely try to add that to your itinerary as well. read more

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Less hyped than its sibling to the north, Yosemite, but Kings Canyon is just as majestic. I didn't know what to expect but I am sincerely in love. It's easy to do in one day or spend several days exploring its wilds. The first must do is the Canyon scenic drive. Kings Canyon is the deepest canyon in the US at over a mile and a half deep, and you can drive all the way from the top to the bottom along the aforementioned scenic drive. It's amazing. I guarantee you'll be slack jawed, murmuring, "wow wow wow" to yourself during the whole drive down into the bottom of the canyon. The vistas are incredible and change minute to minute as the sun moves from east to west. Once at the bottom, explore the trails throughout and enjoy camping, admiring the King River (FYI--the current is strong and fast so I would not advise swimming but it's a bit more chill at the "road's end" and you can easily go wading into the shallower part of the water), and visiting TONS of waterfalls. FYI--This is bear country, so don't leave any food in your car in your car if you're exploring. Otherwise, they will treat it like a tin can and rip your vehicle open! If you have more time, spend some time hiking amongst the sequoias in the General Grant Grove of sequoias, and be at peace with some of the largest and oldest living trees in the world (including the second largest tree in the world--the General Grant) then take the General's Highway south to Sequoia National Park/Forest and see the largest tree on earth--the General Sherman. There are two visitors centers, one near the General Grant Grove and another at the bottom of the Canyon that can answer questions for you. They also have pay phones (remember those?) if you need to make a call or check in somewhere. We were in the park for about 12 hours and had zero cell service the entire time so don't bet on being able to reach the outside world. But there's something to be said for detaching from the rest of the world and enjoying the incredible beauty around you. Don't squander it! read more

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I've been coming here since 1989. It's beautiful so many great hikes hidden gems you can truly get lost in it's beauty! Sometimes when Yosemite and Sequoias get packed I'll go to Kings Canyon!! The mountains brings balance. read more

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Deep Canyons, High Peaks and Giant trees! [When I originally composed this review during our visit last year to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks both parks were together as one check-in. Yelp has now separated the check-ins for the two parks as they should've been in the first place since they are its own separate NP and has its own beauty and features]. This was my review for our visit on 06/12/16: This was our first time in this beautiful park located in the southern Sierra Nevada. Our National Park annual pass once again comes in handy as entrance fee to the park is $30 per car (but it is good for 7 days like all of our national park fees -- great if you're camping or hiking). It's always helpful to start your adventure stopping by the Visitor Center to get ideas on great stopping points (if you're only here for a day trip) or get campgrounds, hiking information if you plan to do any of these activities. For this visit we were here for only a day of sightseeing. Highlights at Kings Canyon NP: Junction View - stopped here to feast our eyes on excellent views of both the Middle Fork and the South Fork of Kings Canyon. It was cool to watch the rain falling on the canyons. Occasionally we would see a lightning bolt strike then followed by thunder. I was a bit scared to be out in the open. Roaring River Falls - In awe! Located just off Generals Highway in the Cedar Grove Area... felt the power of this short but mighty waterfall, like an angry and violent waterfall, as it rushed through a narrow granite chute. The walk is only a short .3-mile round trip on a paved trail. Definitely worth the stop. Canyon View - picturesque views from the pullout! It rained here briefly so we were looking at a wet view of the glacial past. The views of the U-shaped Kings Canyon vista certainly didn't disappoint. Plenty of campsites and hiking trails in Canyon View Campgrounds. Grizzly Falls - first time I've witnessed erosion in action as dirt mixed with the water making the waterfall brown in color. The walk to the falls is only half a mile. Please watch the short video i took of this waterfall. Roads End - as we circled this area we saw amazing views of Muir Rock along with plenty of hiking trails and an impressive views of high granite walls. This was a whole day affair of adventure for us and we still missed many spots... definitely have to come back again for a second round. Review #0747 read more

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