Kings Canyon National Park – Camping, Trails & Best Tips

by Petr Novák, ? The accuracy of the information provided in this article was last verified on this date. If you spot any errors, please let us know in the comments. Thank you. :-) Updated 06/14/2023 California, National Parks, Tips for Trips

Kings Canyon National Park is situated in California – approximately at the center of a triangle formed by Yosemite, Death Valley, and Sequoia. It formally constitutes a single unit with the latter. Kings Canyon National Park is characterized by enormous cliffs, deep canyons, caves, and the tallest trees in the world, the giant sequoias.

Information on Kings Canyon National Park

This national park, nestled in the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains, spans an area of 722 mi², making it a medium-sized park. In 2021, it welcomed 562,918 visitors, which is about half the number of tourists that Sequoia National Park to the south received.

Kings Canyon National Park was officially established on March 4, 1940, named after the Kings River flowing through it. At 14,242 ft, the highest point in Kings Canyon National Park is North Palisade Mountain, whereas the lowest is the Kaweah River, standing at 3,478 ft above sea level.

The plant life in Kings Canyon is predominantly giant sequoias, endangered trees that grow to heights of 197 ft to 279 ft with trunks measuring up to 26 ft in diameter. These evergreen conifers are found in the largest numbers in the Sierra Nevada, earning them their own national park.

The park also serves as a habitat for the endangered bighorn sheep, which California zoologists are diligently trying to conserve. Black bears, groundhogs, squirrels, California coral snakes, masked jumping jacks, and dozens of other species continue to inhabit Kings Canyon National Park.

Sights and Activities in Kings Canyon National Park

The main attraction of the park is the 50 mi Kings Canyon Scenic Byway, designated as Route 180 on the map. The road itself is ordinary asphalt, but there are several stopovers along the way and impressive views of the surrounding area. Views encompass mountains, canyons, valleys, rivers, and waterfalls. Unless you’re Dan Pribani, I wouldn’t recommend driving a Trabant on this road, as it covers over 3,937 ft of elevation gain.

For hikers, Kings Canyon offers a wide array of trails. The visitor center in Grant Grove Village and the center in Cedar Grove are the starting points.

Hiking Trails in Grant Grove

• General Grant Tree Trail
  Standing over 266 ft tall, the redwood tree is recognized as the second-largest tree in the world. Named after the former USA President Ulysses S. Grant, it has served as America’s official Christmas tree since 1926. This redwood tree is simply legendary. A 1 mi trail leads to it, beginning at the Kings Canyon Visitor Center.
• North Grove Loop
  This easy 1 mir trail passes through meadow and valley and is especially interesting for those looking to see tall redwoods. It starts at the Grant Tree parking lot, about a 1 mi northwest of the visitor center.
• Buena Vista Peak
  A hike of over 2 mi takes you to the summit of Buena Vista Peak. It offers a stunning 360° view of the surrounding area.
• Redwood Canyon
  The forested canyon hides a total of 16 mi of trails of varying lengths, the longest of which are two-day trails. Observant hikers will spot the remains of several fires that have impacted the landscape in the past.
• Big Baldy Ridge
  The 2 mi trail leads one way from the summit at 8,209 ft above sea level to Redwood Canyon. A guaranteed elevation gain of 600 ft and great views along the way.

Hiking Trails in Cedar Grove

• Zumwalt Meadow
  The 1 mi trail runs along granite cliffs, through colorful meadows, and along the Kings River, which lends the park its name. You can access it from the main trail, which extends 4 mi east of Cedar Grove Village Road. Allow one hour to complete this trail.
• Roaring River Falls
  This short trail leads to Roaring River Falls, the trailhead is 3 mi east of Village Road.
• Knapp’s Cabin
  This trail leads to an old cabin from the 1920s that was used for overnight stays by participants in the then-popular fishing expeditions. The turnoff to the trail is on Cedar Grove Village Road.
• Don Cecil Trail
  Before the completion of Route 180 in 1939, this was the main trail leading up the north face to the top of the canyon.
• Sheep Creek Cascade
  The slightly more challenging 2 mi trail will take you at least an hour and a half. It meanders through the forest and offers views of the surrounding plains.
• Lookout Peak
  A demanding, full-day trail with a length of 13 mi (round trip) and an elevation gain of 3,937 ft. The reward is an incredible view of the surrounding hills.
• Hotel Creek Trail
  This trail follows the south slope of the canyon, and it is best to hike it early in the morning.
• Cedar Grove Overlook
  The challenging 5 mi trail takes between 3 to 4 hours to walk. The views of the entire Kings Canyon National Park are breathtaking.
• Hotel Creek – Lewis Creek Loop
  A 8 mi loop through a forest that was devastated by one of the worst fires to hit the area in 1980. It will take approximately 5 hours to complete the entire trail, expect an elevation gain of 1,201 ft.
• Mist Falls
  The trail follows sandy terrain to some of the largest waterfalls in both parks. The first 8 mi are flat, followed by a climb that takes you 600 ft higher. Hikers will need between 4 to 5 hours to complete this trail.

You can also tour the park on horseback. Renting them costs $60 per hour and $100 per two hours.

East of the park are the Boyden Caverns, which are open to the public from approximately late April to October. A guided tour takes 45 minutes. Those who do not enjoy the regular cave tours can pay extra for rappelling. I have personally done something similar at another place and highly recommend it!

When to Visit Kings Canyon National Park

While Kings Canyon National Park is open 365 days a year, most people visit in July and August, when things like campground availability can be an issue. Please consider this when planning your visit.
There are four distinct seasons in the park:

Spring is perhaps a little atypical here, running from April to June, when some areas are still covered with a fair amount of snow and temperatures range between 52°F and 77°F. In May, the Crystal Caves open to the public.

The summer season from July to mid-September is usually snow-free, all visitor centers are open, rangers offer free leisure activities, and temperatures in the lowlands quite often reach up to 97°F.

Autumn sees preparations for the coming winter. Nights get warmer, visitor facilities close, and the occasional snowstorm may surprise you. Temperatures in October and November generally fall between 41°F and 68°F.

Winter in Kings Canyon National Park is unexpectedly long and cold, typically from November to April, with temperatures dropping to 23°F at lower elevations and -4°F at higher elevations.

Because it is a high-elevation national park, you should expect different temperatures at lower and higher elevations—they can differ by up to 50°F. I recommend always packing several layers of clothing in your backpack and keeping a close eye on the weather forecast.

• Current weather forecast for Kings Canyon National Park

Average Temperatures and Visitor Numbers at Kings Canyon National Park

The average temperatures at Kings Canyon National Park are taken at Big Pine. The visitor counts are based on a 2017-2021 average, with data sourced from the National Park Service.

Kings Canyon National Park Entrance Fees

The entrance fee for Kings Canyon National Park is $35 per car, covering all occupants. If you arrive by motorcycle, bicycle, or on foot, the fee is $20.00 per person. This entrance fee can be paid by card and also includes access to the neighboring Sequoia National Park.

If you’re planning to visit multiple national parks in the USA over 12 consecutive months, consider purchasing the America the Beautiful pass. Annual Pass costs $80; with this pass, you won’t need to pay any additional entrance fees to any national park.

Getting to Kings Canyon National Park

Renting a car is a substantial advantage when traveling to Kings Canyon National Park. You become independent of public transportation and can visit more places in the same amount of time. The primary access route to the park is Route 180 from Fresno. Here are some distances and commute times from nearby cities:

Car parking is available at the visitor center, where the above routes will also direct you, or anywhere along the roads in the park. I recommend filling up your gas tank before your trip as there are no gas stations inside the park.

For $20.00, you can travel to the park from Visalia. The price includes a round-trip ticket, park admission, and unlimited shuttle travel within the park. Buses operate from late May to late September.

To travel within Kings Canyon National Park, you can utilize the free shuttle, several routes of which also reach neighboring Sequoia NP. You can find directions and maps on the park’s website. This shuttle service also operates seasonally from late May to late September.

Lodging in Kings Canyon National Park

🏨 Hotels

You can stay a short walk from the Kings Canyon NP visitor center, such as the Montecito Sequoia Lodge with a quality rating of 7.8/10. Other hotels and motels are located either around the park or in the city of Fresno.

• Show hotels near Kings Canyon NP

⛺ Campsites

Camping has always been a popular way to experience national parks, and this is particularly true at Kings Canyon NP. At most campgrounds, you’ll pay $28 per night, and you always pay per site, not per person.

Campsites in the Grant Grove Area

• Azalea
  This is the only year-round campground in the area.
• Crystal Springs
  A smaller campground, open only during the summer months.
• Sunset
  A larger campground, open consistently from late May to early September.

Campsites in the Cedar Grove Area

• Sentinel
  A fairly large campground, open from late April to early winter.
• Sheep Creek
  A larger campground, open from late May to mid-October.
• Canyon View
  A small, somewhat pricier campground, open from late May to late September.
• Moraine
  A larger campground, open only a few times a year.

For a complete list of campsites, along with a link to make reservations, visit the park’s website.

Tips and Recommendations Before Traveling to Kings Canyon National Park

ℹ️ Visitor Center

The starting point for a trip to Kings Canyon National Park should be a visit to the visitor center. Kings Canyon NP has one main center, a minor center, and a small permit station:

• Kings Canyon Visitor Center.
  The primary visitor center is located in Grant Grove Village near Route 180. It’s open year-round from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm. Here, you can explore an exhibit featuring the park’s surroundings, and purchase maps, books, or souvenirs.
• Cedar Grove Visitor Center
  A wooden cabin with maps and books for sale is located near the Sentinel Campground. It’s open from mid-May to the end of September, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Roads End Wilderness Permit Station
  The permit station is at the very end of Route 180. It’s open from mid-May to the end of September, daily from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

👍 Good to Know

I recommend pairing your visit to Kings Canyon Park with a trip to the neighboring, more well-known and frankly, more monument-rich Sequoia Park. Regardless, it’s best to start your tour early in the morning to avoid the latecomer crowds.

Ensure you pack plenty of food and water, especially important during the hot summer months. Whether you are camping or not, store all food, waste, and other items that emit odors in lockable boxes. Metal ones are available at campgrounds – they serve to protect against voracious bears. Also, pack several layers of clothing as temperatures can change rapidly, lip balm, and sunscreen to avoid sunburn.

Accept that much of the park is not covered by cell phone signal and GPS may not work properly.

Lastly, a personal tip. Download the NPP app on your phone for detailed maps and other information.

• Official Kings Canyon National Park website
• Kings Canyon National Park map

Photos of Kings Canyon National Park