During our recent trip to California, Julie and I visited three regions comprising four national parks. As you can imagine, I was super excited about this trip. However, one thing completely shocked me during our time in California. The park I expected to like the least turned out to be my favorite.
We are so grateful to Visit Visalia for welcoming us to their community and its two national parks, Kings Canyon and Sequoia. Kings Canyon was a shocker, giving us a unique experience that feels like the perfect combination of Yosemite National Park and Sequoia National Park.
We enjoyed our time so much that we want to share our Kings Canyon National Park itinerary so you can plan your adventures in this underrated park.
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Why You Should Visit Kings Canyon
In a word, Kings Canyon is special. First, it is deeper than the Grand Canyon. At its deepest, the Grand Canyon is about 6,000 feet, while Kings Canyon reaches a maximum depth of 8,200 feet. The epic drive down into the canyon is one of our most exhilarating national park experiences. Yes, it is scary initially, with so many twists and turns. But, the views and adventures along the journey are unparalleled. I cannot wait to go back.
Second, the scenery is just a slight step down from Yosemite—and that step is tiny. The park offers a fantastic combination of colossal sequoias and towering granite walls. Hiking trails put you in the thick of the action, giving you close views of both.
Lastly, to witness landscapes similar to Yosemite but with much smaller crowds is an absolute dream. Do not get me wrong. I love Yosemite, but it gets crowded. According to National Park Service visitation statistics, Yosemite National Park receives roughly 4 million visitors annually. Imagine if those numbers dropped to 600,000 to 700,000 visitors. That is precisely what you get with Kings Canyon. The park is number 21 on our visited national parks board. From what we have seen, Kings Canyon is one of America’s most underrated national parks. Explore more reasons to visit Kings Canyon.
Where to Stay for your Kings Canyon Visit
Julie and I stayed at the Visalia Marriott, which is conveniently located near Park Plaza and adjacent to the Convention Center. Our room was clean and comfortable, with a modern flair.
Downtown Visalia is walkable, features lovely murals, and pays homage to the city’s relationship with Sequoia National Park. Many restaurants are nearby, and Fox Theatre is a unique landmark movie place and theater. The drive to Kings Canyon is a little over an hour, and it takes about 45 minutes to Sequoia National Park.
Kings Canyon Scenic Byway
Highway 180 leads into the park. The route officially becomes the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway, beginning near Dunlap in the Sierra Nevada foothills. It spans about 50 miles to Roads End in the park. Many travelers consider the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway to start at General Grant Grove within Kings Canyon National Park. It is about 30 miles from Grant Grove to Roads End, but it takes 45 minutes to an hour without stops. Spoiler alert: You will stop to enjoy some of the views.
Kings Canyon Scenic Byway is a long, descending, curvy road. It was initially intimidating, but we loved the rewarding drive. A few people warned us that the drive can cause motion sickness. I was nervous since boat rides and flights often affect Julie. Thankfully, despite all the curves, she had no issues.
Let’s explore the park.
Big Stump Loop Trail
Shortly after entering the park, you will encounter the Big Stump Picnic Area on your left. Beyond picnicking, there are restroom facilities and hiking trails here. We suggest hiking the 2-mile Big Stump Loop Trail. The forested path features tall sequoias and some mammoth stumps. Initially, I was not excited about seeing tree stumps. Then you realize the size and age of the trees. Trust me, do not skip this one.
You can stand on a couple of the stumps, which gives you a deeper appreciation for sequoia trees. The Mark Twain Stump includes a short set of wooden stairs to climb up on the massive stump. We also enjoyed walking across a fallen tree that had become a bridge. The entire hiking area is beautiful and serene, making for a great start to your day.
Kings Canyon Visitor Center
A little further along the road, you will find the popular Grant Grove Village, which includes cabins, an eatery, a gift shop, and a park visitor center. The visitor center is an excellent place to learn more about the park and to plan your day with input from a ranger.
Panoramic Point
The road to Panoramic Point is near the visitor center. A ranger advised us that it was not well marked, and sure enough, we missed it. A 10—to 15-minute drive leads to sweeping views of forested ridges stretching across the horizon.
General Grant Grove
After returning from Panoramic Point, proceed along the park’s main road. The General Grant Tree parking area is less than a mile from the visitor center. What is so special about the General Grant Tree? It is the world’s second-largest tree by volume and holds the titles of the Nation’s Christmas Tree and America’s only living shrine, honoring those who have served in our Armed Forces. The massive tree is impressive in person, especially when you see its fire scar. Not only is the General Grant Tree large, but it is also a survivor.
There is a lot to explore in Grant Grove. A 0.5-mile paved loop takes you around the star attraction, and there are a few other trails in the area. Julie and I hiked the 1.5-mile North Grove Loop, a lightly traveled path along giant sequoias. We loved the peaceful hike and found many other trees to admire.
Near the front of Grant Grove, you will encounter Fallen Monarch, a hollowed-out fallen tree you can walk through. You will also find Centennial Stump and the Gamlin Cabin in the area. The cabin served many purposes through the years, including the quarters of the park’s first ranger.
Vista Point
After visiting Grant Grove, start the winding drive to the bottom of the canyon. You will find pullouts along the way. Some are marked with signs, while others are not. Feel free to stop at the unnamed points as well. Many have breathtaking views of mountains or massive boulders in the Kings River, carving through the canyon. We will list the named overlooks that we enjoyed the most.
Vista Point is one of the first well-marked pullouts. We loved seeing the road snake between the mountains in the distance.
Grizzly Falls
The well-marked Grizzly Falls Picnic Area nestles about 4.5 miles from the Cedar Grove Visitor Center. A short walk from the parking area through the Sequoia National Forest leads to a lovely 80-foot waterfall.
Kings Canyon National Park Sign
We often take pictures with national park signs to commemorate our trips. Julie signifies that this is our 21st national park visit.
We found it odd that the park entrance did not include a significant sign. A few minutes after Grizzly Falls, near the Cedar Grove area, you will see the Kings Canyon National Park sign on the right side of the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway.
Cedar Grove contains a visitor center, a market, lodging, food service, and restrooms.
Canyon View
One of the park’s best vistas, the Canyon View pullout is reminiscent of Yosemite Valley but with a slightly obstructed view. You can see where glaciers carved out the U-shaped canyon between the massive granite mountains.
Roaring River Falls
Toward the end of the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway, you will encounter a small parking area for Roaring River Falls. A 0.2-mile walk leads to a powerful 40-foot waterfall. While rocks hide the first tier, you can see the lower tier, about half of the fall’s total height.
You will find other trails here, including an option to hike to Zumwalt Meadow. Julie and I drove to Zumwalt Meadow and hiked in that area.
Zumwalt Meadow
At one time, Zumwalt Meadow was a loop trail. Due to flooding, it is now an out-and-back hike, 0.8 miles each way. Julie and I loved this trail due to its varied scenery. Before reaching the lush meadow, you will cross a footbridge, pass through a peaceful forest, and walk between rugged granite walls and boulders. The rewarding hike offers a little bit of everything. On the return trip, we saw two deer drinking from the river.
A short drive from Zumwalt Meadow brings you to Roads End. The area is home to some great hiking trails and Muir Rock, named for John Muir. The large, relatively flat rock is a jumping pad above a swimming hole in the Kings River.
Stargazing
Kings Canyon is an excellent place for stargazing. Sequoia and Kings Canyon host a Dark Sky Festival each year, holding various activities throughout both parks during the weekend event. Julie and I had the opportunity to attend the festival during our visit. We learned a lot and were thrilled to observe so many more stars than we can see at home due to the stark contrast in light pollution. As beautiful as the scenery is during the day, the night skies in Kings Canyon and Sequoia are just as mesmerizing.
We suggest attending the Dark Sky Festival. However, it is not necessary to participate in the event to see the night sky painted with brilliant stars.
Tips for Visiting Kings Canyon National Park
It is essential to note a few things when planning your trip. Park admission is $35 per vehicle, or you can buy an annual pass for $70. Another option is to purchase an America the Beautiful annual pass for $80, valid at all United States national parks.
The good news is that your entrance fee also covers Sequoia National Park, giving you two parks for the price of one. Sequoia is roughly a 30-minute drive from Kings Canyon’s Big Stump Entrance along the Generals Highway. Do you want to add a third park to your adventure? Drive the Majestic Mountain Loop, and you will see Yosemite.
Kings Canyon has two primary sections to explore: Grant Grove and the Zumwalt Meadow and Cedar Grove area. Grant Grove is at the front of the park, and Zumwalt Meadow is near Roads End. Both offer natural beauty and excellent hiking trails. The Kings Canyon Scenic Byway is a thrilling drive with side adventures between the two exploration areas. Watch our video to see the park’s highlights and for additional tips.
While Kings Canyon is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, some park sections often close in winter. The Kings Canyon Scenic Byway is typically open from mid-May through mid-October. Visit the official Kings Canyon National Park site to verify conditions before your trip.
Kings Canyon Scenic Byway also houses Boyden Cavern, where a private company provides guided walking tours. Visit the Boyden Cavern site for information about the cavern tours.
Plan Your Kings Canyon National Park Itinerary
We recommend staying in Visalia, the perfect gateway town for Kings Canyon and Sequoia. There, you will find plenty of delicious food and entertainment.
Kings Canyon offers breathtaking scenery with its giant sequoias, rugged granite mountains, and the Kings River rushing over boulders into the deep canyon. Imagine walking under some of the planet’s biggest trees and driving into a canyon deeper than the Grand Canyon. The underrated park is calling your name, offering the adventure of a lifetime.
Featured image credit: Miles with McConkey
