12 Awesome Things to Do in Kings Canyon National Park

Looking for things to do in Kings Canyon National Park?

If you’re wondering if Kings Canyon National Park is worth visiting or what things there are to do in Kings Canyon, this is the guide for you.

Most guides lump Kings Canyon National Park and Sequoia National Park together since they are adjacent to each other and co-managed by the National Park Service. This guide focuses exclusively on things to do Kings Canyon National Park.

Ready to start planning your trip? Here are 12 awesome things to do in Kings Canyon National Park.

Overview of Kings Canyon National Park

Kings Canyon National Park encompasses a variety of ecosystems. It protects the deep gorge that is Kings Canyon, the alpine wilderness of the High Sierra mountains, and groves of giant sequoias. Most of the park’s area is not accessible by car, but this guide focuses on the places that are.
There are two sections of Kings Canyon National Park: the Grant Grove area and the Cedar Grove area. These are separated by the Sequoia National Forest so I’ve divided this guide into things to do in these two separate areas.
Check out the National Park Service’s official map of Kings Canyon National Park to find where each of these things to do are within the park.
Most people combine a trip to Kings Canyon National Park with a visit to the adjacent Sequoia National Park. If you’re visiting both parks, check out my list of things to do in Sequoia National Park too.
Before you head to the park, check the National Park Service website for current conditions in Kings Canyon.

Things to Do in Kings Canyon National Park: Grant Grove Area

The Grant Grove area is the western section of Kings Canyon National Park. It’s at higher elevation than the eastern section down in the canyon, so it’s where you’ll find sequoia habitat and the opportunity to see beautiful views from overlooks.

Big Stump Grove

The Big Stump Grove is the first thing you’ll pass when you arrive at Kings Canyon National Park.

Take the 1.6-mile loop to walk through an area of forest where sequoias were logged over a century ago. Although it sounds grim to walk through a graveyard of dead trees, the next chapter of this story is a happier one as the forest is growing back rapidly.

It’s mind-blowing to see how large even the stumps of these giant trees are and to fathom people cutting down these thick trunks.

And if you’ve ever been to the American Museum of Natural History in New York City and seen the giant slab of sequoia on display, the stump from which it came (the Mark Twain Stump) is in this grove.

Kings Canyon Visitor Center

After you see the Big Stump Grove, kick off the rest of your trip to Kings Canyon National Park at the visitor center.

At the visitor center there are exhibits and information about the land protected by the national park and adjacent national forest.

There are also additional services in the same village including a ranger station, restaurant, gift shop, and post office.

General Grant

The General Grant tree is probably the most popular destination in Kings Canyon National Park. In fact, it is so worth protecting that it was originally in its own national park before it became a part of Kings Canyon National Park.

This tree is one the of the 3 largest trees in the world.

It has also been designated as the nation’s Christmas Tree and a living shrine to fallen soldiers.

There is a half-mile paved trail that loops past General Grant. Make sure to take some pictures as you approach the tree since it’s very difficult to photograph it from right in front of it.

North Grove Loop Trail

The North Grove Loop is a 1.5-mile trail that guides hikers through the same sequoia grove that General Grant is in.

There are are several trails that start from the same trailhead but the North Grove Loop is the shortest option. No matter which trail you take, the path will take you through some of the best sequoia habitat supporting some of the oldest trees in the world.

The trailhead for the North Grove Loop is on the far end of the same parking lot as is used to get to General Grant.

Panoramic Point

Panoramic Point is a stunning viewpoint spanning almost the whole length of Kings Canyon National Park.

At this overlook you can see miles of the park’s designated wilderness area reaching over Hume Lake to the Sierra Nevada mountains.

There is a half-mile roundtrip accessible path between the parking lot and the viewpoint.

The road to Panoramic Point is on the other side of highway 180 from General Grant. Note that this road to the viewpoint is very narrow, steep, and winding.

Generals Highway

If you’re heading to Sequoia National Park after your trip to Kings Canyon, you’ll take the Generals Highway south from the Grant Grove area into the park.

Make sure to stop at the Redwood Mountain and Kings Canyon Overlooks along the drive.

Redwood Mountain overlook offers views of one of the world’s largest giant sequoia grove. From the overlook you’ll be looking out at the canopy of this sequoia grove.

At the Kings Canyon Overlook you’ll see acres of the area’s peaks and canyons. The view looks out at the same area seen at Panoramic Point.

Buena Vista Peak Trail

When a trail has a name like Buena Vista Peak, you know it’s worth hiking.

Even better: it’s a pretty easy hike to get to the sweeping views that await you at the peak. At only 2 miles roundtrip and 400 feet of elevation gain, how could you pass up this hike?

This trail will take you to awesome panoramic views of the Redwood Canyon sequoia grove and high Sierra mountains.

The trailhead for Buena Vista Peak is near Kings Canyon Overlook along Generals Highway.

Things to Do in Kings Canyon National Park: Cedar Grove Area

The Cedar Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park is the eastern section of the national park. In this section of the park you will be down in Kings Canyon and have the opportunity to hike deep into the wilderness area protected by the park.

Kings Canyon Scenic Byway

The Kings Canyon Scenic Byway is the main road that runs through Kings Canyon National Park, connecting the Grant Grove and Cedar Grove areas of the park.

Stop at scenic pullouts along the way as you drive down into the canyon.

This scenic byway dead ends after the Cedar Grove section of the national park. You can embark on multi-day hikes from here, or turn around to drive back out of the canyon after exploring the Cedar Grove area.

Roaring River Falls

Roaring River Falls is a gushing 40-foot waterfall.

I was surprised how full it was still flowing even in early October after seeing only trickles of the epic waterfalls in Yosemite National Park a few days prior.

The parking lot for the falls is just past the bridge that crosses over the Roaring River. There’s a short paved path to access the waterfall.

Zumwalt Meadow Trail

For a short, easy hike in the Cedar Grove section of Kings Canyon National Park, look no further than the trail to Zumwalt Meadow.

This trail used to be a loop until a footbridge washed out a few years ago. While you used to be able to hike around the entire meadow, you can still walk to the meadow’s edge for an easy walk to some nice views in the canyon. You’ll see great views of the canyon’s high granite walls and the Kings River.

The trail is still about 1.5 miles roundtrip to and from the point where the original trail is closed.

Cedar Grove Overlook Trail

If you’re looking for a mid-length, moderate to strenuous hike in Kings Canyon National Park, check out the trail to Cedar Grove Overlook.

This trail is 5 miles roundtrip with 1,200 feet of elevation gain. Follow the switchbacks up to a rocky outcrop where you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular view of Kings Canyon.

The trail to Cedar Grove Overlook begins at the Hotel Creek Trailhead, which is not directly on the Kings Canyon Scenic Highway. To find the trailhead, drive past the Cedar Grove Visitor Center and turn right onto Cedar Lane.

There is only enough parking for about 5 cars here, so consider parking at the Cedar Grove Lodge. If you are camping at Sentinel Campground it might just be worth walking over from your campsite.

Mist Falls Trail

The trail to Mist Falls is one of the longer day hikes in Kings Canyon National Park, yet relatively easy since there is minimal elevation gain. And with impressive views to reward you for putting in the miles, this is one of the must-do hikes in Kings Canyon.

Mist Falls Trail is 8 miles roundtrip and mostly flat as you hike along the south fork of the Kings River. There is about 600 feet of elevation gain which is mostly in the last mile or so of the trail.

By taking this trail you’ll get to see one of the biggest waterfalls in Kings Canyon National Park and gorgeous views of the Paradise Valley. You’ll definitely want to schedule enough time to do this longer hike on your visit to Kings Canyon.

Bear sightings are common on this trail so just be prepared if you haven’t hiked in bear territory before.

The Mist Falls trail begins at Road’s End at the end of the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway.

Need more help planning your trip? Check out my seven tips to plan a perfect national park trip!

As always, enjoy the outdoors responsibly. Leave no trace on all of your adventures.