Summary
$35
Fee (w/ Sequoia)
Historic Crowd Data
Avg. monthly visitors, 2015–2024 · National Park Service
Light
Moderate
Busy
Very Busy
Peak season is June–August, when around 50% of annual visitors arrive. For lighter crowds, aim for November–April.
Plan Your Visit
Seasonal Access NoticeCedar Grove Rd closed▾
Park Entrance & Fees$35 (shared w/ Sequoia)▾
Main Entrance
Usually Open
Big Stump Entrance Station, Hwy 180
The only entrance station for Kings Canyon, reached via Hwy 180 from Fresno. Leads directly into Grant Grove Village.
💡 One fee covers both Kings Canyon & Sequoia National Parks — no separate payment needed if continuing on to Sequoia via Generals Highway. No live wait-time data is published for this station.
NPS directions ↗
To Sequoia
Seasonal Conditions Vary
Generals Highway
Connects Grant Grove to the Giant Forest / Lodgepole area of Sequoia National Park — the two parks are administered jointly and share this connecting road.
💡 Chains or 4WD may be required in winter above ~5,000 ft. Check conditions before driving between the parks.
NPS directions ↗
Cedar Grove
Closed in Winter
Hwy 180 Canyon Floor Road
The road from Grant Grove down into the canyon floor (Cedar Grove, Zumwalt Meadow, Road's End). Closes seasonally each year.
💡 Typically closed ~mid-November to ~May, weather dependent. Grant Grove remains accessible year-round even when this stretch is shut.
Current conditions ↗
Alerts and entrance fees are shared with neighboring Sequoia National Park — Kings Canyon and Sequoia are administered as one NPS unit (SEKI). Visiting nearby? See the Sequoia dashboard →
Campground Availability5 areas▾
Azalea Mixed: First-Come + Reservable ▾
AreaGrant Grove
Elevation~6,500 ft
SeasonYear-round — only KC campground open in winter
NotesClosest camping to Grant Grove Village & General Grant Tree
Book on Recreation.gov ↗
Sentinel Reservation Only ▾
Sites82
AreaCedar Grove
SeasonSeasonal — closes with Cedar Grove Rd
NotesAlong the South Fork Kings River, canyon floor
Book on Recreation.gov ↗
Sheep Creek First-Come, First-Served ▾
Sites111
AreaCedar Grove
SeasonSeasonal — closes with Cedar Grove Rd
NotesQuieter alternative near Sentinel
Campground details ↗
Moraine First-Come, First-Served ▾
Sites~120
AreaCedar Grove — largest KC campground
SeasonSeasonal — closes with Cedar Grove Rd
NotesScenic canyon & river views
Campground details ↗
Sunset Reservation Only ▾
AreaGrant Grove
SizeLarge
SeasonSeasonal
NotesNear Panoramic Point & Grant Grove Village
Book on Recreation.gov ↗
Landmarks7 stops▾
Note: the 2020–2021 KNP Complex and other wildfires killed roughly 19% of the world's giant sequoias parkwide. Groves listed below remain open to visitors; check current NPS alerts for any localized closures.
Grant Grove3 stops▾
General Grant Tree~30 min
Easy paved loop · "Nation's Christmas Tree"
Grant Grove VillageYear-round
Visitor center, market & lodging hub
Redwood Mountain GroveHalf-day
Largest sequoia grove in the world · less-visited, longer hike
Cedar Grove / Canyon Floor4 stops▾
Zumwalt Meadow~1 hr
Easy 1.5 mi loop · classic canyon views
Roaring River Falls~15 min
Easy · short paved path to waterfall
Knapp's Cabin~10 min
Easy · historic 1920s storage cabin
Roads EndSeasonal
Wilderness permit station & backcountry trailheads
Things to Do8 categories▾
Grant Grove Trails5 trails▾
General Grant Tree TrailEasy
Paved loop past the General Grant Tree, the nation's official Christmas Tree
0.5 mi loop
North Grove Loop1.5 mi loop
Lightly traveled walk past quiet meadows and creeks
Big Stump Loop Trail2 mi loop
Loop through a historically logged sequoia grove with meadow views
Buena Vista PeakModerate
Granite-dome summit hike with panoramic Sierra views
2 mi RT · 600 ft
Big Baldy RidgeModerate
Ridge hike to an 8,209 ft summit overlooking Redwood Canyon
4.4 mi RT · 600 ft
Cedar Grove & Road's End Trails6 trails▾
Zumwalt MeadowEasy
Level loop along the South Fork Kings River; partly wheelchair-accessible to the suspension bridge
0.8 mi
Roaring River FallsEasy
Short paved walk to a waterfall chute; relatively accessible
<0.5 mi
Sheep Creek Cascade2 mi RT · 600 ft · ~1.5 hrs
Moderately strenuous walk to a granite cascade
Mist Falls8 mi RT · 600 ft · 4–5 hrs
Canyon-floor hike to one of the largest waterfalls in the parks; most of the gain comes in the final mile
Hotel Creek–Lewis Creek Loop8 mi RT · 1,200 ft · ~5 hrs
Loop climbing the canyon's dry, south-facing wall for sweeping views
Lookout PeakStrenuous
Strenuous all-day climb to a summit high above the canyon floor
13 mi RT · 4,000 ft
Backcountry & Wilderness Trails4 trails▾
Rae Lakes LoopPermit
Classic high-Sierra loop past alpine lakes, reached via the Woods Creek or Bubbs Creek approach
41 mi loop
Woods Creek Trail6.5 mi to first camp
Steady, moderate climb; the busier of the two Rae Lakes approaches
Bubbs Creek Trail4 mi to first camp
Steep then steady grade; southern leg of the Rae Lakes Loop
Copper Creek Trail4 mi to first camp
Hot, steep climb toward the Middle Fork of the Kings River
Rock Climbing4 areas▾
Charlotte Dome8 mi approach
Remote granite dome reached via an 8-mile approach along Bubbs Creek
North SentinelCedar Grove
Notable crack climbs on the formation's headwall
The Obelisk & Grand SentinelCedar Grove
Prominent granite spires visible from the canyon floor
Buena Vista PeakGrant Grove
Roadside bouldering near the summit trail
Horseback Riding2 stables▾
Grant Grove Stables1–2 hrs · Jun–mid-Oct
Guided trail rides past giant sequoias near the Big Stump entrance; groups up to 6
Cedar Grove Pack Station1 hr–all day · Jun–mid-Oct
Day rides along the canyon floor plus overnight stock-supported wilderness trips
Fishing1 river▾
South Fork Kings RiverLicense required
CA fishing license required (age 16+); barbless artificial lures only in undeveloped waters below 9,000 ft; several native species must be released
Stargazing & Night SkyNot IDA-certified▾
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Kings Canyon is not an IDA-certified Dark Sky Park, but its high elevation and distance from Central Valley light pollution make for genuinely dark skies. The park co-hosts the annual Sequoia & Kings Canyon Dark Sky Festival with neighboring Sequoia National Park. Best viewing is on new-moon nights away from Grant Grove Village lighting — bring a red flashlight to preserve night vision. NPS night sky info ↗
Bird WatchingTop 5 species▾
Golden Eagle
Soars over the deep canyon walls
Peregrine Falcon
Nests on the granite cliffs
American Dipper
Forages in the Kings River
Steller's Jay
Common around Grant Grove
Clark's Nutcracker
High-elevation conifer forests
Concession Information5 locations▾
Grant Grove Village3 locations▾
Grant Grove RestaurantYear-round
Sit-Down Dining · Walk-Up Window
Grant Grove Market9 AM – 5 PM · Year-round
Groceries · Beer & Wine · Camping Supplies · Post Office
Grant Grove Gift Shop10 AM – 5 PM Fri–Sun (weather permitting)
Souvenirs · Apparel · Sequoia Saplings
Cedar Grove Village2 locations▾
Cedar Grove Market7 AM – 9 PM · Seasonal (May – early/mid-Nov)
Park Essentials · Camping Gear · Food · Souvenirs
Cedar Grove Snack Bar (Grill)Seasonal (closes with Cedar Grove Rd)
Light Meals & Snacks · Counter Service, Indoor/Outdoor Seating
💡 In-park stores and dining are operated by the park concessioner (Delaware North / Sequoia Parks Conservancy) under contract with the NPS — the same concessioner that runs facilities in neighboring Sequoia National Park. Cedar Grove Village closes for the season along with Cedar Grove Road (typically mid-November – May); Grant Grove Village stays open year-round. Confirm current hours at visitsequoia.com before you go.
Park Contact Information