View of Kings Canyon from the Don Cecil Trail Photo: Martin Stiburek / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
All Parks
California · Est. 1940
Park Map PDF

Kings Canyon

One of the deepest canyons in the US, administered jointly with neighboring Sequoia — live conditions updated every 60 seconds.

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❄️
Closed
Cedar Grove Rd
🪧
$35
Fee (w/ Sequoia)
🏕
5 areas
Campgrounds
📍
7 stops
Landmarks
🍽️
5 locations
Concessions
🌙
Ungraded
Dark sky
❄️Seasonal Access NoticeCedar Grove Rd closed
🚧 Cedar Grove Road (Hwy 180 into the canyon floor) closes every winter — typically mid-November through May, weather dependent. Only Grant Grove stays reachable year-round via Hwy 180. If you're planning a visit to Zumwalt Meadow, Roaring River Falls, or Road's End, check current road status before you go. NPS road conditions ↗
🪧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 ↗
Entry Fees · 7-day pass
Vehicle$35
Motorcycle$30
Per Person (foot/bike)$20
SEKI Annual Pass$70/yr
America the Beautiful$80/yr
Covers both Kings Canyon & Sequoia
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 TreeEasy paved loop · "Nation's Christmas Tree"~30 min
Grant Grove VillageVisitor center, market & lodging hubYear-round
Redwood Mountain GroveLargest sequoia grove in the world · less-visited, longer hikeHalf-day
Cedar Grove / Canyon Floor4 stops
Zumwalt MeadowEasy 1.5 mi loop · classic canyon views~1 hr
Roaring River FallsEasy · short paved path to waterfall~15 min
Knapp's CabinEasy · historic 1920s storage cabin~10 min
Roads EndWilderness permit station & backcountry trailheadsSeasonal
🍽️Concession Information5 locations
Grant Grove Village3 locations
Grant Grove RestaurantSit-Down Dining · Walk-Up WindowYear-round
Grant Grove MarketGroceries · Beer & Wine · Camping Supplies · Post Office9 AM – 5 PM · Year-round
Grant Grove Gift ShopSouvenirs · Apparel · Sequoia Saplings10 AM – 5 PM Fri–Sun (weather permitting)
Cedar Grove Village2 locations
Cedar Grove MarketPark Essentials · Camping Gear · Food · Souvenirs7 AM – 9 PM · Seasonal (May – early/mid-Nov)
Cedar Grove Snack Bar (Grill)Light Meals & Snacks · Counter Service, Indoor/Outdoor SeatingSeasonal (closes with Cedar Grove Rd)
💡 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.
🌙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 ↗
Refreshing in 60s
📞 Phone: (559) 565-3341  ·  Mailing Address: 47050 Generals Highway, Three Rivers, CA 93271-9700  ·  Official NPS contact page ↗