Kings Canyon National Park

Year Established: 1940
Annual Visitors: 563,000
Size: 461,901 Acres
State: California

Best Time to Visit Kings Canyon National Park

June to October

If you are planning to visit more national parks, check out our complete list of all US National Parks.

Best Experiences in Kings Canyon National Park

• Rae Lakes Loop
• Kings Canyon Scenic Byway Drive
• Hike Zumwalt Meadows

A Brief History

Yosemite Valley and Kings Canyon National Park have terrain that is very similar. John Muir once said that Kings Canyon National Park was “a rival to Yosemite” because of its deep valleys, tall trees, and unique rock formations.

In the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, Kings Canyon National Park is right next to Sequoia National Park. It is known for its huge sequoia trees, especially the huge General Grant Tree in Grant Grove. On the east side of Cedar Grove, there are tall granite canyon walls. From here, trails lead to Roaring River Falls and Zumwalt Meadow along the Kings River. There are rattlesnakes, bears, and cougars in the park.

Kings Canyon RV Camping

If you are looking for nearby RV camping options for Kings Canyon National Park or in California, consider checking out our other post:

• Best RV Parks in California
• Best RV Resorts in California

Visitor Information

Fees

Individuals 15 years old and younger are admitted free of charge.

Weekly Park Passes

$20.00 per person

$35.00 per vehicle

$30.00 per motorcycle

All passes are valid for up to 7 days.

Annual Park Passes

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park Annual Pass – $70

Contacting Kings Canyon National Park

Visitor Centers

Foothills Visitor Center

The Foothills Visitor Center is headquarters for both Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park. It is right next to the entrance to Sequoia National Park on Highway 198, also known as the Generals Highway. When you go to the park, you should go to this visitor center first. Not only is it the best place to talk to park rangers to get information about the park, but it is also one of the only places to buy Crystal Cave tour tickets. The Visitor Center has displays about the ecosystem and human history of the Sierra Foothills. It also has a bookstore and gift shop with souvenirs, maps, and books, as well as first-aid services and public restrooms. The visitor center also has information about the hiking trails that run along the Kaweah River and its branches. Most trails can be used at any time of year.

Kings Canyon Visitor Center

The General Grant Tree and one of the deepest canyons in the world are both in this part of the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. There are exhibits, maps, books, and more at the Kings Canyon Visitor Center. During the summer, there are free programs led by park rangers. Details can be found on the park’s website or on local bulletin boards. This visitor center tells people about trails and facilities run by the National Park Service and the nearby U.S. Forest Service.

In this part of the Grant Grove of giant sequoias, you can find a number of hiking and nature trails. For example, you can go on a hike to scenic overlooks and waterfalls. This is where the Generals Highway ends in the north. If you go south, you’ll pass through Giant Sequoia National Monument and end up in Sequoia National Park. If you go north, you’ll reach the huge Kings Canyon and the beautiful Cedar Grove area.

The visitor center is in Grant Grove Village, which is three miles east on Highway 180 from where you enter Big Stump Park. In the conifer zone; 6500 feet above sea level. In Grant Grove Village, there are places to stay, a market, a restaurant, showers, camping, a post office, and a gift shop.

Giant Forest Museum

The museum is in an old market in the sequoia grove of Giant Forest, which is 6,500 feet (1,980 m) above sea level. Visit displays about sequoias and find out why these are the biggest trees in the world. I definitely recommend stopping here before you explore the grove. Also, during quota season, you can get wilderness permits from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.