Pets allowed
Allowed with Restrictions
Guided tours
No
Backcountry camping
Yes
Lodging
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

King's Canyon National Park encompasses 461,901 acres in the southern Sierra Nevada. It is well known for its glacially carved canyons, sheer granite cliffs, and large mountains, many of which exceed 14,000 feet in elevation. The park is also home to alpine meadows, raging rivers, and large stands of sequoia trees. 

The majority of the park is designated as wilderness, and there are only two main tourist entrances on the west side of the Sierra Nevada (Grant Grove and Cedar Grover). Access for most of the park's backcountry requires a strenuous hike and/or overnight backpacking trip. 

Taking the effort to reach the heart of Kings Canyon will be well worth it once you step into the pristine environment of the canyon.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Kings Canyon, a large, glacier carved valley and the namesake of the park. 

  • General Grant, the second largest tree in the world by volume. 

  • Both the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and the John Muir Trail (JMT) traverse the length of the park south to north. 

THINGS TO DO

Below are some of the activities available within the park. For a full list and to find out more detailed information please visithttps://www.recreation.gov/sitepass/72471

  • Hiking

  • Visit the General Grant Tree

  • Camping

  • Picnicking 

  • Wildlife viewing. 

  • Scenic drives

  • Visitor Centers and Museums

  • Junior Ranger Program

  • Backpacking

CAMPING 

Kings Canyon National Park offers campground and backcountry camping. A permit is required for overnight backcountry camping and most campgrounds require an advanced reservation. For more information please visit https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/campgrounds-open-seasonally.htm

PASSES

Kings Canyon National Park charges an entrance fee / requires a pass. For more information, or to purchase a pass in advance please visit, https://www.recreation.gov/sitepass/72471

SEQUOIA & KINGS CANYON

The park is bordered by Kings Canyon National Park to the north and are managed together by the National Park Service as Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks. 

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

Moderate

Parking Pass

National Park Pass

Open Year-round

Yes

Pros

High mountains. Glacially carved basins. Vast wilderness area.

Cons

Mosquitos in the summer.

Features

Backcountry camping
Wildlife
Waterfalls
Fishing
Big vistas
Horseback riding
Bird watching
Wildflowers

Location

Nearby Lodging + Camping

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