Kings Canyon
California · National Park
Kings Canyon is known for its stunning deep canyons, towering sequoias, and diverse wildlife. Visitors can explore breathtaking landscapes, hike picturesque trails, and enjoy the serenity of this majestic natural area.
Campgrounds
- Azalea Campground — Year-round; winter reduced to 20 first-come, first-served sites · 102 sites · $16–$32 · 6,500 ft · Drive-in · reserve
- Canyon View Group Campground — mid-June to late September · 16 sites · $50–$70 · 4,600 ft · Group camp · Drive-in · reserve
- Charlotte Creek Camp — Primitive · Hike-in
- Charlotte Lake Camp — Primitive · Hike-in
- Crystal Springs Campground — late May to late September · 34 sites · $16–$32 · 6,500 ft · Drive-in · reserve
- Crystal Springs Campground Group Sites — late May to late September · 14 sites · $50 · 6,500 ft · Group camp · Drive-in · reserve
- Dollar Lake Camp — Primitive · Hike-in
- Junction Meadow Camp — Primitive · Hike-in
- Kearsarge Lakes Camp — Primitive · Hike-in
- Lower Paradise Valley Camp — Primitive · Hike-in
- Middle Paradise Valley Camp — Primitive · Hike-in
- Moraine Campground — Late May to early September · 117 sites · $16–$32 · 4,600 ft · Drive-in · reserve
- Rae Lakes Camp — Primitive · Hike-in
- Sentinel Campground — Late April to late October · 78 sites · $16–$32 · 4,600 ft · Drive-in · reserve
- Sheep Creek Campground — Late May through early September · 107 sites · $32 · 4,600 ft · Drive-in · reserve
- Sphinx Junction Camp — Primitive · Hike-in
- Sunset Campground — Late May through early September (week following Labor Day) · 149 sites · $32–$60 · 6,500 ft · Drive-in · reserve
- Upper Paradise Valley Camp — Primitive · Hike-in
- Vidette Meadow Camp — Primitive · Hike-in
Lodging
Top trails
- Panoramic Point Trail — 0.5 mi · Out & back
- Big Stump Loop — 1.7 mi · 241 ft gain · 41m · Loop
- General Grant Trail — 0.7 mi · 0 ft gain · 14m · Loop
- Big Baldy Ridge Trail — 4.7 mi · 1,020 ft gain · 2h 5m
- Zumwalt Meadow Trail — 1.5 mi · Loop
More trails here: Kearsarge Pass Trail to Kearsarge Lakes, Mist Falls Trail, Paradise Valley Trail, Sequoia Lake Overlook via North Grove and Dead Giant Loop Trail, Gardiner Basin Trail, Goddard Canyon Trail, Kennedy Canyon Trail, Upper Middle Fork Kings Trail, Copper Creek Trail, Sugarloaf Valley Trail, Bishop Pass Trail, Cloud Canyon Trail, The Bitch Trail, Woods Creek Trail, Don Cecil Trail, Silliman Pass North Trail, Hart Tree Trail, Colby Pass Trail, Sugar Bowl Trail, Sunset Trail, South Boundary Trail, Zumwalt Meadow to Roaring River Falls Trail, State Lakes Loop Trail, Kanawyer Gap Trail, Big Springs Trail, North Boundary Trail, Baxter Lakes Trail, Granite Basin Trail, Sawmill Pass Trail, Hotel Creek Trail, Junction Pass Trail, Simpson Meadow Trail, Lamarck Col Trail, Cartridge Pass Path, Granite Pass North Trail, Kearsarge Pass Trail, East Lake Trail, Park Ridge Trail, South Fork Kings Alternate Crossing Route, Taboose Pass Trail, Bullfrog Lake Trail, Avalanche Pass Trail, Blue Canyon Trail, Elizabeth Pass Trail, Bubbs Creek Trail, Lewis Creek Trail, Volcanic Lakes Trail, Redwood Canyon Trail, Goddard Meadow Trail, Bench Lake Trail, Upper Sixty Lakes Basin Trail, Manzanita Trail, Center Basin Trail, Belle Canyon-Comanche Cutoff, Lake 11106 Route, Lake Reflection Trail, Azalea Trail, Lower Sixty Lakes Basin Trail, Lone Pine Trail, Seville Lake Trail, Muro Blanco Trail, Tehipite Trail, John Muir Trail, Rae Lakes Loop, Kanawyer Loop Trail.
Visiting
Fees — Per Person: $20, Motorcycle: $30, Every Kid Outdoors Pass: $0, Sequoia and Kings Canyon Annual Pass: $70, Private Vehicle: $35, Senior Annual Pass: $20.
Parking: Cedar Grove Road (Highway 180) closes seasonally each winter, making that area's parking lots inaccessible until spring reopening. Grant Grove area parking remains accessible year-round.. Dogs allowed on leash. Cell service: limited. Phone: (559) 565-3341.
Facilities: 27 parking areas (Grant Tree Parking, Big Stump Picnic Area, RV Parking), 24 restrooms, drinking water, 3 picnic areas, a visitor center.
Typical weather
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 29°F | 16°F | 4.6 in |
| Feb | 28°F | 14°F | 4.2 in |
| Mar | 32°F | 18°F | 3.3 in |
| Apr | 37°F | 21°F | 1.8 in |
| May | 47°F | 29°F | 1.4 in |
| Jun | 59°F | 39°F | 0.8 in |
| Jul | 66°F | 46°F | 1.2 in |
| Aug | 66°F | 46°F | 0.9 in |
| Sep | 60°F | 40°F | 0.6 in |
| Oct | 51°F | 32°F | 1.0 in |
| Nov | 39°F | 23°F | 2.0 in |
| Dec | 30°F | 15°F | 3.6 in |
Top spots
- General Grant Tree — POI
- Rae Lakes — POI
- Mist Falls — POI
- Zumwalt Meadow — POI
- Panoramic Point — POI
- Road's End — POI
- Roaring River Falls — POI
- Fallen Monarch — POI
- Grand Sentinel — POI
- North Dome — POI
Coordinates: 36.8879, -118.5551. Official website.
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