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Kings Canyon National Park is often overshadowed by neighboring Sequoia and Yosemite but it is definitely worth a visit. A popular way to visit this park is to lump it in with a trip to the other two. That is exactly what we did – two days in Yosemite, one day in King’s Canyon and then one day in Sequoia National Park. In this post, we will discuss the best things to do in Kings Canyon National Park in one day.

Love national parks? If your trip to Kings Canyon also takes you to Yosemite, Sequoia National Park, or Death Valley:

– Check out this two day Yosemite Itinerary here.
– This one day guide for Sequoia National Park will help you get started.
– With additional time, you could also add on a trip to Death Valley National Park.

A lot of King’s Canyon is accessible via the back country. Since we only had one day, this itinerary will not cover those items. Instead it will help you figure out the best things to do in Kings Canyon if you have more limited time. This itinerary is built for spending an entire day in Kings Canyon National Park. However, if you have less time I would recommend skipping most of the Scenic byway and instead hitting General Grant Trail and Panoramic Point. Regardless, I would recommend starting early as the park can get very hot. ( For reference – I visited in July.)

Things to do in Kings Canyon

Kings Canyon Scenic Byway

Access to Kings Canyon is via the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway. Here is some background on the road according to the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service website. Beginning in the Sierra Nevada foothills near Dunlap, the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway traverses 50 spectacular miles leading to Roads End, all along Highway 180. The byway begins in the foothills outside of Fresno and then enters the Grant Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park.

The aptly named Kings Canyon is one of the deepest canyons in North America. The section of the byway just below the turn off to Hume Lake closes for the winter so plan your tour mid May to mid October. The road ends at Cedar Grove in Kings Canyon National Park – the largest contiguous grove in the world.

Although I can’t guarantee the hours, there was an ice cream stand and gas station located within the park. We definitely stopped and the ice cream was incredibly refreshing on a hot day.

Hume Lake

Embark on a trip to Hume Lake since it has historic roots that trace back to its origins as a strategic depot for timber production at a local mill.

If you can, stop by and enjoy many unique opportunities for boating, fishing, hiking, and, swimming as you enjoy one of the best things to do in King’s Canyon.

After all, this reservoir in the Sierra Nevadas is a beautiful place to visit and has lovely wooden walkways that take you along the edga of the lake.

Grizzly Falls

Accessible from the scenic byway without a hike is Grizzly Falls. This 80-foot waterfall cannot be viewed from the road but is a short 0.1 mile walk to get the waterfall within sight. The amount of power from the waterfall will have to do with the time of year and amount of snow melt. There are picnic tables in the Grizzly Falls area as well if you would like to stop and rest.

Boyden Canyon

If you’re looking for a nice cave to visit then let me introduce you to Boyden Cavern.

It might not be as famous as Crystal Cave over in Sequoia National Park, but it’s got some awesome rock formations for you to enjoy.

So, enjoy a 45-minute guided tour that runs from late April through September. You also don’t have to stress about booking tickets in advance since you can show up at the entrance and wait for the tour to begin.

To get here, just cruise along the Scenic Drive from the Visitor’s Center for about 20 miles. Then, once at the dedicated parking lot, a short uphill path will lead you straight to the cave entrance.

So, get ready for some caving fun as you enjoy one of the best things to do in Kings Canyon.

Visit Cedar Grove

Tucked away in the heart of Kings Canyon is Cedar Grove. It sits 35 miles east of Grant Grove and is where you’ll find giant trees, jaw-dropping cliffs, waterfalls, incredible rock formations, and Kings River.

There are also serveral great trails in the area. So, lace-up your boots and go for a 1.5-mile stroll at Zumwalt Meadow or on an arduous 13-mile trek to Lookout Peak.

But, if all that hiking leaves you hungry, swing by Cedar Grove Village and grab a snack at Cedar Grove Market.

Roaring River Falls

Roaring River Falls is another easily accessible spot. This time it requires a 0.3-mile round trip easy hike. As it’s not difficult to get to, it can be crowded but the falls were impressive – can definitely see why it gets its name.

Zumwalt Meadow

The Zumwalt Meadow trail is a short, 1.5 mile long loop that is rated easy. If you want to get more of a hike in, there is a way to combine the meadow with Roaring River Falls which makes it about 5 miles. As this was our “rest” day between Yosemite and Sequoia, we went for the easier option.

At the time that I visited, there were parts of the trail that were closed for construction but I would still visit this again – although I love mountain meadows.

Panoramic Point

After the visit to Zumwalt Meadow, we made our way back along the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway back to the Grant Grove portion of the park. There, we made the turnoff to Panoramic Point. Accessing Panoramic Point is along a narrow, windy road with limited around-the-curve visibility. Definitely take this road at your own risk. I would avoid large vehicles. However, if you make it there, the viewpoint was stunning and it was my favorite of the whole park. If you are pressed for time and looking for things to do in Kings Canyon this is something that should definitely make the cut.

General Grant Trail

Our last stop in the park was to visit General Grant Trail. If you are short on time, this is the other stop that should certainly be included in your list of things to do in Kings Canyon. The General Grant Trail is a short 0.5 mile hike that is rated as easy. Not surprisingly, this trail is pretty popular. However, it feels amazing to be surrounded by these giant trees.

Visit Junction View

Junction View in Kings Canyon National Park is an absolute must-see. Start at the Visitor Center and drive along Highway 180 for about 10 miles.

You’ll find it along the King’s Canyon scenic byway with a roadside plaque that shows pictures of the area and details the history of this unique area.

Once here, take a second to relax and enjoy the stunning views.

North Grove Loop

Once you’ve wrapped up your adventure circling around the General Grant Tree, gear up for the next chapter of your trip on the North Grove Loop Trail.

After all, this trail is really close to the general grant tree so you don’t have to move your car if you’ve already parked it.

This trail will also help you clock a little extra mileage, about 1.5 miles to be exact. But fear not because this stroll through those majestic redwoods is easy.

So, get ready to soak in the awe-inspiring vibes of this incredible trail as you enjoy one of the best things to do in Kings Canyon.

America’s Christmas Tree

According to the National Park Service website, General Grant Tree was designated as America’s Christmas Tree. This was because this tree has inspired thousands of people including R.J. Senior and the late Charles E. Lee of Sanger, California. In 1924, R.J. Senior visited what was then General Grant National Park, and found himself standing by the Grant Tree with a little girl. As they admired the huge tree, the girl exclaimed, “what a wonderful Christmas tree it would be!“

The idea stayed with Mr. Senior, and in 1925, with the help of Mr. Lee, the first Christmas program was held at the Grant Tree at noon on Christmas Day. Mr. R.J. Senior, president of the Chamber of Commerce, and Mr. Lee, then secretary of the Chamber, conceived the idea of an annual ceremony. Mr. Lee wrote to President Calvin Coolidge, who designated the General Grant as the Nation’s Christmas Tree on April 28, 1926.

The General Grant Tree is pictured below. To me it doesn’t really look like a Christmas tree. However it was massive and very cool – and of course there could be a lot of presents under it if you were to use it as a Christmas tree.

Mist Falls

In the Cedar Grove area, a more challenging and demanding adventure awaits you at Mist Falls. To access the trailhead you’ll have to drive to the very end of the paved road and snag a parking spot in that first lot on your right.

Then, start your journey by stepping onto the Kanawyer Loop Trail which is the easiest route. Once here the next 3-miles of this trek is gonna test your mettle.

So, you’ll be walking alongside the South Fork River until you hit the breathtaking Mist Falls. In total, you’ll gonna climb around 850 feet in total elevation, all while conquering a trail that spans 8 miles. Therefore, you could easily spend the day hiking to Mist Falls.

However, if you’re short on time or new to hiking then think twice before starting this trek. This is one of the best things to do in Kings Canyon which is really for advanced hikers.

See the Amazing Rock Formations of Boyden Cavern

if you’re looking for one of the best things to do in Kings Canyon National Park, you have to check out Boyden Cavern!

Nestled in the Sequoia National Forest, you’ll sneak through Kings Canyon to find this hidden gem.

This cavern sits beneath a series of 2,000-foot marble cliffs that are known as Kings Gate. So, sign up for 45-60 minute guided tour of the cavern and learn more about this amazing place.

Highlights include stalactites that dangle like chandeliers, stalagmites that rise from the ground, and flowstones that look like frozen waterfalls.

Just be sure to make a reservation since tours do fill up fast. Afterard, enjoy a picnic lunch before having a look at the on-site gift shop.

Where to stay in Kings Canyon

After we splurged on lodging inside of Yosemite National Park, we opted for a cheaper route for our visit to Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park. We woke up just outside Yosemite at Tenaya Lodge and drove to Kings Canyon. After the day in Kings Canyon, we stayed in Visalia at the Fairfield Inn Visalia Sequoia. Visalia was an adorable town and we appreciated being a little closer to civilization with a patio dinner option.

Bonus tip: We stayed at the Fairfield Inn Visalia Sequoia, a Marriott property. You could stay there for free with the Marriott credit card. Visiting national parks out west is not cheap so using the card to buy your permits, flights, and gear will get you some points for your hotel. *Note: I never advocate credit card debt. Only take on what you can pay off in full each month.*

Kings Canyon Tips

Here are some additional things to consider for your day trip to Kings Canyon:

Some additional things to consider to ensure a smooth trip:

• Bring bug spray. There were constant mosquitoes and I personally wouldn’t even consider a visit if I forgot my bug spray.
• Start early. Although this was mentioned several times throughout the post, starting early will help with both crowds and heat.
• Pack snacks, water, and electrolytes. Although none of the suggested hikes are very long, amenities are limited in the park so you definitely want to be prepared. This park was HOT. There were several times I thought the car might overheat.
• When hiking, I like to use a hiking pack with a water bladder like this one. Regardless of a water bladder or bottles, consider factors like the shade available on trails, how cloudy/sunny the weather is, and how hot it is outside. A trail with no shade on a sunny day would require about double the water than if it was a cloudy, cool day.
• Wear solid, sturdy hiking shoes. I use some similar to these, but find something that works for you. All of the hikes in this post could be done in tennis shoes. However, if you are doing more intense hikes or spending some time in Yosemite as well, you definitely will want more grip/traction than regular tennis shoes.
• Sunscreen is also really important when hiking is there is often not much shade.
• Layers of clothing help ensure that you stay both warm when it’s cool and cool when it’s warm – consider hiking in wool clothing

Kings Canyon National Park FAQs

What can people do at Kings Canyon?

Kings Canyon is full of incredible activities. So, for an epic trip, you can check out Grant Grove’s sequoia forest. You can then get up close with the mighty General Grant Tree and the eerie Fallen Monarch tree.

For killer views, be sure to check out some of the park’s scenic overlooks before driving along the scenic Kings River Route to Roaring River Falls.

What not to miss at Kings Canyon Sequoia National Park?

You absolutely can’t miss General Grant Tree, stunning local viewpoints, the beauty of Roaring River Falls, and the mind-blowing sequoia forest over at Grant Grove.

Is Kings Canyon worth going to?

Yes, Kings Canyon is definitely worth visiting! You can’t miss out on the towering sequoias, jaw-dropping vistas, gorgeous waterfalls, and stunning landscapes that redefine rugged beauty.

How long should I spend in Kings Canyon National Park?

If you want to do Kings Canyon National Park justice then spend between 2 and 3 days there. That’ll give you the chance to explore the sequoias, enjoy the wonderful views, and do some of the best hikes in Kings Canyon.

Kings Canyon National Park

Is Kings Canyon National Park on your list of places to visit? Have you already been? Let me know your favorite part in the comments.

You may also enjoy these posts:

• Sequoia National Park Itinerary
• Two Days in Yosemite

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