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After spending a day at Sequoia National Park, we were ready to continue our California journey by getting to know the less popular and often overlooked Kings Canyon National Park. The name certainly sounded majestic and grand, and all of us were excited to discover what this place was all about.
We started out in Tulare, CA at the Charter Inn & Suites. After a filling continental breakfast, we packed some food for the day, and headed out looking for new adventures.
TIP: To follow along, click HEREÂ for a map of Kings Canyon & Sequoia National Parks, created by the National Park Service
Enter Kings Canyon National Park at Big Stump
We drove for about an hour and a half before finally arriving at the Big Stump Entrance of Kings Canyon National Park. From there, we made our way to the nearby Big Stump Picnic Area. Our first order of business was to take on the Big Stump Trail, and look for some big stumps. Angie and Dani, our two daughters, liked the idea, especially when I mentioned they would probably get to climb on top.
Hike the Big Stump Trail if You Have Time
BIG STUMP TRAIL: EASY, unpaved loop, approximately 2.0 miles
TIP: If you decide to hike the Big Stump Trail, be sure to finish the entire loop. The main attraction on the trail is the massive Mark Twain Stump, which comes with its own built-in stairs.
The Big Stump Trail led us into a serene forest of old pine trees with giant Sequoias interspersed among them. It was a relaxing and quiet walk with only a couple of other hikers along the way. We didn’t get too far before we spotted an enormous sequoia right near the trail, and naturally, we were all drawn to it. After spending the previous day at Sequoia National Park, we had seen quite a few of these magnificent trees, but it didn’t really matter. Every new encounter was just as unique and exciting.
Me, standing under another Giant Sequoia, this time at Kings Canyon National Park
Like so many others, this particular sequoia had a trunk that was split, possibly by a wild fire. Its core however was intact, and the tree looked majestic and otherwise very healthy.
Look for a Big Stump
The trail kept on winding through the forest until it finally led us to what we had been looking for, a massive stump of a giant sequoia. The kids immediately started to look for a way to climb up on top, but the stump was way too tall. Hubby came to help, and after giving them a couple of pushes, they were happily dancing around the stump, making us quite nervous.
The kids standing on the Giant Sequoia stump
After a few minutes of partying on the stump, hubby helped the kids get down, and we decided it was time to return back to the car. The trail continued on, but it was getting late, and there was still so much to see. Sadly, we didn’t get to the Mark Twain Stump, the trail’s most interesting attraction, a giant sequoia stump with stairs to help you climb to the top.
Stop at Grant Grove Village
After the Big Stump Trail, we continued our drive deeper into the park. Our next stop was the Kings Canyon Visitor Center in Grant Grove Village. We wanted to get recommendations from the park rangers about hikes and points of interest. Being the National Park geek that I am, I had to mark it all down in order to make sure we wouldn’t miss anything.
The trunk of a Giant Sequoia in Kings Canyon
Learn About General Grant, the Nation’s Christmas Tree
Armed with information and a clear plan, we headed towards our next stop, and the most famous attraction in the park, The General Grant Tree. We had learned from the park ranger that this was the second largest tree by volume in the world. In addition, former President Coolidge had named it the Nation’s Christmas Tree back in 1926. The park ranger explained with a smirk that they didn’t actually decorate it for Christmas because it was “a bit” tall. To get to the General Grant Trail, we drove a very short distance from the Kings Canyon Visitor Center, and parked near a sign for the trail.
Hike the General Grant Loop Trail
GENERAL GRANT TRAIL: EASY, paved loop, about 0.4 miles
As we approached the entry point to the General Grant Trail, we stopped near a large sign to look at the detailed map. It looked like a pleasant, easy walk through a forest of peaceful ancient giants.
Walk Through the Fallen Monarch
We started walking, and pretty quickly made our way to a fallen giant sequoia with a long, hollowed trunk. This was the Fallen Monarch, and it served as a connecting passageway, a shortcut between two sides of the General Grant loop. Check it out, but don’t take the shortcut just yet! Remember, the General Grant Tree is the main attraction on this trail!
Dani and Angie about to go into the hollowed trunk of the Fallen Monarch
Inside the Fallen Monarch, there were a good number of visitors looking around and taking photos. Naturally, we also had to go in and experience the thrill of passing through the hollow trunk of a giant sequoia. Needles to say, our kids had an absolute blast running back and forth from one end to the other. After about ten minutes of fun, we continued walking around the loop, and it wasn’t much longer until we arrived at the General Grant Tree.
Get Inspired by the General Grant Tree
The first thing we noticed was a giant fire scar on the lower portion of the trunk.
The burnt trunk of General Grant
Apparently, the Nation’s Christmas Tree had been through some rough times. Nevertheless, it was thriving, and looking magnificent! We read on a nearby sign that it was only 1700 years old, which is apparently considered young when it comes to giant sequoias.
Looking up at the General Grant Tree in Kings Canyon National Park
After we admired General Grant for some time, we continued following the trail, slowly making our way around the loop.
Stop by Gamlin Cabin
In a couple of minutes, we arrived to the next point of interest, Gamlin Cabin. This was a small wooden cabin with a stone fireplace inside.
Hubby, Angie, and Dani in front of Gamlin Cabin
The sign nearby told the story of the structure:
This cabin was built in 1872 by Israel Gamlin, who with his brother Thomas filed a timber claim to 160 acres within Grant Grove. They quartered here until 1878 while grazing cattle in the mountains. After General Grant National Park was established in 1890, the cabin was used as a store house by the U. S. Cavalry who patrolled the park until 1913. Later it became the quarters of the first park ranger stationed here.
Check out the Other End of Fallen Monarch
We continued our walk on the loop trail, and pretty quickly arrived back to the Fallen Monarch tree we had seen earlier. This time we were at the other end of its massive trunk, and the kids had to stop and play here once again. In all honesty, hubby and I also had a blast walking inside the hollow trunk of this incredible giant!
The kids posing at the other end of the Fallen Monarch Tree
After we all played for a while longer, it was time to get back to the car and continue our Kings Canyon National Park adventure.
Back on the Main Road 180
We got back on the main road 180 and exited the Grant Grove Area. I requested that we make a quick stop at a roadside overlook. It was marked on the map, so as a result of my national park geekiness, I had to check it out!
Overlook
At the overlook, we discovered an area where a wildfire had ravaged through the forest and destroyed about 17,500 acres, according to a sign there. It always saddens me when I see this, but then I try to remind myself that wildfires are actually beneficial. From our visits to national parks, we have learned that fires allow seeds to be released from pine cones, which eventually helps regenerate the forest. Someone told us at one point that it was as though the mountain was getting a facelift!
Overlook near Highway 180 of burnt forest
According to the sign however, this particular wildfire was unusually extensive and destructive, so it was taking a long time for the mountain to get its fresh, new face.
Hume Lake
We continued driving, and while on the road, I entertained myself by closely studying the park map. It is, after all, what all national park geeks do! I noticed that there was a side road coming up that lead to Hume Lake, and I felt I just couldn’t miss the sight of a pristine mountain lake. Hubby was agreeable to the idea, so he followed my navigation. After we turned off on the side road, we didn’t have to drive for too long until we arrived at the Hume Lake parking area.
As I expected, the lake looked beautiful with clear greenish water, surrounded by rolling hills covered in pine trees. It was one of those idyllic places where time passes unnoticed. Not only was it a beautiful place, but there weren’t many people around, which certainly made this stop more peaceful and enjoyable.
Gorgeous Hume Lake in Kings Canyon
It was the kind of place that beckoned a long afternoon visit, perhaps with a boat and a picnic basket. Sadly, we only had time for a short stop, ten minutes or so of enjoying the view and lapping sounds of the water. Then, we grudgingly parted with Hume Lake in the name of new Kings Canyon adventures.
Drive the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway
We drove back to the main Highway 180, and continued our journey. Before long, the road turned east, and this was where the views really started to change. We were now definitely driving along the rim of a canyon. This stretch of the highway was marked on the map as the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway, and rightly so. The views were not only scenic, they were spectacular!
Stop at Junction View
Our first stop along this stretch of road was at an overlook called Junction View. There, we discovered an absolutely vast panorama of what was the Middle Fork and the South Fork of Kings Canyon. Way far down, the Kings River was carving its path.
Panorama from Junction View along the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway
It was hard to contain my excitement at these magnificent sights. I stepped up near the edge of the overlook to take some photos, making my hubby rather nervous. He often has to put up with this, although I honestly feel that I never compromise my safety in any way. After a few unnerving-for-hubby photos, we got back in the car, and continued our drive further east.
Enjoy the Views from the Road
The road continued to wind near the rim of the canyon, and after a while it started to descend. As we kept on going lower, more incredible panoramas opened before our eyes. The surrounding granite peaks looked taller, rising far up into the sky.
View from the drive on Kings Canyon Scenic Byway
I remembered the park ranger we had talked to earlier had mentioned that Kings Canyon was one of the deepest canyons in North America, and featured some of the longest drop offs. Judging by the towering rocks near the road, I could totally see that!
Driving on the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway…absolutely incredible!
As we drove further east, we descended all the way down to the level of the Kings River. The road followed the natural curves of its raging waters, which only added to the excitement of this drive.
Angie and Dani at the Kings River…we pulled over near the road for a closer look
Explore Cedar Grove
Before long, we arrived at the next major area of the park, Cedar Grove. We stopped by the Cedar Grove Visitor Center and got information from the park rangers about recommended hikes and points of interest nearby. Then, the four of us stopped by the little convenience store in the village for a late lunch, and we finished off with some ice cream and beautiful views of the Kings River.
Angie and Dani having fun near the rushing waters of the Kings River
We sat on the rocks near the bank of the river, and looked at the rushing water for a little bit. It was again, one of those places where you could easily spend an entire day just enjoying the sights and sounds of Mother Nature.
The Kings River in Cedar Grove Village
Stop at Canyon Viewpoint
As we continued our drive further east, we got closer to the massive granite walls of Kings Canyon. We pulled over to the side of the road at Canyon Viewpoint, where we could see its U-shaped profile. Even though the canyon view was slightly hindered by the nearby pine trees, it was still truly spectacular.
Kings Canyon from Canyon Viewpoint
Walk to Roaring River Falls
ROARING RIVER FALLS TRAIL: EASY, paved path, about 0.2 miles round trip
We drove a little further, and parked near the start of a short trail leading to Roaring River Falls. The path here was flat, paved, and shady, and it didn’t take us more than five minutes to get to the waterfall.
The kids walking on the trail to Roaring River Falls in the Cedar Grove Area of Kings Canyon
There, we discovered the hypnotizing sight of fast-moving water, which rushed and crashed down below. The waterfall itself was not very high, but it sure was roaring. Mesmerized by the view and the whooshing sounds, we all sat down on the rocks near the bottom to take it all in. It was yet another place we couldn’t easily leave! In fact, we pretty much had to drag the kids out of there!
Angie and Dani enjoying the short but powerful Roaring River Falls
Definitely Hike Zumwalt Meadow Trail
ZUMWALT MEADOW TRAIL: EASY, unpaved path, with a short boardwalk, and a few rocky sections, 1.8 miles round trip
Our next and final major stop for the day was Zumwalt Meadow Trail, a little further down the road. This hike was recommended to us several times by different people, and we just had to check it out. The kids were getting tired, and weren’t particularly thrilled that they had to walk yet again, but we all went regardless.
View near the parking area from Zumwalt Meadow Trail
Enjoy the Views from the Bridge
The trail started nice and easy, leading through a forest, and to a bridge over the Kings River. We took a little time to snap pictures and enjoy the views. Then, all of us crossed over to the other side where the path led us back into the forest.
The kids looking at the Kings River from the bridge on Zumwalt Meadow Trail
View from the bridge along Zumwalt Meadow Trail
On the other side of the bridge
Angie on the Zumwalt Meadow Trail
Dani on the Zumwalt Meadow Trail
Arrive Near Zumwalt Meadow
As we continued walking, views of the gorgeous Zumwalt Meadow opened up. The meadow looked like a painting with tall, light green grass, pine trees in darker shades, and monolithic granite walls.
The Kings River and Zumwalt Meadow
Zumwalt Meadow in Kings Canyon National Park, Cedar Grove Area
Unfortunately, we couldn’t enjoy it for very long because our older daughter Angie managed to somehow slip and bump her knee on a rock. She was already tired so this didn’t bode well for her mood, and she wanted to be done with the hike right then and there. While this was happening, hubby noticed there were some mosquitoes around that were starting to attack him. The man absolutely despises bugs, and admittedly, he is kind of a mosquito magnet.
So, a decision had to be made! Hubby still wanted to hike the trail, but didn’t want to stand around getting eaten by mosquitoes and listening to our daughter complain while I took pictures. He offered to take the kids and continue walking around the loop at a faster pace. We all agreed to see each other back at the car.
Follow the Trail Along the River
The trail from here on continued leading through the forest and along the river. At this point, I had it all to myself, and I tried to enjoy it and take my photos, while still keeping a good pace.
Walking through the forest on Zumwalt Meadow Trail
As I continued to follow the path, I noticed that it started to loop back around, taking me to the other side of Zumwalt Meadow.
Another view of Zumwalt Meadow
Take on the Rocky Side of the Loop
At that point, the trail took me out of the forest and over a series of granite rocks, which was quite a change. The afternoon sun was quite strong, but the scenery all around was spectacular.
The rocky section of Zumwalt Meadow Trail
As I climbed up and down the rocky trail, I felt truly exhilarated by the mammoth rocks around, and the calm beauty of the meadow. It was really a magical place, one that should not be missed when visiting Kings Canyon National Park!
The end of the rocky section of the trail marked the completion of the loop. At that point I was back in the forest close to the bridge. After I crossed over the Kings River, it was only another five minutes before I made it back to the car.
Looking up at an interesting tree along the Zumwalt Meadow Trail
There, hubby had everything under control. I found the kids eating apples while resting on a large rock, and no one was whining or complaining. I took out a small first aid kit and some water from the car, cleaned Angie’s knee scrape, and dressed it with some gauze and medical tape. A few minutes later, we were back on the road, good as new.
Reach the End of the Road…or Not
We drove for a very short distance further into the park before we got to a point where we could no longer keep going. The only way to continue any further was to get on our feet and start walking. We had reached the Roads End Permit Station, where avid backpackers could obtain wilderness permits, and begin a journey into the High Sierra. For us, this meant it was time to turn around, and drive back to where we had started in the morning.
Head Back on Kings Canyon Scenic Byway
As hubby started the long journey home, I glanced at the park map one last time, and happened to notice one more point of interest that we had missed. Of course, neither the kids nor hubby wanted to hear about it. They were all tired and so was I, but my mind wouldn’t settle down unless I checked out this final attraction, called Knapp’s Cabin.
Stop by Knapp’s Cabin
Fortunately, hubby didn’t need too much convincing, and when he saw the sign for Knapp’s Cabin, he pulled over without much resistance. His only condition was he wanted to stay in the car and rest. I agreed, and because I didn’t want to walk alone, I tried to convince the kids to come with me. Angie, our older one, didn’t budge, but Dani seemed agreeable, which pleasantly surprised me. The two of us hopped out of the car, and started walking on a narrow path right near the parking area. We didn’t have to go far before we spotted a small wooden cabin.
Knapp’s Cabin in the Cedar Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park
According to the sign near it, a wealthy businessman, George Knapp, built it in 1925. Apparently, he organized fancy fishing trips into the canyon, so he used this cabin to store all the fishing equipment.
Dani inside Knapp’s Cabin
While the cabin itself was nothing special, the scenery all around was beautiful. Dani and I continued walking a little further past the cabin to see if we could actually get near the river. It turned out that the bank was too steep, so we decided not to try to hike all the way down. Nevertheless, we discovered a beautiful view of the river, so we stopped to take a few photos before returning to the car.
Me with the view of the Kings River near Knapp’s Cabin
Enjoy the Late Afternoon Views and Colors
Before long, we were back on the already familiar Kings Canyon Scenic Byway, also known as Highway 180. This time, we drove pretty much straight through without making any stops, except for two or maybe three.
View of the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway
Another view from the road
I requested that we pull over at Junction View once again because the late afternoon sun was illuminating the panorama beautifully.
Panorama from Junction View under the late afternoon sun
End of a Great Day
We drove out of the park through the same Big Stump area we had visited in the morning. Right before we exited, I spotted one final giant sequoia, and I just had to stop and properly say my final goodbye!
The last Giant Sequoia of the trip, near the Big Stump entrance
Just felt like giving a hug!
Birthday Girl
For us, this was not only a day filled with amazing adventures, but also it happened to be Angie’s birthday! She was now a proud 10-year-old who demanded a birthday cake, so, we had to deliver.
We got back to Tulare, CA and went to a nice Italian restaurant for dinner called La Piazza Ristorante Italiano. We made sure to mention to our waitress that we had a birthday girl. After we finished our meals, we asked Angie to pick her favorite desert on the menu. So, she did…with a large grin on her face. Shorty thereafter, a team of waiters brought a delicious chocolate creme brulee with one candle on top. They all sang “Happy Birthday,” and Angie delightedly blew out the candle. This concluded another amazing day of family adventures!
Angie excited about her birthday desert!
Additional Resources to Help Plan Your Visit to Kings Canyon
- Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks – This is the official website for the two parks by the National Park Service. Here, you can find the latest information, including trails, activities, points of interest, and much more.
- Map of Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks – Here is a PDF map of Sequoia & Kings Canyon to help you plan your day.
- Day Hikes in the Grant Grove Area – Visit this page from the official National Park Service website to get information about the trails in the Grant Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park.
- Day Hikes in the Cedar Grove Area –Â Check out this page from the official National Park Service website to get information about the trails in the Cedar Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park.
Note:Â Unless otherwise indicated, all photos in this post were taken by me (Vessy) with my iPhone 7 Plus. All images are subject to copyright. Please contact us if you would like to use any of them!
This trip took place on August 17, 2017.
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44 comments
It feels just like I am taking the trip with you. The pictures are beautiful and your story so exciting!
Awww…I am so glad you stopped by, and enjoyed a day at the amazing Kings Canyon with us! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Stunning pictures! I’m going to add this to my list of places to go. Thank you for such a great post.
You are most welcome! Combine it with Sequoia National Park for a two-day dream road trip! It is gorgeous out there! 🙂
Your photos are beautiful! What camera do you use?
Hi Katy! Thanks so much!…To be honest, in this particular post I used only photos from my iPhone 7 Plus. Normally I shoot with a Nikon 5600, but I got a little lazy that day, and didn’t carry it along.
So beautiful!! I love the huge tree. So fun.
Thanks so much! I absolutely LOVE these enormous, ancient trees! 🙂
Sounds amazing! I love seeing the sequoias!
Thanks Tina! I absolutely LOVE the sequoias as well! 🙂
What an awesome trip, I only can imagine the fresh air there, and amazing views surrounding!
Thanks for checking it out! It really was a very refreshing and peaceful day! 🙂
This park looks amazing! I can’t believe how big those trees are!
I know! The Giant Sequoias are so awesome! 🙂
Wow, so much to see along that trail! Love all your pics! Really told the story.
Thank you so much for checking it out, Gail! I really appreciate it! 🙂
What a fantastic vacation! Those trees are so huge – I”ve always wanted to see them myself. Bucket List!
Thanks so much, Micky! Yes, the Giant Sequoias are amazing…and you can actually combine Kings Canyon with Sequoia National Park. They are connected, right next to each other.
Great Post! Truly Great Post! Love these Giant Sequoia’s and everyone should see these massive giants sometime in their lives. They are spectacular.
Thank you so much, Rebecca! I totally agree! It is impossible to not feel inspired by Mother Nature when you see these amazing gentle giants! 🙂
The trees are beyond beautiful. This is my dream destination. You have captured it so perfectly. Thank you for the wonderful tour. I loved it.
Thanks you so much, Verla! You would be right at home among these incredible giants! They truly have magical powers! 🙂
Those giant sequoias are so beautiful. I love your pictures, there is so much to see there!
Thank you so much, Laura! I really appreciate it! It is a beautiful place, indeed! 🙂
So beautiful! I cannot get over how big those trees are!
Yessss! They are absolutely stunning…and it is hard to imagine some of them are a couple of thousand years old! 🙂
Wow that looks like an amazing place!
Thanks for stopping by, Heidi! It sure is! 🙂
Wow looks like an amazing day of exploring! Very cool!
It definitely was…We loved discovering this park! 🙂
Looks like so much fun and that everyone had a great time!
We really did have a great day! The kids do their fair share of whining when it comes to walking too far, and hiking…but in the end, they really appreciate the beauty of Nature!
Wow – you accomplished so much in that trip and everyone looks so happy. Love your photos!
Thank you so much, Sarah! We tried to see as much as possible! It was such a wonderful place! 🙂
Loved seeing your pictures! Looks like a great spot
Thanks so much, Ashley! It is amazing, and I highly recommend it…and it is not too crowded! 🙂
What a wonderful adventure! I have been to two Giant Sequoia parks, but never Kings Canyon. This inspires me to visit there.
Yesss! I would very much recommend it! It is just as beautiful, but not nearly as crowded as some of the other more popular California National Parks! 🙂
Thanks for posting! We’re off for a long weekend at Sequoia and Kings and this is very helpful. I’m hoping to add Hospital Rock and Tokopah falls to your itinerary and follow your advice to save time and bring PBJ sandwiches. We’re staying in Visalia.
Sounds like a great plan! Let us know how you like Hospital Rock and Tokopah Falls!…And have a fantastic time in the enchanted Giant Forest! 🙂
Thank you for taking the time to share this wonderful trip. I am going to Kings Canyon National Park this weekend with my family and this is what we are going to do. Beautiful pictures…
Thank you so much for stopping by! I hope you and your family have a fantastic time! Kings Canyon National Park is a stunning place…a peaceful version of Yosemite! 🙂
how to navigate sequoia and kings canyon in one day? we have a ,imited time only and plan to do yosemite another day.
thanks!
Hi Lea, and thanks so much for stopping by. You can definitely plan to see both Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks in one day, just be sure to start early and bring snacks, food, and water. Depending on where you are staying, you can either start with Sequoia or Kings Canyon. You may not have time to do a lot of hiking, but if you’ve never visited the parks, be sure to check out the General Sherman Tree in Sequoia and General Grant Tree and Grant Grove Trail in Kings Canyon. One of our favorite hikes was Moro Rock in Sequoia. It’s a short one, but it does require climbing a bunch of stairs to the top of the rock. Another great hike in Sequoia is Congress Trail, which starts near the General Sherman Tree, but you may not have time for it. It’s a 2.7-mile lollipop loop. Be sure to drive the entire Kings Canyon Scenic Byway. It’s absolutely incredible, and I’m sure you will be stopping at various overlooks to snap some photos. This is probably all you will have time for in one day, but it covers the main points of interest pretty well. Hope this helps some! Have an amazing time exploring America’s treasures! 🙂