Kings Canyon National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1

  The Big Stump Picnic Area is the first stop on this tour. From the picnic area an easy two-mile loop leads to Big Stump itself, which is what’s left of the Mark Twain Tree. Before it was chopped down and put on display in the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the British Museum in London, the tree was a whopping 16 feet in diameter, and over 300 feet tall.

  45 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 2

  Pull up to Redwood Mountain Overlook to see Redwood Mountain Grove. Spanning almost 2,500 acres, it’s the biggest sequoia grove in the whole world. Below the overlook in Redwood Canyon, hikes include the Sugarbowl Loop at 6.8 miles, or 11 kilometers long, and the Hart Tree Loop at 7.3 miles, or 11.8 kilometers long. To reach the trailhead, drive about a half mile east from the overlook and follow the signs for Redwood Canyon. Then it's a 2 mile drive on a dirt road to the trailhead.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 3

  You don’t need long hikes to see breathtaking views in this park. And at Kings Canyon Overlook, you just have to pull up for a gorgeous panoramic view. Yup, it overlooks the park’s namesake natural wonder, Kings Canyon itself. The park’s claim to fame is that it’s almost 2,000 feet deeper than the Grand Canyon! While Kings Canyon reaches 8,200 feet, or 2,500 meters deep, the Grand Canyon’s depth maxes out at just 6,000 feet deep.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 4
  Kings Canyon Visitor Center

  At Kings Canyon Visitor Center in Grant Grove Village, you can learn all about the park and watch a short film about it. It has a Sequoia Parks Conservancy Store that also sells maps, books, and souvenirs. Next door is the Grant Grove Market, which sells basic necessities and food. The Grant Grove Restaurant is also there, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 5
  Grant Grove

  Here's where you see the General Grant Tree, AKA the world’s second-largest tree. It’s also home to the Fallen Monarch, Gamlin Cabin, and the Centennial Stump. The General Grant Tree is 268 feet tall and 107 feet around. You can reach it on a third of a mile, easy, paved loop trail.

  45 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 6

  Here’s a great look at Kings Canyon without the need to drive into it. This high-elevation view also includes Hume Lake. The view is only a few steps away from the parking lot. If you want more alpine scenery, then check out the trail to the Park Ridge Fire Lookout. This is a 5 mile, or 8 km, moderately difficult hike to a fire lookout tower. There may even be a volunteer fire observer to say hello to.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 7

  Here’s another great view! While looking down from McGee Vista Point you’ll see the damage done by the Rough Fire. During the tour, you’ll learn more about the unique relationship between wildfire and sequoia trees.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 8

  At Junction View, you’ll be treated to a panoramic view of the Western Sierra all the way to Mount Whitney, which is the tallest peak in the lower 48 states. The overlook gets its name from the view of the junction of the Middle and South forks of the King River, and a view of Kings Canyon.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 9

  The drive into the canyon is a long, twisty one, so take advantage of another scenic overlook to get out of the car and get another great look at the Sierra Nevada. This overlook sits above the Kings River.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 10

  The Scenic Byway Viewpoint offers an awesome view of the limestone vein, also known as marble, that runs through the park. Look for the gray stone in contrast to the surrounding ground cover.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 11

  Take a guided tour of this incredible marble cavern, filled with stalactites, stalagmites, and other rock formations. Guided tours are 45 minutes to an hour long. Tours of the caverns are run by a small company and charge a small fee for entrance. Keep in mind there is a short, but steep walk from the parking lot to the cave entrance.

  1 hour • Admission ticket not included
• 12

  At Grizzly Falls Picnic Area you can relax by the waterfall, which cascades about 80 feet down in a shaded part of the forest. The falls are a short walk from the picnic area and the parking lot, and it’s a great place to eat lunch. Restrooms make it a convenient stop, but the waterfall is a must-see.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 13

  The second and last visitor center of the day is the Cedar Grove Visitor Center. It’s located in the heart of Cedar Grove Village. It offers information about the area’s natural and cultural history, and is open seasonally, from around Memorial Day through mid-September. The Sequoia Parks Conservancy Store inside the visitor center is a good place to pick up souvenirs, clothing, and other knick-knacks.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 14

  Go back in time at Knapp’s Cabin and get a gorgeous view of the canyon. This riverside cabin belonged to a man named George O. Knapp, who brought friends on fishing trips here. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is reachable via a short trail from the parking area.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 15

  It doesn’t get any more peaceful than spending time by Roaring River Falls. It’s reached by an easy, nearly third-of-a-mile, out-and-back trail. From there, you can continue to Zumwalt Meadows on a four-mile, or 6 kilometer trail.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 16

  Walking to Zumwalt Meadows is a can’t-miss Kings Canyon experience. You can reach this gorgeous meadow by an easy, 0.75 mile, out-and-back trail. Keep an eye out for wildlife there.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 17

  Muir Rock is the last stop on the tour, and the canyon naturally saved the best for last. The rock is a flat slab resting on the bank of the Kings River, and it’s a fabulous place to sit in peace. Local lore says that John Muir loved to hang out there and chat with passersby. The rock is just a short easy walk from the parking area.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Optional Starting Points: • Highway 180, heading towards the Big Stump Entrance • Highway 245, heading towards the Big Stump Entrance
• Get Started Easily: • Book Your Tour: Receive a confirmation and easy instructions via email. • Download the App: Follow the simple steps in your email. • Redeem the Tour: Use the redeem code in your email to redeem the tour in the app. • Prepare Ahead: Download the tour using strong Wi-Fi.

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