Kings Canyon National Park Grant Grove, California

Kings Canyon is Sequoia's quieter, deeper neighbor — and in some ways the more dramatic of the two. The canyon itself is one of the deepest in North America, dropping over 8,000 feet from rim to river, carved by glaciers into a sweeping U-shape that Yosemite visitors will find familiar but much less crowded. The park splits into two distinct areas connected by a long, winding scenic drive through national forest, and each half feels like its own world. Most people who visit Sequoia never make it here, which means you often have it largely to yourself.

Cost $35 per vehicle, valid for 7 days and covers both Kings Canyon and Sequoia — one entrance fee, two parks. America the Beautiful Pass accepted. International visitors face the $100 per-person surcharge as of 2026.

Best Times to Visit Late spring through fall. The Kings Canyon Scenic Byway to Cedar Grove opens seasonally — typically mid-April through November depending on snowpack. Summer gives full access to both sections of the park. Winter limits access significantly and Highway 180 closes periodically after heavy snow.

Cell Service Very limited throughout the park. Available in Grant Grove Village and at a few developed areas, but plan on being largely disconnected once you're on the roads and trails. Download the NPS app and offline maps before arriving.

Gas & Food No gas inside the park. Fill up before entering — the nearest stations are in Fresno heading in from the north. Inside the park, Grant Grove Village has a restaurant and small general store. Cedar Grove has a snack bar open seasonally. Pack food and water for any full day of hiking or driving the scenic byway.

Lodging John Muir Lodge in Grant Grove is the main Kings Canyon lodging option — comfortable, well-located, and worth booking months in advance for summer. Cedar Grove Lodge sits down in the canyon and is open seasonally, offering a completely different and more immersive experience closer to the river. Camping is available throughout both park sections.

Bear Country — Take This Seriously Black bears are active throughout both Sequoia and Kings Canyon. The park requires all food and scented items to be removed from vehicles and stored properly. Don't leave anything in your car, even a granola bar wrapper. This is strictly enforced and for good reason — a bear that gets into food becomes a problem bear with serious consequences.

Don't Miss The General Grant Tree in Grant Grove is the second-largest tree in the world and the only living object designated as a national war memorial — it's enormous in a way that photos don't convey. Drive the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway down into Cedar Grove for the canyon views and Roaring River Falls, a powerful waterfall just a short walk from the road. Panoramic Point above Grant Grove village is a short but steep drive with sweeping views of the High Sierra that most visitors skip entirely — don't.