How to get to King’s Canyon National Park
Kings Canyon National park is a short 1-hour drive from Fresno Airport (FAT).
Sequoia National Forest and Kings Canyon are right next to each other geographically and are connected by a winding mountainous road (Generals Highway). This road goes through or near several groves of Sequoia trees but is slow going.You can also access King’s Canyon National Park from Sequoia National Park on the Generals Highway; about an hour drive from General Sherman tree. Find the best Itinerary from Sequoia National Park.
Where to Stay in King’s Canyon National Park
The most convenient place to stay the night is inside King’s Canyon National Park John Muir Lodge or Grant’s Grove Cabins .
You can also camp in a campground right near the King’s Canyon Visitors Center. Sunset Campground, Crystal Spring Campground or Azalea are all centrally located.
Most of the cities outside the park have few accommodations and are still quite a drive from the park. There are a few accommodations in Etheda Springs like Summer Place, Fivespot Cabin or Pinehurst.
We stayed in Visalia right outside Sequoia National Park. From here it is 1 1/2 hours drive.
What to see in King’s Canyon National Park
Our time was short in this park, but I’ll pass along the things we loved here.
King’s Canyon Visitor Center
As in all National Parks, your first stop should always be the visitors center. At the Visitors Center in King’s Canyon National Park, there was a small village. You’ll find a post office, restaurant, gift shop, and visitor center.
The visitors center didn’t open until 9 and we got there early, so we waited in the gift shop. The kids earned their junior ranger pins by completing 7 activities in their books. Thier activities were checked by a park ranger and then they were sworn in and given a pin/badge.
General Grant Sequoia Tree
Kings Canyon is home to the 2nd largest sequoia tree called General Grant. King’s Canyon also boasts amazing canyon views and multiple Sequoia Groves.
Just a few short minutes up the road was Grants Grove. This was an amazing grove of many Sequoias. The hike is a paved trail 1/2 mile loop going around Grants Tree. But on the way, there was a fallen hollowed-out log to walk through. When you walk through the middle of a sequoia log, you will fully grasp how giant those trees are.
Grants tree is incredible. The burned backside has an interesting story. But to my untrained eye, I couldn’t tell it was bigger than some of the other trees I’d seen.
Near Grants tree, we also went off the paved path to find a hollowed log that had fallen on a hill. It was a pretty intense climb up it (Especially wearing a baby!) but a fun adventure. It was even more amazing to see how far into the forest the trunk extended.
As we continued on the loop we ran into a seniors tour guide. They showed us the seed that grows a sequoia and talked about all the obstacles the tree has in maturing into a full-grown Sequoia. So fascinating!
Don’t miss the short hike to the “Senate Group” of Sequoia trees.
Continue driving on the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway to enjoy spectacular views of the canyon. Eventually you will drop into the canyon and can drive all the way through it. Be prepared to drive back out after as the road dead ends just past the Cedar Grove visitors center.
It will be a long day of driving if you plan to go into the canyon. Bring some kids Dramamine if anyone gets carsick.
What’s the weather in King’s Canyon National Park?
We were at King’s Canyon in July as we were quite cold early in the morning. Bring layers for the Mountain weather.
Flying to King’s Canyon in or out of Fresno Airport?
Right near the airport in Fresno, we found a park called Trolley Creek Park. It was a perfect place to eat lunch in the shade, wash off the canyon, let the kids get out some energy and get packed to go on our flight home!
Find Tips for Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park Here
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