Kings Canyon National Park Travel Tips

There is nothing quite like looking up at the General Grant tree and realizing just how big it is. This is just one of the many natural wonders to see within Kings Canyon National Park. Today we are sharing our Kings Canyon National Park Travel Tips to help you plan your visit and make the most of your time within the park.

Kings Canyon National Park Travel Tips

If anyone in your party gets car sick or motion sick you may want to pack some Dramamine or motion sickness bands. The roads into and out of the park are windy. My wife Tammilee does not normally get motion sick and by the time we stopped driving she was not feeling great and didn't even want to do a small walk because she felt so bad.

Plan lots of time for driving! Especially during the summer months and holidays the driving may be slower and portions of the park are a fair distance from each other.

Pack snacks and water with you. There is a small convenience store within the park but you will pay park prices. There are a couple of gas stations on the way into the park but they did not have the best options.

Dress in layers! It may be a warm day outside of the park but when you get into the park and surrounded by the big trees the temperature quickly cools off.

Make sure and check current road conditions especially in Fall, Winter, and Spring. Be aware that it can snow at any time and many of the park's roads close with the snow.

Check weather reports before you visit so you can plan your day.

There is not an in-park shuttle that connects Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, and there is no shuttle system in Grant Grove or Cedar Grove of Kings Canyon National Park.

No gas stations are within park boundaries. Fill up in Three Rivers (5 miles from Hwy 198 park entrance), Clingan’s Junction (20 miles outside the Hwy 180 park entrance)

GPS often misdirects travelers in this area. Follow signs, use maps,

You can download the current park newsletter ahead of your visit to help plan your trip.

You can create a custom map or print maps of the park here. Because of the number of trails within the park a trails map is not available on the park's website. You can check out these books and maps:

Sequoia and Kings Canyon Trails Illustrated map

Lonely Planet Kings Canyon, Yosemite, and Sequoia 

Hiking Sequoia Kings Canyon 

Best Easy Day Hikes in Sequoia and Kings Canyon

50 must-do hikes in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park

Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Park Adventure Set: Map & Naturalist Guide

Visit the reservations page to make reservations for Crystal Cave Tours, Lodging, Camping and more.

How much does it cost to visit Kings Canyon National Park?

America the Beautiful—National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass: $80
Annual pass covering entrance and standard amenity fees for national parks and other federal fee areas. This replaces the National Parks Pass and Golden Eagle Pass.

Annual 4th Grade Pass: Free
Annual pass covering entrance fees for 4th-grade students for 2016-2017 school year.

Annual Pass for US Military: Free
Annual pass covering entrance and standard amenity fees for all active military personnel and their dependents. (For active duty military personnel and dependents with proper identification (CAC Card or DD Form 1173).)

Access Pass: Free
Lifetime admission and discount pass for US citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities.

Senior Pass: $10
Lifetime admission and discount pass for US citizens or permanent residents who are age 62 or older.

Free National Park Entrance Days

Other fees such as reservation, camping, lodging, tours, concession, and fees collected by third parties are not included unless stated otherwise.

How do I get to Kings Canyon National Park?

2 highways enter the Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park.  Hwy 180 from Fresno leads east to Kings Canyon National Park, then continues 30 miles east to Cedar Grove.

Hwy 198 from Visalia leads east to Sequoia National Park via Three Rivers.

Inside the parks, Highway 198 becomes the Generals Highway, which connects 198 to 180. Vehicles over 22-feet long should enter the parks via Highway 180.

In winter, the Generals Highway between the parks often closes. Chains may be required on park roads. No roads cross these parks east to west.

To Kings Canyon National Park's Entrance at Big Stump on Hwy 180

Fresno
Distance: 60 mi/97 km
Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Take CA-180 E to the Big Stump entrance of Kings Canyon National Park.

San Francisco
Distance: 250 mi/402 km
Time: 4 hours, 30 minutes
Take I-80 E to I-580 E. Continue onto I-205 E, merge onto I-5 N. Take CA-120 E to CA-99 S. Then take exit 133B onto CA-180 E. Continue to the Big Stump entrance of Kings Canyon National Park.

San Jose
Distance: 217 mi/349 km
Time: 4 hours
Take CA-85 S and merge onto US-101 S. Take exit 356 onto CA-152 E. Take CA-99 S. Take exit 133B onto CA-180 E. Continue to the Big Stump entrance of Kings Canyon National Park.

Sacramento
Distance: 240 mi/386 km
Time: 4 hours, 15 minutes
Take US-50 E/CA-99 S towards Fresno. Take exit 133B onto CA-180 E. Continue to the Big Stump entrance of Kings Canyon National Park.

Reno
Distance: 365 mi/587 km
Time: 6 hours, 30 minutes
Take I-80 W towards Sacramento. In Sacramento, take CA-99S. In Fresno, take exit 133B onto CA-180 E. Continue to the Big Stump entrance of Kings Canyon National Park.

Lake Tahoe
Distance: 330 mi/531 km
Time: 6 hours
From South Lake Tahoe take US-50 W towards Sacramento. In Sacramento, take CA-99S. In Fresno, take exit 133B onto CA-180 E. Continue to the Big Stump entrance of Kings Canyon National Park.

Yosemite National Park (southern entrance at Wawona on Hwy 41)
Distance: 130 mi/209 km
Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Take CA-41 S toward Fresno. In Fresno, take exit 128 onto CA-180 W. Merge onto CA-180 E. Continue to the Big Stump entrance of Kings Canyon National Park.

Where are the Kings Canyon National Park Visitor Centers?

Foothills Visitor Center

Location - On the Generals Highway 1 mile (1.6 km) north of the Ash Mountain Entrance.

Hours - Open 7 days a week 8 am - 4:30 pm

Kings Canyon Visitor Center

Location - On Highway 180 in Grant Grove Village, 3 miles (5 km) east of the Big Stump Entrance.

Hours - Open 7 days a week 9 am - 5 pm

Lodgepole Visitor Center

Location - On the Generals Highway 21 miles (34 km) north of the Ash Mountain Entrance. 2 miles (3 km) north of the General Sherman Tree.

Hours - Open 7 days a week 7 am - 5 pm

 

Where can I find out about staying/camping in Kings Canyon National Park?

John Muir Lodge is open year-round you can make reservations online or call (877) 436-9615.

John Muir Lodge, in Grant Grove Village in the Grant Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park, offers 36 hotel rooms and a restaurant. The lodge is ½ mile (.8km) from a sequoia grove, visitor center, market, restaurant, gift shop, and post office. Hiking trails in the area lead to the General Grant Tree, Panoramic Point, and other Grant Grove features.

Grant Grove Cabins are Open year-round (limited in winter) you can make reservations online or call (877) 436-9615.

The Grant Grove Cabins are in the Grant Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park, ½ mile (.8 km) from a sequoia grove, visitor center, market, restaurant, gift shop, and post office. Guests can choose from six types of cabins, some of which are available year-round.

Cedar Grove Lodge is Open spring through fall. You can make reservations online or call (877) 436-9615.

The Cedar Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park is open from spring through fall. Cedar Grove Lodge is located deep in Kings Canyon at an elevation of 4,600 feet (1402 m). The lodge offers 21 hotel rooms, a counter-service restaurant, a market, and a gift shop. The lodge is also within walking distance of Cedar Grove's visitor center.

Kings Canyon Camping

Make reservations for park campgrounds at Recreation.gov. You can reserve sites at Potwisha, Buckeye Flat, Lodgepole, Dorst Creek, Sunset, and Sentinel campgrounds, and also any group campsites. You can make reservations up to six months in advance for standard tent and RV campsites, and up to one year in advance for group sites.

There are no RV hookups in the parks.

Wilderness permits are required to camp outside of designated campgrounds.

Campgrounds in Grant Grove include Azalea Campground, which is open to tents, RVs, and trailers year-round

Sunset Campground, which is open to tents, RVs, and trailers from early spring through late fall

Crystal Springs Campground, which is open to group camping for tents, RVs, and trailers from early spring through late fall.

All Cedar Grove campgrounds are open to tents, RVs, and trailers.

They include Sentinel Campground, which is open from early spring through late fall

Sheep Creek Campground and Moraine Campground, both open from late spring through early fall

Canyon View Campground, which is for groups only and is also open from late spring through early fall.

Is there a Junior Ranger Program at Kings Canyon National Park?

Kids ages 5 and up can earn the official Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Junior Ranger badge by completing activities in the park's Junior Ranger booklet. Junior Ranger booklets can be picked up for free at any of the visitor centers.

Learn more about the National Park Junior Ranger Program. 

Can I bring my Dog/Pet with me to Kings Canyon National Park?

Pets are not permitted on any trails at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

In campgrounds and picnic areas, pets must be kept on a leash at all times. The leash must be less than 6 feet (1.8 meters) long.

 

Kings Canyon National Park Facts

Kings Canyon National Park was established on March 4, 1940

General Grant Tree, declared by legislation as the Nation’s Christmas Tree (1926)

Kings Canyon National Park covers a total area of 461,901 acres

 

Kings Canyon National Park Additional Resources Information

Kings Canyon Park Address:

47050 Generals Highway
Three Rivers, CA 93271

You can follow Kings Canyon National Park on Facebook, Twitter (this is mainly an auto feed of their Facebook page), and Instagram 

Have you ever thought of being a Park Ranger? Check out our how to become a park ranger post for more information on working within our great parks.

You can print a printable checklist of US National Parks