Kings Canyon National Park
Kings Canyon National Park
Located in eastern California, about 5 hours drive from both Los Angeles and San Francisco, Kings Canyon National Park brings out the best in all those who seek both adventure and tranquility. Though the wild King's River graces its banks, the park's true greatness is in the forest. Home to some of the largest trees in the world, the Sequoia, you have to see to believe. "If trees could be kings," say many, "their royal realm would be in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks."
At A Glance
In The Park
Superintendent: Richard MartinPhone Number: 559-565-3341
Entrance Fees: Individual Pass (valid for 7 days): $10 (on foot, bicycle, mororcycle, or bus); Vehicle Pass (valid for 7 days): $20; Annual Pass: $30
Sights: Grant Grove; General Grant Tree; Gamlin Cabin; Fallen Monarch Tree; Cedar Grove; Junction View; North Dome; Roaring River Falls; Zumwalk Meadow; Mineral King; Hospital Rock; Big Stump Trail; Panoramic Point; Kings Canyon; Kings River; Boyden Cave
Endangered Species: Bighorn Sheep; Bats
Important Dates
Established as Park: March 4, 1940By The Numbers
Acres: 458,831.00Highest Point: North Palisade (14242 feet)
Annual Visitation: 552,766 (2006)
Location
Latitude / Longitude :36.887310 / -118.604280 (map it)
State: CA
Nearby Big City: Kings Canyon National Pk, CA
Gateway Communities: Three Rivers, CA; Kaweah, CA; Exeter, CA; Ivanhoe, CA; Lindsay, CA
Nearby Airports: Fresno-Yosemite International Airport (FYI); Visalia Municipal Airport (VIS)
Green Features
Has Recycling? : YesHas Shuttle System? : Yes
Has Volunteer Program? : Yes
Park Photos
Hume Lake
Bryan Brazil
North Dome
Xiao Li
Zumwalt Meadow
Sarah Scott
View More Kings Canyon Photos
In Detail
Campgrounds of Kings Canyon Grant Grove Area All Grant Grove campgrounds are located 0.25-mile from Grant Grove Village. The campgrounds cost $18 per night. Flush toilets, phones, camper store, -cabins, hotel rooms, restaurant, ... read more.
Lodging & Dining LODGING Comfortable accommodations are available at Kings Canyon from Kings Canyon Park Services Company (KCPS). Advance reservations are strongly recommended, especially during summer and holidays. ... read more.
Sights to See KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARK Kings Canyon national park is a masterpiece created by nature. Here you can marvel at the wild Kings River. The following are just a few of the many sights to see in the p ... read more.
Walking & Hiking Trails Grant Grove General Grant Tree Trail (easy) Distance 0.5-mile 0.5-mile, half-hour round-trip; self-guiding loop trail; trailhead: Grant Tree parking area, one mile northwest of visitor center; 50-foo ... read more.
Yuletide The General Grant was designated "The Nation's Christmas Tree" on April 28, 1926, and as a National Shrine in 1956. Every year since then, the town of Sanger, 45 miles west of Kings Canyon, has spons ... read more.
Kings Canyon In Depth
News from the Parks
Alexander Backs New Source of Funding for National Parks
July 3, 2008 - 9:38am
U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today announced he will cosponsor bipartisan legislation to create a new source of funding for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other national parks across the country as part of the “Centennial Challenge” celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park System in 2016. “The Centennial Challenge could bring up to $4 million to the Smokies – the country’s most visited national park – and will go a long way toward improving park facilities, aiding conservation efforts, and helping build upon the excellent visitor services already offered. This 4th of July, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our country’s birthday than backing legislation that will aid efforts to preserve and celebrate our national parks, one of America’s greatest treasures.”
July 3, 2008 - 9:38am
U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today announced he will cosponsor bipartisan legislation to create a new source of funding for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other national parks across the country as part of the “Centennial Challenge” celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park System in 2016. “The Centennial Challenge could bring up to $4 million to the Smokies – the country’s most visited national park – and will go a long way toward improving park facilities, aiding conservation efforts, and helping build upon the excellent visitor services already offered. This 4th of July, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our country’s birthday than backing legislation that will aid efforts to preserve and celebrate our national parks, one of America’s greatest treasures.”
EPA's Pollution Plan Slammed
July 3, 2008 - 9:35am
City officials and business leaders here Wednesday warned that a federal proposal to relax air quality standards for the nation's national parks will ultimately be bad for business. Simply put, they said during a news conference at the entrance to Zion National Park, lower air standards being proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hurt this gateway city economically if fewer tourists visit the park. "Air pollution could damage the stars, vistas and clean air we enjoy," Springdale Mayor Pat Cluff said. "Some places deserve to be preserved and it is my responsibility to preserve [the park] for those who come here."
July 3, 2008 - 9:35am
City officials and business leaders here Wednesday warned that a federal proposal to relax air quality standards for the nation's national parks will ultimately be bad for business. Simply put, they said during a news conference at the entrance to Zion National Park, lower air standards being proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hurt this gateway city economically if fewer tourists visit the park. "Air pollution could damage the stars, vistas and clean air we enjoy," Springdale Mayor Pat Cluff said. "Some places deserve to be preserved and it is my responsibility to preserve [the park] for those who come here."
Dinosaur Fossils In Utah Inspire 'Jr. Paleontologists'
July 2, 2008 - 9:57am
Millions of years ago, northeastern Utah was a hot spot for dinosaurs. Today, people travel to the Dinosaur National Monument located on the borders of Colorado and Utah to see the leftover dinosaur bones. Visitors can see as many as 1,500 Jurassic-era fossils exposed on the cliff face of the Douglass Quarry.
July 2, 2008 - 9:57am
Millions of years ago, northeastern Utah was a hot spot for dinosaurs. Today, people travel to the Dinosaur National Monument located on the borders of Colorado and Utah to see the leftover dinosaur bones. Visitors can see as many as 1,500 Jurassic-era fossils exposed on the cliff face of the Douglass Quarry.
A Paiute Take On Bryce Canyon's Hoodoos
July 2, 2008 - 9:56am
The red spindly rock formations that make up the views at Bryce Canyon National Park are called hoodoos. Geologists say they were formed by erosion, but Kevin Poe, chief of interpretation at Bryce, shares his take on the Paiute legend about hoodoos.
July 2, 2008 - 9:56am
The red spindly rock formations that make up the views at Bryce Canyon National Park are called hoodoos. Geologists say they were formed by erosion, but Kevin Poe, chief of interpretation at Bryce, shares his take on the Paiute legend about hoodoos.
Can The Everglades Be Saved?
July 2, 2008 - 9:55am
Environmentalists have been issuing dire warnings about the deterioration of the Florida Everglades for years, saying these wetlands have to be restored in order to revive fragile ecosystems and increase scarce fresh water supplies. Over half of the Everglades are gone, irreversibly converted to urban or agricultural development. But this week, in an attempt to save what's left, the state of Florida announced a plan to buy nearly 200,000 acres of former wetlands from a sugar cane producer. Advocates say the plan is the largest restoration project in American history.
July 2, 2008 - 9:55am
Environmentalists have been issuing dire warnings about the deterioration of the Florida Everglades for years, saying these wetlands have to be restored in order to revive fragile ecosystems and increase scarce fresh water supplies. Over half of the Everglades are gone, irreversibly converted to urban or agricultural development. But this week, in an attempt to save what's left, the state of Florida announced a plan to buy nearly 200,000 acres of former wetlands from a sugar cane producer. Advocates say the plan is the largest restoration project in American history.
