You do not need a multi-day permit to experience the scale of Kings Canyon National Park. Some of the park's most rewarding trails are day hikes that range from flat sequoia strolls to steep climbs along the Kings River. Here are the best day hikes, organized roughly from easiest to most demanding, all reachable from the Grant Grove and Cedar Grove areas.
General Grant Trail (Easy, 0.5 Miles)
This paved loop near the Grant Grove village leads to the General Grant tree, the second-largest tree on Earth and the nation's official Christmas Tree. It is fully accessible, takes about 20 minutes, and is the best quick introduction to giant sequoias if you are short on time or traveling with kids.
Roaring River Falls (Easy, 0.3 Miles)
A short paved path off the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway near Cedar Grove brings you to a powerful chute where the Roaring River squeezes through a granite gorge. It is the easiest waterfall in the park and a great leg-stretcher when driving the canyon.
Zumwalt Meadow Loop (Easy to Moderate, 1.5 Miles)
One of the most scenic short hikes in California, this loop traces a lush meadow on the canyon floor beneath the soaring granite walls of North Dome and the Grand Sentinel. Boardwalks cross marshy sections and the Kings River runs alongside. Go early to spot deer feeding in the meadow.
- Distance: about 1.5 miles round trip
- Best time: morning light hits the canyon walls dramatically
- Trailhead: near Roads End, at the bottom of the byway
Mist Falls Trail (Strenuous, 8 Miles)
The signature day hike from Roads End, the Mist Falls Trail climbs about 8 miles round trip to one of the largest waterfalls in the park. The first stretch is flat and sandy through forest along the South Fork of the Kings River, then it climbs over granite slabs to the thundering falls. Bring plenty of water and start early to beat the heat on the exposed sections.
This trail also forms the opening miles of the famous Rae Lakes Loop. If a single waterfall whets your appetite for the high country, our Kings Canyon backpacking itinerary follows this same path deeper into the Sierra over Glen Pass.
Hotel Creek and Cedar Grove Overlook (Strenuous, 5 Miles)
For a big payoff with fewer crowds, this switchbacking climb out of Cedar Grove leads to an overlook with sweeping views down into the U-shaped canyon. It is exposed and hot in midday, so plan for an early start and carry extra water.
Tips for Day Hiking in Kings Canyon
- Most canyon-floor trails are only accessible when the byway to Cedar Grove is open, roughly late spring through mid-November.
- Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so finish exposed climbs by early afternoon.
- Store all food in bear-proof lockers at trailheads; black bears are active throughout the park.
- There is no gas in Cedar Grove during much of the season, so fill up in the foothills first.
Whether you have an hour for the General Grant tree or a full day for Mist Falls, Kings Canyon delivers giant trees, glacier-carved walls, and roaring water without ever needing a backcountry permit.
