Packing for Adventure

When we visited Kings Canyon National Park in September 2023, much of the park was still closed due to storm damage from the previous winter. While we were able to explore the Grant Grove area, the road into the heart of the canyon (the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway beyond Grant Grove) remained closed.

That meant we missed seeing the very landscape that gives Kings Canyon its name: towering granite walls, powerful waterfalls, and the winding river deep in the canyon bottom.

So on a future visit, when the road is fully open, these are the places at the top of my list.

Zumwalt Meadow

One of the most iconic hikes in the park, Zumwalt Meadow is known for its easy 1.5-mile loop trail through a wide-open meadow surrounded by dramatic granite cliffs. And we all know I love a good meadow.

Roaring River Falls

Roaring River Falls is a short, easy walk to a powerful waterfall, which makes it perfect for families or anyone who wants a big payoff without a long hike. I hear it’s one of the most photographed spots in the park.

Grizzly Falls

Another stop I’m especially excited about is Grizzly Falls. This waterfall sits practically right next to the road and is often described as one of the best roadside waterfalls in California.

Mist Falls

For a slightly bigger adventure, I’d love to hike to Mist Falls. The trail is about eight miles round trip and leads to one of the largest waterfalls in the park. It sounds like the kind of hike that’s challenging enough to feel rewarding but still doable in a day.

I loved the slice of Kings Canyon we did get to see during our visit. It’s a bummer that the most dramatic part of Kings Canyon—the deep glacial valley, roaring waterfalls, and granite canyon walls—is still waiting for us.

Next up

I’m the next post, we move on to Yosemite National Park, the pinnacle of the trip!

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