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California

KINGS CANYON

ESTABLISHED 1940


Home to the deepest canyon in the United States, color-splashed alpine meadows, fast-flowing rivers, and vast groves of giant sequoias, Kings Canyon showcases nature at its most majestic.

Spanish explorers who came to this part of California christened the local river Rio de los Reyes (River of the Kings). Kings Canyon is its namesake, and it is indeed regal. Naturalist John Muir (see Father of the national parks), who campaigned to establish this park, thought it rivaled Yosemite in its wonders.

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The views and burbling waters of Darwin Bench, at an elevation of 11,500 ft (3,500 m), make for a great photo

FOCUS ON

Soundscapes

Listen closely for the busy sounds of nature: birdsong, chatter, and hammering from the American robin, Steller’s jay, or acorn woodpecker; the rustle of leaves made as a lizard or snake slithers by; or the rush of wind in the trees that signals a change in weather.

Winter wonderland

Carved out by an eons-old glacier active during the Ice Age, Kings Canyon is a breathtaking 8,200 ft (2,500 m) deep and just one of many canyons in the park. You’ll be reminded of these icy beginnings if you visit in winter, which can be a magical (and long) period: winter here can run from late fall into late spring, due to its elevation—the highest point is 14,248 ft (4,343 m). One upside though, is the solitude. You’ll have many viewpoints to yourself as you gaze out over white peaks, their lower slopes waves of snow-covered pines. It’s bracing cold, so dress for it and throw yourself into skiing, snowshoeing, or other winter fun.

1,650

The age of the General Grant Tree, where Christmas morning services are held each year.

1890

The year the park was originally established, as the General Grant National Park. It was renamed and expanded in 1940.

Springtime glory

In spring and summer, the park sheds its winter coat and ushers in a renewed beauty. The valley floor erupts in shocks of intense colors in the wildflower meadows, especially the Zumwalt Meadow. The dense forests, where black bears and mountain lions roam, come alive, too. You’re likely to witness one of the more than 200 species of bird here, or perhaps see deer with their fawn or a mother bear and her cubs. And, of course, there are the trees. The super-sized sequoia groves in Kings Canyon embrace some of the oldest and tallest trees in the world, and the park was founded to protect them. This time of year is busier, but given that 95 percent of the park is designated wilderness, in parts accessible only by foot or on horseback, there’s always somewhere to go for a one-on-one with nature.

Hiking happiness

Captivating hikes with the lure of stunning scenery await, from easy day walks to strenuous trails. The leisurely, paved General Grant Tree Trail is a portal into lush sequoia forest, and is named after the immense showstopper you’ll meet along the way: the second-largest tree on Earth and the only living thing Congress has named a national shrine. For a long-distance trail that offers a challenge, tackle part of the iconic John Muir Trail for dramatic mountain scenery. It’s worth steering off at mile 122 to the majestic Darwin Bench—the jewel in the crown of the Sierra Nevada range, with a stunning view across Evolution Lake.

Winter Activities

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Family fun ▷ Kids are catered to in winter, with designated snow-play areas just for them. Sled down hills blanketed in sparkling snow at the Big Stump area, or rent some skis here for gentle cross-country.

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Snowshoeing ▷ Ranger-led snowshoe excursions are offered for adventurers of all ages and a range of fitness levels. Take in the scenery, too, on a guided walk.

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Road trips ▷ Sightseeing by car can be spectacularly beautiful, but be prepared for the conditions. Drive past snow-filled meadows from Lodgepole to Grant Grove, and stop at the Redwood Mountain Overlook to admire the largest sequoia grove in the world dusted with swathes of white powder.

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