Situated in the center of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, Kings Canyon National Park is the sister park of Sequoia National Park and is one of America’s most beautiful national park destinations. These parks rank among the top of the the list of “Dream Style Vacations” within America’s National Park system. The National Park Service manages both Sequoia and Kings Canyon together as if they were one park, although they are in-fact two distinct parks. Kings Canyon and Sequoia are home to some of the largest living organisms on the planet, the Sequoia Trees, as well as some of the Sierra’s most impressive mountain peaks. Deep canyons and valleys add to this rugged landscape. By itself, Kings Canyon National Park encompasses nearly 463,000 acres.
Kings Canyon can be broken down into several regions with the two primary being, Cedar Grove and Grant Grove. The largest grove of Giant Sequoias in the world is the Redwood Mountain grove in the park. The most visited area in Kings Canyon is Grant Grove, where the famous General Grant Tree is located. “The General” looms large over the surrounding forests. Standing tall at more than two-hundred-sixty feet, the General Grant Tree is definitely a object of beauty and it has affectionately named “America’s Christmas Tree.”
Tall Trees are not the only attraction in Kings Canyon however. Powerful Rivers such as the Kings River and the San Joaquin have carved out breathtaking canyons with the aid of glaciers from decades past. Kings Canyon is more than 8,000 feet deep, making it the deepest canyon in the United States. This granite gorge was carved by glaciers in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Today, the U-shaped Kings Canyon is one of the area’s favorite whitewater rafting spots.
Cedar Grove is filled with gorgeous vistas. There are many nature trails winding through the grove to landmarks such as Roaring River Falls and the Zumwalt Meadow. The trail to Roaring River Falls is a shaded, 5-minute walk from a parking area to the rushing waterfall flowing out of a granite chute into an aqua pool below. The Zumwalt Meadow is a field of ponderosa pine trees with views of the Grand Sentinel and North Dome rock formations. The 1-mile trail leading around this meadow is one of the most scenic trails in Kings Canyon National Park.
Just west of Cedar Grove is an all-together different attraction within the borders of Kings Canyon national park. Boyden Cavern is a mammoth-sized cave where visitors can tour an impressive underground world of stalactites and stalagmites and wonder at the amazing subterranean formations like “Mother Natures Wedding Cake.” East of Grant Grove, Jennie Lakes Wilderness is a mix of meadows and forest lands which offers a variety of day-hike options. The stately 10,300+ ft. tall Mitchell Peak stands watch over this wilderness area and provides a stunning backdrop to the valley. Kings Canyon National Park also has a 45,000-acre area set aside called Monarch Wilderness. This steep territory ranges from 950 to over 11,000 feet in elevation, and crosses into Sequoia National Park.
Hiking, backpacking, fishing, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing are some of travelers’ favorite outdoor activities at both parks. Weather can vary greatly across these parks depending on the elevation you are at. Winters are mild and summers hot in the lower elevations, but the temperatures drop rapidly and the precipitation increases significantly the higher you climb in elevation.
Any time of year, the views are outstanding at both adjoined parks. This dynamic environment combines all the things that fascinate people about nature. The majority of Kings Canyon National Park is desolate backcountry with awe-inspiring scenery. It’s an incredible land to explore while retaining a sense of solitude and tranquility.
To learn more about Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, visit www.NationalParkReservations.com/sequoia.htm. Learn how to turn your Kings Canyon vacation into a paycheck… Dream Style Vacation Club – www.DSVCI.com
