Kings Canyon National Park lies in the South of Sierra Nevada, California. Kings Canyon is the home to the deepest canyon at over a mile in the United States. The best things which you shouldn’t miss in this park are dining under the stars at the Kings Canyon Resort, catching the sunrise, and taking a helicopter over Watarrka National Park.
This scenic landscape testifies to nature’s beauty, diversity, and size with the world’s largest skyscraper trees, deep canyons, vast caverns, huge mountains, and rugged foothills. The weather varies a lot by elevation and season.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in the southern Sierra Nevada were established by Congress at various points in time, yet they share miles of the border. In 1890, Sequoia became the country’s second national park. The third national park, General Grant National Park, was founded in 1940, the progenitor of Kings Canyon.
As the biggest trees in the world and the most diverse range of landscape types can be found here, it is easy to see why this area is so popular with tourists. Learn about the local wildlife and the dangers they face by browsing through these sections. Despite their size and age, our old giant sequoias remain susceptible.
Entrances and how to reach Kings Canyon National Park
It’s difficult to get about here since the roads are steep and twisty. Many park routes, notably the General’s Highway from the foothills to Giant Forest, have vehicle length limitations and cautions in effect. Although surrounding national forests have petrol stations, there is none to be found in the parks themselves. Driving on park roads may need the use of tire chains if it is snowing. The driving map of the parks and regional maps of the area might help you plan your itinerary.
Expect delays at park gates because of high traffic. Long lineups of automobiles have formed outside the entry stations on Fridays, Saturdays, and holidays from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Make sure you know how to deal with a delay at the gate.
Keep in mind that getting to the park may be difficult if you rely on a GPS device. As the snow melts, Eshom Road may be impassable, making it dangerous to travel on it. The Sierra Nevada mountain range cuts right across these parks, and there are no highways to be found.
At Big Stump on Hwy 180, the Kings Canyon National Park Entrance
Fresno’s
60 miles (97 kilometers) in 1 hour and 15 minutes
The Big Stump entrance to Kings Canyon National Park may be reached through CA-180 E.
The City and County of San Francisco
Traveling time is around two hours and ten minutes.
Hours: 4 hrs 30 mins
Take I-80E east to I-580E east. Take I-205 East and then I-5 North. To get to CA-99 S, take CA-120 E. After that, take exit 133B to join CA-180 E. to your destination. Follow the Big Stump Road to Kings Canyon National Park’s Big Stump Entrance.
In the City of San Jose
The distance is 217 miles or 349 kilometers.
Countdown timer: four hours
Take US-101 S from US-85 S. Take exit 356 and go east on CA-152 E toward Sacramento. Take the CA-99 S, for example. Take CA-180 E., exit 133B. Follow the Big Stump Road to Kings Canyon National Park’s Big Stump Entrance.
Sacramento
Distance: 240 miles/386 kilometers
Date and time: 04:15:15
To get to Fresno, use US-50 East/CA-99 South. Take CA-180 E., exit 133B. Follow the Big Stump Road to Kings Canyon National Park’s Big Stump Entrance.
Reno
Nearby landmarks and points of interest:
A total of six and a half hours and thirty minutes.
To get to Sacramento, take I-80 West. Take CA-99S to Sacramento. Take the Fresno-bound CA-180 E exit 133B. Follow the Big Stump Road to Kings Canyon National Park’s Big Stump Entrance.
The Lake Tahoe
About 330 miles in length.
Time: six hours
Take US-50 W out of South Lake Tahoe and head towards Sacramento. Take CA-99S to Sacramento. Take Exit 133B off of CA-180 E in Fresno. Follow the Big Stump Road to Kings Canyon National Park’s Big Stump Entrance.
The Yosemite Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (southern entrance at Wawona on Hwy 41)
Distance: 130 miles/209 kilometers
Two and a half hours and thirty minutes.
To get to Fresno, take CA-41 S. Exit Fresno on CA-180 W via exit 128. Take the CA-180 E exit. Follow the Big Stump Road to Kings Canyon National Park’s Big Stump Entrance.