Kings Canyon National Park: planning guide
Deep granite canyon and giant sequoia groves in California’s Sierra. Shares a boundary with Sequoia National Park.
Kings Canyon National Park is in CA, United States. The nearest town is Big Pine — roughly 32.8 mi (52.8 km) out, about 1 hr 8 min of driving.
When to go
Best window: July through mid-September, once the high country is clear of snow. Shoulder season: late June and late September.
High passes and trails hold snow from October into June, and some roads close entirely for the winter.
Afternoon thunderstorms build fast above treeline in summer. Start early and be off exposed ridges by early afternoon.
Closest towns and cities
| Town | Distance | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Big Pine | 32.8 mi (52.8 km) | 1 hr 8 min |
| Lone Pine | 36.1 mi (58.1 km) | 1 hr 14 min |
| Orange Cove | 37.7 mi (60.6 km) | 1 hr 17 min |
| West Bishop | 40.5 mi (65.2 km) | 1 hr 22 min |
| Bishop | 41.8 mi (67.2 km) | 1 hr 24 min |
| Dixon Lane-Meadow Creek | 42.9 mi (69 km) | 1 hr 26 min |
| Dinuba | 43.5 mi (70 km) | 1 hr 27 min |
| Reedley | 45.5 mi (73.2 km) | 1 hr 30 min |
Before you go
Kings Canyon National Park does not gate the entrance itself. Specific roads, hikes, or tours still need a permit or timed ticket.
| Booking | Covers | How |
|---|---|---|
| Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Wilderness Permits | One hike or backcountry trip | Permit or lottery |
Camping
| Name | Booking | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Azalea | Reservable | — |
| Canyon View Group Sites | Reservable | — |
| Cedar Grove Stock Campsite | Reservable | — |
| Crystal Springs | Reservable | — |
| Crystal Springs Campground Mid-Sized Group Sites | Reservable | — |
| Moraine | Reservable | — |
| Sentinel | Reservable | — |
| Sheep Creek | Reservable | — |
| Sunset | Reservable | — |
Permits
| Name | Booking | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Wilderness Permits | Permit / lottery | — |
Where Kings Canyon National Park sits
Official Kings Canyon National Park site — hours, closures, and fees.
Drive times from Kings Canyon National Park
Kings Canyon National Park sits close enough to Sequoia National Park, Yosemite National Park, Death Valley National Park, and Pinnacles National Park that one drive from home can cover more than one park.
| Park | Apart | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Sequoia National Park | 21.1 mi (33.9 km) | 48 min |
| Yosemite National Park | 88 mi (142 km) | 2 hr 32 min |
| Death Valley National Park | 110 mi (177 km) | 3 hr 3 min |
| Pinnacles National Park | 140 mi (225 km) | 3 hr 46 min |
Long trails through this park
Pacific Crest Trail crosses Kings Canyon National Park. The published corridor is CA–WA.
- Pacific Crest Trail — official trail site.
Parks close by
- Sequoia National Park
Giant sequoia groves on the western Sierra slope in California. Big trees, granite, and shared access with Kings Canyon.
- Yosemite National Park
A granite valley and high Sierra country in California. Waterfalls in spring; valley floors get crowded in summer.
- Death Valley National Park
Hot, dry basin and range in California. Salt flats, sand dunes, and colorful badlands; summers are extreme.
- Pinnacles National Park
Volcanic rock spires and talus caves east of the Salinas Valley in California. Condors sometimes soar overhead.
Common questions
Where is Kings Canyon National Park?
Kings Canyon National Park sits in CA, United States. Big Pine, about 32.8 mi (52.8 km) away — roughly 1 hr 8 min of driving.
When is the best time to visit Kings Canyon National Park?
Generally July through mid-September, once the high country is clear of snow, with late June and late September quieter on either side.
Can you camp in Kings Canyon National Park?
Yes — Recreation.gov lists 9 campgrounds at Kings Canyon National Park. Recreation.gov releases most national park campsites six months before the arrival date, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time. Windows are set per campground, so confirm yours on the Seasons and Fees tab on that campground page.