Per NPS, more than 2 million outdoor adventurers visited Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in 2024. While that may pale in comparison to the 4 million that Smithsonian Magazine estimates visited Yosemite in the same year, that's part of the charm of these wildly underrated and uncrowded California national parks. Just some of the essential stops include the General Grant Tree (one of the largest trees in the world), the aptly named Roaring River Falls, and the iconic Zumwalt Meadow, a great
place to spot wildlife, including black bears and birds of prey.
The best way to explore the meadow is to hike the 1.5-mile Zumwalt Meadow Trail. The easy out-and-back hike leads past green meadows, granite cliffs, and across the Kings River via a beautiful suspension bridge, with benches and picnic tables along the way. There are some steeper sections, but the trail is generally kid-friendly and suitable for strollers and wheelchairs, though some visitors may require assistance to navigate uphill or downhill segments. If you don't make any stops and follow Sequoia and Kings Canyon's "no shortcuts" rule that prohibits hikers from venturing off designated trails, the entire hike takes about 35 minutes to complete.
Read more: The 5 Best Hidden Hot Spring Hikes In California
How To Get To Zumwalt Meadow In Kings Canyon National Park
For the best chances of observing wildlife, embark on the Zumwalt Meadow Trail either early in the day or late in the evening, when you're more likely to spot black bears. Some of the more elevated sections of the route, like the talus slopes (or hillside boulders) on the trail's south side, serve as excellent lookout points for bear spotting in the meadows below. Keep your eyes open for yellow-bellied marmots, snakes, deer, and birds of prey, including hawks, eagles, and falcons.
It's possible to stay overnight in Kings Canyon National Park. The John Muir Lodge, with its grand lobby that features wood-beamed ceilings and a stone fireplace, is open seasonally. For those visiting in the off-season, the cozy Grant Grove Cabins have availability year-round. They're each about an hour's drive from Zumwalt Meadow. Not far from the lodge, and directly across from the Kings Canyon Visitor Center in Grants Grove Village, you'll find a small market for picnic supplies and the Grant Grove Restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with open-air seating options.
The national park's visitor center is located 56 miles east of Fresno, known as the "Gateway to Yosemite National Park", and its international airport. The drive takes about an hour and 15 minutes. There's no direct public transportation to Kings Canyon or shuttle service within the park, which means that your best option for exploring is by renting a car.
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