"A rival to Yosemite," wrote John Muir, describing the canyon of the Kings River. This glaciated valley in which Cedar Grove lies presents travelers along the highway with towering granite cliffs, tumbling waterfalls, and a powerful river.
This road to this area closes from late November to late April; check the Bulletin Board for updates.
Knapp's Cabin: During the roaring twenties,
wealthy Santa Barbara businessman George Knapp commissioned lavish fishing
expeditions into Kings Canyon. This small cabin was used to store quantities of
his extravagant gear. A short walk to the cabin begins at a
turnout 2 miles east of Cedar Grove Village.
Roaring River Falls: A refreshing and shady
five-minute walk leads you to a forceful waterfall rushing
through a narrow granite chute. The easy, paved trail begins at a parking area 3
miles east of the Village turnoff.
Zumwalt Meadow: This one-hour loop trail, just
over one mile long, is one of the most scenic in Kings Canyon.
It affords magnificent views of high granite walls, a lush meadow, and the
meandering Kings River. A booklet for the self-guiding nature trail is available at the trailhead. The trailhead parking area is 4-1/2 miles east of the turnoff to Cedar Grove Village.
Giving visitors a feel for the first
"highway" along the canyon, this 3 mile, rough dirt road
provides a leisurely drive along the river. Please note that the River Road is a one-way, westbound road with a maximum vertical clearance of
nine feet. It is suitable for cars and mountain bikes, but not
campers, RV's or trailers.
More complete maps and descriptions of the trails in this area are sold at visitor center book stores at Lodgepole, Ash Mountain, and Grant Grove.
Please be aware that pets are not allowed on any trails in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. In developed areas, pets must be kept on a leash at all times.
The Don Cecil Trail climbs the relatively cool north-facing slope of the canyon. This historic trail was the major access route to Cedar Grove prior to the completion of Highway 180 in 1939.
Sheep Creek Cascade: A moderately strenuous
hike up the forested Don Cecil Trail provides views of the Monarch Divide and
leads to a shady glen on Sheep Creek. This two-mile round trip
takes about 1 1/2 hours and gains 600' in elevation.
Lookout Peak: Beyond Sheep Creek, the climb to
Lookout Peak provides an incredible panorama of the park's backcountry. This
strenuous, all-day hike is 13 miles round trip and climbs some
4000' to the summit.
The cool of the morning is the best time to hike this trail, which climbs up the relatively dry, south-facing side of the canyon.
Cedar Grove Overlook: The trail switchbacks up
through chaparral to a forested ridge and a rocky outcrop. This strenuous hike
will reward you with a gorgeous view up and down Kings Canyon. A round trip of
5 miles with a 1200' elevation gain, this hike takes 3-4 hours
to complete.
Hotel Creek - Lewis Creek Loop: If you
continue 1 1/4 mile past the turn-off to Cedar Grove Overlook, the Hotel Creek
Trail drops down to join the Lewis Creek Trail. This area was burned in 1980, in
one of the largest fires these parks have experienced in recent years. The last
2 miles, from the Lewis Creek Trailhead back to your starting point, follow a
trail above the roadway. This 8-mile round trip takes an
average of 5 hours and gains 1200' to the highest point.
This sandy trail follows the glaciated South Fork Canyon
through forest and chaparral, past an impressive show of rapids and cascades, to
one of the largest waterfalls in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. The
first part of this 8 mile round trip is relatively flat; during
the last mile to the falls, the trail gains 600'. The average time for this trip
is 4 to 5 hours.
