Kings Canyon National Park — Visitor Info

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Kings Canyon National Park protects the General Grant Tree, one of the deepest canyons in the United States, and access to the High Sierra wilderness. Kings Canyon is administered together with neighboring Sequoia National Park as a single NPS unit, so one entrance pass covers both parks. Here's what to know before you go.

Page content last verified: July 2026

Check current conditions before you go: Highway 180 through Kings Canyon (the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway) closes seasonally past Cedar Grove in winter, and Cedar Grove services are only open late spring through early fall. Always check the official Sequoia & Kings Canyon Current Conditions page first.
Quick Facts
Location
Eastern Fresno County, California (southern Sierra Nevada)
Entrance Fee
$35/vehicle (7 days) — also valid in Sequoia
Reservation Needed to Enter?
No
Permit Needed For
Wilderness/backcountry camping
Lodging
Grant Grove year-round; Cedar Grove in summer only
Managed By
NPS — one administrative unit with Sequoia National Park

Visitor Centers

Two visitor centers serve the Kings Canyon side of the parks — tap one for official hours & facility info.

Kings Canyon Visitor Center
In Grant Grove Village. Open year-round; exhibits on logging history and the role of fire in the forest.
Cedar Grove Visitor Center
On Highway 180, about 30 miles east of Grant Grove, next to Sentinel Campground. Open summer only (Memorial Day–Labor Day).

Hours vary seasonally — confirm current hours on the official NPS visitor centers page before you go.

Entrance Fees & Passes

The entrance fee is $35 per vehicle (motorcycle $30, per person on foot/bike $20), valid for 7 days and good at both Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks plus the Hume Lake Ranger District of Sequoia National Forest. An SEKI Annual Pass is $70 (also covers Hume Lake). Non-U.S. residents pay an additional $100/person unless holding an Annual or America the Beautiful pass. The Big Stump Entrance Station is cashless — credit/debit only, though cash is accepted at the Kings Canyon Visitor Center. Entrance passes can also be purchased online in advance. No vehicle reservation is required to enter.

Every Kid Outdoors — Free 4th Grade Pass

4th graders (and their families) can visit free with an Every Kid Outdoors pass, available at everykidoutdoors.gov. Present it (digital or printed) at the entrance station.

Areas of the Park

Kings Canyon National Park is organized into two main areas: Grant Grove, open year-round at the Big Stump entrance, home to the General Grant Tree (the nation's official Christmas Tree) and panoramic Sierra views; and Cedar Grove, a more remote area an hour's drive east along the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway, open only from early spring to late fall. Cedar Grove sits along the South Fork of the Kings River beneath the glaciated canyon walls, with trails to Zumwalt Meadow and access to the High Sierra wilderness.

Kings Canyon Scenic Byway

Highway 180 through Cedar Grove is a designated National Scenic Byway, dead-ending at Road's End — a major trailhead for wilderness travel. The road beyond Grant Grove closes for the winter and reopens in spring; check current status before planning a Cedar Grove visit.

Permits & Reservations

You do not need a permit or reservation to enter the parks or day-hike. You do need a permit for:

Wilderness (Backcountry) Camping

Overnight trips into the backcountry require a wilderness permit, with quotas on popular trailheads (including Road's End) in summer. Permits are shared across the Sequoia-Kings Canyon wilderness.

Campgrounds & RV Options

Kings Canyon has seven campgrounds across two areas. There are no RV hookups anywhere in the parks. Most sites require reservations via Recreation.gov; a few in Cedar Grove are first-come, first-served.

Sunset Campground
Grant Grove area, near visitor services. Seasonal. Reserve via Recreation.gov.
Azalea Campground
Grant Grove area. Open longer into the shoulder season than other Grant Grove campgrounds. Reserve via Recreation.gov.
Crystal Springs Campground
Grant Grove area. Seasonal. Reserve via Recreation.gov.
Sentinel Campground
Cedar Grove area, next to the visitor center and Cedar Grove Village. The most central Cedar Grove campground; reservation required via Recreation.gov.
Sheep Creek Campground
Cedar Grove area, closest to the river. First-come, first-served.
Moraine Campground
Cedar Grove area, set on a glacial moraine. First-come, first-served.
Canyon View Campground
Cedar Grove area — group sites only (tent and car camping), by reservation.

All campsites include a picnic table, fire ring, and bear-proof food storage box. Fees and availability change year to year — confirm current details before booking. Full campground list and reservations: Recreation.gov.

Good to Know

  • One pass, two parks: your Kings Canyon entrance fee is also valid in neighboring Sequoia National Park the same trip — see our Sequoia guide.
  • No gas stations in the parks: fuel up before you arrive — gas and repair services are only available in surrounding national forest towns.
  • Cedar Grove is seasonal: services, camping, and the visitor center there close for the winter — Grant Grove stays open year-round.
  • Bears are active: food and scented items must be stored in provided metal boxes — never left in vehicles.
  • Narrow mountain roads: check vehicle length advisories before driving the Generals Highway between the parks.

More National Parks

See our other National Park visitor guides, or browse the full National Parks guide.

Fees, campground availability, and road/trail conditions change from year to year. This page is a starting point for trip planning — always confirm current details on the official Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks site before you go.

Sources: NPS – Fees & Passes · NPS – Basic Information · NPS – Visitor Centers · NPS – Camping · NPS – Current Conditions & Alerts