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Don Cecil Trail.

This trail climbs the cool north-facing slope of the Kings River Canyon, passes Sheep Creek Cascade and provides several good views of the canyon and the 11,000-foot Monarch Divide. The trail leads to Lookout Peak, which affords an incredible panorama of the park’s backcountry. It’s a strenuous, all-day hike—13 mi round-trip—and climbs 4,000 feet. | Trailhead off Kings Canyon Scenic Byway, across from parking lot, 0.2 mi west of Cedar Grove Village 93633.

Hotel Creek Trail.

For gorgeous canyon views, take this trail from the canyon floor at Cedar Grove up a series of switchbacks until it splits. Follow the route left through chaparral to the forested ridge and rocky outcrop known as Cedar Grove Overlook, where you can see the Kings River Canyon stretching below. This strenuous 5-mi round-trip hike gains 1,200 feet and takes three to four hours to complete. For a longer hike, return via Lewis Creek Trail for an 8-mi loop. | Trailhead at Cedar Grove pack station, 1 mi east of Cedar Grove Village 93633.

HORSEBACK RIDING

One-day destinations by horseback out of Cedar Grove include Mist Falls and Upper Bubb’s Creek. In the backcountry, many equestrians head for Volcanic Lakes or Granite Basin, ascending trails that reach elevations of 10,000 feet. Costs per person range from $25 for a one-hour guided ride to around $200 per day for fully guided trips for which the packers do all the cooking and camp chores.

OUTFITTERS AND EXPEDITIONS

Take a day or overnight trip along the Kings River Canyon with Cedar Grove Pack Station (Kings Canyon Scenic Byway, 1 mi east of Cedar Grove Village 93633 | 559/565–3464 in summer, 559/337–2314 off-season | Call for prices | May–Oct.). Popular routes include the Rae Lakes Loop and Monarch Divide. A one- or two-hour trip through Grant Grove leaving from Grant Grove Stables (Rte. 180, ½ mi north of Grant Grove Visitor Center 93633 | 559/335–9292 mid-June–Sept., 559/594–9307 Oct.–mid-June | $35–$50 | June–Labor Day, daily 8–6) is a good way to get a taste of horseback riding in Kings Canyon.

SLEDDING AND SNOWSHOEING

In winter, Kings Canyon has a few great places to play in the snow. Sleds, inner tubes, and platters are allowed at both the Azalea Campground area on Grant Tree Road, ¼ mi north of Grant Grove Visitor Center, and at the Big Stump picnic area, 2 mi north of the lower Route 180 entrance to the park.

Snowshoeing is good around Grant Grove, where you can take naturalist-guided snowshoe walks on Saturdays and holidays mid-December through mid-March as conditions permit.

OUTFITTER

Purchase sleds, saucers, snowshoes, and other snowplay gear at Grant Grove Market (Generals Hwy. [Rte. 198], 3 mi northeast of Rte. 180, Big Stump entrance 93633 | 559/335–2665 | Daily 9–6). For a $1 donation, the Grant Grove Visitor Center (Generals Hwy. [Rte. 198], 3 mi northeast of Rte. 180, Big Stump entrance 93633 | 559/565–4307 | Daily 9:30–4:30) rents out snowshoes for ranger-led walks.

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WHAT’S NEARBY

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The only way into Sequoia National Park is from the west on Route 198 or an offshoot, Mineral King Road. These are tortuously winding above Three Rivers, the only town within spitting distance of the park. Any way you look at it, Kings Canyon National Park is even a longer way from civilization. The only access is via a slow mountain highway, Route 180, at the Big Stump entrance, or through Sequoia on Generals Highway. The Kings River Canyon is even farther away from everything, and is entirely inaccessible in winter.

NEARBY TOWNS

In the foothills of the Sierra along the Kaweah River, Three Rivers is a leafy hamlet whose livelihood depends largely on tourism from Sequoia and Kings Canyon. Close to Sequoia’s Ash Mountain and Lookout Point (Mineral King) entrances, this is a good spot to find a room when park lodgings are full. Visalia, a city of 93,000, lies