Kings Canyon National Park, adjacent to Sequoia National Park in the southern Sierra Nevada, contains some of California's most dramatic mountain scenery — deep glacier-carved canyons, towering granite walls, and groves of giant sequoias, the largest trees on earth.
The park has two distinct areas. Grant Grove, near the western entrance, has the General Grant Tree — designated the "Nation's Christmas Tree" and one of the largest sequoias. The Kings Canyon Scenic Byway descends from here into the canyon itself, dropping over 1,200 metres to the floor of Kings Canyon along the South Fork of the Kings River. The canyon is deeper than the Grand Canyon in places, and the drive is spectacular.
Cedar Grove, at the road's end deep in the canyon, is the main trailhead for backcountry hiking into the high Sierra. Day hikes from here include the Mist Falls trail along the river. The canyon is closed by snow in winter; the road to Cedar Grove typically opens in late April or May.
Most visitors combine Kings Canyon with neighbouring Sequoia National Park, which has the General Sherman Tree — the largest living tree by volume. The two parks are managed together and connected by the Generals Highway.