Kings Canyon National Park

History

Kings Canyon National Park grew out of General Grant National Park, created on October 1, 1890 to protect the General Grant Grove of giant sequoias, and was enlarged and renamed on March 4, 1940. Cedar Grove and Tehipite Valley were added on August 6, 1965, and the park has been run jointly with Sequoia National Park since 1943.

Key events

1. 1890General Grant National Park is created on October 1 to protect the General Grant Grove of giant sequoias.
2. 1926President Calvin Coolidge proclaims the General Grant Tree the Nation's Christmas Tree on April 28.
3. 1940Congress establishes Kings Canyon National Park on March 4, absorbing General Grant National Park.
4. 1943Kings Canyon and Sequoia national parks come under joint administration.
5. 1956President Dwight D. Eisenhower declares the General Grant Tree a National Shrine on March 29, a memorial to Americans who died in war.
6. 1965Cedar Grove and Tehipite Valley are added to the park on August 6.

Trails

• General Grant Tree Trail 0.3 mi · Easy
• Zumwalt Meadow Loop 1.5 mi · Easy
• Mist Falls Trail 8 mi · Moderate
• Rae Lakes Loop 41.4 mi · Hard

When to go

• Summer. The road to Cedar Grove and the high-country trails are open, and Mist Falls is hikeable
• Fall. Fewer crowds and mild days before the road to Cedar Grove closes for winter
• Spring. The Kings River and Mist Falls run at peak flow; snow lingers at Grant Grove
• Winter. Snow on the sequoias at Grant Grove; the road beyond to Cedar Grove is closed

Wildlife