Kings Canyon National Park has an amazing number of short hikes that are kid and family-friendly. These hikes are less than 3 miles, and in many cases much shorter. They run to waterfalls, giant sequoia trees, lakes, and amazing viewpoints. Use this list of Kings Canyon Kid Hikes to inform you on which hikes seem right for your family.
Grant Grove Village Area
General Grant Tree Trail
General Grant Tree Trail is the must-do hike in Kings Canyon National Park. This short walk leads to the largest tree in the North Grove. Seeing the General Grant Tree is reason enough to drive into King’s Canyon. Distance varies depending on the route you take on the spider web of trails, but it is easily under a mile. Paved and wheel friendly.
North Grove Loop
Just down the hill from General Grant Tree Trail in a connected parking lot there is the North Grove Loop Trail. If you haven’t had enough sequoias, you can see many more of the towering giants on this 2.0 mile loop. The trail is a bit steep, but not too bad if you hike it counter-clockwise.
Panoramic Point Overlook
Panoramic Point is the perfect place to catch a sunset or sunrise. A short drive above Grant Grove Village, this trail is very short and summits quickly, giving you beautiful views both west, and east over Kings Canyon.
Buena Vista Trail
Another great sunset spot is the Buena Vista Trail, located just south of Grant Grove Village. The trail is an easy climb to a rocky ridge. This one is great in the evening as it has little shade, and looks west for the sunset.
Big Stump Trail
Big Stump Trail passes several massive sequoia stumps. The largest stump, Mark Twain Stump, has a ladder up, and is reminiscent of standing on a stage surrounded by meadow grass and wildflowers. This hike is 2 miles roundtrip with some elevation gain.
Chicago Stump Trail
The Chicago Stump is the most remote hike we did. A dirt road turns off the main road just north of Grant Grove Village. The road isn’t too rough, and runs three miles to a very short trail. It’s less than a half-mile to see the stump of the tree that was cut for the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair.
Kings Canyon Scenic Highway
Hume Lake Trail
Hume Lake, though technically outside park boundaries, is a beautiful lake nestled next to a Youth Camp. You can walk along the shore of this lake for any distance you want, but it’s 3 miles around. This hike does require a short drive south of the park road.
Zumwalt Meadows Trail
Zumwalt Meadows is the best hike on the Kings Canyon Highway. It runs about 2 miles to a small meadow. Along the way, you cross the river on a suspension bridge, and you can even dip your toes in the water.
Roaring River Falls
Roaring River Falls is a very short hike, just a quarter mile along a paved trail, that leads to a large waterfall. This one is just right for everyone, and it should give you a chance to get out of the car and get close to a nice cascade.
Roaring River Falls Secret Hike
There is a secret trail for a view of the Roaring River Falls from the other side. It is less crowded and you have a direct view of the falls.
From the Cedar Grove Village, you can take a hike called Sheep Creek Cascades. We didn’t have time to complete this hike, though it runs just a few miles to a series of low waterfalls. It sounds just right for families.
There are a lots of great family-friendly hikes in Kings Canyon. Make sure to check out our family guides for Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park as well!
