Roaring River Falls is a very short hike to a beautiful waterfall in Kings Canyon National Park. This hike is paved and flat, and only runs 0.3 miles total. It is appropriate for all visitors, even those with wheels. The waterfall is beautiful and it definitely sounds like it is roaring, especially in the early summer time.
Where to Park
The parking situation can be a bit confusing because there are two parking areas. The Roaring River crosses under the road, and there is a parking area on either side of it. The best place to park is on the far side of the river, as the trailhead is there. The parking area is small, and we had to turn around and drive back across the river to the wider pullout. From there, we walked across the river and accessed the trail head. You can also try our Kings Canyon Secret Hike from the near side of the river.
The Trail
The paved trail leads up the river, which rushes along on your right. It’s a pretty good sized river, and you can hear the cascade from the parking lot. Though the trail climbs a bit, it is never very steep. After just a few hundred yards, you come to the overlook. Most people find a rock to sit on among the huge slabs of granite at the bottom of the waterfall. If you are really brave, you can climb down some of the huge rocks and sit at the base of the river. It’s very relaxing to watch the water rush over the rocks despite the loud roar that gives Roaring River Falls its name.
Roaring River Falls in Kings Canyon is a definite must do for everyone.There are a lot of great, easy hikes for kids in Kings Canyon National Park. Check out our list of favorites on our Kings Canyon National Park Kid Hikes post.
