The Best Hiking Trails in Kings Canyon National Park
It was Ansel Adams's favorite park for a reason: Catch the best scenery and the best miles on these six trails.
Kings Canyon National Park
Water rushes down the Mist Falls.
Kings Canyon National Park gives casual hikers a taste of life among the sequoias without asking for too much in return. This California park has a wide range of loop trails leading to its famous groves. When it comes to camping in Kings Canyon National Park, the Redwood Canyon campsite is an absolute must. Some hikers pass through the park as a part of their Pacific Crest Trail or John Muir Trail thru-hikes, while others travel up from Sequoia National Park, directly to the south.
The Best National Park Campsites: Redwood Canyon
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, California
Grouse Lake, Kings Canyon National Park, CA
Finding a hike of your own is as easy as getting off the trail—and this Sierra spot makes it easy.
John Muir Trail Section 5: Onion Valley to Whitney Portal
Tag Mount Whitney, the Lower 48's highest peak, during this 42-mile trek into Sequoia National Park where there's more acreage of wilderness than you'll know what to do with.
John Muir Trail Section 4: Edison Lake to Onion Valley
In this 86-mile section, hike through Kings Canyon National Park into a series of JMT favorites.
Kings Canyon National Park: Bullfrog Lake Overlook via Kearsarge Pass
Trek along a series of High Sierra lakes nestled in sculpted granite basins below towering alpine peaks on this 11.6-mile out-and-back.
Live from the Sierra High Route
Welcome to the map portion of Steve Howe's solo thru-hike of the Sierra High Route. Steve is BACKPACKER's Rocky Mountain editor, and he started this 37-day, 280-mile route on Saturday, August 26, 2006. He's podcasting once a day from his evening camp, and we'll be updating this map daily with a new waypoint showing where he's pitching his tent.
Pacific Crest Trail: CA Section 20
KENNEDY MEADOWS to TUOLUMNE MEADOWS: The highlight reel of this 209-mile section includes three national parks, several high passes with heavenly views, two stunning wilderness areas, and not a single road. Option: Detour up Mt. Whitney, the tallest peak in the Lower 48.
Pacific Crest Trail: Best Month - High Sierra, CA
Every hiker's life list should include the 270 miles between Mt. Whitney and Sonora Pass. It may take a month, but it's a trivial sacrifice to make for the most unrelenting wilderness eye-candy you'll ever feast on.
Sierras, CA: Sierra High Route
On this burly, 200-plus-mile traverse, which crosses 33 passes and barely touches established trails, you can find Alaska-size scenery, complete solitude, and just enough risk to keep things interesting.
Kings Canyon National Park: Sierra Palisades
This 34-mile, four-day loop straddles Muir's namesake wilderness and Kings Canyon National Park.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks: Evolution Valley Loop
Hike cross-country through Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks to a pocket of dreamy lakeside camps on the John Muir Trail.
The Other Way In
Hike to life-list hot spots without waiting in life-list lines. These under-the-radar trails deliver everything but the crowds.
Readers' Choice 2012: Reader Leader Contest Winners
More than 150 of you entered our contest to become a BACKPACKER field scout. Meet the winners.
Readers' Choice 2012: Evolution Loop, Sequoia and Kings Canyon NP, CA
Hike cross-country to a pocket of dreamy lakeside camps on the John Muir Trail.
A Piece of Quiet
Americas leading advocate of wilderness silence shows the way to Mt. Rainier National Parks quietest corner. Plus: 9 more campsites with life-list listening.
Rip & Go: Paradise Valley - Kings Canyon National Park
Hike in the spray of waterfalls deep in the heart of black bear country.
Secret Hikes: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Explore a granite wonderland, cross two little-used passes, and score High Sierra solitude on this point-to-point hike.
West Coast Readers' Choice Hikes
The world's prettiest shoreline, giant pines, and Yosemite's premier view.
West Coast Readers' Choice Hikes: Thru-hike the John Muir Trail, CA
Trek 211 miles through hiker heaven.
West Coast Readers' Choice Hikes: California's Giant Sequoias, Sugarbowl Loop, Kings Canyon NP
Take a lightly trafficked trail into the word's biggest grove.
Lakes Trail to Pear Lake, Sequoia National Park
Get a highlights tour of the High Sierra backcountry.
May Close-to-Home Hikes
Our map team has been hard at work plotting the coolest hikes. Check out May's selections here.
How a Backcountry Ranger With 28 Years Experience Vanished
Did High Sierra ranger Randy Morgenson succumb to depression or disaster?
