Kings Canyon National Park

backpacking kings canyon — Water rushes down the Mist Falls.
n4rwhals/flickr

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.

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

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, California

Kings Canyon National Park

Finding a hike of your own is as easy as getting off the trail—and this Sierra spot makes it easy.

John Muir Trail

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

In this 86-mile section, hike through Kings Canyon National Park into a series of JMT favorites.

Kings Canyon National Park

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.

Yosemite National Park

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

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

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.

Pacific Crest Trail

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

This 34-mile, four-day loop straddles Muir's namesake wilderness and Kings Canyon National Park.

John Muir Trail

Hike cross-country through Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks to a pocket of dreamy lakeside camps on the John Muir Trail.

Colorado Trails

Hike to life-list hot spots without waiting in life-list lines. These under-the-radar trails deliver everything but the crowds.

Colleen hikes the Pacific Northwest Trail in Glacier NP (Rowan Lewis)

Adventure Travel

More than 150 of you entered our contest to become a BACKPACKER field scout. Meet the winners.

California Trails

Hike cross-country to a pocket of dreamy lakeside camps on the John Muir Trail.

Stories

Americas leading advocate of wilderness silence shows the way to Mt. Rainier National Parks quietest corner. Plus: 9 more campsites with life-list listening.