Kings Canyon Scenic Byway

Beginning in the Sierra Nevada foothills near Dunlap, the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway traverses 50 spectacular miles leading to Roads End, all along Highway 180. The byway begins in the foothills outside of Fresno and then enters the Grant Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park. It then descends through Sequoia National Forest, then ends at the Cedar Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park.

he Kings Canyon Scenic Byway (Highway 180) provides the only vehicle route into Kings Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in North America. Travel through many of the southern Sierra life zones, and experience the spectacular geology of Kings Canyon. The route begins near the Hume Lake Ranger Station in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada at 1,800 feet in elevation and climbs to 6,400 feet. At Kings Canyon National Park, stop at the visitor center, or take a short hike to the General Grant Tree. The byway descends 2,700 feet to the Wild and Scenic Kings River. Take a guided tour of Boyden Cave, a magnificent limestone cavern beneath the massive 2,000-foot marble walls of the famous Portals of the Kings. Grizzly Falls is a great spot for a picnic lunch with a beautiful waterfall close to the road. The road ends at Cedar Grove in Kings Canyon National Park. Travel time is about 2-3 hours. The section of the byway just below the turn-off to Hume Lake closes for the winter, so plan your tour of Kings Canyon mid-May to mid-October. Kings Canyon Scenic Byway is the only vehicle route into the Kings Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in North America. For 50 miles you will travel through many of the Southern Sierra life zones including several giant sequoia groves, and experience the spectacular geology of Kings Canyon. The route begins at the Hume Lake Ranger Station in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada and climbs 4,000 feet to Kings Canyon National Park where you can stop at the visitor center and take a short hike to the General Grant tree. The byway descends 2,700 feet to the wild and scenic Kings River. The section of the byway just below the turn off to Hume Lake closes for the winter so plan your tour mid May to mid October. The road ends at Cedar Grove in Kings Canyon National Park.