Visitor center · Kings Canyon National Park
A handy cabin stop for maps and ranger advice before the canyon.
Overview
Map
Plan your stop
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Kings Canyon Tour Guide
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Kings Canyon National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Kings Canyon audio tourRecorded for this place
Cedar Grove Village“You're approaching Cedar Grove Village, a useful stop for a meal, supplies, or help planning a canyon walk.”
Plays as you drive up to Cedar Grove Visitor Center in the Parkwolf Kings Canyon Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
“…The kids and my husband and I all agree that the narration really added to our experience driving through the parks. We learned so much about the history and the flora & fauna.”
Guide
Cedar Grove Visitor Center is a small historic cabin beside the South Fork of the Kings River in Cedar Grove Village. It offers ranger help, maps, brochures and a few exhibits. If you're heading into the canyon, stop to get your bearings; this is a practical information stop, not a large museum. I wouldn't make the roughly 30-mile drive from Grant Grove just for the exhibits.
At 4,600 feet, Cedar Grove feels different from the higher sequoia groves: summer is warmer, with cliffs, waterfalls and the Kings River in a lower canyon. Incense cedar grows in the surrounding mixed-conifer forest. Some trails have little shade, so ask about conditions if you're planning to hike.
The center sits in a small historic cabin close to the South Fork of the Kings River. Glaciers shaped this valley, and the river still runs through the canyon it helped carve. The cabin is identified as historic, though its construction date isn't established.
Potable water and accessible restrooms are nearby. There is no food or gift shop inside the visitor center. Cedar Grove Lodge's grill and market are separate nearby stops for light meals, snacks and simple groceries when operating.
Wildlife
227 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
385 sightingsMule DeerMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
188 sightingsMarmotMost seen around 8 AMSighting map
118 sightingsPikaMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
14 sightingsGolden TroutMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
32 sightingsRainbow TroutMost seen around 7 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Kings Canyon. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
Keep exploring
ModerateSheep Creek Cascade Trail2 mi · 1.5 hr · At the trailheadA short climb to small falls in a shady Cedar Grove ravine.
ChallengingLookout Peak via Don Cecil Trail11 mi · 8 hr · At the trailheadA long historic climb opens over the whole canyon.
ChallengingCedar Grove Overlook via Hotel Creek Trail4.4 mi · 3.5 hr · 0.2 mi awayA steep 4.4-mile out-and-back to Kings Canyon views
ModerateHotel Creek–Lewis Creek Loop8 mi · 5 hr · 0.2 mi awayCedar Grove loop with a canyon view and quiet pine stretch.
EasyCedar Grove River Road Walk6.6 mi · 2.5 hr · 0.2 mi awayA flat riverside road walk beneath granite cliffs.
ChallengingLewis Creek Trail to Kennedy Pass19.6 mi · 18 hr · 1.3 mi awayA steep, high-country climb to a broad Sierra pass.
ChallengingVolcanic Lakes Loop37.6 mi · 1.5 days · 1.3 mi awayA chain of granite lakes rewards a long, rough cross-country route.
EasyKnapp’s Cabin Trail0.1 mi · 15 min · 2 mi awayA tiny cabin stop with a surprisingly big canyon view
Sight · At the trailheadCedar Grove AmphitheaterA forest theater for ranger talks when Cedar Grove's program is on.
Campground · 0.1 mi awaySentinel CampgroundSleep near the Kings River, with Cedar Grove trails close by.
Lodging · 0.2 mi awayCedar Grove Lodge and MarketSeasonal rooms, riverside dining and supplies in the canyon
0.2 mi awayCedar Grove Showers and LaundryA practical wash-up and laundry stop in Cedar Grove.
Campground · 0.4 mi awayCanyon View Group CampgroundGroup camping beside the South Fork beneath granite canyon walls.
Sight · 0.4 mi awayCedar Grove Pack StationHorseback rides follow the river through Cedar Grove.
Campground · 0.5 mi awaySheep Creek CampgroundA shady riverside base in the heart of Cedar Grove.
Campground · 0.7 mi awayMoraine CampgroundA riverfront base for Cedar Grove's hikes.Parkwolf’s Kings Canyon ranking
The audio tour guide for the drive, plus offline maps, trails, and wildlife heatmaps for when the signal drops.
