Parking
Drive past Cedar Grove Visitor Center and Village, then turn right at the fork for Hotel Creek Trailhead. Highway 180 access to Cedar Grove typically closes in early to mid-November and reopens in late April or early May.
Overview
About Hotel Creek–Lewis Creek Loop
Why go
- A true circuit with a rocky canyon overlook and a quiet pine traverse
- Good views into Kings Canyon and the Lewis Creek drainage
Heads up
- Long sunny climb through chaparral
- Easy-to-miss left turn and another climb on the return
Hotel Creek–Lewis Creek Loop is a long circuit above Cedar Grove, with a rocky canyon overlook, an open pine traverse, and a steep descent to Lewis Creek. Plan for about 8 miles and five hours. The mapped line, including the out-and-back to Cedar Grove Overlook, measures about 7.3 miles; distance estimates vary, so use eight miles for planning. The route rises about 1,200 feet to its high point, then rolls through several smaller climbs on the way back. This is a substantial half-day hike, not a quick viewpoint walk.
Parkwolf’s verdictIs this the hike for you?Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Kings Canyon map
Full mapElevation4,590–6,155 ft
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
8 active Kings Canyon alerts
- CautionStage 1 fire restrictionsStage 1 fire restrictions are active because high fire danger raises the risk of accidental human-caused fires that could threaten visitors and employees.Official details
- ClosureGrant Grove trails and areas closed for prescribed fireSome trails and areas around Grant Grove and the General Grant Tree are closed during an active prescribed burn; stay out until crews clear hazards and reopen them.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Kings Canyon Tour Guide
Your drive to Hotel Creek–Lewis Creek Loop, narrated.
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 trailhead
Hotel Creek Trailhead and Cedar Grove Overlook0:00 / 0:28
“You're nearing Hotel Creek Trailhead, the start of the climb to Cedar Grove Overlook. Choose it for a rocky perch with views both up and down Kings Canyon, allowing three to four hours for roughly five miles round trip.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Kings Canyon Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Cedar Grove Village
- Cedar Grove's Flat Green Sprays
- Lewis Creek Trailhead and Kennedy Pass
- Knapp’s Cabin
- 55 audio storiesacross Kings Canyon’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Black Bear, Mule Deer, Marmot, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 77 trails, 61 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“…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.”
Trail guide
Hiking Hotel Creek–Lewis Creek Loop
Climb Hotel CreekThe trail begins in pine woods, then climbs the relatively dry, south-facing canyon slope…
The trail begins in pine woods, then climbs the relatively dry, south-facing canyon slope through sunny chaparral. The switchbacks are steep at first and gradually ease as the route gains the ridge. Start in the morning if you can; this is the most exposed part of the hike. Carry enough water for the outing, since no refill point is verified along the route.
Take the overlook spurCedar Grove Overlook is a short side trail to a rocky outcrop with a sweeping view up and down…
Cedar Grove Overlook is a short side trail to a rocky outcrop with a sweeping view up and down Kings Canyon. The spur adds about 0.8 mile round trip. Look across the canyon for avalanche tracks cut through the pines on the opposite wall. They show up best when you include part of that wall in the frame, rather than filling the photo with the valley alone.
Cross toward Lewis CreekReturn to the Hotel Creek Trail and turn left to continue the loop.
Return to the Hotel Creek Trail and turn left to continue the loop. The hillside eases into a sparse stand of stout ponderosa pines, with gentle ups and downs and views into the pine-dotted Lewis Creek drainage. The connection area burned in a major 1980 fire. From the Lewis Creek junction, the route descends steep switchbacks through chaparral toward the trailhead.
Don’t miss the returnNear the road, look for an unmarked trail on the left.
Near the road, look for an unmarked trail on the left. It climbs above the roadway back to Hotel Creek Trailhead, and the final stretch has more uphill than it first appears to. This turn is the loop’s main route-finding trap; have the line ready before you reach it.
Is this the hike for you?To reach the start, drive past Cedar Grove Visitor Center and Village, then turn right at the…
To reach the start, drive past Cedar Grove Visitor Center and Village, then turn right at the fork for Hotel Creek Trailhead. Cedar Grove access is seasonal, typically May through early to mid-November, with dates depending on conditions. Pets aren’t allowed on park trails.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Kings Canyon
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.
