One of two adjacent national parks in the Sierra Nevada, the other being Sequoia National Park, Kings Canyon National Park was created in 1940 and contains more than 460,000 acres. The park is administered jointly with Sequoia National Park.
The Grant Grove section of the park has trees that are 2000 to 3000 years old. The largest and most famous of these is the General Grant. In addition to the sequoias, the park has many huge pine trees.
The Kings River portion of the park lies northeast of Grants Grove. There the winding Kings River carves out Tehipite Valley Canyon and Kings Canyon. Kings Canyon is about 10 miles long and a half-mile wide. Its walls are 2500 to 5000 feet high. Snow-capped mountains tower above the canyons. Much of the park can only be reached by trail.
Pets are allowed only if on leash, crated, or otherwise restricted at all times. Animals are prohibited from buildings and trails.