Kings Canyon National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour

4.0 (5 reviews) 6–7 hours Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

5 reviews

4.0

Kings Canyon National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Kings Canyon National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Discover the breathtaking beauty of Kings Canyon National Park with our immersive audio tour! Stroll through towering sequoias, deep valleys, and pristine rivers while our guides share captivating stories and fascinating facts about the park’s rich history, diverse wildlife, and stunning landscapes. Learn about the forces that carved out this magnificent canyon and the conservation efforts that preserve its natural wonders. Perfect for families, adventurers, and nature lovers, our tour offers an informative and enjoyable experience. Simply download, plug in your headphones, and set off on an unforgettable journey through the majestic Kings Canyon National Park!

*Download the Shaka Guide app to access the purchased tours*

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At a glance

Duration: 6–7 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Audio guide: English
Operated by: Shaka Guide Apps

What is included

Included

Included: Take the tour when you want
Included: Tours NEVER expire
Included: Freedom to explore at your own pace
Included: Tour Start is Customizable
Included: Offline map (no wifi or data needed)
Included: Tour highlights with activity and restaurant recommendations
Included: Turn-by-turn directions using GPS
Included: Hours of audio narration with stories, travel tips and music
Included: Audio narration that plays automatically as you drive

Not included

Not included: Private transportation
Not included: Meals and refreshment
Not included: Parking Fees

Itinerary

Stop 1

45 min

The Big Stump Picnic Area is the first stop on this tour. From the picnic area an easy two-mile loop leads to Big Stump itself, which is what’s left of the Mark Twain Tree. Before it was chopped down and put on display in the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the British Museum in London, the tree was a whopping 16 feet in diameter, and over 300 feet tall.
Redwood Mountain Overlook

5 min

Pull up to Redwood Mountain Overlook to see Redwood Mountain Grove. Spanning almost 2,500 acres, it’s the biggest sequoia grove in the whole world. Below the overlook in Redwood Canyon, hikes include the Sugarbowl Loop at 6.8 miles, or 11 kilometers long, and the Hart Tree Loop at 7.3 miles, or 11.8 kilometers long. To reach the trailhead, drive about a half mile east from the overlook and follow the signs for Redwood Canyon. Then it's a 2 mile drive on a dirt road to the trailhead.
Kings Canyon Overlook

5 min

You don’t need long hikes to see breathtaking views in this park. And at Kings Canyon Overlook, you just have to pull up for a gorgeous panoramic view. Yup, it overlooks the park’s namesake natural wonder, Kings Canyon itself. The park’s claim to fame is that it’s almost 2,000 feet deeper than the Grand Canyon! While Kings Canyon reaches 8,200 feet, or 2,500 meters deep, the Grand Canyon’s depth maxes out at just 6,000 feet deep.
Kings Canyon Visitor Center

30 min

At Kings Canyon Visitor Center in Grant Grove Village, you can learn all about the park and watch a short film about it. It has a Sequoia Parks Conservancy Store that also sells maps, books, and souvenirs. Next door is the Grant Grove Market, which sells basic necessities and food. The Grant Grove Restaurant is also there, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Grant Grove

45 min

Here's where you see the General Grant Tree, AKA the world’s second-largest tree. It’s also home to the Fallen Monarch, Gamlin Cabin, and the Centennial Stump.

The General Grant Tree is 268 feet tall and 107 feet around. You can reach it on a third of a mile, easy, paved loop trail.
Panoramic Point

10 min

Here’s a great look at Kings Canyon without the need to drive into it. This high-elevation view also includes Hume Lake. The view is only a few steps away from the parking lot. If you want more alpine scenery, then check out the trail to the Park Ridge Fire Lookout. This is a 5 mile, or 8 km, moderately difficult hike to a fire lookout tower. There may even be a volunteer fire observer to say hello to.
McGee Vista Point

10 min

Here’s another great view! While looking down from McGee Vista Point you’ll see the damage done by the Rough Fire. During the tour, you’ll learn more about the unique relationship between wildfire and sequoia trees.
Junction view

5 min

At Junction View, you’ll be treated to a panoramic view of the Western Sierra all the way to Mount Whitney, which is the tallest peak in the lower 48 states. The overlook gets its name from the view of the junction of the Middle and South forks of the King River, and a view of Kings Canyon.
Yucca Point

5 min

The drive into the canyon is a long, twisty one, so take advantage of another scenic overlook to get out of the car and get another great look at the Sierra Nevada. This overlook sits above the Kings River.
Stop 10

5 min

The Scenic Byway Viewpoint offers an awesome view of the limestone vein, also known as marble, that runs through the park. Look for the gray stone in contrast to the surrounding ground cover.
Boyden Cavern

one hour Admission not included

Take a guided tour of this incredible marble cavern, filled with stalactites, stalagmites, and other rock formations. Guided tours are 45 minutes to an hour long. Tours of the caverns are run by a small company and charge a small fee for entrance. Keep in mind there is a short, but steep walk from the parking lot to the cave entrance.
Stop 12

15 min

At Grizzly Falls Picnic Area you can relax by the waterfall, which cascades about 80 feet down in a shaded part of the forest. The falls are a short walk from the picnic area and the parking lot, and it’s a great place to eat lunch. Restrooms make it a convenient stop, but the waterfall is a must-see.
Cedar Grove Visitor Center

15 min

The second and last visitor center of the day is the Cedar Grove Visitor Center. It’s located in the heart of Cedar Grove Village. It offers information about the area’s natural and cultural history, and is open seasonally, from around Memorial Day through mid-September. The Sequoia Parks Conservancy Store inside the visitor center is a good place to pick up souvenirs, clothing, and other knick-knacks.
Knapp's cabin

10 min

Go back in time at Knapp’s Cabin and get a gorgeous view of the canyon. This riverside cabin belonged to a man named George O. Knapp, who brought friends on fishing trips here. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is reachable via a short trail from the parking area.
Roaring River Falls

30 min

It doesn’t get any more peaceful than spending time by Roaring River Falls. It’s reached by an easy, nearly third-of-a-mile, out-and-back trail. From there, you can continue to Zumwalt Meadows on a four-mile, or 6 kilometer trail.
Zumwalt Meadow Trail

30 min

Walking to Zumwalt Meadows is a can’t-miss Kings Canyon experience. You can reach this gorgeous meadow by an easy, 0.75 mile, out-and-back trail. Keep an eye out for wildlife there.
Stop 17

15 min

Muir Rock is the last stop on the tour, and the canyon naturally saved the best for last. The rock is a flat slab resting on the bank of the Kings River, and it’s a fabulous place to sit in peace. Local lore says that John Muir loved to hang out there and chat with passersby. The rock is just a short easy walk from the parking area.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Tour Starts on Generals Highway, from Sequoia National Park, near Montecito Sequoia Lodge. Check the Shaka Guide app for optional starting points.

End point

Tour Starts on Generals Highway, from Sequoia National Park, near Montecito Sequoia Lodge. Check the Shaka Guide app for optional starting points.

Using your ticket

HOW TO REDEEM YOUR TOUR:

Thank you for purchasing the Kings Canyon Tour.

Before you start your adventure, you'll need to redeem and download the tour in the Shaka Guide app. Follow the instructions below:

*Please Note: The redeem code is the 10-digit booking reference number on your ticket (located under the barcode).

1. Download the Shaka Guide App in the App Store or Google Play Store (or use the link at the bottom of this email)

2. Open the app and sign in/create your account

3. Go to Support → Retrieve Purchases

4. Tap on Redeem Purchases

5. Enter your Redeem Code (10-digit booking reference number on your ticket located under the barcode)

6. Tap on Redeem Purchases

7. Download your tour(s)

Once you've redeemed your tour, you'll find it under "My Stuff" in the app.

For a smooth ride, download the tour with wifi before you go.

Should you need further assistance or have other questions, email us at [email protected] or call (808) 201-8138

DOWNLOAD THE APP HERE: www.shakaguide.com/download

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Optional Starting Points:
- Highway 180, heading towards the Big Stump Entrance
- Highway 245, heading towards the Big Stump Entrance
Travelers must have a smartphone compatible with the Shaka Guide app.
The app must be downloaded and the tour redeemed before arrival.
Strong Wi-Fi or cellular data is required to download the tour in advance.
Location services (GPS) must be enabled on the device
Travelers are responsible for securing any required entrance passes, reservations, or permits before starting
Kings Canyon Visitor Center open daily (weather permitting) — free Wi-Fi available there
No gas stations in the park — fill up before arriving
Elevation changes throughout the park — check the forecast and pack layers ••••••