Zumwalt Meadow Day Hike
Cedar Grove
Kings Canyon National Park
Zumwalt Meadow spreads along the banks of the Kings River in Cedar Grove, a beautiful valley guarded by soaring granite cliffs and towering trees. Cedar Grove is at the end of Highway 180, deep in Kings Canyon National Park, 35 miles east of Grant Grove.
Zumwalt Meadow
Zumwalt Meadow Trailhead
Easy
1.5 miles
20 feet
Kings Cnyn.
Zumwalt Meadow trailhead is along Highway 180, 4½ miles east of Cedar Grove Village at an elevation of 5,000 feet. The parking lot has spaces for about 30 vehicles and can fill up at busy times. An alternative is to drive on to Roads End to park and hike back along the lateral trail. Restrooms and picnic tables are found at the trailhead.
Zumwalt Meadow Trailhead
Zumwalt Meadow Trail
The 1½-mile Zumwalt Meadow loop trail passes through lush meadows, winds among trees and rocks, and follows along the mighty Kings River. In open meadows, hikers have wonderful views of towering 9,100-foot North Dome and 8,490-foot Grand Sentinel.
Zumwalt Meadow Trail
The trail leads south from the trailhead parking lot along Highway 180 and after 0.3 miles crosses the South Fork Kings River on a bridge. A tenth of a mile farther begins an 0.8-mile loop. Those turning left cross wet areas on a boardwalk and then trace close along the bank of the river. For those in wheelchairs, the trail up to the end of the boardwalk is accessible. To the right, the trail works its way along the base of the cliff with a number of stone steps to be negotiated.
Things to Know
- Pets and mountain bikes are not allowed on any park trails.
- Restrooms are available at the trailhead. Drinking water can be found at Roads End or in Cedar Grove.
- Gnats can be annoying in late summer.
Zumwalt Meadow Trail Bridge
Nearby Sierra Day Hikes
- Kanawyer Loop - a scenic 5-mile loop to Bubbs Creek, following the Kings River
- Mist Falls - 4.6 miles to thundering falls
- Roaring River Falls - short hike, pretty little falls
Other Nearby Trails
The River Trail connects with Zumwalt Meadow Trail on the south side of the river just across bridge. By following the River Trail downstream, hikers reach the Roaring River Falls trail in 1.4 miles.
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