Hiking the Buena Vista Trail in Kings Canyon National Park
Distance: 2.0 miles / 3.2 km
The Buena Vista Trail is one of the best and most underrated adventures in the Grant Grove District of Kings Canyon National Park.
I say this because the trail has one of the easiest and most gradual inclines of any similar trail, gaining just 400 ft. (122 m) in only 1.0 mile (1.6 km) from the trailhead to the summit.
On top of this, the short distance and panoramic west-facing views make Buena Vista Peak one of the best sunset hikes in either Sequoia or Kings Canyon, inevitably making it one of my personal favorite adventures whenever I’m looking for a fun but not too difficult adventure to enjoy the golden light!
Buena Vista Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Buena Vista Trailhead is located directly off Generals Highway in a small parking lot just past Kings Canyon Overlook on the right-hand side when driving south.
That being said, the Buena Vista Trailhead parking may be small, but it is not nearly as busy as others in the Grant Grove area, such as the General Grant Tree Trail.
Google Maps Directions: Buena Vista Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - Sequoia-Kings Canyon
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park.
That being said, bear spray is purposefully excluded from this list because, while the Sierra Nevadas are home to a large black bear population, bear spray is not allowed in either Sequoia or Kings Canyon National Park.
Hiking the Buena Vista Trail
From the trailhead, the Buena Vista Trail immediately begins climbing.
However, after the initial hill, the trail levels out and remains fairly gradual for the majority of the hike to the top.
If you follow the steeper path up the hill, as I did, go left at this split to continue on the Buena Vista Trail.
Alternatively, the maintained Buena Vista Trail follows a much more gradual path to this same junction, which is where the trail on the right is coming from.
Then, the Buena Vista Trail follows a fairly easy and straightforward path, with the elevation gain only becoming apparent as the trail approaches the peak.
Some of these granite boulders and ledges are a favorite among climbers in Kings Canyon.
If you hike the Buena Vista Trail at any time other than sunset, the trail can be quite hot and exposed, which is why I recommend traveling to Sequoia and Kings Canyon with a quality sun shirt for adventures like this.
This is where the Buena Vista Trail begins its gradual ascent toward the summit.
However, even as the climb begins, it remains one of the easiest summits in either Sequoia or Kings Canyon National Park.
When Buena Vista Trail begins to climb a few switchbacks, the end of the trail is getting close!
This is where the Buena Vista Trail curves back toward the summit and the end of the hike.
Buena Vista Peak
According to the USGS, the summit of Buena Vista Peak in Kings Canyon National Park is 7,615 ft (2,321 m).
In any case, it is truly the panoramic views toward the bottom of Kings Canyon to the north and the sunset views to the west that make Buena Vista Peak so special!
That being said, don’t forget to bring a quality headlamp to Sequoia and Kings Canyon for sunset adventures like Buena Vista Peak.
This view is looking south toward Big Baldy, another great day hike that I highly recommend if you’re interested in hiking a similar, but slightly longer, trail for sunset.
Sequoia National Park
Kings Canyon National Park
