Hiking the Mist Falls Trail in Kings Canyon National Park
Distance: 8.2 miles / 13.2 km
The Mist Falls Trail is, without a doubt, one of the best and most beautiful day hikes in the Cedar Grove District of Kings Canyon National Park.
That being said, the Mist Falls Trail is one of the longer day hikes in Cedar Grove, given that the trail is truly only the first few miles of the roughly 42-mile (67.6 km) Rae Lakes Loop Trail, the most popular backcountry hike in all of Kings Canyon.
With that in mind, it’s important to consider this distance when deciding when to begin the hike to Mist Falls, but I personally recommend starting at Road’s End in the early afternoon hours, which I talk about in more detail below.
U.S. National Park Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
Mist Falls Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Mist Falls Trailhead is located at the very end of Kings Canyon Road, more commonly known as Road’s End.
It is here, at this farthest trailhead in Kings Canyon, that a number of different trails branch out, making Road’s End one of the busiest trailheads in the park, especially since many parking spaces will always be occupied by backcountry hikers during the busy summer travel season.
Google Maps Directions: Mist Falls 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.
Osprey 3L Water Bladder - The Osprey 3L water bladder is the most universal hiking and backpacking water bladder on the market, and it’s my go-to because of the slide-off seal that allows it to be quickly filled from the top. Additionally, individual parts are easily replaceable, such as the bite valve.
Blister / Heel Protectors - I swear by these cheap, amazing heel protectors to prevent blisters for nearly every kind of hiking and backpacking that I do!
Black Diamond Headlamp - Personally, I recommend the Black Diamond Storm because it is one of the brightest, lightest, and longest-lasting headlamps on the market—and trust me, the weight-to-battery-life ratio really does matter!
Hiking / Trail Running Shoes - Depending on the type of trail, I prefer to use either the Keen Targhee for longer, more rugged hiking or the HOKA Zinal Trail-Running Shoe for lighter, less intense trails. In either case, both have been amazing to me for many years across countless environments, and both can be found in men’s and women’s sizes. - (Men’s Keen / Women’s Keen) (Men’s HOKA / Women’s HOKA)
Waterproof Rain Shell - You never know when it may rain, and I’ve learned over the years that a rain shell is far better than a rain jacket. By this, I mean that it’s best to have something that the water will roll right off of, which is why I recommend the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
High SPF Sunscreen - Packing high-SPF sunscreen is a must for long days outside!
Hiking the Mist Falls Trail
The Mist Falls Trail begins at the Road’s End Trailhead, adjacent to the backcountry office where wilderness permits can be obtained for overnight trips.
On a different note, I mentioned above that I recommend beginning the Mist Falls Trail in the early afternoon, and while that might seem counterintuitive because of the heat, I strongly believe this for one big reason: the falls are more beautiful when starting at this time of day!
Simply put, Mist Falls and the entire South Fork Canyon, where the river flows, are much more beautiful if you reach the falls in the late afternoon hours as opposed to late morning, if you were to start early in the day.
On top of this, there’s no avoiding the midday heat on a trail as long as Mist Falls, meaning that you’re truly only deciding whether you’d rather hike through it on the way to the waterfall or back to Road’s End, which is why I believe that beginning midday is the best time to hike to Mist Falls.
Upon leaving Road’s End, the first 2.0 miles (3.2 km) of the Mist Falls Trail follow a relatively flat but fairly exposed stretch through the bottom of Kings Canyon.
That being said, a good sun shirt is essential for long trails like Mist Falls and others in the canyon, such as the Don Cecil Trail.
On top of a good sun shirt, be sure to carry at least 2–3 liters of water for an adventure like Mist Falls, which is why I highly recommend hiking with the Osprey water bladder shown below.
When the valley to the north (left) starts to become more and more visible, it’s a good sign that the first and most exposed section of the hike is almost over.
This is the junction where the Rae Lakes Loop begins.
Finally, as the Mist Falls Trail nears the Bubbs Creek junction, the trail re-enters the forest, which remains fairly constant for the rest of the hike to the waterfall.
Mist Falls-Bubbs Creek Junction (Rae Lakes Loop)
After 2.0 miles (3.2 km), the Mist Falls Trail reaches the first and only junction of the entire hike: the beginning of the Rae Lakes Loop.
In short, the Rae Lakes Loop Trail is the most popular backcountry trip in Kings Canyon National Park, as it traverses through some of the most beautiful alpine lakes in the heart of the Sequoia-Kings Canyon Wilderness.
In any case, go left at this split to begin the final portion up South Fork Canyon to Mist Falls.
Some of these slower-moving sections of the Kings River can make for amazing places to cool off during the summer months.
However, this is truly only possible and safe during the late summer, when the heavy flow from the season's snowmelt has subsided.
At about halfway between the beginning of the loop and Mist Falls, I came across the Western Rattlesnake just off the trail.
That being said, they generally don’t bother humans, so long as you keep your distance and allow them space to move where they please.
It’s always nice to see a random Sequoia growing in the backcountry!
Some of these sections, shortly before Mist Falls, are as steep as the entire trail ever gets, as the hike only gains about 700 ft. (213 m) over the course of 4.1 miles (6.6 km) from Road’s End to the waterfall.
This south-facing viewpoint is one of the most iconic and photographed vantage points on the Mist Falls Trail.
Mist Falls
Finally, after 4.1 miles (6.6 km), the South Fork Trail reaches Mist Falls, a roughly 100-ft. (30.5 m) waterfall that cascades down the steep granite slopes of the South Fork of the Kings River.
That being said, Mist Falls can look entirely different from the photos below, depending on the time of year you visit Kings Canyon.
By this, I mean that the spring and early summer snowmelt drastically changes the water levels throughout Kings Canyon. As a result, the area where the photo below was taken may not be safe or even possible to visit if you hike the trail early in the season.
I have tried, and Mist Falls is almost unrecognizable from these photos during the early season, which is just something to keep in mind when planning your visit.
More Sequoia-Kings Canyon Adventures
If you’re interested in reading about some more amazing adventures within Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park, check out my separate posts below!
Sequoia National Park
Kings Canyon National Park
Best Way to Find Places to Stay!
Wherever I travel, I love to start my search for places to stay on VRBO.
Even if I don’t end up booking through them, I think it’s one of the best ways to see what’s in the area!
Washington
Best Way to Book Rental Cars!
I travel quite a bit, and I know firsthand that finding a good rental car deal can be a challenge, but that’s why I recommend comparing all of your options with Discover Cars.
In short, Discover Cars is a well-known, reputable business that allows you to search for the best deal across companies, and they have the best full-refund cancellation policy I’ve ever seen, valid up to 72, or sometimes even 48, hours prior to your reservation!
Book Here: Discover Cars
Discover Cars!
Safety
Most importantly, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park is bear country, and while hiking in black bear territory generally presents less of a risk as opposed to hiking with grizzlies, it‘s important to never get complacent.
That being said, bear spray is not allowed within either Sequoia or Kings Canyon National Park, but storing your food properly, both on your person and in your vehicle, is not only necessary but required. For this reason, always keep your food and trash with you, and follow these basic rules from the NPS with regards to food in your vehicle.
On a different note, there is one venomous snake found in both parks known as the Western Rattlesnake, and surprisingly, I have encountered it many times, both in dry landscapes and in the meadows of both parks.
Finally, during winter months, you may be required to carry tire chains or have them on your vehicle before entering either park. In addition, micro-spikes may be necessary to stay safe on certain trails, such as Little Baldy and many others during the early and late summer season.
As always, find the most up-to-date information and conditions on the official Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park website.
National Park Service: Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park
U.S. National Parks Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
More U.S. National Parks
If you’d like to read more about some of my best recommendations when visiting other U.S. National Parks, check out some of my other posts below!
Disclaimer
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