Hiking the River Trail in Kings Canyon National Park
Distance (One Way): 2.8 miles / 4.5 km
The River Trail, also called the Kings Canyon River Trail, is an adventure not often explored in its entirety by most who visit the Cedar Grove District of Kings Canyon National Park.
This is because the most popular sections are easily those that share a portion with the Zumwalt Meadow Loop and east to Road’s End, leaving the first 1.7 miles (2.7 km) to the beginning of the Zumwalt Loop as the least-trafficked portion of the full hike.
In any case, the River Trail can make for a great one-way adventure if someone in your party isn’t interested tagging along, as there are two different trailheads where one can begin to hike the trail from end to end.
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!
River Trailhead Parking
Parking for the River Trail is located at either the Roaring River Falls Trailhead, about 3.0 miles (4.8 km) from the turn into Cedar Grove Village, or at Road’s End, the farthest trailhead on Highway 180 at the bottom of Kings Canyon.
Alternatively, the River Trail can begin at Zumwalt Meadow Trailhead, which is a great option for those interested only in the remaining 0.9 miles (1.4 km), which I often consider to be the most beautiful portion of the entire hike.
In any case, it goes without saying that Road’s End is one of the busiest trailheads at the bottom of Kings Canyon, especially since many parking spaces will be occupied by backcountry hikers during the busy summer travel season. Therefore, if you plan to hike from east to west, arriving early will make finding a spot that much easier.
Google Maps Directions: Roaring River Falls Trailhead / Road’s End 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 River Trail
As previously mentioned, the River Trail can either begin at Roaring River Falls, Zumwalt Meadow, or Road’s End, but on this day, I decided to start the hike from the Roaring River Falls Trailhead on the far western end.
River-Roaring River Falls Junction
After 0.1 miles (0.2 km), the Roaring River Falls Trail reaches the true River Trailhead.
Here, go left to begin the River Trail to Zumwalt Meadow, the least-trafficked part of the entire hike.
Read My Separate Post: Roaring River Falls Trail
Next to a number of other trails that ascend the steep slopes out of Kings Canyon, like the Don Cecil and Hotel Creek Trail, the River Trail traverses one of the flattest areas within the Cedar Grove District of Kings Canyon National Park, gaining only about 156 ft. (47.5 m) of elevation from the trailhead at Roaring River Falls to the trailhead at Road’s End.
Personally, I could not recommend buying a quality hooded sun shirt for hikes like the River Trail and many others in Sequoia and Kings Canyon, as it has, in my experience, proved to be one of the best ways to stay safe on these exposed trails.
Western River-Zumwalt Meadow Junction
After 1.8 miles (2.9 km), the River Trail meets the Zumwalt Meadow Trail, where the two share a short 0.4-mile (0.6 km) stretch from the Zumwalt Meadow bridge to the far eastern side of the loop where they split apart.
Read My Separate Post: Zumwalt Meadow Loop Trail
Zumwalt Meadow Loop Trail
Then, almost immediately after the Zumwalt Meadow bridge, the trail splits into a loop around the meadow.
That being said, go right to continue hiking the River Trail toward Road’s End.
Read My Separate Post: Zumwalt Meadow Loop Trail
This short 0.4-mile (0.6 km) stretch, with the Zumwalt Meadow Loop, is almost always guaranteed to be the busiest section of the entire River Trail.
Elderberry is quite common in western North America, especially California.
Eastern River-Zumwalt Meadow Loop Junction
Once on the far side of the meadow, the Zumwalt Meadow Loop Trail splits away from the River Trail to begin the section that parallels the South Fork of the Kings River back to the trailhead.
That being said, go right to begin what I often think of as the most beautiful stretch of the entire 2.7-mile (4.3 km) River Trail.
Read My Separate Post: Zumwalt Meadow Loop Trail
This cave, through these massive granite boulders on the River Trail, is one of the most impressive examples of trail work found anywhere in either Sequoia or Kings Canyon National Park.
River-Kanawyer Loop Junction
Shortly after the cave, the River Trail splits one last time with the Cedar Grove South Side Trail—more commonly known as the Kanawyer Loop—as it creates a roughly 3.6-mile (5.8 km) loop with the beginning of the River Trail, the South Side Trail, and the Mist Falls Trail, beginning and ending at Road’s End.
In any case, go left over the bridge to begin the final 0.2-mile (0.3 km) stretch to Road’s End.
River Trailhead (Road’s End)
Finally, after 2.8 miles (4.5 km), the River Trail reaches Road’s End, which serves as the trailhead for a number of other day hikes, such as the Mist Falls Trail, and multi-day overnight adventures, like the Rae Lakes Loop.
That being said, ideally, hiking end to end as I have here means that you have a pickup arranged, instead of turning back around to Roaring River Falls. However, alternative options, such as walking back along the road, can be considered at roughly the same distance as re-hiking the River Trail.
Read My Separate Post: Mist Falls Trail
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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