Hiking the Zumwalt Meadow Loop Trail in Kings Canyon National Park
Distance: 1.6 miles / 2.6 km
The Zumwalt Meadow Trail, also called the Zumwalt Meadow Loop Trail, is one of the most popular day hikes in the Cedar Grove District of Kings Canyon National Park.
That being said, I personally love hiking the Zumwalt Meadow Loop during the early morning or late evening hours because meadows like this, and countless others found throughout both parks, often attract Black Bears during these times of the day.
With that in mind, the talus slopes on the south side of the Zumwalt Meadow Loop can make for one of the best upper vantage points to look for Black Bears, making it a great place for wildlife photographers to hang out and enjoy the beautiful views beneath cliffs of Mt. Hutchings across the river.
Zumwalt Meadow Loop Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Zumwalt Meadow Trail is located in a small parking lot off Highway 180, about 0.7 miles (1.1 km) before Road’s End.
It’s important to know that the Zumwalt Meadow parking lot can be among the busiest of any in the Cedar Grove District, which only adds to the reasons why I suggest hiking the short 1.6-mile (2.6 km) trail early or late in the day.
Google Maps Directions: Zumwalt Meadow Loop 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 Zumwalt Meadow Loop Trail
From the parking area, the Zumwalt Meadow Trail begins on the north side of the Kings River before crossing over to the other side, where the 0.8-mile (1.3 km) loop is located.
Western Zumwalt Meadow-River Junction
On the far side of the bridge, the Zumwalt Meadow Trail meets the River Trail, sharing the next 0.4 miles (0.6 km) along the south side of the meadow.
That being said, go left to continue toward the loop, which is located just a short distance away from this junction.
Read My Separate Post: River Trail
Zumwalt Meadow Loop Trail
Then, just 0.1 miles (0.2 km) after the Zumwalt Meadow Trail meets the River Trail, the Zumwalt Meadow Trail splits into a 0.8-mile (1.3 km) loop around the meadow.
That being said, I chose to go right in the counterclockwise direction.
It is these slopes on the upper side of Zumwalt Meadow that can make for a number of great places to slow down and look for wildlife.
However, what these photos don’t show is that the mosquitoes can be particularly annoying during the best times of day to look for Black Bears, which is why you may want to consider buying this cheap bug net before visiting Kings Canyon during the warmer summer months.
Eastern Zumwalt Meadow-River Junction
Once the loop reaches the far eastern end of Zumwalt Meadow, the River Trail splits away, as it continues for roughly another 1.0 miles (1.6 km) to Road’s End.
That being said, this final stretch from Zumwalt Meadow to Road’s End is what I consider to be the best and most beautiful section of the entire 2.7-mile (4.3 km) trail, which I highly recommend checking out in my separate article.
In any case, go left (straight) at this split to begin the 0.4-mile (0.6 km) return loop along the South Fork of the Kings River to get back to the beginning.
Read My Separate Post: River Trail
It was these sections along the Kings River that proved to be the buggiest, which is why I again suggest traveling with this cheap bug net if you plan to hike the full loop around Zumwalt Meadow.
This overlook across Zumwalt Meadow can be another great place to look for wildlife on the trail.
Zumwalt Meadow Loop Junction
Finally, after hiking the boardwalk across the meadow, the Zumwalt Meadow Loop returns to the beginning and the shared portion with the River Trail.
Here, go right to return back over the north side of the Kings River and the trailhead, located about 0.4 miles (0.6 km) away from this junction.
Read My Separate Post: River Trail
Sequoia National Park
Kings Canyon National Park
