Zumwalt Meadow is a 1.5-mile loop near the end of Kings Canyon's Cedar Grove road, circling a flat river meadow bounded by granite walls along the South Fork Kings River. The loop crosses an expansion bridge, traverses a talus slope with open meadow views, and returns through a riparian corridor — a route that delivers more scenery than its short length suggests. Highway 180 to Cedar Grove is seasonal; it typically closes in mid-November and reopens around the fourth Friday in April.
Trail Details
- 🏃Activities
- Hiking
- 🪨Surface
- unpaved
- 🌤️Best Seasons
- april, may, june, july, august, september, october, november
- 📍Location
- CA
- 🐕Dogs Allowed
- No
- 💵Fee
- Free
Overview
Cedar Grove sits at the bottom of a canyon more than a mile deep — the same U-shaped glacial profile as Yosemite Valley but without the hotels, shuttle queues, or visitor numbers. Zumwalt Meadow is 4.5 miles east of Cedar Grove Village, near the end of the paved road, and the trail loop around it offers more scenery per mile than most routes in either park.
The meadow is flat and open, bounded by the South Fork Kings River on one side and granite walls and conifers on the others. In spring and early summer, the Kings runs hard from snowmelt. Bears are active in the Cedar Grove corridor throughout the season.
What to Expect
The trailhead is a small pullout 4.5 miles east of Cedar Grove Village on the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway. The standard loop is about 1.5 miles and can be walked in either direction. Most hikers cross the expansion bridge first, then head west along the north side of the meadow before climbing gently onto the talus slope. From up there, the meadow floor opens below and the canyon walls close in on both sides. The return runs through the riparian corridor along the river.
Yellow-bellied marmots are common in the talus sections. Mule deer and black bears appear regularly, particularly near dusk. Do not wade the Kings River in spring — it moves fast and runs cold from snowmelt well into summer.
Tips & Logistics
The parking area is small and fills early on summer mornings. Arriving before 9 AM is the reliable approach; mid-day often means driving back to Cedar Grove Village to wait.
Highway 180 from Grant Grove to Cedar Grove typically closes in mid-November and reopens around the fourth Friday in April; exact dates vary by year. Check current road status before driving out. Food must be stored in the bear boxes at the trailhead.
No permit required for day hiking. Dogs are not allowed on park trails.