Established in 1940 and covering 462,901 acres, Kings Canyon incorporated General Grant National Park, established in 1890, to protect the General Grant Grove of Giant Sequoias.
Kings Canyon NP is home to the second largest tree in the world. The General Grant Tree, named after Ulysses S. Grant is almost 268 feet in height and has a ground circumference of almost 108 feet. On April 26, 1926, President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed it the "Nation's Christmas Tree." In March of 1956, President Dwight Eisenhower declared the tree a "National Shrine", a memorial to those who died in war. This tree is the only living object to be declared as a "National Shrine."
The trees are not the only feature to draw people into the park. The park has an extensive system of glacial canyons. A portion of the South Fork Canyon gives the entire park its name. One of the deepest canyons in the United States, Kings Canyon was formed by glaciers out of granite. The canyon and the area developed around The Cedar Grove are the only areas of the park accessible by motor vehicle.
Kings Canyon NP is home to the second largest tree in the world. The General Grant Tree, named after Ulysses S. Grant is almost 268 feet in height and has a ground circumference of almost 108 feet. On April 26, 1926, President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed it the "Nation's Christmas Tree." In March of 1956, President Dwight Eisenhower declared the tree a "National Shrine", a memorial to those who died in war. This tree is the only living object to be declared as a "National Shrine."
The trees are not the only feature to draw people into the park. The park has an extensive system of glacial canyons. A portion of the South Fork Canyon gives the entire park its name. One of the deepest canyons in the United States, Kings Canyon was formed by glaciers out of granite. The canyon and the area developed around The Cedar Grove are the only areas of the park accessible by motor vehicle.
Welcome to Kings Canyon National Park!
A bit of perspective on how big the trees are.
The top of a Giant Sequoia.
Interesting curves in the limbs.
The General Grant Tree.
Another view.
In the canyon.
Another view of the canyon.
Still another view.
Reminiscent of Yosemite.
Never climb a tree when being chased by a bear.
Still in the Canyon.
Fluffy clouds over the canyon.
Looking through the canyon.
Another Giant Sequoia.