Zumwalt Meadow

The Zumwalt Meadow Trail is a 1.5-mile trail in the Cedar Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park in Three Rivers, California. The park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This easy trail is not only scenic and peaceful, but it's also the delightful spot for a quick hike with your dog as long as they're on a leash. The three-mile round-trip loop will take you and your dog about an hour to complete, not including snack breaks, of course!

The trail begins in a shaded area, and a picturesque meadow lies to your left. You and your dog will trek rocky terrain on a gentle incline. During most of your hike, you'll have views of the Zumwalt Meadow, and along the way, you'll also come across a small beach where your dog can cool off their paws in the water if they'd like to. A portion of the trail even takes you to a bridge that lies directly over the top of the meadow. Several visitors say this is their favorite spot on the whole hike thanks to the gorgeous views of the meadow against the backdrop of high granite walls.

If you'd like to extend your hike, the Zumwalt Meadows Trail connects to several other trails in the Cedar Grove area that allow you to experience even more of Kings Canyon Park.

Some portions of the Zumwalt Meadows Trail are wheelchair-accessible, including the boardwalk over the meadow. In 2017, some parts of the trail were damaged by a storm, so the entire path is no longer entirely accessible for those with disabilities.

There are no gas stations inside the national park, so visitors are encouraged to fill up their tank in Fresno or another nearby town. Bring lots of water when you visit the park and don't forget to remove any garbage you bring in to Kings Canyon Park.