Mist Falls: Our Favorite Hike in Sequoia + Kings Canyon
The elements were real — sun, bugs and a bear sighting — but the canyon views were unparalleled. This was our favorite hike of the trip.
Distance: about 8 miles round trip
Time: NPS suggests 4–5 hours; allow extra if you stop by the river
Profile: relatively flat early, then about 600 feet of gain in the final mile to the falls
Trailhead: Road’s End, Cedar Grove
The trail gets better as you go
The beginning follows the South Fork of the Kings River through forest and more exposed chaparral. There are sunny sections, and we dealt with bugs, so bring water, sun protection and repellent. But the scale of the canyon kept getting better as we went.
The waterfall payoff
The final section climbs more noticeably toward Mist Falls. The water and granite scenery are spectacular, and after the easier opening miles the climb makes the finish feel earned.
Our cold-water finish
We did not swim at Mist Falls. Well below the falls, we found a short trail down to a calmer section of the river and got in for a bit. After the exposed sun, the cold water felt incredible. Come prepared if you want that option, or just wade where conditions are calm.
Yes, we saw a bear
We encountered a bear on the trail, gave it plenty of space and had no issue. Kings Canyon is active bear country; keep distance from wildlife and follow park food-storage rules.
