Zumwalt Meadow and Roaring River Falls

Cedar Grove holds some of the easiest and most rewarding walks in Kings Canyon National Park, and the pair of Zumwalt Meadow and Roaring River Falls is the best place to start. Zumwalt Meadow lies near the end of the canyon road beside the South Fork of the Kings River, where a loop trail of about 1.5 miles circles a broad meadow with views of cliffs rising thousands of feet. The path winds along the river, crosses a suspension bridge, wanders over boulders where a rockfall once spilled into the valley and returns through open meadow filled with wildflowers in spring and early summer. Birdlife is abundant, and deer feed in the early morning. The total hike takes about an hour and a half at a relaxed pace and is mostly flat, with a few rocky sections. A few minutes down the road, Roaring River Falls is a short paved path of about a hundred yards to a viewpoint where the river squeezes through a rocky chute and thunders into a pool. The falls are at their most powerful during spring snowmelt, when spray can drench the viewing area. Together the two stops make a perfect half day in Cedar Grove, along with a picnic by the river. Both are reached from the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway, which is closed in winter, so they are available mostly from late spring through autumn. The valley is hot in summer at midday, so walk in the morning and bring water and a hat.

Wildlife and safety. Black bears are common in Cedar Grove, drawn by campgrounds and fruit trees. Keep a safe distance, store food correctly and never leave items in your car. The river is cold, deep and fast in spring, and even strong swimmers have drowned in the Kings River, so stay out of the water near the falls and upstream of any drop. Watch your step on rocky parts of the trail, where slabs can be slick when wet.

Seasons. In late spring the meadow is a carpet of green and the falls roar. Midsummer brings dry heat and shade-seeking visitors, while autumn offers color in the cottonwoods and oaks and calmer water. The road to Cedar Grove typically closes in late autumn, so plan your trip before that date.

Extending the day. From Zumwalt Meadow, serious hikers can continue to Road's End and on to Mist Falls, a hike of about eight miles round trip with a dramatic payoff. Others can drive to Road's End, where the canyon closes in a wall of granite, and sit by the river at Muir Rock, a flat boulder that tradition links to John Muir's early talks. Cedar Grove Village has a seasonal market and grill, which close in autumn, so bring picnic supplies and enough water.

Picnic and photography. Roaring River Falls has a small picnic area nearby, and the river bank at Zumwalt Meadow is lovely for lunch. Photographers prize the reflections of the cliffs in the river at calm times of day, and the spray of the falls in spring catches rainbows in the afternoon. Bring a polarizing filter to cut glare off the water, and a rain cover for your camera near the falls.

Best light. The cliffs above Zumwalt Meadow face the sun for much of the day, so late morning brings the richest colors on the granite, while early morning is cool and the best time to see deer and birds near the river.