Things To Do and See

Kings River and Kings Canyon Scenic Byway

The Kings River forms one of the deepest canyons in North America, with elevations ranging from less than 1,000 feet to over 11,000 feet at Hogback Peak. Highway 180, the primary access route into the northern portion of the Giant Sequoia National Monument, is designated a National Scenic Byway. It accesses this rugged canyon, with several panoramic vistas along the way, as it follows the Kings River and climbs to forests of giant sequoias, the largest trees on the planet. Guided trips for whitewater rafting are available on the Kings River.

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Hume Lake

Formed by a unique multiple arch dam, constructed in 1908, Hume Lake provided water for the longest-ever lumber flume. Lumber was floated by flume through the Kings Canyon to Sanger, a distance of 73 miles. A sawmill fire stopped operations in 1917. Today, the 87- acre lake is the feature attraction of the Hume Lake recreation area.

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Chicago Stump

A huge giant sequoia, known as the General Noble Tree, was cut, and sections were reassembled at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Visitors can view the remaining 20-foot "Chicago Stump" on the Hume Lake Ranger District.

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Boole Tree

The Boole Tree is the last of the huge giant sequoias that had grown until the 1890s in Converse Basin. It is the largest tree on National Forest System land and is recognized as one of the largest trees in the world. It stands 269 feet tall and has a diameter of 35 feet. A loop trail of moderate difficulty leads from the road to the tree and beyond to beautiful vistas of the Kings River.

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Boyden Cavern

This cavern is located along the Kings River on Highway 180. A 45-minute tour (a fee is charged) through the cavern features stalagtites, draperies, and stalagmites.

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Buck Rock Lookout

At an elevation of 8,500 feet, Buck Rock Lookout sits perched atop a granite dome and offers breathtaking views of the Great Western Divide and other spectacular high mountain peaks of the Sierra Nevada. Access to this 1920s era fire lookout is via a series of stair flights suspended from the side of the rock. Still currently active as a location for the detection of wildfires, Buck Rock is open to the public and is located near Big Meadows on the Hume Lake Ranger District.

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The Needles

The Needles are a series of massive granite rock formations rising from the North Fork of the Kern River near its junction with the Little Kern. The fire lookout atop the Needles, at an elevation of 8,245 feet, offers majestic views of the Golden Trout Wilderness and Kern River Canyon. A 2.5-mile long, moderately difficult hike leads to the lookout, which includes a steep, long staircase leading into the tower itself. Visitors may reach the lookout station via road and trail access near Quaking Aspen Campground on the Western Divide Ranger District.

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Dome Rock

This massive granite monolith along the Western Divide Highway forms a natural vista point overlooking the Kern River Canyon. Other scenic spots along the Western Divide include several mountain meadows, including Quaking Aspen, Long, Redwood, and Holey meadows.

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Trail of a Hundred Giants

This popular site is where President Bill Clinton signed the proclamation, creating the 327,769-acre Giant Sequoia National Monument in April, 2000. This universally accessible trail meanders through over 125 giant sequoias in the Long Meadow Grove.

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Kern River

This tumbling mountain stream originates in the high Sierra near Mount Whitney. Camping, picnicking, fishing, rafting, and kayaking bring thousands to its banks each year. Waters of the Kern, along with other rivers in the area, can be treacherous, as changing water levels, hidden rocks, and swift currents make the rivers unsafe for swimming. Enjoy yourself, but take special care along rivers.

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Lake Isabella

This reservoir on the Kern River is one of the largest in southern California, covering more than 17 square miles. Lake Isabella offers fishing, boating, water skiing, camping, and picnicking. The lake also provides water for irrigation, hydroelectric power, and flood control. The South Fork wildlife area is located adjacent to the lake.

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Visit One of Our Fire Lookouts

In their heyday during the 1930's there were over 8,000 fire lookouts that dotted mountain tops across the United States with over 600 in California.

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