Kings Canyon Scenic Byway

CA 180 carved into granite as it drops from Grant Grove into the deep glacial trench of Kings Canyon to Road’s End.

From the giant sequoias of Grant Grove the byway climbs briefly then plunges along ledges blasted into the canyon wall, with the Kings River thousands of feet below at Junction View and Yucca Point. It is the only road into one of the deepest canyons in North America, so it is a dead-end in and out rather than a through route, ending near Cedar Grove and Road’s End. The descent is the dramatic part: tight cliff-edge curves with limited shoulders and long drop-offs, easing into gentler riverside running on the canyon floor. The road is gated by snow and closed for much of winter. Mind sheer unguarded drop-offs on the descent, rockfall debris on the carriageway, and tight blind bends shared with cyclists and tour vehicles.