Hiking to Buena Vista in Kings Canyon National Park

Looking for more great day hikes in Kings Canyon & Sequoia National Parks?
Visit my Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks Hiking Guide for more incredible trails,
including the General Grant Loop, Moro Rock, and Crescent and Log Meadows.

CURRENT INFO

For information about Grant Grove trails, including Buena Vista, visit the National Park Service website. Find reviews and maps on the AllTrails website. Good maps and trail info are also available in the book Hike the Parks: Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Parks by Scott Turner.

GOOD TO KNOW

• Since Buena Vista is located within Kings Canyon National Park, you must present an America the Beautiful pass (or other national parks pass) or pay the $35 entrance fee (valid for up to seven days) when you enter the park. You can also purchase an annual pass at the park entrance. Check ahead of time to see if you qualify for a free pass — fourth graders and active military do! Fourth graders must print a voucher ahead of time to qualify.
• There are a few parking spots next to the trailhead. More spots are available across the road and just north of the trailhead at the Kings Canyon overlook parking lot.
• No toilets or drinking water are available at the trailhead.
• Always follow Leave No Trace principles. Pack out all garbage, as there are no bins available at the trailhead.
• Pets are not allowed on the trail.
• Buena Vista Peak is open and exposed, so bring sunscreen, shade hats, sunglasses, and water.
• The Buena Vista trail wasn’t crowded when we hiked it on a weekday morning, but I still recommend hiking earlier or later in the day. The morning and evening light are especially beautiful, and this helps avoid the peak afternoon heat.
• Grant Grove Village is a 15-minute drive from the trailhead. It offers a visitor center with rangers available to answer questions, a gift shop, camp store, post office, restaurant, and more.

HIGHLIGHTS

Buena Vista provides a fantastic payoff for such a short hike. Once you arrive at the summit, it’s clear that the name “Buena Vista” (Good View) is well-deserved. The views into the Sierras are incredible, and the boulder garden is a delight to explore. The hike is relatively easy, and doesn’t have the sheer drop-offs you encounter when climbing Moro Rock, nor is it anywhere near as busy. All this makes Buena Vista a great alternative to hiking Moro Rock if you’re concerned about heights or crowds.

THE KIDS’ TAKE

This was another hike where the kids just weren’t into it at first (yes, that definitely happens), but once they reached the summit and discovered a veritable playground of boulders to climb, it was a different story! The top of Buena Vista peak is a wonderland for kids to explore, so plan to spend extra time up here. And if your kids like lizards, keep an eye out; we spotted a few on this hike.

WHILE YOU’RE HERE

There is no shortage of things to see and do in Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. The Grant Grove section of Kings Canyon is an excellent home base, with large, beautiful campgrounds (we stayed at Azalea Campground), a lodge, and many other amenities, including a visitor center, camp store, and restaurant at Grant Grove Village. Looking for another short hike in the area? Check out Big Stump and its famous Mark Twain Tree (now just a gigantic stump) or visit the General Grant Tree and more on the General Grant Loop.

After a full day hiking to Moro Rock and Crescent and Log Meadows, not to mention spending an afternoon playing in Foothills, I decided the family needed to take it easy. Only one hike today, and it would be a short one, located merely a 15-minute drive from our campsite at Azalea Campground.

The kids still grumbled a little as we started off on the hike. I, on the other hand, was immediately taken in by the gorgeous scenery that surrounded us. Towering pines and massive granite boulders lined the trail. Overhead the sky was pure blue.

Before long, the kids found suitable walking sticks among the fallen branches along the path. This made spirits a little brighter — there’s something to be said for walking while carrying a big stick. As the hike continued, the gently sloping path started to climb a bit more steeply, leading to a couple of switchbacks. It was clear we were nearing the top, as wide gaps in the trees allowed us to see the granite dome of Buena Vista taking shape.

Eager as I was for the views ahead, I found my eyes frequently drawn downward. The Sierra Nevada Mountains are blessed with an abundance of summer wildflowers, and the hike to Buena Vista was no exception. Many of the blossoms are tiny, but wonderfully intricate. I was especially intrigued by the specimen above, and managed to track down its name: “pussypaws”. The name brings almost as much delight as the flower itself!

As we approached the peak, the trail changed from dirt and occasional loose rocks to a giant slab of granite. In fact, we lost sight of the trail completely as we charged ahead. Trees and bushes still grew wherever they found a bit of soil to take root. Judging from the fallen logs, weathered over time to a pale grey that matched the surrounding granite, it’s a harsh life here on Buena Vista Peak.

Hard as it may be for plants to survive here, it was a joy for us humans to explore. The kids forgot all about any former complaints and got right to work running over and around the rocks, challenging themselves to climb the biggest boulders possible. J took a special pride in the fact that he managed to climb one that his dad couldn’t — ah, to be young and limber!

We found a reasonably flat slab where we could lay out our snacks and enjoy the view. With no other big plans for the day, there was ample time to take in the view of the surrounding mountains. Buena Vista indeed! A few other hikers came and went, but there was more than enough space for the boys to roam freely. They, of course, were more interested in climbing rocks than appreciating the distant scenery.

When it was time to head back, we ambled down the dome, heading back in the general direction of the trail. I was continually distracted by the changing views and the fantastic shapes of the gnarled pine trees that made their home here. Perhaps that’s why, when I finally started looking for the trail, it was nowhere to be found. Had I passed it without even noticing?

As I began backtracking, ten-year-old J called out, “It’s here, mom!” Sure enough, J’s eagle eyes spotted the path. It seemed so straightforward on the way up, but unless you take careful note of where the trail ends, it’s surprisingly easy to lose track of it. I headed over with both boys, but noticed that Michael was nowhere to be seen.

“Michael?” I called.

“Dad?” called the boys.

At first, there was no reply. Then we heard a distant voice asking, “Where’s the trail?” Like us, Michael had lost the way.

“It’s here!” we cried. “Keep coming!” It took a few minutes, but eventually we spotted him. Carefully, Michael picked his way among the rocks until he made it to the trail.

Together again, we began our descent. The time passed quickly, although I still paused now and then to enjoy the wildflowers. Michael and five-year-old T forged ahead, while J stuck closer to me, chatting as we went. As usual, even a hike that started on the wrong foot ended on a positive note. With a captivating hike like Buena Vista, you can’t help but be won over by its charms.