Are there fees or permits required for Blue Canyon Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit Blue Canyon Falls.

Is swimming allowed at Blue Canyon Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Blue Canyon Falls.

Blue Canyon Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Blue Canyon Falls?

No, dogs are not allowed at Blue Canyon Falls. Pets are prohibited on all trails in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

California • 370 ft

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Kings Canyon National Park NP · National Park Service

Before you go

Overnight trips in the Sequoia & Kings Canyon backcountry require a wilderness permit.

Photo Credits (5)

Photo Phiend CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

John William Hammond CC BY-SA 2.0 · Flickr

j-dub1980(THANK YOU FOR 100k+ Views) CC BY-SA 2.0 · Flickr

Michael Kirsh CC BY-SA 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Hard

About Blue Canyon Falls

Blue Canyon Falls drops about 370 feet in three tiers where Blue Canyon Creek falls into Tehipite Valley on the Middle Fork Kings River in Kings Canyon National Park. Historically called Sunshine Falls, it is the smaller of the valley's two major waterfalls. Tehipite Valley is remote backcountry with no road or short trail, so reaching the falls is a long, strenuous wilderness trip.

The Setting

Blue Canyon Falls sits at 5,105 feet within Kings Canyon National Park, in the high mountains of California. At 370 feet, it is among the taller waterfalls in California.

Height: 370 feet

Trail & Hike Details

Trail Description

Tehipite Valley is reached only by long, steep backcountry routes; this is not a day hike. Plan the route with park maps and rangers.

What to Expect

The falls plunge a dramatic 370 feet.

Accessibility

The trail involves steep, uneven terrain with significant elevation change and is not accessible to mobility devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Blue Canyon Falls?

❌ Dogs are not allowed
Pets are prohibited on all trails in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Blue Canyon Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Spring and early summer are the best times to visit, as the falls are typically at their fullest due to snowmelt. Fall offers cooler temperatures and vibrant foliage.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Access roads and trails may close during winter due to snow. Check the National Park Service website for current conditions.

Safety Information

The trail can be hazardous due to steep sections, loose rocks, and potential water crossings. Hikers should be prepared and exercise caution. Always inform someone of your plans before heading out.

Know when to go.

Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Wilsonia hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Is Blue Canyon Falls Frozen?

Updated about 10 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately

Blue Canyon Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 49°F to 37°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: no gauge

Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.

Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail.

Weather Forecast

The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR

Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.

The ground through the falls loses about 427 feet in steep steps rather than one leap. The listed height of 370 feet matches what the lidar sees. The ground at the falls is roughly 4,997 feet above sea level.

The whole reach is steep: about 281 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 289 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face southeast and sit in full sun for most of the day, best photographed early or late.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Blue Canyon Falls near Wilsonia, California, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Blue Canyon Falls near Wilsonia, California, showing about 427 feet of drop, a steep tiered drop, facing southeast

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.

Ground elevation: 4,997 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 427 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: Southeast; Sunlit most of the day. Go early or late for softer light.

Ground profile through the falls

A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading southeast).

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Location & Access

Getting There

There is no road to Tehipite Valley. Trips may start inside Sequoia & Kings Canyon or from neighboring Sierra National Forest; get route details and a wilderness permit from the agency where your trip begins.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Elevation

5,105 feet above sea level

Coordinates

36.931582° N, -118.749770° W

Land Management

Kings Canyon National Park NP

Managed by NPS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Wear sturdy hiking boots and bring plenty of water. Check weather conditions before your trip, as the trail can become slippery or hazardous after rain. Cell service may be limited, so carry a map or GPS device.

Where to Stay

Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby

Glamping Hipcamp

Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses

RV Rentals Outdoorsy

Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip

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Nearby Campground

Convict Flat Campground

9 miles away · 0 sites

Located in Kings Canyon, 19 miles NE of Grant Grove via Hwy 180. Family campground (5 units), vault tiolet and suitable for small - midsize trailers. Elevation 3,000 feet.

Book on Recreation.gov