Directions | Admission | Advice to Visitors | Visitor Comments | Places to stay in the area

From Fresno:
Head east on King’s Canyon Road which turns into Highway 180. A little past the small town of Minkler (pop.30)  take a 90 degree left hand ‘turn’ by a fruit stand.  Follow the signs to King’s Canyon National Park or Squaw Valley or National Parks.

You will leave the valley orchards a few miles beyond this point, and begin climbing into the foothills. Pass through Squaw Valley (not the Squaw Valley near Lake Tahoe!), and drive about five more miles to Clingan’s Junction, a small town easily recognized by two landmarks: ‘The Domes’ Feedstore’ (two brown geodesic domes) on the right and Texaco gas station on the left. The cross street at Clingan's Junction is Hopewell Road. Do not turn on Hopewell stay on Hwy 180.

Drive 2.5 miles further: the Cat Haven is on the left. Look for the sign-posted entrance. Drive through the main gates, up past granite walls and boulders, to the upper parking lot. From there it is a short walk to the main building, where tours begin. Buses can unload by the main gate and then park further forward on the left.

From Visalia:
Take Hwy 63 north to Hwy 180. Turn right and follow the same directions from Squaw Valley (see above).

From San Francisco: Find your way over to Hwy. 99 (There are about 10 ways to get to Hwy. 99 from the Bay Area) Take the Freeway 180 exit East and follow it until it ends at Chestnut. Turn right on Chestnut and head straight until you reach the signal at Kings Canyon and turn left. Follow the directions for "from Fresno" (see above)

From Los Angeles: From Hwy. 99 North, take the Hwy. 198 exit East at  Visalia. Take the first exit, Plaza Drive. At the stop sign turn left and head North for about 22 miles. Plaza Drive turns into several different names for the same road you will be on. When the road "T's" turn right on American Ave. Follow American until it "T's" and turn left on Hills Valley road. Follow the road until it "T's" and turn right on Hwy 180. You will be 9.2 miles from the Cat Haven at that point. Look for the signs and turn left into the entrance gates.

Map:

Places to stay in the area.

Approximate drive times:
Dinuba - 35 minutes
Fresno - 50 minutes
Los Angeles - 4 hours
Madera - 65 minutes
Reedley - 35 minutes
San Francisco - 4 hours
Visalia - 50 minutes