Rae Lakes Loop

The Rae Lakes Loop is a 41.4-mile (66.7 km) loop trail in Kings Canyon National Park, California, United States, gaining 6,943 feet (2,116 m) of elevation over five days to reach Glen Pass at 11,978 feet (3,651 m). Rated strenuous, it is one of the finest Sierra Nevada backpacking circuits, threading through glacially carved valleys, a chain of sapphire alpine lakes, and a dramatic high-mountain pass above the treeline.

About the Rae Lakes Loop

The Rae Lakes Loop sits at the heart of Kings Canyon National Park, one of the least-visited large national parks in the contiguous United States. The circuit begins and ends at Road's End (5,035 feet / 1,535 m) in the Cedar Grove area, threading through two of the park's deepest canyons — Paradise Valley along the South Fork Kings River and Bubbs Creek — before climbing over Glen Pass (11,978 feet / 3,651 m) into the Rae Lakes basin.

Unlike many Sierra Nevada classics, the Rae Lakes Loop earns its reputation through sustained variety. You follow a roaring river through ancient canyon walls, cross a swinging suspension bridge over Woods Creek, spend a full day at a chain of turquoise lakes beneath the serrated crest of the Kings-Kern Divide, then descend a Bubbs Creek drainage lined with lodgepole pine and manzanita. The route is managed by Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, which enforces strict camping quotas and mandatory bear canister requirements that have kept the wilderness in outstanding condition.

Important 2026 note: The South Fork Kings River Bridge at the lower end of the loop was washed out and reconstruction is not expected before 2027. Hikers in 2026 will need to wade the crossing in low-water conditions, typically achievable in late July through September. Check current conditions with the park ranger station at Cedar Grove before departing.

Route Overview & Stages

The clockwise direction — ascending via Paradise Valley, descending via Bubbs Creek — is strongly recommended by the NPS. Counterclockwise places the steepest climbing on Day 1 when pack weight is highest; clockwise spreads effort more evenly and delivers the most dramatic views of Glen Pass during descent. Total elevation gain for the clockwise circuit is approximately 6,943 feet (2,116 m).

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Mist Falls — One of the largest waterfalls in Kings Canyon, plunging 75 feet over a granite staircase just 3.9 miles from the trailhead. Peak flow occurs in late May and June during snowmelt, but the falls remain impressive through August.
• Paradise Valley — A broad, flower-filled glacial valley alongside the South Fork Kings River. Granite walls soar 2,000 feet above the canyon floor, and the designated campsites at Lower, Middle, and Upper Paradise are among the most scenic in the Sierra Nevada.
• Woods Creek Suspension Bridge — A historic swinging footbridge at mile 15.7 that bounces dramatically underfoot. The approach along Woods Creek through lodgepole forest is one of the quieter sections of the loop and a welcome reprieve from open granite terrain.
• Dollar Lake — The first lake of the Rae Lakes basin encountered on the ascent, shaped like a silver dollar and set against the wall of Painted Lady peak (12,123 feet / 3,695 m). A strong campsite option if Rae Lakes permits are exhausted.
• Rae Lakes — A chain of three lakes (Lower, Middle, Upper) at 10,558–10,620 feet (3,218–3,237 m), famous for their improbable turquoise color and the reflected image of Fin Dome. Each lake carries a 1-night camping limit; this is the natural rest day camp of the entire loop.
• Fin Dome — A distinctive granite fin rising directly above the Rae Lakes. At dusk, its reflection turns the lake surface gold — one of the most photographed scenes in Kings Canyon and worth planning a clear-sky evening for.
• Glen Pass — At 11,978 feet (3,651 m), the highest and most exposed point of the route. The climb from Rae Lakes is rocky and involves boulder scrambling near the top; the descent toward Charlotte Lake opens broad views south across the Kings River drainage and, on clear days, toward Mount Whitney.
• Bubbs Creek Canyon — The long descent home threads a deep granite gorge with dense conifer forest. Watch for black bears foraging in berry patches near the Sphinx Creek junction, and marmots whistling from talus fields above the trail.

Best Time to Hike the Rae Lakes Loop

The trail is accessible from late July through mid-September in most years. As of 2026, Glen Pass retains snow well into July, and the NPS advises checking current conditions before attempting the pass before mid-July. Early-season visitors (May–June) face hazardous stream crossings and deep snow on the pass; the washed-out South Fork bridge makes this period particularly difficult in 2026.

August is the single best month to hike the Rae Lakes Loop. By August, snow has cleared Glen Pass, streams are at safe crossing levels, wildflower displays are still vibrant in Paradise Valley, and afternoon thunderstorms are shorter and less intense than in early summer. Temperatures at the Rae Lakes basin average 13–18°C (55–65°F) during the day, dropping to 1–4°C (34–40°F) at night — ideal sleeping conditions with a three-season bag.

September offers even more solitude and stable weather, but nights grow sharply colder (sub-zero possible at elevation by late September) and the permit lottery becomes easier to win. October brings early snowfall and is not recommended without winter mountaineering experience.

Practical Information

Accommodation

The Rae Lakes Loop is a fully self-supported wilderness route with no huts, lodges, or hostels along the trail. All camping is in designated backcountry sites subject to a strict nightly quota and stay-limit system:

• Lower/Middle/Upper Paradise Valley — Designated campsites only; 2-night maximum stay per zone.
• Rae Lakes (Lower, Middle, Upper) — 1-night limit per lake; the most coveted and competitive sites on the loop. Arrive early to secure a spot within the quota.
• Charlotte Lake — 2-night limit; quieter than Rae Lakes and excellent for fishing golden trout.
• Bullfrog Lake — Closed to camping entirely to allow ecological recovery.

No campfires are permitted above 10,000 feet (3,048 m). Bear-resistant canisters are mandatory on all overnight trips — rental canisters are available at Cedar Grove Visitor Center for approximately $5 USD / €4.60 per day. The nearest hotel accommodation is Cedar Grove Lodge (open late May–September), with rooms starting around $170 USD / €157 per night, and Grant Grove Cabins approximately 30 miles away from around $130 USD / €120 per night.

Getting There & Back

The trailhead is at Road's End in the Cedar Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park, 7 miles (11 km) east of Cedar Grove Village on Kings Canyon Scenic Byway (SR-180).

• By car: From Fresno, take SR-180 east for approximately 85 miles (137 km); allow 2 hours. Free parking is available at Road's End but the lot fills before 7:00 am on summer weekends — arriving Thursday or Friday evening is strongly advised.
• By air: Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) is the closest commercial airport, approximately 90 miles (145 km) and 2 hours by car from Road's End. Rental cars are widely available at FAT. No public transit connects Cedar Grove to any city.
• Shuttle: Kings Canyon National Park does not operate a Road's End shuttle as of 2026. A seasonal park shuttle runs between Grant Grove and Cedar Grove Village but does not extend to Road's End. Carpooling within hiking groups is the most practical arrangement.

Permits & Fees

A wilderness permit is required for all overnight trips on the Rae Lakes Loop. Permits are managed through a Recreation.gov wilderness permit lottery for Kings Canyon National Park.

• Lottery period: Applications open in March for the peak season (May 22–September 22). Results are announced approximately 2 weeks after the lottery closes. Apply early — the Road's End trailhead is among the most in-demand in the Sierra.
• Walk-up permits: 40% of the daily quota is reserved for first-come, first-served walk-up requests starting at 1:00 pm the day before your trip at Cedar Grove Visitor Center. Arrive early — lines form by 7:00 am on peak dates.
• Permit fee: $15 USD / €13.80 per person (non-refundable reservation fee) plus a $15 USD / €13.80 permit fee per group (2026 rates).
• Park entrance fee: $35 USD / €32 per vehicle for a 7-day pass, or free with an America the Beautiful Annual Pass ($80 USD / €74).
• Quota: 25 people per day enter at Road's End heading clockwise via Paradise Valley.
• Bear canister: IGBC-approved canister mandatory for all overnight trips. No exceptions — rangers at Cedar Grove check compliance.

Gear & Packing List

The Rae Lakes Loop demands a carefully balanced kit — warm enough for freezing nights at 10,600 feet, light enough that 10-mile days don't break your body by Day 3. Most hikers carry 12–16 kg (26–35 lb) including food and water for 5 days. If minimizing weight is a priority, the Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Windrider and the larger HMG 3400 Windrider both excel in the exposed, often-wet Sierra Nevada environment with their waterproof Dyneema construction.

For hikers who prioritize carry comfort over five back-to-back days rather than raw weight savings, the Osprey Aether 65 offers a reliable suspension system well-suited to the sustained climbs toward Glen Pass and the 14.7-mile final stage. Whatever pack you choose, prepare for rapid weather changes: temperatures at pass elevation can swing 20°C (36°F) within a few hours during afternoon thunderstorm season.

Essential items for the Rae Lakes Loop:

• Bear canister (IGBC-approved): Mandatory — not optional. BV500 and Garcia canisters are widely accepted by NPS rangers at Cedar Grove.
• Layers and insulation: Down or synthetic puffy jacket, waterproof shell, fleece mid-layer. Nights at Rae Lakes (10,600 ft) drop near or below freezing even in August.
• Sleeping bag: 0°C (32°F) comfort rating minimum; a 3-season bag is sufficient for July through September.
• Navigation: Paper topo map (USGS 7.5-minute quads: Mount Clarence King, Sphinx Lakes, Mt. Pinchot) plus a GPS device. Cell coverage is zero throughout the entire loop.
• Water filtration: Sawyer Squeeze or similar filter. Water sources are abundant at every camp but Giardia is present in all Sierra backcountry water sources.
• Sun protection: SPF 50+ sunscreen, UV-rated sunglasses, wide-brim sun hat. UV exposure at 11,000 feet is significantly higher than at sea level — sunburn happens fast on Glen Pass.
• Trekking poles: Highly recommended for the rocky descent from Glen Pass and for negotiating the washed-out South Fork crossing safely in 2026.
• Nutrition planning: Five days at altitude burns significantly more calories than hiking at sea level. Our guide on how many calories you need hiking a full day covers Sierra-specific fueling strategies in detail.

Choosing the right pack is one of the most impactful decisions for a multi-day Sierra trip. Our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026 benchmarks seven models tested across sustained mountain terrain, with specific notes on High Sierra suitability.

Similar Trails You Might Like

The Rae Lakes Loop sits within one of the most trail-rich wilderness areas in North America. Hikers seeking a higher summit objective from the same Sierra Nevada region will find the Mount Whitney Trail a natural complement — it reaches 14,505 feet (4,421 m), the highest point in the contiguous United States, on a shorter but intensely steep day hike or overnight. The Pacific Crest Trail passes directly through Kings Canyon along the John Muir Trail corridor, and the Rae Lakes basin sits on this shared PCT/JMT route — making the loop a perfect sampler before committing to a longer thru-hike. For a continent-scale adventure, the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail at 4,988 km crosses America's mountain backbone from Mexico to Canada. Closer to civilization but no less dramatic, Half Dome Trail in Yosemite and the Angels Landing Trail–West Rim Trail in Zion deliver world-class views on a single-day commitment.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the Rae Lakes Loop?

August is the best single month for the Rae Lakes Loop. Glen Pass is reliably snow-free, stream crossings are at safe levels, and wildflowers are still vibrant in Paradise Valley. July is possible from mid-month onward in average snow years, but the 2026 bridge washout complicates early-season crossings. September offers excellent solitude and stable weather but brings colder nights and early snowfall risk after mid-month.

How difficult is the Rae Lakes Loop?

The loop is rated strenuous. Total elevation gain is 6,943 feet (2,116 m), with the crux being the rocky, exposed climb to Glen Pass at 11,978 feet (3,651 m). Altitude affects many hikers, especially those arriving from sea level — acclimatizing one night in Cedar Grove before starting is worthwhile. Prior backpacking experience and conditioning hikes with a loaded pack are strongly recommended.

How many miles per day is the Rae Lakes Loop?

On the recommended 5-day itinerary, daily mileage ranges from 4 miles (6.4 km) on the short day between Rae Lakes and Charlotte Lake to 14.7 miles (23.7 km) on the final descent via Bubbs Creek. The average is 8.3 miles (13.4 km) per day. Fit hikers can complete the loop in 4 days; 6–7 days allows a genuine rest day at Rae Lakes with side trips to Upper Rae Lake or Fin Dome viewpoints.

Is there hut or shelter accommodation on the trail?

No — the Rae Lakes Loop is a fully self-supported wilderness route with no huts, shelters, or resupply points. All food and gear must be carried from Road's End to Road's End. Camping is only permitted in designated backcountry sites with strict nightly limits, including a 1-night maximum at each Rae Lake. The nearest indoor accommodation is Cedar Grove Lodge, 7 miles from the trailhead, open late May through September.

Do I need a permit for the Rae Lakes Loop?

Yes — a wilderness permit is mandatory for all overnight trips. Permits are issued via a Recreation.gov lottery that opens in March for the peak season, with results announced roughly 2 weeks later. A daily quota of 25 people enters via the Paradise Valley trailhead (clockwise). Walk-up permits covering 40% of the daily quota are available at Cedar Grove Visitor Center from 1:00 pm the day before your start. The 2026 fee is $15 per person plus a $15 group reservation fee.