Ash Canyon - Kings Canyon Trail System

Description

The North Kings Loop is currently closed due to trail damage. Rock falls are common in the area at this time, keep an eye and ear out to avoid a hazardous situation. Please check back later for updates. The Kings Canyon Trailhead will remain open for access to Kings Canyon Rd.

This trail system is one of Carson Cities newest, established in 2015 with the help of Muscle Powered and The Great Basin Institute.

These trails are typically available spring, summer, and fall, but are normally snow-covered in the winter. The views are incredible, spring creeks and wildflowers are amazing, and some shade is available.

Some favorites:

The award-winning Ash-to-Kings Trail was established by Muscle Powered in 2015. It is 7.5 miles one-way but can be enjoyed as a 14.5-mile loop by utilizing the Lincoln Bypass Trail (4.2 miles), Longview Drive Bike Path (0.8 miles), and Ash Canyon Road (2.0 miles).
Lincoln Bypass Trail, just finished in 2022 by Muscle Powered, provides a 4.2-mile single-track alternative to Kings Canyon Road when making a loop with the Ash-to-Kings Trail.
The V&T Multi-Use Pathway is a one-mile paved path between Ash Canyon Road and Coombs Canyon Road which follows a segment of the historic Virginia & Truckee Railroad.

Other Information

Use caution when using the trails; there are lots of rocks and the trails can become narrow at time. Use extra caution on King's Canyon Road, on which motorized vehicles are allowed.

Learn more about Carson City on their website.

Motor vehicles with high-clearance and 4x4 are permitted on the Ash Canyon Road and the historic Kings Canyon Road. Caution – these are narrow roads with few turnouts and steep drop-offs. Ash Canyon Road is closed one mile above the water tanks in winter.

Note – Horses, dogs, and bicycles are not permitted on the Waterfall Trail or the North Kings Loop for safety and for protection of Carson City’s drinking water.

Trail Manager

For additional information, visit the Carson City Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces website, or contact:

Carson City Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces
3303 Butti Way Building #9
Carson City, Nevada 89701
Phone: 775-887-2262
View website

US Forest Service - Carson Ranger District
1536 South Carson Street
Carson City, NV 89701
Phone: (775) 882-2766
View website

Muscle Powered
View website

Download

Download map files for your own use.

Map File

Line File Point File

Recreate Responsibly

Leave What You Find

Leave the trail work to the pros: they will add or remove blazes, cairns (stone trail markers), structures, and trail improvements as deemed necessary.

Know Before You Go

Find geocaches near Ash Canyon - Kings Canyon Trail System
Geocaching.com

Trailhead Information

This trail can be accessed several ways:

Kings Canyon area:

Kings Canyon Trailhead. Located at the end of the paved portion of Kings Canyon Road, this trailhead offers paved parking for 25 vehicles, plus two ADA spaces, two trailer spaces, and a vault toilet.
Kingsview TH (on Kings Canyon Road at Longview Drive) – parking for 4-5 vehicles, provides access to the Lincoln Bypass Trail.

Ash Canyon area:

Ash Canyon Square Pond – designated parking area by the water tanks - follow the signs – no facilities.
Ash-to-Kings trailhead kiosk – three parking spaces are available one-mile above the water tanks – no facilities.
Foothill Drive (X-S Winnie Lane) – several parking spaces provide access to all Ash Canyon trails – no facilities.
Murphy Drive (X-S Coombs Canyon Road, just west of Western Nevada College) – a few parking spaces provide access to the V&T Multi-Use Pathway and other Ash Canyon trails. No facilities.

Click on a parking icon to get custom directions