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Sequoia & Kings Canyon National ParkLodgepole campground.
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Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park
Campgrounds
 

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW about park campgrounds and storing your food from bears are on this page and its links:

OPENING DATES & VEHICLE-SIZE LIMITS
Only three campgrounds are open year-round: Lodgepole, Azalea, and Potwisha. Four campgrounds do not permit trailers and RVs: Buckeye Flat, Canyon View, Atwell Mill, and Cold Springs. In other campgrounds, site size varies and many sites are not suitable for very long RVs. There is a camping limit of 14 days during the period from June 14 to September 15 with a total of 30 days per calendar year. For specific information on each campground please use the links below:

CAMPGROUNDS:
Alphabetical listing (with map at bottom of page)
Geographical listing (with map at bottom of page)
There are also group sites for different size
groups in several parts of the parks, some of which require reservations. More >>>

RESERVATIONS
All but two campgrounds are first-come, first-served; Lodgepole and Dorst Creek take reservations for summer visits.

Reservations may be made up to 6 months in advance of the date you wish to start camping there. For example, you can make a reservation for July 4 beginning on January 4.

Reservations by phone available toll free:  10 am-midnight EST from March 1 - October 31 and 10am - 10pm EST from November 1 through February: 1-877-444-6777 (TDD 1-877-833-6777).

Reservations online - use these links:
For Lodgepole Campground
For Dorst Creek Campground

Customer Service: 1-888-448-1474 or nrrscs@reserveamerica.com.

BUSIEST TIMES
All park campgrounds often fill up on Saturday nights in July and August. However, chances of finding a campsite from Sunday afternoons through Friday afternoons are very good with the exception of Lodgepole which may have only a few sites available during midweek. See "Group Campsites" below for information on sites for groups of 7 to 50 and follow links for details.

THIS IS BEAR COUNTRY. Food storage is required!
All campgrounds in these parks may be visited by black bears. With their excellent intelligence and sense of smell, they easily learn to seek human food. Then these usually shy animals may damage cars, coolers, and tents to get at it. If a bear gets very destructive, it must be killed.
You can prevent this! Always follow all requirements to store your food properly year-round.
Campgrounds offer metal bear-resistant storage boxes (box sizes are listed for each campground; avoid bringing coolers that won't fit). Check park bulletin boards for instructions when you arrive, or click the "Black Bear" link on the right for more information.
While black bears can be dangerous, it's our food, not us, that they are after. There are no grizzly bears in these parks. 
  more...

 

VEHICLE LENGTH INFORMATION:
MAXIMUM VEHICLE LENGTH — Legal length limits on the Generals Highway are 40 feet (12 m) for single vehicles or 50 feet (15 m) for vehicles plus a towed unit. If you are towing a smaller vehicle, consider camping in the foothills and using the smaller car to explore.

VEHICLE LENGTH ADVISORY — The 16 miles of road from Ash Mountain to Giant Forest includes 130 curves and 12 switchbacks. There is a vehicle-length advisory for the 12 steepest miles within that stretch. From Potwisha Campground to the Giant Forest Museum, the advised maximum vehicle length is 22 feet (6.7 m). The alternative: take Highway 180 from Fresno to Grant Grove, then turn south on the Generals Highway.

 

FIRE, SMOKING, AND WATER RESTRICTIONS:

Fire danger and drought are regular summer issues here. Look for postings or ask about fire restrictions before you ignite any flame in the summer; they may be imposed at any time. As for drought, water may be limited during very dry summers and water use may be limited at RV sanitary dump stations or other locations. Call before you come if you hope to rely on park water supplies: 1-559-565-3341.

 
Visitors await the beginning of an evening campfire program in Lodgepole Amphitheater
SMB Photo
Evening ranger programs are a cherished part of camping tradition in many of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks campgrounds.
Black bear cub.
Keeping Your Food from Bears
You MUST store your food here. It saves bears. Here's how!
more...
California newt.
Wildlife Watching
Discover the abundant and diverse wildlife of these parks!
more...
Junior Ranger badge
Junior Ranger Program
Kids of any age can participate.
more...
 Park newspaper
Park Newspaper
View the latest issue for lots of helpful planning information.
more...
Fairy lantern wildflowers.  

Did You Know?
The unusual diversity of climates and ecosystems in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks led to its designation as an International Biosphere Reserve. Only 531 areas hold this honor world-wide.

Last Updated: June 04, 2009 at 17:25 EST