Camping

 

Learn and Explore

There are fourteen campgrounds in these parks, including three that are open year-round. Most campgrounds are first-come, first-served, with up to six people allowed per standard site. Each campsite has a picnic table, fire ring with grill, and a metal food-storage box. 

Reservations

Make reservations for park campgrounds at Recreation.gov. Sites can be reserved at Potwisha, Buckeye Flat, Lodgepole, Dorst Creek, Sunset, and Sentinel campgrounds, and also at any campground with group campsites. Campground reservations are now available up to six months in advance of your stay.

First-come, First-served Campgrounds

First-come, first-served only campgrounds are Azalea, Sheep Creek, Moraine, Atwell Mill, Cold Springs, and South Fork. Campgrounds often fill on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights in June, July, and August. Generally, Sunday through Thursday afternoons offer the best chance of finding an available campsite (except at Lodgepole Campground, which usually has few sites available, even mid-week). During holidays, campgrounds fill up earlier than usual.

Camping with RVs or Trailers

Check vehicle-length limits on park roads before deciding which road to take into these parks. If you have a longer vehicle and plan to drive to sequoia groves, use the northern park entrance in Kings Canyon National Park via Highway 180. 

There are no RV hookups in the parks. Generator hours are from 9 am to 9 pm, except at Lodgepole and Dorst Creek campgrounds, where generators can run from 8 am to 11 am and 5 pm to 8 pm. Dump stations are located at Potwisha, Lodgepole, and Dorst Creek campgrounds. There are no dump stations in Grant Grove or Cedar Grove, but there is a dump station at Princess Campground in Sequoia National Forest near Hume Lake. Dump stations at Lodgepole, Dorst Creek, and Princess campgrounds are only available during the summer months.

Check-in, Check-out, and Opening and Closing Dates

If you have a campsite reservation, check in at 12:00 pm or later. If you have not checked in by noon on the second day of your reserved period, your reserved site may be considered unoccupied and opened to new campers. If you are self-registering for a first-come, first-served campsite, you can check in anytime (24 hours a day). Check out time for all sites is noon. On campground opening and closing dates, gates open or close at noon. Camping is limited to 30 days total per year in both parks, with no more than 14 days camping between June 14 and September 14. Opening and closing dates may change due to weather, fire, or other circumstances.

Other Camping Areas

Backpackers can camp in park wilderness areas. Wilderness permits are required to camp outside of designated campgrounds. Camping is also available nearby in Sequoia National Forest's Hume Lake Ranger District.
 

Wolverton Stock Campsites

In 2020, Wolverton Stock Corrals open at noon on June 17 and close at noon on September 30. Campsites cost $22 per night. Please review the reservation request form for details about camping with stock. Complete your reservation request form and email it to [e-mail]. You will receive a response to your request within 5 business days. If your request is approved you will receive a welcome packet and orientation information via e-mail.

General Information about Camping

Campground regulations are available on our website and can be reviewed in advance of your trip. Are you looking for tips on how to set up a campsite or ideas for meals or gear to bring? Check the National Park Service's general camping website for more information.

Firewood

Please don't travel with firewood; get it at or near your campsite. Help protect these parks from invasive species, such as insects, fungi, and other pests that can threaten the health of the forest and local wildlife. Buy firewood at local markets, including those inside the parks, or gather dead and down wood near your site. Do not cut living or standing trees, and leave any remaining firewood after your trip.

Falling Objects

Trees and branches have been falling more frequently, possibly due to drought and beetle damage. Listen and watch for falling trees! Branches and entire trees may fall at any time. Even a pine cone falling from a great height can be dangerous. Rocks may tumble from above you. Look for potential hazards when you choose a campsite or a place to linger, and while out exploring the parks.

Reduce Your Risk of Plague, Hantavirus, and Other Diseases

Fleas on rodents can carry plague and deer-mouse feces can carry hantavirus. Avoid walking, camping, or allowing pets near rodent burrows or other areas of rodent activity. Do not feed or touch any wild or dead animals. Tell a ranger if you see a dead rodent. For more information about staying safe in these parks, visit our safety page.

Campground Details

• Lodgepole Area Campgrounds
• Grant Grove Campgrounds
• Cedar Grove Campgrounds
• Mineral King Campgrounds
• Foothills Campgrounds
• Group Camping

 

Campground Information

SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK

Lodgepole and Giant Forest

The Lodgepole/Giant Forest Area is centrally located in Sequoia National Park at an elevation of 6,700 feet (2050 m). The area can be reached from either park entrance: a 45-minute drive from the Hwy 180 entrance at Grant Grove in Kings Canyon National Park, or a one-hour drive from Hwy 198, the main entrance to Sequoia National Park (vehicles over 22 feet long are not advised between Potwisha Campground and Giant Forest in Sequoia).

Campgrounds in the Lodgepole/Giant Forest area include Lodgepole Campground, which is open from early spring through late fall, and Dorst Creek Campground, which is open from early summer through fall. Both are available for camping with tents, RVs, and trailers. Reservations are recommended for both campgrounds.

 

Foothills Area

At an elevation of 2,500-3,000 (750 - 920 m), the foothills of Sequoia National Park are usually hot and dry in summer and cool and wet in winter, with occasional light snow. In this area, trails lead to oak woodlands, river canyons, and spring wildflowers. A 45-minute winding drive leads to the Giant Forest sequoia grove (vehicles over 22 feet are not advised between Potwisha Campground and Giant Forest). In summer, fire restrictions are often in effect in these campgrounds due to high temperatures and dry conditions.

Campgrounds in the Foothills area include Potwisha Campground, which is open to tents, RVS and trailer camping all year, Buckeye Flat Campground, which is open for tent camping from early spring through late fall. The primitive South Fork Campground is in a more remote area of the foothills and is open year-round for tent camping.

 

Mineral King Area

Featuring the highest elevation campground in the park at 7,500 feet (2280 m), the Mineral King area of Sequoia National Park is only open during the summer months. A narrow, winding road leads to the area and its two campgrounds. The road to the area is open from late spring through fall. RVs and trailers are not recommended on Mineral King Road and are not permitted in campgrounds here. Mineral King is connected to the rest of Sequoia National Park only by trail.

Campgrounds in Mineral King include Atwell Mill Campground and Cold Springs Campground. Both are open for tent camping during the summer season.

 

KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARK

Grant Grove Area

Grant Grove serves as the gateway to Kings Canyon National Park. At 6,500 feet (2000 m), this area offers moderate temperatures in the summer, and is usually snow covered in the winter. Trails in this area lead to giant sequoia groves, meadows, waterfalls and vistas of the high Sierra. Services are available in Grant Grove Village, a short distance from all three campgrounds.

Campgrounds in Grant Grove include Azalea Campground, which is open to tents, RVs, and trailers year-round, Sunset Campground, which is open to tents, RVs, and trailers from early spring through late fall, and Crystal Springs Campground, which is open to group camping for tents, RVs, and trailers from early spring through late fall.

 

Cedar Grove Area

Located at 4,000 feet (1200 m) and an hour’s drive from Grant Grove, Cedar Grove is a quieter area of Kings Canyon National Park. This area is open from early spring to late fall. Campgrounds in this area are on the South Fork of the Kings River and offer views of the glaciated Kings Canyon. Trails here lead to meadows and waterfalls, and also provide some of the best access to the high Sierra wilderness. All campgrounds in this area contain a bicycle trail which connects them to services at Cedar Grove Village.

All Cedar Grove campgrounds are open to tents, RVs and trailers. They include Sentinel Campground, which is open from early spring through late fall, Sheep Creek Campground and Moraine Campground, both open from late spring through early fall, and Canyon View Campground, which is for groups only and is also open from late spring through early fall. Reservations are available in summer and fall for group sites.

 

 

Campgrounds in Sequoia National Forest and
Giant Sequoia National Monument

The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) maintains campgrounds in the Hume Lake District that border Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. All are open seasonally, and opening dates may vary depending on snowmelt and weather conditions. Please visit the Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument website for information about all campgrounds in the area, including opening and closing dates, cost, and reservations.

A free campfire permit, required for any fire on Forest Service lands, may be obtained at the USFS Hume Lake District Office, Kings Canyon Visitor Center (Grant Grove), or downloaded from the USFS website. Fire Restrictions for campfires, barbecues, and cook stoves may be in place at these campgrounds.

Dispersed camping is not allowed in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. The nearest areas for dispersed camping are in the Hume Lake District of Sequoia National Forest.

Hume Lake Area Campgrounds

Princess Campground
This campground is within a sequoia grove and near a large meadow. It's at 5900 feet (1800 m), and has vault toilets and potable water. A dump station here serves all of the campgrounds in the area. Reservations are recommended.

Hume Lake Campground
This campground offers easy access to fishing and water recreation at Hume Lake. A village nearby offers a market, gas station, restaurant, and other services. The campground has flush toilets, and water is available. Reservations are recommended.

Tenmile Campground
This small, primitive campground is a ten-minute drive from Hume Lake. There are vault toilets, and no water is available.

Landslide Campground
This small, primitive campground has 9 sites, including 6 sites designated for tents only. The maximum RV length is 16 feet. There are vault toilets or water.

Convict Flat Campground
Unlike other campgrounds in the area, this campground is in the Kings Canyon and is not forested. Its five sites are suitable for small or midsize trailers. Fire restrictions may be in effect here during dry weather. There are vault toilets, and no water is available.

Big Meadows and Stony Creek Areas

These campgrounds are along or near the Generals Highway south of the Highway 180 junction.

Stony Creek Campground
This forested campground at 6,400 feet (1950 m) in elevation is near a market, gas station, restaurant, and other services at Stony Creek Resort. It has 49 sites, toilets and potable water. Reservations are recommended.

Upper Stony Creek Campground
This campground is just across the highway from Stony Creek Campground (above) and is also close to the services at Stony Creek Resort. It has 23 sites for RVs or single vehicles. Trails for mountain biking begin near the campground. There are vault toilets, and potable water is available.

Horse Camp Campground
This small campground can be reached along Big Meadows Road. Geared to horse riders, it offers horse corrals near the 5 campsites. It's open from June - October, depending on snowmelt. There are vault toilets, and no water is available.

Buck Rock Campground
This small campground has five sites near Big Meadows Creek at 7,600 feet (2300 m) in elevation. It is free to camp here. There is a maximum RV length of 16 feet (5 m). There are vault toilets, and no water is available.

Big Meadows Campground
This campground is on Big Meadows Road, south of Grant Grove near the Generals Highway. It closes with snowfall and opens with snow melt. There are vault toilets, and no water is available. No reservations are necessary.

Sequoia National Forest also offers group camping, dispersed camping, and cabin rentals.

Please call 559-338-2251 for the most up-to-date Sequoia National Forest information.