Sequoia National Park Campground Kings Canyon camping Sequoia National Park

and Kings Canyon National Park are two large adjoining parks with many camping options. With so much to see, it is definitely worth spending multiple days in these two parks. The campgrounds are a great way to experience the parks after dark.

Located near the Giant Forest and Tokopah Falls, Lodgepole Campground is the largest campground in Sequoia National Park with 214 sites. Farther down the mountain south of the Giant Forest are two foothills campgrounds, Potwisha and Buckeye Flat. During cooler months, they are the best place to stay. Even farther south, the remote Mineral King region has two campgrounds of its own, Atwell Mill and Cold Springs Campground. The national parks are bordered by Sequoia National Forest, and you can find additional camping in the Hume Lake Ranger District.

 

Campgrounds in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Moraine Campground | 120 sites | open May – October | first-come first-serve | $18 per night | potable water, picnic tables, fire rings, bear boxes, and flush toilets | showers nearby | elevation 4,600 feet

Canyon View Campground | 16 group sites | open late May to October | reservations accepted | $40 – $60 per night depending on group size | potable water, picnic tables, fire rings, bear boxes, and flush toilets | showers nearby | elevation 4,600 feet

Sentinel Campground | 82 sites | open late April to October | first-come first-serve | $18 per night | potable water, picnic tables, fire rings, bear boxes, and flush toilets | showers nearby | elevation 4,600 feet

Sheep Creek | 111 sites | open May to mid-November | first-come first-serve | $18 per night | potable water, picnic tables, fire rings, bear boxes, and flush toilets | showers nearby | elevation 4,600 feet

Sunset Campground | 157 sites | open late May to mid-September | first-come first-serve | $22 per night | potable water, picnic tables, fire rings, bear boxes, and flush toilets | showers nearby | elevation 6,500 feet

Crystal Springs Campground | 36 sites (plus 14 group sites) | open late May to mid-September | first-come first-serve | $18 per night | potable water, picnic tables, fire rings, bear boxes, and flush toilets | showers nearby | elevation 6,500 feet

Azelea Campground | 110 sites | open year-round | first-come first-serve | $18 per night | potable water, picnic tables, fire rings, bear boxes, and flush toilets | showers nearby | elevation 6,500 feet

Dorst Creek Campground | 36 sites (plus 14 group sites) | open June – Labor Day | reservations accepted | $22 per night | potable water, picnic tables, fire rings, bear boxes, flush toilets, and an RV disposal station | elevation 6,800 feet

Lodgepole Campground | 204 sites | open year-round | reservations accepted | $22 per night | potable water, picnic tables, fire rings, bear boxes, flush toilets, and an RV disposal station | elevation 6,700 feet

Potwisha Campground | 42 sites | open year-round | reservations accepted May – September | $22 per night | potable water, picnic tables, fire rings, bear boxes, flush toilets, and an RV disposal station | elevation 2,100 feet

Buckeye Flat Campground | 28 sites | open year round | reservations accepted May – September | $22 per night | potable water, picnic tables, fire rings, bear boxes, and flush toilets | elevation 2,800 feet

Atwell Mill Campground | 21 sites | open May – October | first-come first-serve | $12 per night | potable water, picnic tables, fire rings, bear boxes, and pit toilets | elevation 6,600 feet

Cold Springs Campground | 40 sites | open May – October | first-come first-serve | $12 per night | potable water, picnic tables, fire rings, bear boxes, and pit toilets | elevation 7,500 feet

South Fork Campground | 10 sites | open year round | first-come first-serve | $12 per night | no potable water, picnic tables, fire rings, bear boxes, and pit toilets | elevation 3,600 feet

For more information on all these campgrounds, visit the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Camping Page.

Use the map below to view the campgrounds and get directions:

View Sequoia National Park in a larger map
Or view Sierra Nevada trails and campgrounds in a larger map

Photos

Foothills Campgrounds – Potwisha and Buckeye Flat:
Sequoia Foothills CampingSequoia Foothills CampingSequoia Foothills CampingSequoia Foothills CampingSequoia Foothills CampingSequoia Foothills CampingSequoia Foothills CampingMineral King CampingMineral King CampingMineral King Camping

These photos were taken in April and September of 2009. Click to enlarge.
More Camping
Sequoia National Forest Campgrounds Hume LakeHume Lake Ranger District Campgrounds
There are fourteen campgrounds in the Hume Lake Ranger District of Sequoia National Forest and Giant Forest National Monument, including the 74-site Hume Lake Campground.
Sequoia CampgroundsWestern Divide Ranger District Campgrounds
There are ten campgrounds in Giant Sequoia National Monument within the Western Divide Ranger District of Sequoia National Forest, including the 32-site Quaking Aspen Campground.

 

Trails in Kings Canyon National Parks

Trail
Description
Distance
Location
Roaring River Falls in Kings Canyon National Park264Roaring River Falls
This paved out and back hike reaches a thundering little waterfall on a tributary of the Kings River.
0.3 miles
25 feet
36.783747,
-118.622121
Kanawyer Loop Trail Kings Canyon National Park266Kanawyer Loop Trail
This loop is scenic and easy, exploring east from the backcountry gateway at Road's End along both sides of the South Fork Kings River in Kings Canyon.
5 miles
125 feet
36.794663,
-118.582941
Panoramic Point in Kings Canyon National Park270Panoramic Point
This short out and back hike reaches an exception overlook with views into Kings Canyon.
0.5 miles
100 feet
36.753793,
-118.946754
North Boundary Trail in Kings Canyon National Park280North Boundary Trail
This lollipop loop hike starts on the trail between Grant Grove and Grant Village and passes the General Grant Tree to reach a 2.75-mile loop through the pine forest north of the Grant Grove.
3.55 miles
375 feet
36.746811,
-118.972595
Grant Tree Trail Kings Canyon National Park284General Grant Tree Trail
This loop in the Grant Grove passes through a Fallen Monarch to reach the General Grant Tree, one of the world's largest sequoias.
0.8 miles
50 feet
36.747,
-118.973128
North Grove Trail in Kings Canyon National Park286North Grove Trail
This loop explores a quiet grove of sequoias near the crowded Grant Grove and can combine with Dead Giant Loop Trail for 3.25-mile hike.
2 miles
350 feet
36.747103,
-118.974642
Dead Giant Loop Trail in Kings Canyon National Park288Dead Giant Loop Trail
This loop passes a small meadow and a large dead sequoia to reach Sequoia Lake Overlook and can combine with nearby North Grove Trail for 3.25-mile hike.
2.25 miles
300 feet
36.747103,
-118.974642
Grant Village to Grant Grove Trail Kings Canyon National Park290Grant Village to Grant Grove Trail
This mile-long trail connects the visitor center at Grant Village with the parking lot at Grant Grove, passing through Azalea Campground to reach giant sequoias, including the General Grant Tree.
2 miles
250 feet
36.740049,
-118.963588
Buena Vista Peak in Kings Canyon National Park295Buena Vista Peak
This out and back hike reaches a granite summit with 360-degree views over the Redwood Mountain Grove and Kings Canyon.
2 miles
420 feet
36.718234,
-118.896935
Hart Tree and Fallen Goliath Loop in Kings Canyon National Park297Hart Tree and Fallen Goliath Loop
This loop on Hart Tree Trail and Redwood Creek Trail passes tranquil streams and interesting sequoias in the Redwood Mountain Grove.
8.3 miles
925 feet
36.707444,
-118.92093

 

Trails in Sequoia National Parks

Trail
Description
Distance
Location
Tokopah Falls300Tokopah Falls
This gradual out and back hike visits the tallest waterfall in Sequoia National Park.
4.2 miles
630 feet
36.6048,
-118.7249
General Sherman310General Sherman Tree
This paved out at back hike visits the world's biggest tree.
1 mile
200 feet
36.5848,
-118.74984
Congress Loop320Congress Loop
This easy paved loop visits the fourth and fifth tallest Sequoias in the world (among others).
2 miles
230 feet
36.5848,
-118.74984
Sunset Rock330Sunset Rock
This out and back hike visits a large granite dome with great views to the west.
2 miles
50 feet
36.5657,
-118.7724
Big Trees Trail sequoia333Big Trees Trail
This easy, educational, and beautiful loop explores the giant sequoias around Round Meadow.
1.4 miles
50 feet
36.564866,
-118.773736
Beetle Rock340Beetle Rock
This short walk from the Giant Forest Museum to Beetle Rock visits a granite dome with great views and stunning sunsets.
0.25 miles
50 feet
36.5647, -118.77425
Crescent Meadow350Crescent Meadow
This level loop visits a Sequoia you can stand inside (Chimney Tree) and another that someone used to live in (Tharp's Log).
1.6 miles
150 feet
36.5548,
-118.7490
Sugar Pine Trail and Bobcat Point Loop sequoia353Sugar Pine and Bobcat Point Trails Loop
This short but diverse loop peaks at Bobcat Point, which presents a fierce perspective of Moro Rock and a massive canyon.
1.5 miles
250 feet
36.5548,
-118.7490
Hanging Rock trail Sequoia National Park358Hanging Rock Trail
This short out and back hike passes views of Moro Rock en route to a balancing boulder on a canyon rim at the edge of the Giant Forest.
0.35 miles
100 feet
36.549128,
-118.768186
Moro Rock360Moro Rock
This short out and back hike (with a lot of stairs) sports panoramic views and should be considered a mandatory hike for first time visitors to Sequoia National Park.
0.6 miles
300 feet
36.5469,
-118.7656
Marble Falls370Marble Falls
This out and back hike takes a flower-lined path up a mountain canyon to a powerful waterfall.
8 miles
2,150 feet
36.51785,
-118.80115
Paradise Creek380Paradise Creek
This short stroll leaves Buckeye Flat Campground to visit the perfect swimming hole for a hot summer day in the Sierra.
0.5 to 6 miles
75 feet
36.52185,
-118.76352
Panther Creek390Panther Creek
This out and back hike follows the Middle Fork Trail to a 100 foot waterfall into the Middle Fork of Kaweah River.
6 miles (or farther)
600 feet
36.52755,
-118.7513
Hockett Trail420Hockett Trail
This out and back hike descends through sequoias to East Fork Kaweah River and farther into the backcountry of Mineral King.
3 to 5 miles (or farther)
600 feet
36.46424,
-118.6690
Monarch Lakes440Monarch Lakes Trail
This out and back hike visits a spectacular pair of lakes high above Mineral King Valley.
9.4 miles
2,500 feet
36.45305,
-118.59665
Eagle Lake430Eagle Lake Trail
The out and back hike climbs the west side of Mineral King Valley to a high-elevation lake.
7.2 miles
2,200 feet
36.4488,
-118.5954
Mount Pickering550Mount Pickering
This 13,485-foot summit rises above Sky Blue Lake to offer sweeping views of the sierra.
30 miles
3,500 feet
36.527133,
-118.290875
Sky Blue Lake560Sky Blue Lake
This hike extends beyond Lower Soldier Lake up Miter Basin to a deep blue lake surrounded by 14,000-foot peaks.
26 miles
2,300 feet
36.532788,
-118.273494
Primrose Lake570Primrose Lake
This trek visits a lake off the side of Miter Basin near Sky Blue Lake and below Mount Pickering.
28 miles
2,300 feet
36.521144,
-118.276173
Mount Langley580Mount Langley
This trek enters Sequoia from the east through Inyo National Forest to reach a 14,042-foot summit with towering views of the Sierra.
22 miles
4,000 feet
36.524419,
-118.238826
Lower Soldier Lake590Lower Soldier Lake
This 19.2-mile loop crosses Cottonwood Pass and New Army Pass to visit a beautiful lake that is an ideal camping spot for backpackers heading higher and deeper into the Sierra.
17.6 to 20.8 miles
1,500 to 2,300 feet
36.503604,
-118.269331
Tagged with · National Parks · Tent Camping

10 Comments on Camping in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

  1. cara seifert wrote:

    We are planning a camping trip to the Sequoia Nat’l Forest beginning July 6, 2012. What is the likelyhood of finding a first come first served spot on this particular weekend? We are tent camping and coming from Oregon. I would hate to drive all that way and not find a spot. I noticed that Princess Campground has a lot of availability. Is there a reason why? Should we steer clear of this campground?

    • hikespeak wrote:

      Arriving early on a Friday you can usually pick from your choice of first-come first-serve sites. The park may be mire crowded thanks to 4th of July, but you should be OK. Arrive as early as you can.

  2. Sandra Lien Vuong wrote:

    We’re looking to go camping the same time as cara (from the post above) July 6th weekend. I’ve been doing a lot of research and looking for sites. You seem to really know the area so can you tell me is Dorst creek a good location? Also i know that they take reservations because they are all booked up but do you know if they also have a first come first serve site? Also can you tell me which site is the closest to the waterfalls and the natural water slide? If you could help me I would really appreciate it. =)

  3. Virginia Merritt wrote:

    Im coming up for Easter vacation, 14th-17th. I need to know if Buckeye Flats will be open. If not when will it be opening?

  4. Katie wrote:

    We are thinking of coming this weekend, May 16th and 17th. But it’s a five hour drive and we are wondering how early we’d need to arrive to get a campsite. Anywhere really. (Are there any that are bad?) What are the chances of us getting one with no reservations, as the sites that take the reservations are all booked. Thanks!

  5. George wrote:

    Hello! I’m planning on going camping at Sequoia in the summer. But I was wondering if you can help me find a perfect camping site. I want to be in a campground that’s in the wilderness, close to swimming areas, but not really close to others campsites, I don’t mind being in the same campsite but I don’t want to be in a campground where’s there like 40-100 campsites. And also wanted a campsite where the people are pretty spread out from your camping area. I don’t want them to be so close to our area. Can you give me some helpful suggestions of campgrounds?

  6. Yen Khong wrote:

    I am planning to camp at sequoia and King Canyon on Friday July 3 through July 5 2015 but I cannot make reservation on that weekend. For first come first serve what time should I be there to get a spot on any campsite with flush toilets? Thank you!

  7. Dan Timbrell wrote:

    Plan to camp in King’s Canyon/Sequoia National Parks in May… roughly from the 9-11th. I read that most of the campgrounds are first come first served. For that time of year, would I have any trouble getting a good site if I arrive early in the day… and what would be considered “early?” Thanks!

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