Sequoia National Forest Hume Lake Ranger District Campgrounds

Hume Lake Ranger District is the northernmost section of and is separated from the rest of the national forest by Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Much of the Hume Lake Ranger District is also protected as part of the Giant Sequoia National Monument. Kings Canyon National Park is divided into pieces. To drive between these two sections of the park (and to drive between Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks) on Generals Highway, you must pass through the Hume Lake Ranger District of Sequoia National Forest. Those visiting the national parks may find it convenient to camp at one of the campgrounds in the national forest. The Hume Lake Ranger District has fourteen campgrounds along with its own trails and attractions.

Princess Campground and Hume Lake Campground are the largest campgrounds in the area. Princess Campground is spread out in a pine forest along a green meadow that is conveniently close to the Generals Highway, not far from the Grant Grove Area of Kings Canyon National Park. Hume Lake Campground is more of a destination, with pine-shaded campsites on loops adjacent to the lake. Alongside the campground, Hume Lake has a sandy beach and other areas where visitors can swim.

Hume Lake Sequoia National Forest
Hume Lake

Hume Lake is a reservoir, created by the Hume-Bennet Lumber Company, which built the Hume Lake Dam in 1909. Without the dam, the Hume Lake would look like the meadow along Princess Campground. Instead, the lake has 87 acres of shimmering water framed by pine-covered peaks.

Hume Lake Campground
A site at Hume Lake Campground

Of the fourteen campgrounds in the Hume Lake Ranger District, nine are first-come first-served and five accept reservations. The reservation accepters are Hume Lake Campground, Princess Campground, Stony Creek Campground, Upper Stony Creek Campground, and Ten Mile Campground. Stony Creek and Upper Stony Creek Campgrounds are actually located between Sequoia National Park and the Grant Grove and Redwood Mountain Grove areas of Kings Canyon National Park, making them convenient basecamps for those visiting the two national parks. Below is a list of all the campgrounds in the Hume Lake Ranger District of Sequoia National Forest, followed by a map that shows their locations.

Campgrounds in the Hume Lake Ranger District

Big Meadow Campground | 45 sites | first-come first-serve | picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets (no water) | elevation 7,600 feet

Buck Rock Campground | 9 sites | first-come first-serve | picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets (no water) | elevation 7,600 feet

Camp 4 Campground | 5 sites | first-come first-serve | picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets (no water) | elevation 1,000 feet

Convict Flat Campground | 3 double sites | first-come first-serve | picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets (no water) | elevation 3,100 feet

Eshom Campground | 24 sites | first-come first-serve | potable water, picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets | elevation 4,800 feet

Green Cabin Flat Campground | 8 double sites | first-come first-serve | undeveloped, vault toilets (no water) | elevation 1,000 feet

Horse Camp Campground | 5 sites | first-come first-serve | metal pole corrals and vault toilets (no water) | elevation 7,600 feet

Hume Lake Campground | 74 sites | $22 per night | reservations accepted | potable water, picnic tables, fire rings, bear boxes, and flush toilets | elevation 5,200 feet

Landslide Campground | 9 sites | first-come first-serve | picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets (no water) | elevation 5,800 feet

Mill Flat Campground | 5 sites | first-come first-serve | tent only | vault toilets (no water) | elevation 1,100 feet

Princess Campground | 88 sites | $20 per night | reservations accepted | potable water, picnic tables, fire rings, bear boxes, and vault toilets | elevation 5,900 feet

Stony Creek Campground | 49 sites | $22 per night | reservations accepted | potable water, picnic tables, fire rings, bear boxes, and flush toilets | elevation 6,400 feet

Ten Mile Campground | 13 sites | $18 per night | reservations accepted | vault toilets (no water) | elevation 6,400 feet

Upper Stony Creek Campground | 19 sites | $18 per night | reservations accepted | potable water and vault toilets | elevation 6,400 feet

 

Photos

Hume Lake CampgroundHume Lake CampgroundHume Lake CampgroundHume Lake CampgroundHume Lake CampgroundHume Lake CampgroundHume Lake CampgroundHume Lake CampgroundHume Lake CampgroundHume Lake Campground

These photos were taken in May of 2013. Click to enlarge.
Nearby Trails
Grizzly Falls Sequoia National ForestGrizzly Falls
This 0.1-mile round trip stroll at Grizzly Falls Picnic Area in Sequoia National Forest reaches the base of an 80-foot waterfall along the Generals Highway near the Cedar Grove Area of Kings Canyon National Park.
Roaring River Falls in Kings Canyon National ParkRoaring River Falls
This paved 0.3-mile round trip hike reaches a thundering little waterfall on a tributary of the Kings River in Kings Canyon National Park.
Kanawyer Loop Trail Kings Canyon National ParkKanawyer Loop Trail
This 5-mile 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.
Grant Tree Trail Kings Canyon National ParkGeneral Grant Tree Trail
This 0-8 mile loop in the Grant Grove passes through a Fallen Monarch to reach the General Grant Tree, one of the world’s largest sequoias.
North Boundary Trail in Kings Canyon National ParkNorth Boundary Trail
This 3.55-mile 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.
North Grove Trail in Kings Canyon National ParkNorth Grove Trail
This 2-mile 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.
Dead Giant Loop Trail in Kings Canyon National ParkDead Giant Loop Trail
This 2.25-mile 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.
Grant Village to Grant Grove Trail Kings Canyon National ParkGrant 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.
Panoramic Point in Kings Canyon National ParkPanoramic Point
This 0.5-mile round trip hike reaches an exception overlook with views into Kings Canyon.
Buena Vista Peak in Kings Canyon National ParkBuena Vista Peak
This 2-mile round trip hike ascends 420 feet to a granite summit with 360-degree views over the Redwood Mountain Sequoia Grove and Kings Canyon.
Hart Tree and Fallen Goliath Loop in Kings Canyon National ParkHart Tree and Fallen Goliath Loop
This 8.3-mile loop on Hart Tree Trail and Redwood Creek Trail passes tranquil streams and interesting sequoias in the Redwood Mountain Grove in Kings Canyon National Park.
Camping
Sequoia CampgroundsSequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Campgrounds
There are 14 campgrounds with over 1,000 total sites spread throughout the parks to facilitate your visit.
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.

9 Comments on Camping in the Hume Lake Ranger District of Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument

  1. Nancy Eckert wrote:

    I’m looking for mountain biking trails in the Hume Lake or Hwy 198 areas. Any advice?

  2. Tony martinez wrote:

    we would like to know if there are showers up there at HUME LAKE.

    • hikespeak wrote:

      Hi- No showers there, but if you are traveling down into Sequoia National Park, there are public showers at the Lodgepole Visitor Center.

  3. Alan Hampton wrote:

    Is there a place where I can fill up my RV water water tank with potable water close to Camp Ten?

    • Alan Hampton wrote:

      I mean Ten Mile. HAHA This will be our first time in this area.

  4. Noah Jared Barlow wrote:

    I need to know the dimensions of the Bear Boxes for food storage. I have a large cooler, bigger than most, and I need to know if it will fit.

  5. Bridget Doherty wrote:

    Which campgrounds are horses allowed to stay in? Is it only Horse Corral or can they stay at others?

  6. Helaman E wrote:

    Do the campsites that take reservation also have first-come fs sites or are they exclusively by reservation? Same question about Lodgepole campground inside the part. thanks!

  7. Is landslide campground still first come first serve ?

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