Top 9 Sequoia & Kings National Park Campgrounds & RV Parks
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks is a beautiful home to nature’s greatest marvels that seem to have stood still for the past few centuries. Giants fill these forests, dating back more than 2,000 years old. The Sequoia’s here are among the oldest and largest living things standing tall and dominating the natural world. There are a total of seven campgrounds located inside Sequoia National Park and an additional seven located inside Kings Canyon.
With a variety of options for your next vacation, we have chosen the highly rated campgrounds and RV parks for you to make the most out of your experience. Keep in mind that the area brings guests from all over, so campgrounds can be entirely booked out months in advance, especially during the summer months. As such, we recommend researching and choosing a campsite far ahead of your next vacation to ensure availability.
Lodgepole Campground is located within the heart of Sequoia National Park, making it readily accessible for a variety of outdoor adventures. The campground houses a visitor center to greet guests with a variety of informative and interactive videos, history about the area, and activities you can do with giant Sequoias to shade the area.
For those eager to begin their outdoor adventures, the Tokopah Valley Trail starts right from the visitor center. It is a relatively easy 3.7 miles round trip hike that will take you along the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River under a canopy of trees. This trail will climb over 500 feet and offer breathtaking views of the California forest, and even a 1200 foot waterfall near the end of the trail.
This campground does not provide electrical hookups; however, it does have flush toilets, fire rings, dump stations, food storage lockers, picnic tables, and showers for campers to enjoy.
Dorst Creek Campground’s central location between Grant Grove and Lodgepole gives it the appeal of being a perfect pitstop for a night’s rest before moving back and forth between Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Dorst Creek Campground is only available June through September, and the beautiful summer weather is sure to impress the thousands of guests it houses during the warm months.
The greatest appeal of the campground, however, is the incredible hiking trails that surround the area. Muir Grove Trail, climbing just over 500 feet on the 3.9-mile round-trip, is a favorite adventure for campers at Dorst Creek. Muir Grove Trail ends in a large grove of giant Sequoias, which hosts some of the most towering trees within California. Another trail located by the campground is the Little Baldy Trail, a 3.3-mile hike round-trip, climbing nearly 800 feet, making it slightly higher than the Muir Grove. Once at the highest point in the trail, you will have views of the Great Western Divide. In addition to having hiking trails in the area, the campsites are incredibly spacious and quieter than other campgrounds in the park, offering more privacy for those who want it.
Each campsite is surrounded by trees, making it picturesque for a pleasant stay. There are around 200 campsites in Dorst Creek Campground with an additional four group campsites. Dorst Creek provides its guests with picnic tables, fire rings, dump stations and water stations, flush toilets, and bear-proof food storage. While there are no electric hookups provided, guests are encouraged to bring RVs, camper vans, and other vehicles to provide for the perfect experience after a long day’s adventures.
Cold Springs Campground
Located in one of the densest and most remote areas within Sequoia National park is Cold Springs Campground. The trek to reach these campsites is more extensive than others, but the beauty of the core of Sequoia National Forest is worth all of the 90-minute drive. Sitting on the east fork of the Kaweah River, Cold Springs Campground sits within aspen and evergreen trees. While the amenities are less extensive than others, the serene and isolated feel of the campsites gives the authentic outdoor experience to those looking for a more natural and deserted vacation. This spot is perfect for unwinding and relaxing, still complete with a variety of outdoor activities to keep each day busy.
For the avid hiker, Eagle Lake Trail can be accessed right from the grounds. This 6.5-mile round-trip is a rather challenging hike and one recommended for only experienced hikers. For those who take it, an incredible elevation gain of over 2000 feet will bring hikers to a canyon view overlooking the incredible Eagle Lake. The hike typically takes around 4 hours, so be sure to pack your water and snacks to keep you going.
Cold Springs Campground houses 40 campsites available for tent camping only. Keep in mind that the campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Cold Springs is one of the more basic campgrounds regarding its amenities, offering only pit toilets, picnic tables, food storage lockers, and a pay telephone. Still, the incredible forest, trees, and groves make up for it all.
Sunset Campground
Sunset campground, located within Kings Canyon National Park, is the first campground you will come across as you enter the park. It is near Grant Grove Village, which sits in an open plain of evergreen trees. At an elevation of 6,500 ft, it gives off the most beautiful views while ensuring a promising temperament for optimal summer exploration. This campsite works as a first-come, first-served, and open from late May through early September.
Not far from this campground, you will find the Grant Grove visitor center, perfect for all the information you need to know to make the most of your stay! As far as facilities go, there is running water, flush toilets, food storage lockers, and ranger programs in the summer. Keep in mind there are no electrical hookups or picnic tables available, nor are there showers in the Grant Grove area.
There are 150 campsites and two large group sites; during the busier period, we recommend making a reservation to ensure a spot. However, outside of the busy season, the campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
Azalea Campground
Located 6500 feet above sea level lies Azalea Campground. With Evergreen trees standing tall, the campground, just a short distance from the entrance of King Canyons National Park, is a popular place to stay for those keen on biking, hiking, horseback riding, and even fishing. Much like Sunset Campground, Azalea operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Unlike any other campground, however, Azalea will stay open for adventures open year-round giving campers their desired activities given any season.
Azalea offers guests some of the most beautiful sites within Kings Canyon, including the Azalea shrub that produces flowers that release fragrances as they bloom. There are also several trails near the campground that lead to the General Grant Tree and the Columbine picnic area.
Facilities here include flush toilets, showers, and potable water. Azalea Campground is near the Grant Grove Village visitor center, so don’t forget to grab your guide on the National Park to help you on your way of becoming an expert in the area!
Potwisha Campground
Just a short drive from the Marble Falls lies Potwisha Campground– deep within the heat and lower foothills of the Sierra area. This part of the park gets hot in the summer, but the Kaweah River’s Middle Fork gives campers an abundance of water activities to keep them cool in the heat. Due to its location, the Potwisha Campground stays open year-round so that guests can enjoy a variety of activities throughout the year.
Potwisha remains a popular campsite due to its easy access and proximity to Sequoia National Park, but it also is open to RVs, camper van, truck campers, and tent camping. The amenities are similar to other campgrounds and include fire rings, a dump station, food storage lockers, an amphitheater, potable water, picnic tables, and flush toilets. The 36 reservable campsites work on a rolling opening throughout the year, so make sure you make a reservation early to ensure a spot in this incredible location.
Sheep Creek Campground
Deeper within Kings Kings Canyon and sitting on the middle fork of Kings River is Sheep Creek. Its location makes it quieter than others within the park, and its canyon view is second to none. Sheep Creek is not open year-round but welcomes guests from the end of May through the middle of October. Its 111 campsites work on a first-come, first-served basis.
The campground is only a short walk from the Cedar Grove visitor center, which offers information and activities to experience within the park. Located within walking distance of the campground are multiple trails, including Roaring Falls and Zumalt Meadow, which are easy to moderate hikes where you will experience firsthand the beauty within the National park. The area gives the perfect experience for those looking to fish, hike, bike, and boat.
Sheep Creek Campground features flush toilets and showers, picnic tables, laundry facilities, potable water, food storage lockers to protect from wildlife, and payphones.
Buckeye Flat Campground
Buckeye Flat Campground, neatly located in the Sierra Highland paradise, is the perfect oasis for avid wildlife watchers. With the middle fork of the Kaweah River just a short walking distance away from the campsite, guests can enjoy the lush nature of the Live Oaks, riverfront, and many more amenities the area provides.
An abundance of trails leads in all directions to incredible canyon views, granite peaks, and areas of the Kaweah River. Included in those trails is the Paradise Creek Trail, as well as rock climbing trails such as the Little Baldy. The result? Massive boulders such as Moro Rock and Hospital Rock, the large and impressive General Sherman Tree, and giant sequoia trees standing tall.
After a day exploring these unparalleled sites, coming home to one of the 27 campsites is sure to keep you rested for the next day of adventuring. The amenities at the Buckeye Flat Campground are comparable to rest in the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park. The campground offers potable water, food storage lockers, picnic tables, flush toilets, and fire rings. Keep in mind there are no hookups at the campsites.
Sentinel Campground
On the south fork of the Kings River is the Sentinel Campground, full of lush groves, incredible vistas, and canyon views second to none. A variety of day trips hiking, backpacking, fishing, wildlife watching, and boating are a few of the opportunities for adventure in the area to suit each explorer’s desires. Canyon vistas and giant conifer forests decorate the space, and Sentinel Campground is neatly nestled in the perfect location to make the most of your California adventure.
Different from the majority of campgrounds in the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, different loops of the campground are open throughout the year. With 82 campsites operating on a first-come, first-served basis, campers can enjoy the scenic hiking trails throughout a variety of temperaments and seasons. There are also ranger programs running in the summer to give campers structured activities.
Sentinel Campground offers fire rings, picnic tables, potable water, food storage lockers, and flush toilets, but keep in mind there are no electric hookups, so make sure you bring adequate supplies to keep you going through your stay.
There are a total of 14 campgrounds within Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park. The unparalleled views and amazing experiences at every campground explain the popularity of the two parks and the high demand of the campsites within it. Each campground offers a piece of its serenity and beauty, giving guests the perfect place to call it a night after a day full of exploring. No campground will provide electrical hookups, so make sure you keep this in mind while planning and packing for your next California adventure. The campsites all offer food storage lockers to protect your food from local wildlife without worry as you explore sunrise and sunset canyon views, giant forest, and the adventures that come with it. There is only one question left for you, which park will you visit first?
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