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    Home » Travel » US National Parks

    Published: Jul 29, 2019 · Updated: Feb 14, 2025 by JohnTillison · This post may contain affiliate links

    Crystal Springs Campground - Kings Canyon National Park

    Crystal Springs Campground has group sites and individual tent sites located 4 miles from the Kings Canyon National Park entrance on Highway 180. 

    The campground is filled with giant trees and a ton of shade. The sites are fairly well spread out from each other. A few of the tent sites are pretty close to each other.

    The group sites are set up to handle seven to 15 people and reservations are recommended for these group sites.

    Individual campsites are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. You will want to get to the campground early especially during the summer and on weekends when Kings Canyon National Park camping is incredibly popular. 

    Crystal Springs Campground

    Season:  Early spring through late fall

    Number of Sites:  36 individual sites and 14 mid-size group (7-15 people) sites

    Location in the park:  4 miles (6 km) from the park entrance on Hwy 180

    Campsite cost: $18 per night and group sites $40 per night. 

    Payments accepted: Cash, check or credit cards

    Reservations:  Reservations are recommended for group sites, but individual sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations available). 

    Latitude/Longitude: 

    • Latitude:
    • 36.744675
    • 36° 44' 40.8300" N
    • Longitude:
    • -118.9617861
    • 118° 57' 42.4300" W

    Elevation: 6,500 ft (1,980 m)

    Accessible Sites: Group site F is accessible for people in wheelchairs.

    Pets Allowed: Pets are permitted within the campground but must be leashed at all times. Learn more about pet regulations.

    Crystal Springs Campground Reservations

    Are campground Reservations Available? Reservations are recommended for group sites, but individual sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations available). 

    Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park Entrance Fee

    Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.

    Park Entrance Pass - $35.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)

    Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $30.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)

    Per-Person Entrance Pass - $20.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.

    Annual Park Entrance Pass - $70.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.

    $20.00 for Non-commercial group (16+ persons)

    $45.00-75.00 for commercial sedan with 1-6 seats ($25.00 plus $20.00 per passenger)

    $75.00 for commercial van with 7-15 seats

    $100.00 commercial Mini-bus with 16-25 seats

    $200.00 for commercial Motor Coach with 26+ seats

    Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.

    $80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.

    2024 America The Beautiful National Park Pass

    Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.

    National Park Free Entrance Days  -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.

    Check out all of the Kings Canyon Campgrounds to compare which campground best fits your plans. 

    Campground Amenities

    Flush Toilets: Yes

    Potable Water? Yes

    Is wifi available? No

    Is cellular Phone Service Available? No

    Is camp host available on site? Yes

    Is firewood available for purchase? Firewood can be purchased at the store in Grant Grove. 

    Amenities at each campsite: 

    Firepit in the site? Yes

    Picnic Table in the site? Yes

    Bear Box in site/area? Yes, Each campsite has a large food storage locker (47”W x 33”D x 28”H) 

    Don't forget to pack

    Insect repellent is always a great idea outdoors, especially around any body of water. 

    We use Permethrin Spray on our clothes before our park trips.  Please read my article on preventing biting insects while enjoying the outdoors. 

    Sunscreen - I buy environmentally friendly sunscreen whenever possible because you inevitably pull it out at the beach.

    Bring your water bottle and plenty of water with you. Plastic water bottles are not sold in the park.

    Sunglasses - I always bring sunglasses with me. I personally love Goodr sunglasses because they are lightweight, durable, and have awesome National Park Designs from several National Parks like Joshua Tree, Yellowstone, Hawaii Volcanoes, Acadia, Denali, and more!

    Click here to get your National Parks Edition of Goodr Sunglasses!

    Binoculars/Spotting Scope - These will help spot birds and wildlife and make them easier to identify. We tend to see waterfowl in the distance, and they are always just a bit too far to identify them without binoculars.

    RV Camping at Crystal Springs Campground

    RV Length: The length of RVs or trailers that can be accommodated varies by site. 

    Dump Station: The nearest dump stations (summer only) are: Dorst Creek Campground in Sequoia National Park or Princess Campground (Hwy 180 at Hume Lake junction) in Sequoia National Forest.

    Generators: Generators are allowed between 9 a.m. to 9 p.m

    Hookups: No hookups

    Escape Campervan in front of a hotel

    For a fun adventure check out Escape Campervans. These campervans have built in beds, kitchen area with refrigerators, and more. You can have them fully set up with kitchen supplies, bedding, and other fun extras. They are painted with epic designs you can't miss!

    Escape Campervans has offices in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, New York, and Orlando

    Campground Regulations

    The maximum number of people in a campsite: A maximum of six people (including children) are allowed per campsite.

    The number of cars per campsite: Two motorized vehicles per campsite. A valid campground car pass must be displayed.

    Checkout time: 12 noon

    Quiet Hours: Quiet hours are from 10 pm to 6 am

    Maximum Stay: 14-day maximum stay limit.

     

    Crystal Springs Campground Map

    Photos of Crystal Springs Campground

    Individual Campsites

    Campsite 1 and 2

     

    Campsite 5

     

    Campsite 8

     

    Campsite 9

     

    Campsite 12

     

    Campsite 13

     

    Campsite 14

     

    Campsite 22

     

    Campsite 24

     

    Campsite 25

     

    Campsite 27

     

    Campsite 32

    Mid Size Group Campsites (7-15 people)

    Mid-size group sites are for tents only.

    Mid-sized group sites include 3 picnic tables, a fire ring, and 2 bear boxes.

     

    Mid Size Group Campsite C

     

    Mid Size Group Campsite D

     

    Mid Size Group Campsite E

     

    Mid Size Group ADA Campsite F

     

    Mid Size Group Campsite G

     

    Mid Size Group Campsite H

     

    Mid Size Group Campsite I

     

    Mid Size Group Campsite L

     

    Mid Size Group Campsite M

     

    Mid Size Group Campsite N

    Don't miss these other great posts to help you plan an epic trip to Kings Canyon National Park!

    If you want to spend a night in the lodge check out the John Muir Lodge.

    These are our favorite things to do in Kings Canyon National Park! So many amazing trails, big trees, and more!

    We list all of our Kings Canyon Travel Tips to help you have the best trip. There are a few things you will definitely want to pack with you. 

    Make sure to follow Park Ranger John on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok

     

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    Filed Under: Camping, US National Parks

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