Potwisha Campground - Sequoia National Park

Potwisha Campground in Sequoia National Park is open year-round and is located 4 miles (6.5 km) from the Ash Mountain Entrance Station at the South end of the park.  

Potwisha Campground - Sequoia National Park

The Potwisha Campground has relatively mild winters and is generally snow-free. At the same time, the summers can get quite hot and consistent with California's Chaparral, which is often considered a Mediterranean type climate. If you decide to stay in the summer, have shade covers and water jugs. 

You may also want to have a mister fan to cool you off and cold packs for your cooler 

Be prepared at any time of year for a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions.

Sequoia and 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 and non-commercial groups (16+ persons)

$75.00 for Commercial Van with 7-15 seats

$100.00 for 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.

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.

Potwisha Campground Map

Potwisha Campground Information

Potwisha Campground Camping Fees

Make sure to check with the park for the most updated camping fees

Potwisha Campsite Reservations

Are Campground Reservations Available? Yes

Phone Number? 877-444-6777

Online? Recreation.Gov

How Far Ahead can you make a reservation?

Individual sites at this campground operate on a 4-month rolling basis

Reservations: Mid-May through Mid- September

A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change your reservation.

General Information

Season: Open Year-Round 

Number of Sites: 42

Check-in Time: After 12:00 PM on the scheduled date of arrival.

Check-out time: 12:00 pm

Location in the Park: Follow Highway 198 east from Visalia for 36 miles, until you reach the Ash Mountain Entrance Station. The campground is located 4 miles beyond the entrance station on the left, or north, side of the road.

Campground Address:

47050 Generals Highway
Three Rivers, California 93271

Latitude/Longitude: 

• Latitude: 36.51726
• Longitude: 118.80113

Elevation: 2100 feet

Accessible Sites: #39 and #40

Campground Amenities

Potable Water? Yes

Is there a Bear Box/Food Storage Locker in the campsite or campground? Yes

Flush Toilets: Yes

Hot Showers: No

Laundry: No

Payphone: Yes, near the check-in 

Is Wi-Fi available? No

Is Cellular Phone Service Available? No

Is the camp host available on-site? Yes, seasonal

Is firewood available for purchase? May be purchased from a camp host if one is in the campground, this may only happen seasonally in the summer.

Amphitheater: Yes, Seasonal

Are fire pits/fire rings available at each site? Yes

Are Picnic Tables available at each site? Yes

RV Camping at Potwisha Campground

Hookups Available: No

RV Length: Max length is 24 feet.

*Note that vehicles over 22 feet in length are currently prohibited on the Generals Highway between Potwisha Campground and the Giant Forest. 

Generators: Generators may only be run between 9 am to 9 pm

Dump Station: Yes, across the street from the campground

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

Potwisha Campground Regulations

The maximum number of people in a campsite: 6

The number of cars per campsite: 2

Quiet Hours: 10 pm to 6 am

Pets Allowed: Yes but they need to be on a leash no longer than 6 feet long. There are black bears known to frequent the Potwisha Campground so you will want to keep your pets close to you.

Pets are not allowed in the backcountry or on any trails or in any building.   Learn more about pet regulations.

All food, garbage, and scented items must be properly stored at all times day or night! This includes all food, coolers, and any item that emits an odor (deodorant, toothpaste, bug spray, soap, cosmetics etc.).

RV Campers are encouraged to use the bear boxes instead of storing food inside of your RV. If you choose to store food in your RV make sure it is not visible from the outside and the windows are closed.

Bicycles, skateboards, and inline skates are prohibited on park trails and park roads included in the campground.

The use of firearms, fireworks, slingshots, bows, and other weapons is strictly prohibited.

Only dead-and-down wood may be gathered for firewood. The use of chainsaws is prohibited.

Campfires are permitted in fire-grates only!

Bicyclists under the age of 18 must wear a helmet.

In summer, fire restrictions are often in effect in this campground due to high temperatures and dry conditions.

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.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Tours

Sequoia National Park Small Group Tour from Three Rivers

⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 6 hours, 30 minutes | 🌳  Check Rates and Availability

Avoid the crowds and explore Sequoia National Park with ease on this small group tour. It stops at many of the park's key attractions as well as some of its hidden gems. This tour is jam-packed and ideal for first-time visitors.

Day Tour to Kings Canyon National Park from Fresno, California

⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 6 to 8 hours | 🌳  Check Rates and Availability

This round-trip tour from Fresno, California takes you to a gem of the Seirra Nevada Mountains, Kings Canyon. This trips inclusddes stops at the Kings Canyon Visitor Center, the Grant Grove where you can take a short hike through the trunk of a fallen tree, see lots of giant Sequoia Trees, even see the General Grant Tree, the third largest tree in the world! Afterwards, head to Cedar Grove Villagewhere you can see waterfalls, breathtaking canyon walls, possibly a bear too!

Private Stargazing - Sequoia National Park

⭐️ Rating: 4.7 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 1 hours, 30 minutes | 🌳  Check Rates and Availability

When night falls, Sequoia's crowds depart, but don't worry, that's when the real show begins! Your guide provides everything you need, including binoculars, chairs, and more, as you stare into the dazzling night sky.

Private Guided Hiking Tour - Sequoia National Park

⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 1to 6 hours | 🌳  Check Rates and Availability

Sequoia National Park is adjacent to Kings Canyon National Park, but if you are not familiar with the area, you might not know where to go and see the main spots of the parks. This private hiking tour with a private guide will show you the way. See General Sherman Tree, Moro Rock Trail, Tunnel Log, and Crescent Meadow Loop.

Where to stay when visiting Sequoia National Park

Wuksachi Lodge

Season: Generally open year-round

Located at an elevation of 7,050 feet in the beautiful Giant Forest area of the Sequoia National Park at the Wuksachi Lodge, you’ll be able to choose from one of the hundred rooms available on-site for your stay in the park. 

A luxurious top-of-the-line lodge, this property offers panoramic views of the Sequoia trees and towering mountain peaks.

With a perfect blend of an old-timey mountain lodge and contemporary touches, the décor will wow you more than you’d expect.

Though situated in a relatively remote spot of the park, you’ll have all the basic amenities and more available for you on-site. 

You’ll be close to several iconic trailheads that you can just roll out of bed and begin your day of exploration with your hot coffee in hand.

Bonus: the lodge is dog-friendly so if you’re traveling with your pet, staying at a fantastic hotel like this is a no-brainer! 

Click here to book your stay/learn more about the Wuksachi Lodge.

Lodging near Sequoia NP

Comfort Inn & Suites Sequoia - Take advantage of free to-go breakfast, laundry facilities, and a gym at Comfort Inn & Suites Sequoia/Kings Canyon. For some rest and relaxation, visit the sauna or the steam room. In addition to a hot tub, guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi, with speed of 100+ Mbps (good for 1–2 people or up to 6 devices

Western Holiday Lodge Three Rivers - At Western Holiday Lodge Three Rivers, you can look forward to a playground, laundry facilities, and a fireplace in the lobby. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. Stay connected with free Wi-Fi in public areas.

 Holiday Inn Express Visalia - Take advantage of a free breakfast buffet, golfing on site, and shopping on site at Holiday Inn Express Visalia Sequoia Gateway Area. Free in-room Wi-Fi is available to all guests, along with dry cleaning/laundry services and a business center

Fairfield Inn by Marriott Visalia - Consider a stay at Fairfield Inn by Marriott Visalia Sequoia and take advantage of free continental breakfast, dry cleaning/laundry services, and a business center. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. Guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.

Visalia Marriott at the Convention Center - You can look forward to a firepit, a coffee shop/café, and dry cleaning/laundry services at Visalia Marriott at the Convention Center. Active travelers can enjoy aerobics at this hotel. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. Be sure to enjoy happy hour at the onsite restaurant. Free in-room Wi-Fi is available to all guests, along with a bar and a 24-hour gym.

For additional lodging and vacation rentals near Sequoia NP click on the map below.

Potwisha's lower elevation is a classic chaparral environment filled with oaks. This area also has a wide variety of wildlife, including American black bear, mule deer, bobcats, and numerous bird species! Make sure to keep your food covered and protected from these campsite robbers.

Ground Squirrels are also prominent in the campground. If you are walking on the grass area or hillside be careful of the squirrel holes and divets.

Ranger programs from July to early September in Potwisha Campground

The Marble Falls trailhead is situated adjacent to the campground and several other trails are a short drive away.

Access to the Kaweah River is just a short walk across the street from the campground.

Sequoia National Park Resources

Complete Guide to Sequoia National Park - Complete guide to everything you need to know, including camping, lodging options, area attractions, points of interest, and much more!

Complete Guide to Kings Canyon National Park - Complete guide to everything you need to know, including camping, lodging options, area attractions, points of interest, and much more!

Complete Guide to Yosemite National Park - Complete guide to everything you need to know, including camping, lodging options, area attractions, points of interest, and much more!

Complete Guide to Death Valley National Park - Complete guide to everything you need to know, including camping, lodging options, area attractions, points of interest, and much more!

Oakhurst, California, The Southern Entrance To Yosemite

Calaveras Big Trees State Park

The Crystal Caves are about an hour's drive (18 miles/29 km) from the campground. Reserve tour tickets in advance on Recreation.gov.

Check out all of the Sequoia NP Campgrounds. 

Check out all of the California National Parks along with neighboring Arizona National Parks, Oregon National Parks, and National Parks in Nevada.

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