Sequoia National Park Camping in California offers the opportunity to camp among the big trees!
There are seven campgrounds in the park that offer an amazing camping experience.
Sequoia National Park Camping
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Campgrounds are not expected to open until after the 4th of July weekend.
One of our best tips for planning a camping trip to Sequoia National Park is to make sure you pick a campground based on what you want to see in the park. You also want to make sure you are aware of if it is a Sequoia Camprounds or a Kings Canyon Campground.
The parks are co-managed so the majority of the brochures, pamphlets, and information includes both parks. This is amazing but you want to make sure you know which park you are heading to. It can be over an hour between the parks.
Camping in Sequoia National Park takes a little planning but it is so worth it!
If you are unable to get a Sequoia Camping Reservation you can check out the neighboring Sequoia National Forest Service campgrounds.
Sequoia National Park Reservations
No first-come, first-served camping will be available at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in 2020.
Some campgrounds that previously allowed for walk-up camping will be added to recreation.gov to increase the number of sites available for online reservations and will allow for online payment, reducing in-person contact.
All camping for the 2020 summer season will require a new reservation made prior to visiting.
Sequoia National Park RV Camping
Check vehicle-length limits on park roads before deciding which road to take into these parks.
There are no RV hookups in the parks.
Generator hours are from 9 am to 9 pm, except at Lodgepole and Dorst Creek campgrounds, where generators can run from 8 am to 11 am and 5 pm to 8 pm.
Dump stations are located at Potwisha, Lodgepole, and Dorst Creek campgrounds.
Campground Amenities
Every standard campsite has a picnic table, food storage/bear box, and a fire ring with a grill.
Each campsite can accommodate up to 6 people and one vehicle.
Public showers are available seasonally at Lodgepole and Cedar Grove Village. There are no showers within the campgrounds.
Lodgepole and Giant Forest Area
Lodgepole and the Giant Forest Area of Sequoia NP are the heart of the park and the busiest section of the park. This area is home to the General Sherman Tree, Big Trees Trail, and Topekah Falls.
Dorst Creek Campground
Location: located between Grant Grove and Giant Forest
Elevation:6,800 feet (2,073 m)
Open: Open from early summer through fall
Number of sites: 218 individual sites and four sites for large groups (15-30 people).
Accessible Sites: Sites 6, 11, 172-175, 177, and 180 are designated accessible.
Cost per night: Individual sites are $22 per night and large group sites are $40 – $60 per night.
Reservations?: Go online to Recreation.gov or call toll free: 877-444-6777
(TDD 877-833-6777)
from 10 a.m. – midnight EST March 1 through October 31, or 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. EST November 1 through February.
Reservations can be made starting 6 months in advance of the date you would like to camp.
Campground amenities: pay telephone, flush restrooms, ranger programs,
RVs allowed?: Dorst Creek Campground has sites for RVs and trailers of nearly any length, including pull-through sites.
Lodgepole Campground
Location: two miles (3 km) from the Giant Forest sequoia grove
Elevation: 6,700 ft (2,042 m)
Open:
Number of sites: In summer, this campground has 214 sites for tents, RVs, and trailers.
In fall and spring, there are 16 walk-in tent sites and a limited number of RV sites.
Accessible Sites:
Cost per night: $22
Reservations?: Reservations are available from May 20 to September 22, 2020, and are strongly recommended.
Camping outside of these reservation dates is first-come, first-served.
Campground amenities: Pay telephone, flush toilets, bear boxes, ranger programs, the Sequoia shuttle stops in the campground.
RVs allowed?: sites for RVs up to 42 feet (12.8 m) long.
Foothills Area
The foothills area of Sequoia NP is home to Tunnel Rock, Hospital Rock, the Marble Falls Trail, and Paradise Creek Trail.
Buckeye Flat Campground
Location: 7 miles (11.2 km) from the Sequoia National Park entrance
Elevation:2,800 ft (843 m)
Open:
Number of sites: 28 sites for tents only
Accessible Sites: Sites #20 and #24 are suitable for people using wheelchairs.
Cost per night: $22
Reservations?: Reservations are available May 20 through September 22.
Campsites are first-come, first-served outside of the reservation dates.
Campground amenities: firepits, running water, flush toilets, bear boxes, and great shade from large oak trees.
RVs allowed?: No RVs or Trailers allowed
For more information and photos check out our post on Buckeye Flat Campground.
Potwisha Campground
Location: 4 miles (6.5 km) from the Sequoia National Park entrance.
Elevation:2,100 ft (640 m)
Open:
Number of sites: 42 sites and is open year-round to tents, RVs, and trailers.
Accessible Sites: Sites 30 and 40 are designated accessible
Cost per night: $22
Reservations?: Yes, Reservations are available for all sites from May 6 to September 22.
Some sites can be reserved year-round.
Campground amenities: Fire rings, bear boxes, running water, flush toilets, amphitheater, and ranger programs.
RVs allowed?: Vehicles longer than 24 feet (7.3 m) are not advised between the Foothills Visitor Center and Potwisha Campground.
Potwisha Campground has sites for RVs and trailers, including pull-through sites. When making reservations online, you can filter available sites by entering the length of your RV.
For more information and photos check out our post on the Potwisha Campground
South Fork Campground
Location: 13 miles (21 km) from Highway 198 on South Fork Drive, which turns off in Three Rivers.
Elevation: 3,600 ft (1,100 m)
Open:
Number of sites: 10 sites and is open to tent camping year-round. RVs and trailers are not allowed.
Accessible Sites:
Cost per night: $6
Reservations?: Campsites are first-come, first-served. Reservations are not available for this campground.
Campground amenities: vault toilets, drinking water is not available.
RVs allowed?: RVs and trailers are not allowed.
Mineral King Area
The Mineral King area is reached by driving a steep, winding road that reaches 7,800 feet. This is one of the more remote areas of the park.
The area includes the Cold Springs Nature Trail, Eagle Lake, and Paradise Ridge.
The Mineral King Ranger Station has trails and local information. Payphones can be found nearby at the Cold Springs Campground and the Sawtooth Trailhead parking area.
Atwell Mill Campground
Location: 19 miles (31 km) from Highway 198 on the Mineral King Road
Elevation: 6,600 feet
Open:
Number of sites: 21
Accessible Sites: Campsite 12 is designated accessible and features a paved, level accessible parking space, a level tent pad, accessible picnic table, and an accessible grill.
Cost per night: $17.50
Reservations?: No, first-come, first-served basis (no reservations available)
Campground amenities: Payphone, vault toilet, Potable water until October 16, 2020
RVs allowed?:
Cold Spring Campground
Location: 23 miles (37 km) from Highway 198 on the Mineral King Road.
Elevation: over 7,000 feet
Open:
Number of sites: 40 campsites available for tents only, 31 regular sites and 9 walk-in sites (located approximately 100-200 yards walking distance from the parking area, depending on-site).
Accessible Sites:
Cost per night: $12
Reservations?: first-come, first-served basis (no reservations available)
Campground amenities: pay phone, vault toilet, Potable water through October 14, 2020,
RVs allowed?:
Bearpaw High Sierra Camp
Bearpaw High Sierra Camp is a backcountry tent hotel that is available for hikers. The tent hotel is located within Sequoia NP on the western slope of the central Sierra Mountains.
The camp is approximately 11 miles from Crescent Meadow along the High Sierra Trail.
Bearpaw High Sierra Camp overlooks the Kaweah Gorge and the Great Western Divide at an elevation of 7,800 feet.
The tent camp consists of six canvas tents with two twin beds in each tent. Linens, towels, showers, and restrooms are provided. A stay also includes a home-style dinner and a full breakfast.
Maximum occupancy is three people per tent, but no bedding is provided for the 3rd person.
Camping at Bearpaw High Sierra Camp is available from mid-June through mid-September as long as weather permits. The camp is available by reservation only!!!
Wilderness permits are required and must be picked up in person at the Lodgepole Visitor Center.
Sequoia National Forest Campgrounds
If you are unable to get a Sequoia Camping Reservation you may want to check out the campgrounds in neighboring Sequoia National Forest. These campgrounds include:
Hume Lake Area
Princess Campground, Hume Lake Campground, Tenmil Campground, Landslide Campground, and Convict Flat Campground
Big Meads and Stony Creek Areas
Stony Creek Campground, Upper Stony Creek Campground, Horse Camp Campground, and Big Meadows Campground.
They also have dispersed camping with no water, restrooms, trash cans, or other amenities. You will need a free fire permit that can be picked up at the Hume Lake Office, Kings Canyon visitor center in Grant Grove or from a USFS ranger.
For more information check out this website.
Additional Resources
Things to do in Sequoia – Check out all the amazing things to do in Sequoia NP while you are there.
Wuksachi Lodge – Check out the lodge in Sequoia and what it is like to stay in the park.
Sequoia Travel Guide – All the things you need to know to plan a great trip
Kings Canyon Campground Guide – Breakdown of all the campgrounds within neighboring Kings Canyon.
Things to do in Kings Canyon – Check out all the great things to do in this neighboring park.
John Muir Lodge – This is the lodge located in Kings Canyon. room video and photos along with what it is like to stay there.
National Parks in California – Check out all of the parks you can visit while in California.
Camping Games – fun games you can enjoy while camping in Sequoia or anywhere
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