Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks - Camping

ABC"S of CAMPING at SEQUOIA & KINGS CANYON

Details
Campgrounds are listed alphabetically below with descriptions. Use this list to determine your preferences. In general, higher elevation campgrounds are cooler and closer to giant sequoias. All but two campgrounds are first-come, first-served. Lodgepole and Dorst take reservations during the summer. Only three campgrounds are open year-round: Lodgepole, Azalea, and Potwisha. Four campgrounds do not permit trailers and RVs: Buckeye Flat, Canyon View, Atwell Mill, and Cold Springs. In other campgrounds, site size varies and many sites are not suitable for very long RVs. Saturday nights in July and August are the busiest times. Your chances of finding a campsite on weekdays through Friday afternoon are very good.

ATTENTION: BEAR COUNTRY!

Details
All campgrounds in these parks may be visited by black bears. If these usually shy animals learn to seek human food, they may damage cars, coolers, and tents. If a bear gets very destructive, it must be killed. To prevent this, follow requirements to store your food properly year-round. Many campgrounds offer metal bear-proof boxes (box sizes are listed for each campground; avoid bringing coolers that won"t fit). Check park bulletin boards for instructions when you arrive. There are no grizzly bears in these parks. While black bears can be dangerous, it is our food, not us, that they are after.

Atwell Mill Campground (in Sequoia)

Open
Open late May through October 31.

Details
In the Mineral King area along the East Fork of the Kaweah River in a once-logged sequoia grove. At 6650-foot elevation (2027m), 19 miles (31km) from Highway 198 on the steep, narrow, and winding Mineral King Road & 6 miles (10km) before the end of the road. Trailers & RVs not permitted in the campground; not recommended on the road. 21 sites,1 handicap site, pit toilets, & payphone. Within 1/2-mile of Silver City Resort with restaurant, gifts, limited supplies, & showers. Water is turned off in mid-October. *****One metal, bear-proof food-storage box provided at each campsite: 47" long x 17" deep x 17-3/4" high.

Azalea (in Kings Canyon)

Open
Open All Year

Details
In the Grant Grove area, 3-1/2 miles (5.6km) from Kings Canyon Park entrance. At 6500-foot elevation (1981m) under open stands of evergreen trees, 1/4-mile (.4km) to a sequoia grove. 110 sites, flush toilets, pay phone. Within 1/2-mile (.8km) of visitor center, market, restaurant, gift shop, & showers. In summer ranger programs offered, horseback riding nearby. *****Several metal, bear-proof food-storage boxes are provided for campsites to share: 47" long x 34" deep x 28" high.

Buckeye Flat (in Sequoia)

Open
Late spring to early September (last night open is usually the end of Labor Day weekend)

Details
In the foothills along the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River, 4 miles (6km) from Sequoia Park entrance & 12 miles (19km) from Giant Forest. Elevation 2800 feet (853m) in an open stand of oaks. 28 sites,1 handicap site, tents only, flush toilets.*****Two bear-proof food-storage boxes provided at each campsite: one is 47" long x 17" deep x 17-3/4" high, the other is 47-3/4" long x 34" deep x 22" high. There are several additional boxes for sites to share.

Canyon View (in Kings Canyon)

Open
Open as needed May to October.

Details
In Cedar Grove area near the Kings River. Elevation 4600 feet (1402m). 37 sites, flush toilets, pay phone at the village (1/4 mile/.4 km). 1/4 mile (.4km) from market, restaurant, showers, laundry, & horseback riding. Ranger programs nearby in July & August.*****One metal, bear-proof food-storage box provided at each campsite: 48" long x 34" deep x 28" high.

Cold Springs (in Sequoia)

Open
Open late May through October 31.

Details
In the Mineral King area, 23 miles (37km) up the steep, winding Mineral King Road from Highway 198. RVs & trailers not permitted (not recommended on the road). Elevation 7500 feet (2286km) in aspen trees & conifers. 31 sites & 9 walk-in sites, pit toilets, pay phone, ranger programs in July & August. 2-1/2 miles (4km) from Silver City Resort with restaurant, gifts, limited supplies, gasoline & showers. Water is turned off in mid-October. *****One metal, bear-proof food-storage box provided at each campsite: 47" long x 17" deep x 17-3/4" high.

Crystal Springs (in Kings Canyon)

Details
Open late May to mid-September. In the Grant Grove area 4 miles (6km) from Kings Canyon Park entrance. Elevation 6500 feet (1980m) in open evergreen stands, 1/4 mile (.4km) from the Grant Grove of sequoias. 36 sites and 14 mid-size, flush toilets, pay phone. Just 1/4 mile (.4km) from visitor center, market, post office, gift shop, & restaurant. In summer: ranger programs, showers, & horseback-riding nearby.*****Several metal, bear-proof food-storage boxes are provided for campsites to share: 47" long x 17" deep x 17-3/4" high.

Dorst (in Sequoia)

Open
Open late May through Labor Day (early September).

Reservations
Online or by Phone at 1-800-365-CAMP

Details
At 6800-foot (2073m) elevation near Dorst Creek, 10 miles (16km) from Giant Forest, under open stands of evergreen trees. 204 sites,  flush toilets, RV disposal station, pay phone, group sites. 8 miles (13km) from Lodgepole market, deli, & post office. Ranger programs in summer.*****One metal, bear-proof food-storage box provided at each campsite; sizes vary. Smallest boxes are 47" long x 17" deep x 17-3/4" high. There are several additional boxes for sites to share.

Group Campsites

Open
Approximately June through September

Details
At Grant Grove and Cedar Grove (in Kings Canyon), group campsites are available by mail-in reservation only.

Lodgepole (in Sequoia)

Open
Open All Year

Reservations
Online or by Phone at 1-800-365-CAMP

Details
At 6700-foot (2042m) elevation along the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River, 2 miles (3km) from the Giant Forest sequoia grove; 21 miles from Sequoia Park entrance. One metal, bear-proof food-storage box provided at each campsite: 47" long x 17" deep x 17-3/4" high. There are several additional boxes for sites to share. ********* SUMMER:214 tent & RV sites, flush toilets, RV disposal station, summer ranger programs, pay phone. Within 1/4-mile (.4km) of Lodgepole market, restaurant, gift shop,& laundry. In summer showers available. Reservations are recommended. ******** FALL/WINTER/SPRING: 25 walk-in tent sites, RV availablity limited by snow on a first-come, first-served basis. One set of flush toilets, and pay phones. 

Moraine (in Kings Canyon)

Open
Open as needed May to October.

Details
Open as needed May to October. In the Cedar Grove area, down in the canyon along the Kings River. Elevation 4600 feet (1402m). 120 sites, flush toilets, pay phone in the village (3/4 mile/1.2 km). 3/4-mile (1.2km) from market, restaurant, gift shop, showers, laundry, & horseback riding. Ranger programs in July & August.*****One metal, bear-proof food-storage box provided at each campsite: 48" long x 34" deep x 28" high.

Potwisha (in Sequoia)

Open
Open All Year

Details
On the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River, 4 miles (6.5km) from Sequoia Park entrance, under an open stand of oaks. At 2100-foot (640m) elevation (hot in summer, snow-free in winter) 12 miles (19km) from the Giant Forest sequoia grove. 43 sites, 1 handicap site, flush toilets, RV disposal station, & pay phone. Ranger programs on summer weekends.*****Two bear-proof food-storage boxes provided at each campsite: one is 47" long x 17" deep x 17-3/4" high, the other is 47-3/4" long x 34" deep x 22" high.

Sentinel (in Kings Canyon)

Open
Open late April to mid-November.

Details
In the Cedar Grove area, down in the canyon along the Middle Fork of the Kings River. At 4600-foot (1402m) elevation under open stands of evergreen trees. 83 sites, flush toilets, pay phone in the village (1/4 mile/.4 km). Within 1/4-mile (.4km): market, restaurant, gift shop,showers, laundry, & horseback riding. Ranger programs July-early September. The road to this area closes in mid-November. *****One metal, bear-proof food-storage box provided at each campsite: 48" long x 34" deep x 28" high. There are several additional boxes for sites to share.

Sheep Creek (in Kings Canyon)

Open
Open as needed May to October.

Details
In the Cedar Grove area, down in the canyon near the Kings River. Elevation 4600 feet (1402m). 111 sites, flush toilets, pay phone in the village (1/2 mile/.8 km). 1/2-mile (.8km) from showers, laundry, restaurant, market, gift shop, horseback riding. Ranger programs in July & August.*****One metal, bear-proof food-storage box provided at each campsite: 48" long x 34" deep x 28" high. There are several additional boxes for sites to share.

South Fork (in Sequoia)

Open
Open All Year

Details
In the foothills on the South Fork of the Kaweah River. On South Fork Drive 13 miles (21km) from Highway 198. Elevation 3600 feet (1100m), where the oaks stop & evergreens begin. 13 sites, NO drinking water, pit toilets. The last miles of the road to this campground is unpaved, and may be slippery when wet.*****One metal, bear-proof food-storage box provided at each campsite: 47" long x 17" deep x 17-3/4" high.

Sunset (in Kings Canyon)

Details
In the Grant Grove area, 3 miles (5km) from Kings Canyon Park entrance. Elevation 6500 feet (1980m)in an open stand of evergreens 1/4 mile (.4km) from a sequoia grove. 157 sites, flush toilets, & payphone. 1/4 mile from visitor center, market, restaurant, gift shop, & showers. In summer: ranger programs & horseback riding nearby.*****Several metal, bear-proof food-storage boxes are provided for campsites to share: 47" long x 17" deep x 17-3/4" high.