Camping by Area

Lodgepole and Giant Forest

The Lodgepole/Giant Forest Area is centrally located in Sequoia National Park at an elevation of 6,700 feet (2050 m). The area can be reached from either park entrance: a 45-minute drive from the Hwy 180 entrance at Grant Grove in Kings Canyon National Park, or a one-hour drive from Hwy 198, the main entrance to Sequoia National Park (vehicles over 22 feet long are not advised between Potwisha Campground and Giant Forest in Sequoia).

Campgrounds in the Lodgepole/Giant Forest area include Lodgepole Campground, which is open from early spring through late fall, and Dorst Creek Campground, which is open from early summer through fall. Both are available for camping with tents, RVs, and trailers. Reservations are recommended for both campgrounds.

Foothills

At an elevation of 2,500-3,000 (750 - 920 m), the foothills of Sequoia National Park are usually hot and dry in summer and cool and wet in winter, with occasional light snow. In this area, trails lead to oak woodlands, river canyons, and spring wildflowers. A 45-minute winding drive leads to the Giant Forest sequoia grove (vehicles over 22 feet are not advised between Potwisha Campground and Giant Forest). In summer, fire restrictions are often in effect in these campgrounds due to high temperatures and dry conditions.

include Potwisha Campground, which is open to tents, RVS and trailer camping all year, Buckeye Flat Campground, which is open for tent camping from early spring through late fall. The primitive South Fork Campground is in a more remote area of the foothills and is open year-round for tent camping.

Mineral King

Featuring the highest elevation campground in the park at 7,500 feet (2280 m), the Mineral King area of Sequoia National Park is only open during the summer months. A narrow, winding road leads to the area and its two campgrounds. The road to the area is open from late spring through fall. RVs and trailers are not recommended on Mineral King Road and are not permitted in campgrounds here. Mineral King is connected to the rest of Sequoia National Park only by trail.

Campgrounds in Mineral King include Atwell Mill Campground and Cold Springs Campground. Both are open for tent camping during the summer season.

Grant Grove

Grant Grove serves as the gateway to Kings Canyon National Park. At 6,500 feet (2000 m), this area offers moderate temperatures in the summer, and is usually snow covered in the winter. Trails in this area lead to giant sequoia groves, meadows, waterfalls and vistas of the high Sierra. Services are available in Grant Grove Village, a short distance from all three campgrounds.



Campgrounds in Grant Grove include Azalea Campground, which is open to tents, RVs, and trailers year-round, Sunset Campground, which is open to tents, RVs, and trailers from early spring through late fall, and Crystal Springs Campground, which is open to group camping for tents, RVs, and trailers from early spring through late fall.

Cedar Grove

Located at 4,000 feet (1200 m) and an hour’s drive from Grant Grove, the Cedar Grove area is a more remote area of Kings Canyon National Park. It is open from early spring to late fall. Campgrounds here are located on the South Fork of the Kings River and offer views of the glaciated Kings Canyon. Trails lead to meadows and waterfalls, and also provide some of the best access to the high Sierra wilderness. All campgrounds in this area contain a bicycle trail which connects them to services at Cedar Grove Village.



All Cedar Grove campgrounds are open to tents, RVs and trailers. They include Sentinel Campground, which is open from early spring through late fall, Sheep Creek Campground and Moraine Campground, both open from late spring through early fall, and Canyon View Campground, which is for groups only and is also open from late spring through early fall. Reservations are available in summer and fall for group sites.