6 Best Campgrounds in Sequoia National Park 2022

6 Best Campgrounds in Sequoia National Park 2022

Current Conditions
Closure map – Weather – Basic Information – Driving Directions
Eating & Sleeping
Visit Grant Grove via Highway 180 and bring tire chains. Many …
Plan Your Visit
Eating & Sleeping – Maps – Places To Go – Visitor Centers – Calendar
Visiting after the KNP Complex …
The North Grove Loop begins near the Grant Tree Trailhead and …
Camping
At an elevation of 2,500-3,000 (750-920 m), the foothills of …
Maps
Highway Closures Affect Access to the Giant Forest in Sequoia …

Index

In a place where time seems to have stood still for centuries, you can walk the base of giants from another season and camp in the surrounding forest. The redwoods are the most significant living things on Earth and among the oldest. The ages of these living monuments change, but they certainly go back more than two thousand years. The trees you see today were born during the season of the Roman Empire, or the Middle Ages, or, in the case of the youngest, when Columbus left for the Americas for the first time. And General Sherman, the giant living tree on Earth, came to life around the 1st century.

If you have the opportunity to camp here, you should take advantage of it. After touring the park and strolling among the giant sequoias, there’s no better way to end the day than pitching your tent under towering pine trees and pulling up a chair under the night sky. Campgrounds in the park, particularly those near the Giant sequoia forests, are fantastic places to appreciate nature and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. If the campgrounds in Sequoia National Park are complete, you can also spot unusual campgrounds in nearby Kings Canyon National Park.

1. Lodgepole Camp

Located along a picturesque portion of the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River, this sizeable rock-strewn campground has the best location in the park. The Giant Forest area, home to many of the largest redwoods, is only 2 miles from here, and the campground is also conveniently located directly behind the Lodgepole Village Visitor Center. And a shuttle bus stop. Link buses transport visitors to park sites and trailheads. The campground has multiple locations in multiple loops on both sides of the river, but the most beautiful places are the furthest from the visitor center. They were progressively improving as it advanced upstream.

The campsites creep up the hillside and are well-wooded southside of the river. At the upper end of the river on the last loop, a waterfall tumbles over flat rocks and huge boulders, past multiple campsites. Mountain tops are discernible in the distance beyond the falls. Sure of these sites are easily accessible tent sites, with rocks forming the boundaries of each camping space. Large pine trees provide plenty of shade and a forest-like environment. It is a quieter area of the campsite. Campsites on the north side of the river are pleasant, if more open, and generally receive more light.

6 Best Campgrounds in Sequoia National Park 2022

Sites very close to the visitor center are overly exposed, with little shade and no privacy, but remain a good option if there is only one vacant, especially for RV campers. This campground has over two hundred tent sites and RVs and can accommodate RVs up to forty-two feet. It sits at an elevation of 6,700 feet and is open from mid-April to the end of November, but this can change depending on snow conditions. Reservations are available throughout the summer months, from late May to September. Outside of these dates, sites are assigned first-come, first-served basis.

2. Camp Dorst Creek

The second most recommended camping site in Sequoia National Park is Dorst Creek Campground. If you are arriving from Kings Canyon National Park, this is the first campground as you enter the park, located about ten miles already before the Giant Forest area. It is well-positioned if you are exploring Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. The hiking trail to the Muir Grove of Giant Sequoias is a part of the campground. The park shuttle stops at Dorst Creek Campground, making getting around the park a breeze from this location.

It is a massive campground with two hundred and eighty-one campground, but it has a somewhat more sedate feel Lodgepole Campground, which may seem busy due to the upcoming Lodgepole Village. The sites, which include pullouts, can accommodate virtually all sizes of RVs. The elevation here is around 6,800 feet, which means nights can be fantastic. The camp is open from mid-June to mid-September. Reservations are accepted on a continuous date six months in advance, from May to the end of September. Outside of these times, camp is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

3. Camp Stoney Creek

Stony Creek Campground is located just beyond the southern rim of Kings Canyon National Park and is a Forest Service campground. Still, it is recommended to visit Kings Canyon or Sequoia National Park. Travel time to Grant Grove Village in Kings Canyon to the north, and Lodgepole Village to the south, is about twenty-five minutes from Stony Creek Campground. The primary camera has fifty reservable sites in a densely forested area with hills and large rocks to the rear of specific sites. The camp is situated at an elevation of five,250 feet. A river runs through the center. Areas are heavily shaded and are generally small rather than secluded. Most fit best in tents or small RVs. Facilities include:

Toilets and showers.
Picnic tables.
Lockers for storing groceries.
Fire pits at every location.

Across the street are the Stoney Creek Day Employment Area and Upper Stony Creek Campground, an eighteen-site campground with large, open campgrounds. The sites here are more excellent than the main camp, but the facilities are restricted to pit toilets. Reservations are accepted on a continuous date six months in advance.

4. Camp Buckeye Flat

Buckeye Flat is located in the southern section of Sequoia National Park, near Rock Health Center, and at least a thirty-minute drive from major park attractions such as Moorish Rock or General Sherman Tree. Situated on a scenic section of the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River, this peaceful campground offers twenty-eight private, shaded, tent-only sites dominated by large, sprawling deciduous trees.

The sites do not have clear views of the river, but you can hear the water running below. Each site has plenty of room to spread out, and large rocks and low-lying flora surround many. The elevation here is only 2,800 feet, considerably lower than most of the other campgrounds in the park. As a result, summer temperatures are warm, open from late March or early April through September, and sites can be reserved six months in advance on a rolling basis. Access to the camp is via a narrow 2-lane road that hugs the side of the mountain.

6 Best Campgrounds in Sequoia National Park 2022

5. Potwisha Camp

Potwisha Campground has a different vibe and feels than all the other campgrounds in the park. Located in the Sierra Foothills, in the park’s southern section, not far from the Foothills Visitor Center, this campground is wide open, grassy, and dotted with oak trees. The Middle Fork of the Kaweah River runs along the side of the campground, and between the trees, there are views of the distant mountains.

At an elevation of 2,100 feet, this is the lowest campsite in the park and the hottest. Like Buckeye Flat, this campground is more than thirty minutes from the park’s main attractions. Potwisha Campground is open year-round and can accommodate tents and RVs. Most of the forty-two sites are large, some are removable, and while they don’t offer much privacy, they are generally well secluded. Facilities include flush-only toilets. Every one of the sites can be reserved six months in advance on a rolling date.

6. Camp Big Meadows

North of Sequoia National Park, in the Sequoia National Forest, Big Meadows Campground is another alternative camping option if you can’t secure a campsite in the park. Although this campground is closer to Kings Canyon National Park than Sequoia, it’s still a good option if you’re visiting either of the gardens from June through September, when it’s open. Five miles from General Highway. This camp has forty sites and accepts reservations up to 6 months in advance and up to 3 days before your visit. Each location has a picnic table, fire pit, and locker to store groceries. There is no free drinking water, and the only facilities are the domed toilets.

campsite details

Food storage lockers are found at every campground in the park, and these are mandatory. Bears are a nuisance in the garden, and these lockers prevent pains. Campers who do not store groceries conveniently can face hefty fines. Reservations for campgrounds in the park can be made through the Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks website.

Where to stay in Sequoia National Park when camping isn’t free

Lodging is available in the park but is often booked well in advance, and locating accommodation nearby is not accessible. There are no major cities in the vicinity, and accommodation options are few and far between. These are the best nearby places and specific hotel options.

In the park: In the heart of the giant sequoias, you can’t beat the location of the Wuksachi Lodge. It is the landmark property in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. The complex includes a charming stone and cedar lodge, a restaurant, and well-appointed rooms in a separate building. Situated at an elevation of seven and fifty feet this year-round resort seems to change its character with the seasons. Another good option is the all-inclusive Montecito Sequoia Lodge & Summer Family Camping, located between Sequoia and Kings Canyon. With all kinds of activities and adventures for families, this is a great alternative option for groups with little ones.
Three Rivers: Located along Highway 198 south of Sequoia National Park, the small town of Three Rivers is a recommended base for visiting the park. Major park landmarks, including the General Sherman Tree, are about an hour away. Here, good hotel options include the primary and somewhat dated Comfort Inn & Suites Sequoia Kings. Canyon or Lazy J Ranch-Americas Posada’s best value for money.

When is the best time to camp in Sequoia National Park?

The best time to camp in Sequoia National Park is from June to mid-September. However, it is essential to consider that the commands listed above are at different elevations, ranging from two,100 feet to seven and eight hundred feet. The higher you go, the cooler the temperatures will be, especially at night. Campgrounds located at lower elevations will be the warmest at the beginning of the season. These are good options if you are going to camp in May. The centers are always busy when there are no classes. For a quieter experience with more availability, come in September or the end of August.

What are other campgrounds nearby?

Immediately north of Sequoia National Park is Kings Canyon National Park, home to giant sequoias and other beautiful sights. Some campgrounds are more excellent than the ones you’ll find in Sequoia, but they’re pretty spread out, and some are secluded and far from the central park attractions. See our article on camping in Kings Canyon National Park for more information.

What other California camps do you recommend?

What is the best time of year to visit Sequoia National Park?

The best time to visit Sequoia National Park is June through August, when the weather is the most stable. The park is open 24/7, year-round, but there are certain challenges during select seasons. For example, snow chains or tires are required to safely navigate park roads during the winter months.

Can you still visit Sequoia National Park?

For now, there’s still access to giant sequoia groves! Visit Grant Grove via Highway 180. The Grant Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park is currently open. Roads to sequoia groves and snowplay areas are open.

Is it worth visiting Sequoia National Park?

Sequoia National Park is a super cool yet underrated National Park in California. It often gets lost in the shadows of Yosemite, but this park is STUNNING, and absolutely worth visiting! Sequoia is located about four hours northeast of Los Angeles in central California, at the foot of the Sierra Nevadas

Which is better redwoods or sequoias?

The taller and more slender California coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) is more conifer-like in profile. It has a large base and reddish-brown bark.
…
Sequoias vs. Redwoods: Comparing Giant Trees.

GIANT SEQUOIA		CALIFORNIA COAST REDWOOD
To 3,200 years	Age	To 2,000 years
To 2.7 million lbs.	Weight	To 1.6 million lbs.
To 31 in. thick	Bark	To 12 in. thick

6 Best Campgrounds in Sequoia National Park 2022

6 Best Campgrounds in Sequoia National Park 2022

Index

1. Lodgepole Camp