Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
47050 Generals Highway
Three Rivers CA 93271-9700, 559-565-3341
Special Topics: Caves � Glaciers � Mountains � Wildflowers �
Recreation Activities: Auto Touring � Camping � Educational Programs �
Fishing � Hiking � Horseback Riding � Wildlife Viewing � Snow Skiing
Camping Areas
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 (to make
reservations, scroll down to their entries below and click on "Online." 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. See "Group Campsites" below for information on sites
for groups of 12 to 50 and follow links for details.
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, or click the IN DEPTH button for more on bears and other park resources
and facilities. There are no grizzly bears in these parks. While black bears can
be dangerous, it our food, not us, that they are after.
Atwell Mill Campground (in Sequoia)
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, $12/night, 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 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, $18/night, 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, $18/night, 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 as needed May to October.
Details
In Cedar Grove area near the Kings River. Elevation 4600 feet (1402m). 37 sites,
$18/night, 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 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, $12/night, 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,
$18/night, 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, $20/night, 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. For a campground map, click "more" below.
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. For details click More Info. To reserve group sites
at Dorst (in Sequoia) see "Dorst" immediately above.
Lodgepole (in Sequoia)
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. The fee is $20 (or half price with Golden Age or Golden Access
Passports). ******** 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. The fee is $18 until heavy snows; then fee is $10 (or half price
with Golden Age or Golden Access Passports) ******* For a campground map, click
"more" below.
Moraine (in Kings Canyon)
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, $18/night, 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 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, $18/night, 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 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, $18/night, 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 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, $18/night, 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 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, $12/night May-October then no fee. 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, $18/night, 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.
Lodging Options
Cedar Grove Lodge (Kings Canyon Park Services)
Open late April to mid-October.
Phone Reservations: 866-KCANYON
Details
Front desk 1-559-565-0100. Rooms in a lodge in Cedar Grove Village, deep in the
canyon of Kings Canyon National Park. Counter-service restaurant, market, gift
shop in building. Elevation 4600 feet (1402m).
Grant Grove Cabins & John Muir Lodge (Kings Canyon Park Services)
Open All Year
Phone Reservations: 866-KCANYON
Details
Front desk: 1-559-335-5500. Modern rooms in the John Muir Lodge as well as
rustic and housekeeping cabins, all in the Grant Grove area of Kings Canyon
National Park, 1/2-mile (.8km) to a sequoia grove. Visitor center, market,
restaurant, gift shop, & post office nearby. Elevation 6500 feet (1980 m). In
winter, you are least likely to encounter road closures enroute to Grant Grove
if you enter the park on Highway 180.
Wuksachi Village (Delaware North Park Services)
Open All Year
Phone 1-888-252-5757
Details
In Sequoia National Park, 4 miles (6.5km) from Giant Forest; 23 miles (37km)
from Sequoia Park entrance. Modern hotel rooms in several lodge buildings.
Restaurant & gift shop nearby. Elevation 6500 feet (1980m). In winter, you are
least likely to encounter road closures enroute to Wuksachi if you enter the
park via Highway 198.Additional Information
Getting There
Plane
The closest commercial airports are in Fresno & Visalia.
Car
NOTE: Gasoline is not sold within park boundaries. Be sure to fill up in one of
the towns near the park entrance OR at one of three locations in the national
forest bordering part of the park: year-round at Hume Lake (near Grant Grove),
and late spring into fall at Stony Creek (between Giant Forest and Grant Grove)
or Kings Canyon Lodge (between Grant Grove and Cedar Grove).
To Sequoia Park entrance: from Highway 99 at Visalia take Highway 198 east for
approximately 1 hour.
Note: The 16-miles of road from Ash Mountain to Giant Forest includes 130 curves
and 12 switchbacks. Due to this, there is a vehicle-length advisory for the 12
steepest miles within that stretch. From Potwisha Campground to the Giant Forest
Museum, the advised maximum vehicle length is 22 feet (6.7 m). The alternative:
take Highway 180 from Fresno to Grant Grove, then turn south on the Generals
Highway.
Maximum legal length limits on the Generals Highway are 40 feet (12 m) for
single vehicles or 50 feet (15 m) for vehicles plus a towed unit. If you are
towing a smaller vehicle, consider camping in the foothills and using the
smaller car to explore.
To Kings Canyon Park entrance: from Highway 99 at Fresno take Highway 180 east
approximately 1-1/4 hours.
PET OWNERS: Keep in mind that dogs are not permitted on park trails and it may
be too hot to leave them in the car.
Bus
In Sequoia Park, the 16-miles of the Generals Highway from Ash Mountain to Giant
Forest contains 130 curves and 12 switchbacks. There is a vehicle-length
advisory for the 12 steepest miles within that stretch. From Potwisha Campground
to the Giant Forest Museum, the advised maximum vehicle length is 22 feet (6.7
m). The alternative: take Highway 180 from Fresno to Grant Grove and turn south
on the Generals Highway as far as the Giant Forest.
Maximum legal length limits on the Generals Highway are 40 feet (12 m) for
single vehicles or 50 feet (15 m) for vehicles plus a towed unit.
Public Transportation
There is no public transportation to these parks.
Getting Around
All roads in the park are very curving; many are steep, most are narrow. Always
keep right of the yellow lines, and pull into a turnout to let those behind you
pass. Downshift when going downhill, even in automatic transmission vehicles.
This lets the engine help to slow you down and helps to avoid the common problem
of burned-out brakes.
Especially in winter, call the park for the latest on road conditions:
1-559-565-3341. |
