A Guide to the Best Camping in Sequoia National Park
Are you ready to discover the best camping in Sequoia National Park?
We hope so!
This is your guide to the best 7 best campgrounds in Sequoia National Park! We’ll cover how to make a reservation, the best seasons to visit, and more!
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park consistently ranks near the top of our list of national parks. It’s great for beginners, for a quick road trip, and it’s relatively easy to visit in any season. And it’s one of a handful of parks that we’ve visited multiple times – and for good reason!
The campgrounds offer easy access to the giant forest and other sequoia trees. Sequoia National Park camping is one of the easiest ways to experience the best of what the park has to offer.
We’ve done all the research so you don’t have to. Let’s dive in and help you find the best camping in Sequoia National Park!
Map of Campgrounds in Sequoia National Park
There are 7 total campgrounds in Sequoia. The sites tend to fill up quickly and nearly all of them require reservations.
Each of the campsites also provides essential amenities like a picnic table, storage box, and fire pit (this is consistent at nearly every national park campsite we’ve stayed at!). Some campsites are near the park entrance, while others take you into the center of the park.
Depending on your skill level, health, and comfortability, you may want to take elevation into consideration when choosing your site. Higher elevation levels are harder on your body, especially if you are a newbie like us!
Below is a detailed map of the park, and we’ve noted where the camping spots are located:
All Seven Best Campgrounds in Sequoia National Park
We’ve listed the two most popular campgrounds in Sequoia National Park at the top of the list, and the rest are listed from south to north.
The closest campground to the main attractions in the park is the Lodgepole campground. The furthest campground is South Fork.
Lodgepole Campground
The Lodgepole campground is the most popular campsite in Sequoia National Park. With an impressive 214 sites, this location is at the very center of the Generals Highway.
It is located near the Lodgepole Village Visitor Center, which has any and all amenities you need for a comfortable stay. Reservations are required on a 4-month rolling basis. This campground is one of the best ways to see the park!
| Key Feature | Info |
|---|---|
| Total Sites | 214 |
| Reservation Required | Reservation Only |
| Operating Season | Late-April to Late-November (weather) |
| Elevation | 6,700 feet |
| RV-Only Sites | 0 (smaller RVs OK) |
| Tent-Only Sites | 76 |
| Food Storage Lockers | Yes, Seasonal |
| Showers | No |
| Toilet | Yes (Flush), Seasonal |
Dorst Creek Campground
Located 8 miles north of Lodgepole, the Dorst Creek Campground is the largest campground within the park with 222 total sites. It is located just 10 miles from the Giant Forest area of the park and is ideally located to explore both Kings Canyon National Park and Sequoia.
This is one of the best campsites in sequoia.
| Key Feature | Info |
|---|---|
| Total Sites | 222 |
| Reservation Required | Reservation Only |
| Operating Season | Mid-June through Labor Day Weekend |
| Elevation | 6,800 feet |
| RV-Only Sites | 33 |
| Tent-Only Sites | 12 |
| Food Storage Lockers | Yes, Seasonal |
| Showers | No |
| Toilet | Yes (Flush), Seasonal |
South Fork Campground
South Fork campground is a small site located in the most southern part of Sequoia National Park. It is the furthest away from the primary activities and highways in the park, located on the South Fork of the Kaweah River. RVs and Trailers are not permitted here.
It would take you about 1.5 hours to get to the General Sherman tree from here. This is one of the areas of the park that is open year-round (for the most part!)
| Key Feature | Info |
|---|---|
| Total Sites | 10 |
| Reservation Required | First-Come, First-Served |
| Operating Season | Year-Round |
| Elevation | 3,600 feet |
| RV-Only Sites | 0 |
| Tent-Only Sites | 10 (all sites are tent sites) |
| Food Storage Lockers | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Toilet | Yes (Vault Toilet), Seasonal |
Cold Springs Campground
The Cold Springs campground is located in the southern, central area of Sequoia national park. It’s near Mineral King Ranger Station. This spot is also fairly far away from the primary park activities.
It will take you over 2 hours to reach the General Sherman Tree from this campsite and you would need to drive outside the park in order to reach it.
| Key Feature | Info |
|---|---|
| Total Sites | 40 |
| Reservation Required | Reservation Only |
| Operating Season | Late May to Late October (weather) |
| Elevation | 7,500 feet |
| RV-Only Sites | 0 |
| Tent-Only Sites | 40 (all sites are tent sites) |
| Food Storage Lockers | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Toilet | Yes (Vault Toilet), Seasonal |
Atwell Mill Campground
The Atwell Mill campground is located just west of Cold Springs, near the Mineral King Ranger Station.
Also located in the south-central part of the park, this remote campground is also about 2 hours from the General Sherman Tree.
| Key Feature | Info |
|---|---|
| Total Sites | 21 |
| Reservation Required | Reservation Only |
| Operating Season | Late May to Late October (weather) |
| Elevation | 6,650 feet |
| RV-Only Sites | 0 |
| Tent-Only Sites | 21 (all sites are tent sites) |
| Food Storage Lockers | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Toilet | Yes (Vault Toilet), Seasonal |
Buckeye Flat Campground
The Buckeye Flat campground is located about 30 minutes from the Foothills visitor center. It is just off the Generals Highway.
An important feature of this campsite is the trailhead for the Paradise Creek Trail. This campground is about 40 minutes from the main park attractions!
| Key Feature | Info |
|---|---|
| Total Sites | 27 |
| Reservation Required | Reservation Only |
| Operating Season | Late March to Late Sep. (weather) |
| Elevation | 2,800 feet |
| RV-Only Sites | 0 |
| Tent-Only Sites | 27 (all sites are tent sites) |
| Food Storage Lockers | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Toilet | Yes (Flush), Seasonal |
Potwisha Campground
Just 3 miles south of Buckeye Flat, the Potwisha campground is another popular area in the park. This site offers both tent and small RV sites.
The campground has wonderful tree coverage and is open year-round. This is one of the best camping spots as it’s only 40 minutes from the heart of the park.
| Key Feature | Info |
|---|---|
| Total Sites | 42 |
| Reservation Required | Reservation Only |
| Operating Season | Year-Round, Book 4 months in advance |
| Elevation | 2,100 feet |
| RV-Only Sites | 0 (smaller RVs OK) |
| Tent-Only Sites | 0 |
| Food Storage Lockers | Yes (year-round) |
| Showers | No |
| Toilet | Yes (Flush) |
How to Reserve a Campground at Sequoia National Park
In order to camp at Sequoia National Park, you will likely need a reservation.
First: we always recommend checking the official Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park Service Website for the most up-to-date information. The Spring and Summer of 2023 had lots of closures due to an impressive winter.
Next: visit Recreation Gov or download the Recreation Gov mobile app to search for campsite availability (click the link to go directly to the website or download the app).
Are there costs or fees for camping in Sequoia National Park?
Yes! It costs anywhere between $28/night to $80/night to camp in Sequoia National Park, depending on your group size. Standard campsites are $28 and large group campsites range between $60-$80.
Campground fees update on January 1 of each year. Below are the 2023 and 2024 campground fees:
| Site | Fee (2023) | Fee (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Campsite | $28 | $32 |
| Stock Campsite | $40 | No Change |
| Mid-Sized Group (7-15 people) | $50 | No Change |
| Large Group (16+ people) | $60, $70, $80 | No Change |
Is there free camping in Sequoia National Park?
There is no free camping within Sequoia National Park. But there is free dispersed camping in the surrounding campgrounds in Sequoia National Forest or Giant Sequoia National Monument.
We’ve written about the differences between National Parks vs National Forests, but the biggest thing to know is that you can find free camping in National Forests and National Monuments.
Learn more about Dispersed Camping in Sequoia National Forest here. Dispersed camping is not allowed in Sequoia National Park.
Does Sequoia have first come first serve camping?
6 of the 7 campsites within Sequoia National Park are reservation-only. The only campground that operates first-come, first-served is the South Fork Campground. This is the more primitive campground in the south west corner of the park
Best Time to Go Camping in Sequoia National Park
Ideally, mid-spring through late-fall is the best season to go camping at Sequoia.
But the best time to camp in Sequoia largely depends on the weather. Temperature and precipitation can vary depending on elevation. Lower elevations experience more consistent temperatures whereas higher elevations experience more extremes.
The best time to visit Sequoia National Park also depends on what you want to do, but here’s an overview of the weather by season. This will help you determine what type of camping you want to do!
Spring Camping in Sequoia National Park
Spring brings refreshing temperatures to Sequoia. At the foothills (lower elevation), the average high from March to May can range between 64º and 79º. The average lows are between 41º and 52º.
In the Sequoia groves at higher elevations, the temperatures are much cooler. The average high is between 46º and 58º and the average lows are between 26º and 36º
If you are considering camping in the spring, we’d recommend mid-April through May to be the best time to go camping in Sequoia National Park .
Summer Camping in Sequoia National Park
Summer is the peak visitor season at Sequoia. The average daily visitors in the summer are:
- June: 5,400
- July: 6,200
- August: 6,100
In contrast, the winter months receive just over 1,000 daily visitors.
You are more likely to be able to camp at any campsite during the summer seasons. The snow at higher elevations will be melted and you will have warm temperatures throughout the day and night.
The biggest downside for opting to camp in the summer is the ever increasing heat. At the foothills (lower elevation), summer temperatures can reach over 100º during peak summer. Higher elevations can reach mid-to-upper 90ºs.
Fall Camping in Sequoia National Park
Fall would be our ideal recommendation for camping in Sequoia National Park. Average daily visitors begin to fall starting in September as families go back to school. And the weather begins to cool as well with the mid-fall average temperature hovering around 70º in higher elevations.
Starting in late October, some campsites begin to close down. For example, Cold Springs, Atwell Mill, and Buckeye Flat all start to wind down their services starting in late fall.
Winter Camping in Sequoia National Park
Winter in Sequoia is as peaceful as it can get at any national park. Daily visitors are at their yearly low, with daily averages in the mid-to-high thousands.
Depending on the weather, you may experience more closures – especially at higher elevations that experience more snow. The average low at the Sequoia Groves in higher elevation during the winter months are around 25º
We don’t imagine many newbies going winter camping, but there are certain extreme folks who would be more than happy to do so!
FAQs: Best Camping in Sequoia National Park
What is the most popular campsite in Sequoia National Park?
The best Sequoia National Park campground is the Lodgepole Campground. It’s one of the best camping spots in Sequoia because of it’s location in the heart of the park. You can easily access popular trails, the sequoia groves, and all the most popular attractions in Sequoia National Park.
Can I bring pets to the campgrounds?
Yes, pets are allowed at Sequoia National Park campgrounds. The NPS website indicates that pets are permitted in the park, outside of the vehicle, in the following places:
- Parking Lots
- Paved Roads
- Campgrounds
- Picnic Areas
Are campfires allowed in Sequoia National Park campgrounds?
Campfires are allowed at designated camp stove areas only AND as long as there are no active fire restrictions.
Fire restrictions are more common during the summer months due to the danger of wildfires. Always check the NPS website for the most up-to-date information about Fire Restrictions at Sequoia.
Are there RV camping options available?
Yes, there are RV camping options available at Sequoia National Park. You can bring your RVs to the Lodgepole Campground, Dorst Creek Campground, and Potwisha Campground. The other four campsites within the park are designated as tent-only sites.
How far in advance should I make campground reservations?
You can make reservations 4 months in advance at the most popular campsites at Sequoia National Park.
Other Notable Best Campground Near Sequoia National Park
Stony Creek Campground
Upper Stony Creek Campground
Azalea Campground in Kings Canyon
The Azalea Campground is near the General Grant tree in Kings Canyon National Park. It features 110 campgrounds that are a mixture of tent and RV sites. There are required reservations at this campsite.
This is one of the best locations in the park because it is near Kings Canyon National Park’s most popular attractions. While we have never stayed here, it would be in our top 3 options for camping.
Plan Your Camping Trip to Sequoia National Park!
Hiking and camping in Sequoia National Park is one of the best ways to experience the park. If you are lucky enough to grab a spot at Lodgepole or Dorst Creek – some of the best campsites in Sequoia National Park – you will be minutes away from the popular attractions in the park.
This means you’ll be able to explore the giant sequoia groves with relative ease. You will ultimately spend much less time driving around the park, and simply get to enjoy this magical place.
We absolutely love Sequoia National Park. It is one of the best places we’ve ever visited. We often think it goes a little bit under the radar to neighboring Yosemite or the ever popular Joshua Tree in southern California. But there is nothing quite like standing beneath a giant sequoia.
It will take your breath away.
We hope you experience the best camping in Sequoia National Park!
Let us know when you get out to Sequoia by emailing us at [email protected]. We’d love to hear about it!
