The Best Sequoia Campgrounds for a Peaceful Getaway

If you are planning to go on a camping trip, then you need to put Sequoia as one of the places on your bucket list. The national park's campgrounds is the perfect place to enjoy the peace and quiet, especially those near the giant sequoia groves.

Everything is found in Sequoia National Park, including waterfalls and thick old-growth woods. You won't soon forget the camping experience in a hurry because of the beautiful scenery.

Let's quickly give a list of the most popular campgrounds you should visit if you ever find yourself in Sequoia.

1. Potwisha Campground

Potwisha Campground is one with a different feel, unlike other campgrounds that you will get to know on this list.

This wide, grassy campground is surrounded by oak trees and is located in the southern part of the park, next to the Foothills Visitor Center, in Sierra Nevada.

Views of the far-off mountains can be seen between the trees along the campground's border with the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River. This is the park's lowest and hottest campground, sitting at 2,100 feet above sea level. This campground is about half an hour away from the park's primary attractions.

Potwisha Campground accepts both tents and RVs and is available all year round. The 42 sites are mostly spacious, although some are pull-through, and are all well-spaced even though they don't provide much privacy.

Camping Fees: $22 every night

Amenities: flush toilets and pay phones

Reservation: Yes, it can be done 30 days in advance.

2. Dorst Creek Campground

If you drive an RV, Dorst Creek Campground is the best option for anyone wishing to visit both Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, as it is situated between them. The Giant Forest is roughly ten miles away, and the Sequoia Shuttle offers free transportation between the two.

With 218 total campsites and four designated campsites for groups of 15 to 30 people, it's one of the more social campsites in Sequoia National Park and a great starting point for your expedition. S

This location has both stunning natural surroundings and luxury amenities for anyone who would love to camp here. It would be prudent to reserve this campsite in advance given everything it has to offer.

Camping Fees: $22 per night

Amenities: Flush toilets, laundry facilities, potable water, and running showers

Reservation: Yes, it can be made online

3. Lodgepole Campground

One of Sequoia National Park's large campgrounds is Lodgepole. It is dotted with boulders is situated along a scenic stretch of the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River.

You'll find it only 1/4 mile from Lodgepole Village and two miles from the Giant Forest Grove of Sequoia trees. This is a regular stop on the free Sequoia Shuttle, which takes you to other popular locations within the park.

The campground has many campsites arranged in multiple loops on both banks of the river.

A few of these locations are simple walk-in tent sites with barriers made of pebbles to divide each camping area. The huge pine trees you will find here give a forest-like setting and plenty of shade. You can also find Moro rock here.

Camping Fees: $22 each night

Amenities: Sequoia shuttle buses, vault toilets

Reservation: During the summer months, from late May to late September, reservations can be made up to 30 days in advance of your visit. After this, it will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

4. Buckeye Flat Campground

One of Sequoia National Park's smaller campgrounds, Buckeye Flat is situated close to Hospital Rock in the southern region of Sequoia National Park.

Nestled in the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River, this campground has 28 exclusive, shaded campsites exclusively for tents. It is decorated with expansive, leafy short trees. If you want, you can always climb the sprawling trees.

Although there are no views of the river from the sites, you can hear the water rushing below. There is room for each site to expand out, and many of them are encircled by big boulders and low vegetation. This campground feels a little less busy than others, but the summer heat is much stronger here.

Camping Fees: $22 per night

Amenities: Running water, flush toilets, picnic tables and fire rings

Reservation: It can be done 30 days in advance of the planned visit, and the campground is open from late March or early April through late September.

5. Atwell Mill Campground

Atwell Mill Campground is located in the Mineral King region of Sequoia National Park and is quiet, shaded, and private. This campground is 1.5 hours from the center of Sequoia National Park, making it a great choice for Sierra exploration but less so for seeing the well-known Sequoia forests in the Giant Forest region

It is close to the East Fork of the Kaweah River. Actually, its seclusion amid an abundance of trees makes for a peaceful camping experience.

You'll definitely have easy access to this place since the village of Three Rivers is only an hour away and all of the sites are first-come, first-served. This campground also has vault toilets and potable water.

Camping Fees: $12 every night

Amenities: Running showers, potable water and vault toilets

Reservation: There are no advance reservations. It's on a first-come, first-served basis

6. South Fork Campground

The South Fork Campground is the smallest in Sequoia National Park, with ten campsites. Tents only are allowed, and the site is open year-round in the middle of an oak and evergreen forest near the South Fork of the Kaweah River.

This is a pretty basic place to stay in a secluded part of the Foothills. It's a large, lovely place to re-establish a connection with the natural world. However, the National Park Service does not advise driving a low-clearance vehicle because of the poor condition of the road, particularly in the winter.

Meanwhile, you will need to carry your own water because this campground does not have potable water.

The locations are dispersed throughout a verdant area beside the Kaweah River. If you don't mind roughing it, South Fork is a great place to get away from the tourists and enjoy some peace and quiet.

Camping Fees: $9 per night

Amenities: Vault toilets

Reservation: Made on a first-come, first-served basis

7. Azalea Campground

The Azalea Campground is about 6,500 feet above sea level. This campground is a favorite among people who enjoy bicycling, hiking, horseback riding, and even fishing.

It is located not far from the entrance to King Canyons National Park. Unlike other campgrounds, Azalea will always be open for adventures, allowing guests to enjoy their preferred activities throughout the year.

The most breathtaking views in Kings Canyon are available to visitors at this Campground. Among these views is the fragrant blooms of the Azalea plant. The General Grant Tree and the Columbine picnic area are also accessible from a number of trails that are close to the campground.

Remember to pick up your park guide as Azalea Campground is close to the Grant Grove Village visitor center.

Camping Fees: $28 per night

Amenities: Portable water, showers, and flush toilets

Reservation: You will need advance reservations before coming

8. Princess Campground

The Princess Campground is a serene location. It is the perfect place to explore the best of Sequoia and Kings National Forests is between Hume Lake and Grant Grove. This Campground has 88 campsites and 19 tent-only sites.

It is located in the Indian Basin Grove near to a sizable meadow at a height of 5,900 feet. A ten-minute trip up the road brings you to Hume Lake, where there's a tiny café serving ice cream, chicken fingers, and hamburgers.

You can trek around the lake, rent paddle boats, or have a lovely picnic on the grass. It's a ten-minute journey down a beautiful road to Grant Grove. After a short lunch, you can take a stroll around Grant Grove. The meadow adjacent to the site is beautifully viewed from the trail.

Camping Fees: $32 every night

Amenities: Vault toilets, fire ring, grill, drinking water, dump station and food locker storage

Reservation: It can be made online

9. Cold Springs Campground

Nestled among aspen and evergreen trees, Cold Springs Campground is situated on the east fork of the Kaweah River. You'll find it in one of Sequoia National Park's most isolated and densely populated regions

This campground will give you a great outdoor experience, even if the amenities aren't as extensive as other campgrounds. You'll always have a peaceful, secluded feel and it is the best way to rest and relax. There are plenty of outdoor activities here to make every day interesting.

The Eagle Lake Trail is directly accessible from the campground for those who love to hike. It is advised that only experienced hikers should take on this 6.5-mile round-trip climb.

Hikers who choose to take it will reach a canyon viewpoint with a glimpse of the breathtaking Eagle Lake after an amazing elevation climb of more than 2,000 feet. It usually takes four hours to complete the hike, so bring snacks and water to keep you going.

There are forty campsites at Cold Springs Campground that are exclusively for tent camping.

Camping Fees: $12 each night

Amenities: Pit toilets, running water, picnic tables and food storage lockers

Reservation: The campground fills up quickly and spaces are on a first-come, first-served basis.

10. Upper Stony Creek Campground

The Upper Stony Creek Campground is an 18-site campground with spacious, open campsites. It is located on Generals Highway 14 miles southeast of Grant Grove.

Popular activities here include mountain riding outside of the area and hiking inside the Jennie Lakes. There's drinking water, a picnic area, vault toilets, and laundry facilities available here

Camping Fees: $32 each night

Amenities: Picnic tables, food storage lockers, fire pits, flush toilets, and showers.

Reservation: Open from late May to late September

Frequently Asked Questions

You'll definitely have some questions if you're planning on going to any campground in Sequoia. Some of them could be:

Q1. How Do I Reserve a Site at Sequoia Campgrounds?

You can always reserve a campground online at "Receation.gov". Bookings can be made up to six months in advance, so do it as soon as you can.

As one of the preparation plans, create an account and choose your preferred campground before attempting to make a reservation.

You can find instructions for reserving a first-come, first-served campsite at the campground of your choice when you arrive.

Whenever you want to reserve a campground, it's advisable to do it in the morning. Although some people think that the best time to check the campgrounds for an open spot is in the afternoons from Sunday through Thursday.

Apart from federal holidays, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings in the summer months are when campgrounds tend to fill up quickly.

Q2. What time of the year is ideal for camping in Sequoia National Park?

The perfect time to camp in Sequoia National Park is from June to the middle of September.

It's important to keep in mind, too, that some of the campgrounds here are situated at varying heights, from 2,100 feet to 7,800 feet. The temperature drops as you ascend, particularly at night.

Early in the season, the campgrounds at the lowest elevations will be the warmest. If you plan to go camping in May, you can always pick from these ones.

Meanwhile, when schools are not in session, most campgrounds are always crowded. So, you can come in late August or early September for more availability and a more interesting experience.

Q3. How do I get my permit before camping at Sequoia National Park?

If you want to get your wilderness permit, you can send an email to Sequoia National Park's park rangers. Then, you'll need to complete the online application and email it to Seki Wilderness Reservations.

This should be done at least two weeks before your intended camping date. If approved, you will need to come in person to the park to pick up your permission. Your permission is not your email confirmation. Pick up your permit by stopping by the permitting counter during business hours.

Bottom Line

Now you know that there are beautiful places to visit in Sequoia in case you want to take a break from life's distractions.

If the campgrounds in Sequoia National Park are crowded, you can also find nice campgrounds at the Kings Canyon National Park.

Search our store

Best Sequoia Campgrounds 2024: RV Parks in California