Sequoia National Park has waterfalls, dense ancient forests, and the world’s most enormous tree! The hiking trails and vista sites with tree-lined paths might occupy your days.
Although Sequoia National Park has one resort, camping in one of the park’s seven campgrounds is the most excellent option to remain inside the boundaries (and close to the trails!).
This guide to the best campsites in Sequoia National Park, California, has all the info you need for a fantastic camping trip!
You have a choice of locations to stay close to the top Sequoia National Park attractions, from campsites tucked away among the sequoias to those in the warmer Foothills area.
Why Should You Camp at Sequoia National Park?
Camping in Sequoia National Park is a fantastic chance to encounter stunning natural beauty. There are many excellent sites to see while camping here, including the most significant trees in the world, like the General Sherman Tree, rocky mountain peaks like Mount Whitney, and crystal clear caves like Crystal Cave. Not to mention the spectacular night skies and starry nights, both ideal for astronomy.
A night’s stay in Sequoia National Park lets visitors explore one of the most beautiful national parks in the United States and get closer to nature. There are numerous opportunities to relax, unwind, and take in the beauty of this fantastic area, with so many camping spots scattered across Sequoia’s immense wilderness.
The ideal setting for creating cherished family moments. The remote location and distance make it hard to do anything but relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. During your vacation, there is a good chance you will spot some wildlife, from deer that walk through campgrounds to yellow-bellied marmots that live in the Sierras.
Sequoia National Park provides the ideal camping experience for everyone, regardless of whether you have camped before. Let us begin preparing for your camping trip.
How to Make a Reservation at the Best Campground in Sequoia National Park
Reservations for campgrounds in Sequoia National Park can made through Recreation as of 2023.Recreation Gov.
Although reservations on Recreation.gov are usually available five to six months in advance, Sequoia National Park has decided to provide reservations for 2023 on a rolling one-month basis.
To book a campsite in Sequoia National Park:
If you still need an account, create one on Recreation.gov. Reservations for campsites in national parks can made through Recreation.Gov.
Find out when the campground of your choice accepts reservations. Campsites in Sequoia are now released on a rolling one-month basis. Thus, reservations should made by July 1 if, for instance, you want to camp on August 1.
When the reservations for the start date of your trip open, be online at 7 AM Pacific Time. Since campgrounds fill up rapidly, add one to your cart immediately.
To locate campgrounds more quickly and to stay away from crowds, think about:
Organizing your travel throughout the week as opposed to the weekend
Go during the off-season (September through November, for example).
For optimal availability, please make your reservation precisely when it opens.
Tips for Staying at the Best Campgrounds in Sequoia National Park
In Sequoia National Park, a camping reservation does not waive your park admission price. Before your journey, I strongly advise getting the America the Beautiful National Park Pass. With this pass, you can visit 400 additional national park locations in addition to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks! A yearly national park pass is available here for roughly $80.
There needs to be more cell coverage throughout the majority of the park. Download your campsite information or take a screenshot when you reach the campground.
All park campgrounds do not offer RV hookups. There are disposal stations at Potwisha, Lodgepole, and Dorst Creek campgrounds. Depending on the campground, generator use is sometimes permitted after dark, but only occasionally.
In Sequoia National Park, RV camping is only permitted at specific campgrounds. Before booking, you should confirm each campground’s limitations and maximum stays.
Summertime is a typical time for fire bans. There are usually restrictions on when and where you can have fires from July through September. Campsite wood and charcoal fires are among these prohibitions. To cook your food if you are going in the summer, I suggest packing a propane stove.
The black bear country is found in Sequoia National Park. To help preserve wildlife, keep all food, garbage, and scented goods (such sunscreen, deodorant, and toothpaste) inside the food lockers supplied at each campsite. These lockers fit a full-sized cooler and are 47 inches long by 33 inches deep by 28 inches high, though sizes may vary somewhat. More information about bear safety in Sequoia can be found here.
Best Campgrounds Sequoia National Park
Are you trying to locate the ideal campsite in Sequoia National Park for your upcoming trip? To assist you in selecting the perfect in-park campground, this section provides comprehensive information about each one.
Lodgepole Campground
I recommend staying in Lodgepole Campground for most Sequoia National Park visitors. Because of its position within the park and the services it offers, this campground is the best choice for the average visitor.
Lodgepole Campground offers the most amenities compared to other campgrounds in the park. Having a tourist center and general store at this campground is handy if you need any last-minute or forgotten supplies to ensure a pleasant camping vacation. An amphitheater at Lodgepole Campground is another feature that allows you to make the most of your visit to Sequoia National Park by hosting ranger programs.
Lodgepole Campground is the station on the shuttle route that passes through Sequoia National Park, allowing tourists to bypass the hassle of obtaining a spot during peak season.
One of Sequoia National Park’s more extensive campgrounds is Lodgepole Campground. It is simple for everyone to locate a campsite available for reservation, thanks to the 214 spaces that can hold both tents and RVs.
Furthermore, Lodgepole Campground is the beginning point for beautiful walks, such as the short hike to Tokopah Falls.
Buckeye Flat Campground
Buckeye Flat Campground is one of the most significant locations to camp if you want a more sedate stay but still have access to Sequoia National Park’s top attractions.
This campground is among the smallest in Sequoia National Park, with just 27 spaces. You can only camp in tents at these places.
Buckeye Flat Campground is smaller than other campgrounds. However, it still feels more remote because of this, even though it includes amenities like drinking water and flush toilets.
The main attractions in the park are likewise close to the campground. You can get to the main attraction of Sequoia National Park, General Sherman, in under an hour. On a map, Buckeye Flat Campground appears near the main attractions of Giant Forest Grove; nevertheless, due to the steep and winding Generals Highway in this area, expect a leisurely trip there.
This campground is located in the Sierra Foothills at a lower elevation. Remember that during the summer, it gets hotter and drier at this campground compared to most others in Sequoia National Park, which is higher in the mountains.
Cold Springs Campground
Instead of visiting Sequoia National Park for its prominent attractions, Cold Springs Campground is the place to go if you are here for the fantastic hiking into the Great Western Divide.
This campsite is an excellent starting point for a rougher experience in Sequoia National Park.Located at the far east end of Mineral King Road, surrounded by aspen and conifer trees, Cold Springs Campground is two hours distant from the Giant Forest Grove’s attractions. Ensure you are ready to travel into this less-developed park area because this route is winding, narrow, and mostly gravel.
One of Sequoia National Park’s highest-elevation campgrounds is this one. The Cold Springs Campground is the starting point for several paths that lead to alpine lakes, such as Eagle Lake, Mosquito Lakes, and Monarch Lakes.There are forty campsites here, nine of which are walk-ins between one and two hundred yards from their parking spaces. The campgrounds are only for tents.
Even though it is in a less developed part of Sequoia National Park, Cold Springs Campground still provides all the essential amenities. Campers may access drinking water and vault toilets.
Potwisha Campground
One of two possibilities is Potwisha Campground if you seek year-round camping in Sequoia National Park. This campground, near the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River, is conveniently situated 4 miles from the park’s entrance. Oak trees also surround it.
The campground has 42 reserved campsites, accommodating tent and RV campers. Campsites in the winter are first-come, first-served. Located in the southern region of Sequoia National Park, this setting of nesting oak trees offers visitors a unique camping experience. Because it is the park’s lowest-elevation campground and has the warmest temperatures.
This area has a higher biological richness than High Sierras and conifer forests.Due to its position, it is roughly thirty minutes away from Giant Forest and Crescent Meadow, two of Sequoia National Park’s primary attractions.
In addition to providing lots of chances for leisure and exploration. This campground is an excellent place to see wildlife, including bobcats, mule deer, American Black Bears, and various bird species.
Recreational attractions in the vicinity include multiple hiking routes and fishing spots. The campsite is close to the Marble Falls trailhead. The General Sherman Tree is roughly a 45-minute drive from Potwisha Campground.
