Sequoia and Kings Canyon Camping: 15 NPS Campgrounds, Reservations, and Fees

By Jocelyn Pion · Data: National Park Service · ← Complete guide Sequoia & Kings Canyon

The NPS manages 15 campgrounds across the two parks, with a total of 1,213 sites spread across five geographic areas. The range is considerable, from the canyon floor at under 3,300 feet to Mineral King's alpine cirques above 7,900 feet. Almost every site can be reserved on Recreation.gov. In winter, Azalea keeps 20 sites on its main loop available on a first-come, first-served basis. In 2026, three campgrounds are closed for repairs or weather-related damage: Dorst Creek, Buckeye Flat, and South Fork.

Campgrounds in the park (12)

• Campground Potwisha Campground see NPS · 42 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Azalea Campground recreation.gov · 110 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Cold Springs Campground see NPS · 40 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Atwell Mill Campground see NPS · 21 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Buckeye Flat Campground see NPS · 27 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Sunset Campground see NPS · 158 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Crystal Springs Campground see NPS · 35 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Crystal Springs Campground Group Sites see NPS · 14 sites Directions ↗
• Campground South Fork Campground see NPS · 0 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Lodgepole Campground see NPS · 214 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Dorst Creek Campground see NPS · 222 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Sentinel Campground see NPS · 82 sites Directions ↗

Show interactive map Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO

Can you camp inside Sequoia and Kings Canyon?

Yes. Camping in a designated site is allowed in both parks. Outside marked sites, dispersed camping isn't allowed in frontcountry areas, including developed areas and roadsides. Backcountry camping follows separate rules, covered below.

The two parks share the same administration and entrance fee, $35 per vehicle, but their campgrounds are managed separately on Recreation.gov. The elevation range is striking, from about 1,300 feet in the Foothills to more than 13,100 feet in the Sierra. The campground you choose shapes both the atmosphere and the activities you can reach on foot from your site.

Campgrounds in the park

Foothills (Sequoia, low elevation, year-round)

Potwisha (42 sites, open year-round) is Sequoia's most accessible campground. At about 2,100 feet, it remains usable in winter when snow closes the Generals Highway. It has running water, flush toilets, and a dump station. RVs up to 24 feet are allowed. Reservations are required year-round.

Buckeye Flat (27 sites, tents only) remains closed in 2026 because of storm damage. The reopening date is still unknown. RVs and trailers aren't allowed in this area, even when the campground is operating.

Giant Forest and Lodgepole (Sequoia, about 6,600 feet)

This is the go-to area for sleeping among the giant sequoias.

Lodgepole (214 sites, including 76 tent-only sites) is the park's largest operating campground in 2026. It usually opens on the Wednesday before Memorial Day and closes in stages in the fall. The upper loop closes first in late September, followed by Loops A and C in mid-October. Lodgepole Village has a dump station, grocery store, and firewood shop, all a few minutes' walk away. RVs up to 40 feet are allowed. Reservations are required.

Dorst Creek (222 sites) is closed all year in 2026 for repair work. With four group sites and room for 222 campers, it's the largest campground in the park. It normally opens in mid-June and closes on Labor Day. Check Recreation.gov before making plans.

Mineral King (Sequoia, remote area, about 7,900 feet)

You reach Mineral King by a narrow road that runs for about 12 miles and is closed to RVs and trailers. The difficult access is the tradeoff for solitude and alpine views.

Atwell Mill (21 sites, tents only) and Cold Springs (40 sites, tents only) have primitive facilities: drinking water, which isn't guaranteed in spring and fall, vault toilets, and bear boxes. Both usually open in late May and close in late October. Expect to pay $16 per night at either campground.

Grant Grove (Kings Canyon, about 6,600 feet)

Grant Grove is the first area you'll reach when coming from Fresno on Highway 180. Several campgrounds sit near the General Grant Tree.

Azalea (110 sites) is the only campground open year-round in both parks. In winter, only the main loop remains accessible, with 20 first-come, first-served sites. The rest of the year, all 110 sites can be reserved on Recreation.gov. It accommodates RVs up to 47 feet.

Crystal Springs (35 sites) and Sunset (158 sites) are seasonal, generally open from late May through mid-September. Sunset, the area's second-largest campground, works especially well for families. It has spacious sites, direct access to the Grant Grove trails, and room for RVs up to 30 feet. Grant Grove also has Crystal Springs Group Sites (14 sites reserved for groups, $50 per night), open during the same period as Crystal Springs.

Cedar Grove (Kings Canyon, canyon floor, about 4,600 feet)

Cedar Grove is accessible via Highway 180, about 31 miles east of Grant Grove. The road closes in winter. This is the park's most dramatic area, where campgrounds line the Kings River on the floor of a granite canyon.

Sentinel (82 sites) usually opens in late April and closes in late October, giving it Cedar Grove's longest season. Sheep Creek (111 sites) is the area's largest campground for individual sites. It closes in early September, as does Moraine (121 sites). Canyon View (16 sites) hosts organized groups only, at $50 per night, from mid-June through late September.

All individual sites in Cedar Grove cost $16 per night and can be reserved on Recreation.gov.

RV vs. tent camping: which site is right for you?

Most campgrounds in the park accommodate both tents and RVs, but you'll want to know the restrictions before you go.

Maximum vehicle length: Azalea allows vehicles up to 47 feet, Lodgepole up to 40 feet, Sheep Creek and Sunset up to 30 feet, Crystal Springs up to 25 feet, and Potwisha up to 24 feet. Check the exact limit when you make your reservation because it can vary by site.

Areas closed to RVs and trailers: Mineral King, because the road is too narrow and access is physically impossible, and Buckeye Flat, which is tents only. If you're traveling by RV, rule out both areas.

Hookups: None of the park's campgrounds have water, electric, or sewer hookups. Bring a battery or generator if needed. Lodgepole and Potwisha have dump stations. The Sequoia and Kings Canyon RV camping guide covers all the vehicle-specific restrictions.

Camping nearby: private campgrounds outside the park

When the park is full, which is common in July and August, several private campgrounds and Sequoia National Forest campgrounds are available within a few miles of the entrances.

Near the Highway 198 entrance to Sequoia, the town of Three Rivers offers a range of lodging, including campgrounds along the Kaweah River. Near the Highway 180 entrance to Kings Canyon, several Sequoia National Forest sites sit around Grant Grove. These alternatives are valuable when the park is full or when you're visiting in the shoulder season and some park campgrounds are closed.

For lodges, cabins, and hotels in and around the park, see the Sequoia and Kings Canyon lodging guide.

Backcountry camping

Backcountry camping is allowed in designated wilderness areas of both parks with a wilderness permit.

You can get permits on Recreation.gov for most trailheads. During peak season, from June through September, some permits go on sale six months in advance. A limited number are available on a first-come, first-served basis the evening before at the area's ranger station.

Basic rules include camping at least 200 feet from water sources and trails, burying or packing out human waste, and leaving no trace. Food must be stored in an approved bear canister or in bear boxes when available. The Sequoia and Kings Canyon hiking guide covers the high-country routes that combine multi-day treks with nights in the wilderness.

How and when to reserve a campsite in Sequoia and Kings Canyon

One reservation platform: Recreation.gov is the reservation portal for every reservable site in both parks.

Reservation window: Recreation.gov opens reservations six months, or 180 days, before your arrival date. The most popular campgrounds, especially Lodgepole and Cedar Grove, can sell out within minutes of opening. Log on at midnight Pacific Time on the day reservations open if you're targeting a July or August weekend.

First-come, first-served sites: In winter, Azalea offers 20 sites on its main loop without advance reservations. Other than this specific exception, all NPS campgrounds in the park require reservations.

Maximum stay: During peak season, stays are often limited to 14 consecutive nights per campground.

The best window for camping at higher elevations, including Giant Forest and Cedar Grove, runs from June through September. Spring and fall are more comfortable in the Foothills. The When to visit Sequoia and Kings Canyon guide breaks down conditions by area and month.

Fees: how much does a night of camping cost in Sequoia and Kings Canyon?

The NPS charges a standard $16 per night at all individual and family campgrounds in the park. Whether you're staying at Lodgepole, with 214 sites, a dump station, and a grocery store, or Atwell Mill, with 21 primitive sites at elevation, the price is the same. Group sites are the exception. Canyon View and Crystal Springs Group Sites cost $50 per night.

You'll also pay:

• The park entrance fee: $35 per vehicle, valid for seven days in both parks.
• Recreation.gov reservation fees: a flat fee per transaction, nonrefundable.

The America the Beautiful pass ($80 per year) covers entrance fees at all federal recreation sites in the United States. It pays for itself starting with your second national park visit. For entrance fees and annual passes, see the National parks fees and passes page.

Camping safety and best practices

Black bears: food storage is required

Sequoia and Kings Canyon is home to a dense population of black bears (Ursus americanus). Bears frequently visit campgrounds, especially in summer and fall.

The absolute rule is simple. Store all food, drinks, and scented items, including toothpaste, toiletries, and trash, in the bear boxes installed at every site or in a bear canister. Never leave anything in your vehicle. Bears break windows to get at a forgotten cooler. You may be fined for failing to follow the rules. The Sequoia and Kings Canyon wildlife guide explains what to do if you encounter a bear on the trail.

Ticks and rattlesnakes

The Foothills trails are prone to ticks from March through July. Wear long clothing and check yourself after every outing. Rattlesnakes favor sunny, rocky areas at low elevations. Stay on marked trails and watch where you put your hands.

Cold nights at elevation

Even in midsummer, nights at 6,600 feet can drop to around 41 to 46°F. A sleeping bag rated for 32°F comfort is recommended in high-elevation areas. Overnight freezes are possible at Giant Forest and Cedar Grove in May and September.

Which campground is right for you?

Families with children: Lodgepole, for its full services and nearby giant sequoias, or Sunset in Grant Grove, with 158 sites and easy trails.

RVs or vans: Potwisha, for its low elevation, year-round opening, dump station, and easy access, or Lodgepole, with a dump station, grocery store, and room for RVs up to 40 feet.

Hikers and wilderness lovers: Atwell Mill or Cold Springs in Mineral King, for solitude and direct trail access, or the Cedar Grove campgrounds for canyon outings.

Shoulder season, fall, or winter: Potwisha and Azalea are the two campgrounds open year-round. Check road conditions before setting out. Snow chains are required on the Generals Highway as soon as the first snow falls.

For help planning your entire trip, including access, itineraries, and activities, browse the complete Sequoia and Kings Canyon guide.

Frequently asked questions