Best Campgrounds In Sequoia National Park

Sequoia National Park is a beautiful place to visit. It has a large amount of beautiful nature to see, including dense forests, amazing waterfalls, and the world’s giant tree!

If you visit Sequoia National Park, you can spend many happy hours exploring the hiking trails of the area. If you want to stay inside the park, the best way to do so is to stay in one of the campgrounds. This way, you will be closer to nature and ready to set out on the many different trails!

If you’re hoping to take part in a successful camping trip in California’s National Park, then you’ve come to the right place! This article will help you to choose the best campground in the National Park. Let’s dive in!

Overview Of The Best Campgrounds In Sequoia National Park

Sequoia National Park is home to seven different campgrounds. These are spread across the whole park, so the campground you choose will have an impact on your visit.

1. The Lodgepole Area, Lodgepole Campground 

The Lodgepole Campground is located in the Lodgepole area of the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. This is where California’s rugged Sierra Nevada range lies. This area is in a beautiful and scenic part of the park, as it is located on the banks of the Kaweah River.

It is fairly high up, with an elevation of 6700 feet. This gives quite an impressive view!

The campground is just two miles away from Giant Forest Grove. This is where the General Sherman Tree is located. This is the largest tree in the world and it is definitely worth a visit!

The Lodgepole Campground is very popular among both tent and RV campers. There are lots of amenities on site, which is another reason for the popularity of this campground. It has flush toilets and drinking water on-site, as well as picnic tables, ring fires, and storage boxes for your food.

The campground is surrounded by beautiful scenery, and the weather is very temperate in the summer. You will experience warm days and cool nights.

2. The Lodgepole Area, Dorst Creek Campground

The Dorst Creek Campground is a great place to stay in The Lodgepole Area. This site takes reservations on a one-month rolling basis, meaning you can make your booking soon!

This is located ten miles from the Giant Forest. It is located amongst the evergreen trees. This campsite is great for exploring the parks and it is the starting point of the trail that leads to the Muir Grove of giant sequoias.

There are lots of black bears active in this area, so you will need to make sure that you store all your food and scenic items correctly. You are able to bring pets to this campground but they must be kept on a leash.

3. The Foothills Area, Buckeye Flat Campground 

This Buckeye Flat Campground is located just 7 miles away from the Ash Mountain entrance to the park. On this site, you will be able to hear the Kaweah River running through the park.

This campground often has fire restrictions in place. This is due to high temperatures and dry conditions.

From this campground, you can head off on the Paradise Creek Trail. You can also explore lots of other parts of the National Park.

As there are bears active in the area, you need to make sure that you store food and scented items correctly.

There are some accessible sites on the Buckeye Flat Campground, which make it possible for wheelchair users to visit the area.

There are lots of great amenities available at this campground including picnic tables, fire rings, and toilet facilities.

4. The Foothills Area, Potwisha Campground

The Potwisha Campground is located in the National Park along the General’s Highway. It is a very convenient place to stay in the park, as it is in the Sierra Foothills.

This campground is open all year round and it is suitable for tents, trailers, and RVs. There are lots of amenities on-site, such as picnic tables, fire rings, and food storage lockers. You will also have access to drinking water and flush toilets on site.

The foothills area is the lower part of Sequoia National Park. You will be staying in the grassy areas where you will find lots of river canyons and oak trees. This area of the park is filled with nature, and there is plenty of wildlife to be seen. You will find lots of bird species, black bears, and mule deer.

If you’re looking for places to fish and hike from your campground, then this is the perfect place for you to stay. You can get to the Kaweah river just a short walk from the campground.

5. The Foothills Area, South Fork Campground

The South Fork Campground is a small, primitive campground that is located in the park’s foothills. It is away from the main park highways, making it a very remote place to stay.

However, the South Fork Campground has been heavily damaged by floods and landslides, so it is closed until further notice.

6. The Mineral King Area, Cold Springs Campground

The Mineral King Area is one of the less popular areas in the Sequoia National Park. It is home to a number of alpine lakes. If you want to escape the crowds, then this is a great place to stay when you are exploring the parks.

This campground is the campground with the highest elevation in the parks. It is 7,500 feet high, and you can reach the area through a narrow, unpaved road.

It is not recommended that RVs and trailers head up into this area, and they are not permitted on Cold Springs Campground.

This is a beautiful area to set up camp, as it is nestled amid the aspen trees and conifers. From here you can enjoy hikes into the backcountry, and experience the beauty of the National Park.

7. The Mineral King Area, Atwell Mill Campground

The Mineral King area is the campground with the highest elevation in this national park. It is not connected to the National Park by roads, instead, it is on an unpaved road.

This campsite is situated on the Kaweah River, along the east fork. This campground is very small, only containing 21 sites. From here, you can start the Atwell-Hockett Trail and enjoy the wonderful scenery.

This will give you a deeper understanding of the beauty of Sequoia National Park. From here, you should climb a peak and walk over some mountain passes!

Tips For Camping In Sequoia National Park

If you are hoping to camp in Sequoia National Park, there are some extra tips and tricks that you should take into account before starting your trip.

• You will need to pay a park entry fee on top of your camping charge.
• You will find that there is limited cell phone service in the park. You should make sure that you download a map or your campsite details before you get to the park.
• RV camping in the Sequoia National Park is only allowed on certain campgrounds. You should make sure that the campground you are booking is suitable for the type of RV that you have.
• In this National Park, fire restrictions are very common during the summer months. This is because the area gets quite hot and dry during these months.
• The Sequoia National Park is in black bear country. It is important that you protect all wildlife by ensuring that you store food, trash, and scented items correctly. There are bear boxes on each campground in the National Park.
• Pets are allowed on the campgrounds in the park, but they are not allowed on the hiking trails. If you bring your pet, you must organize for someone to stay at camp with the pet during the day.

What To Pack For Your Camping Trip To Sequoia National Park

Camp Stove 

You will want to bring a camping stove with you for cooking meals or boiling water during your trip.

Headlamps 

The campgrounds are very dark at night, so it is a good idea to take a flashlight and headlamps with you. This will help you to find your way to the restroom in the dark.

Tent 

You will need to make sure that you have a suitable tent with you for your trip.

Sleeping Bag 

A sleeping bag is essential for a comfortable night’s sleep. You may want a sleeping pad, too.

Bug Spray 

It is a good idea to take some bug spray with you to repel any insects that you may find in the park.

Final Thoughts 

Now you have all the information you need on camping in the Sequoia National Park. If you’re hoping to go on a camping trip to this area, you should pick your campground and get going! You’ll have an amazing time enjoying the beauty of the area and spotting the wildlife in this fantastic park.