Camping Near Sequoia National Park
California | Established 1890
About Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park protects giant sequoia groves and rugged alpine terrain across 404,064 acres of California's southern Sierra Nevada. Lodgepole Campground (214 sites, $32/night) sits at 6,700 feet near the General Sherman Tree and operates June through December. Potwisha Campground (42 sites, $32/night) is the only year-round option at 2,100 feet in the foothills. Atwell Mill (21 tent-only sites, $32/night) offers solitude at 6,650 feet on the remote Mineral King Road.
No campground in the park has electric, water, or sewer hookups. Lodgepole accepts RVs up to 42 feet, but vehicles over 22 feet are not recommended between Potwisha and Giant Forest due to narrow, winding road conditions. Bear-proof food storage lockers are mandatory at every site, and all food, coolers, and scented items must be stored when not in active use. Reservations through Recreation.gov are required year-round at all campgrounds.
Camping Tips for Sequoia
- Reserve Lodgepole Campground six months in advance through Recreation.gov for summer dates. All 214 sites at $32/night sell out within days of opening, especially for July and August weekends.
- Potwisha Campground (42 sites, $32/night) is the only year-round campground but limits RVs to 24 feet. The foothills location at 2,100 feet stays mild in winter when higher campgrounds are closed.
- No campground has hookups. Dump stations are available at Potwisha (free) and Lodgepole. Fill freshwater tanks before entering the park, as there are no gas stations inside.
- Maximum RV length is 42 feet at Lodgepole, but vehicles over 22 feet face tight switchbacks between Potwisha and Giant Forest. Call 559-565-3341 for current road conditions before driving a large rig.
- Bear-proof food lockers are provided at every site and their use is mandatory. Store all food, coolers, toiletries, and pet food when not in active use. Fines start at $150 for violations.
RV Parks & Campgrounds Near Sequoia National Park
122.Upper Peppermint Campground
Upper Peppermint Campground is a highly-rated campground located in Springville, California. With a perfect 5-star Google rating, this destination offers a welcoming retreat for...
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123.Dunlap canyon retreat
Dunlap Canyon Retreat is a highly-rated campground located in Dunlap, California, offering a peaceful getaway in a scenic canyon setting. With an impressive 4.9-star rating from...
Show more124.Frog Meadow Recreational Rental Cabin
Sequoia National Forest offers a variety of recreation opportunities, including biking, climbing and caving, fishing, hiking, and horse riding and camping. The forest is managed...
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125.Taboose Creek Campground
Taboose Creek Campground is a scenic camping destination located in Independence, California, offering a peaceful retreat in the Eastern Sierra region. This well-maintained...
Show more126.Atwell Mill Campground
Atwell Mill Campground, located in the Mineral King area of Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, is the highest elevation campground in the parks at 7,500 feet. It is only open...
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127.Upper Tent Meadow campsite
Upper Tent Meadow campsite is located in Sequoia National Park. The park offers a variety of activities such as hiking, backpacking, and horseback riding. Visitors can explore the...
Show more128.Chamise Flat Campground
The Sequoia National Forest offers a wide range of recreational activities, including biking, climbing, fishing, and hiking. Visitors can explore the forest's scenic beauty and...
Show more129.Sawmill Flat Campground
The Sierra National Forest offers a wide variety of natural beauty and recreational opportunities to the American public. Visitors can enjoy camping, horseback riding, swimming,...
Show more130.Ant Canyon Campground
Make reservations at Recreation.gov. The Sequoia National Forest offers various recreation opportunities, including biking, climbing and caving, fishing, hiking, and horse riding...
Show moreShowing 121–130 of 179 campgrounds within 50 miles
Frequently Asked Questions
What campgrounds are inside Sequoia National Park?
Sequoia has three main campgrounds: Lodgepole (214 sites, $32/night, RVs to 42 feet, June through December), Potwisha (42 sites, $32/night, RVs to 24 feet, year-round), and Atwell Mill (21 tent-only sites, $32/night, summer only). All require reservations through Recreation.gov.
Lodgepole sits at 6,700 feet near the General Sherman Tree and is the most popular campground. Potwisha at 2,100 feet in the foothills offers riverside sites along the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River. Atwell Mill at 6,650 feet requires the 25-mile Mineral King Road (no RVs or trailers). Cold Springs (40 sites, $32/night) at the end of Mineral King Road is tent-only and first-come during summer.
How do I get to the General Sherman Tree from a campground?
The General Sherman Tree is 2 miles from Lodgepole Campground by road. The main trail is 0.5 miles downhill on a paved path. Accessible parking on Wolverton Road provides a 0.3-mile wheelchair-accessible route. Trailhead parking fills by mid-morning in summer.
The General Sherman Tree stands 274.9 feet tall with a circumference of 102.6 feet at its base, making it the largest tree on Earth by volume. A free shuttle runs between Lodgepole and the Sherman Tree area during summer. The Congress Trail loop (2.1 miles) from the General Sherman Tree passes several other named giant sequoias including the President and McKinley trees.
Are there RV hookups or dump stations at Sequoia campgrounds?
No campground has electric, water, or sewer hookups. A free dump station is located at Potwisha Campground across Highway 198. Lodgepole has a dump station available during its operating season. Potable water spigots are available at Lodgepole and Potwisha.
Lodgepole accommodates RVs up to 42 feet but the road from Potwisha to Giant Forest area includes tight switchbacks not recommended for vehicles over 22 feet. Potwisha limits RVs to 24 feet. Generator hours are 7 AM to 9 PM at developed campgrounds. The nearest private RV parks with full hookups are in Three Rivers, about 6 miles from the Ash Mountain entrance.
What are the bear safety rules for camping?
All food, coolers, toiletries, trash, and scented items must be stored in the bear-proof lockers provided at every campsite when not in active use. Bears routinely walk through campgrounds. Improper food storage can result in fines starting at $150 and confiscation of items.
Bear lockers at campsites measure approximately 47 by 33 by 28 inches. Bear canisters are required for all backcountry camping. Never leave food on picnic tables unattended, even briefly. Bears have learned to open car doors and trunk latches, so vehicles are not considered bear-proof storage. Report all bear sightings and encounters to a ranger or call 559-565-3341.
Can I bring my dog to Sequoia campgrounds?
Dogs on a leash of six feet or shorter are allowed in Lodgepole and Potwisha campgrounds, in parking areas, and on paved roads. Dogs are prohibited on all hiking trails, including the General Sherman Tree trail, in the backcountry, and in park buildings.
The strict pet policy protects both wildlife and dogs from encounters with bears. For hiking with dogs near the park, Sequoia National Forest surrounding the park allows leashed dogs on most trails. Dog boarding is available in Three Rivers and Visalia. Service animals are exempt from trail restrictions but must be under control at all times.
What is the entrance fee for Sequoia?
The entrance fee is $35 per vehicle for a seven-day pass that covers both Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Motorcycles cost $30 and individual entry on foot or bicycle is $20. An annual park pass costs $70.
The America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers all federal recreation sites. Entrance stations accept credit and debit cards but not cash. The Sequoia/Kings Canyon pass provides access to both parks, which share a boundary and are managed jointly. Seniors age 62 and older can purchase a lifetime pass for $80. Active-duty military and dependents enter free.
When does Mineral King Road open?
Mineral King Road typically opens in late May and closes after the first significant snowfall, usually in late October or November. The 25-mile road from Highway 198 takes about 90 minutes to drive with over 600 curves and is not suitable for RVs or trailers.
The road is narrow, winding, and partly unpaved with no guardrails in many sections. Maximum vehicle length is about 22 feet. Atwell Mill and Cold Springs campgrounds at the end of the road are tent-only. Marmots at Mineral King are notorious for chewing vehicle wiring and hoses; wrap the undercarriage with a tarp secured with rocks to deter them.
When is the best time to camp at Sequoia?
June through September offers the best weather at higher elevations. June is less crowded than July and August. September brings cooler temperatures, thinner crowds, and fall color in the foothills. Potwisha at 2,100 feet is pleasant in spring and fall when upper campgrounds are snow-covered.
July and August are the busiest months with full campgrounds and crowded trails. Summer daytime temperatures at Lodgepole (6,700 feet) average 70 to 80 degrees with cool nights in the 40s. The foothills at Potwisha can reach 100 degrees in summer but offer mild 60 to 70 degree days in spring and fall. Snow can linger above 7,000 feet into June some years.
Quick Facts
- Entrance Fee
- $35/vehicle (7 days)
- Best Time to Visit
- June – September
- Nearest Town
- Three Rivers, CA, Visalia, CA, Fresno, CA
- Elevation
- 1,370 – 14,494 ft
- Park Size
- 404,064 acres
- Annual Visitors
- ~1.5 million