Dense forest surrounds the 218 sites at Dorst Creek Campground, where granite boulders scatter between towering pines and sequoias. The campground sits at 6,720 feet elevation, divided into upper and lower sections with a creek running through both areas. Sites accommodate RVs up to 133 feet, though Christy C. notes "we barely fit on the site and had to use some crazy leveling techniques to get us set up."
Many sites lack level ground for tent camping, but the uneven terrain helps with drainage during rain. Each site includes a fire ring with grill, picnic table, and bear box for food storage. Rangers emphasize proper food storage protocols due to active bear populations in the area. Clean flush toilets and potable water stations serve both camping loops, with daily maintenance keeping facilities in good condition.
The campground provides direct access to several hiking trails, including the four-mile round trip to Muir Grove at the campground's back end. This less-traveled sequoia grove offers an alternative to busier attractions. The General Sherman Tree and other popular sequoia groves sit within easy driving distance. A free shuttle system connects campers to major park destinations during peak season.
Road access can be challenging, particularly for larger RVs navigating the winding mountain roads. Cell service remains unavailable throughout the campground. A pay phone operates near the ranger station, though its reliability varies. For supplies, a store and gas station operate about five miles away, though prices run high for basics like firewood and fuel.
Reservations open five months in advance and fill quickly for summer dates. The campground operates from mid-June through early September, with cooler temperatures at elevation making it a popular escape during hot valley summers.
Description
Overview
Dorst Creek Campground is located in the breathtaking Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in central California's rugged Sierra Nevada range. The campground is perched at an elevation of 6,700 ft., on the banks of scenic Dorst Creek. Several meadows surround the campground and a number of small streams flow through the site. A handful of popular day-hikes begin from or near the campground, including the trail to Lost Grove, a 57-acre grove containing 15 beautiful sequoias.
Recreation
Dorst Creek lies in the Giant Forest region of Sequoia National Park, where forty miles of trails invite visitors to immerse themselves in the majesty of the ancient groves. Several additional popular hiking and wilderness trailheads are close by, including the Big Trees Trail and the trail to Moro Rock, a granite dome with spectacular views of the Great Western Divide and western half of the park. Tokopah Falls Trail is an easy walk along the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River, leading to an impressive 1,200 ft. waterfall. Fly-fishing is a popular activity on Dorst Creek and the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River.
Facilities
The campground is very popular with tent and RV campers alike. It has paved roads, flush toilets, and drinking water, but no electricity. Picnic tables, fire rings, and bear food storage boxes are provided at each site. A free dump station is located on-site. Lodgepole Village is nine miles away, offering a visitor center, nightly Interpretive Ranger programs, a market, deli, snack bar, gift shop, post office, coin-operated showers and laundry facilities.
Natural Features
Lodgepole pine, red fir, and shrubs forest the campground, while towering groves of giant sequoias and craggy granite peaks dot the landscape. This region is characterized by warm days and cool nights in the summer and deep snow and cold days in the winter.
Nearby Attractions
The inspiring Giant Forest Grove, General Sherman Tree, General Grant Tree, Moro Rock and Tunnel Log are just 9-17 miles away, as well as the informative Lodgepole Visitor Center and Giant Forest Museum. Colorful Crescent Meadow offers views of vivid summer wildflowers and access to Tharp's Log, a cabin in a fallen sequoia. Tours into Crystal Cave, one of hundreds of marble caves in the park, give visitors an interesting view of rock formations, fossils, rare minerals and unique wildlife. Tickets are required. Reserve in advance on www.recreation.gov. Tickets may also be purchased same day, if available, at the Lodgepole Visitor Center. Tickets are not sold at the cave entrance. The Crystal Cave is about about a one hour drive (21 miles/34 km) from the campground. Vehicles longer than 22 feet long are prohibited on the narrow winding Crystal Cave Road.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (559) 565-4404.
Charges & Cancellations
Payment in full will be charged to your credit card upon completion of the reservation. A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation. Additional fees will apply for late cancellations. For individual campsites: All cancellations made between midnight on the day before arrival and check out time on the day after arrival are considered late cancellations and will incur a $10.00 cancellation fee and will also forfeit the first nights use fee. Cancellations for a single nights reservation will forfeit the entire use fee but no cancellation fee will apply. For group campsites: All cancellations made within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date are considered late cancellations and will incur the $10.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's use fee. Cancellations for a single night's use will forfeit the entire use fee but no cancellation fee will apply. If your campsite remains vacant for 24 hours after your arrival date it will be cancelled and made available on rec.gov.You will be charged for the first night's campsite fee and a $10 cancellation fee, all other fees after that will be refunded. Recreation.gov policies apply to all reservations, cancellations, refunds and date changes. Call (559) 565-4404 if you will be arriving 24 hours after your arrival date so your site won't be cancelled.
Fee Info
ENTRANCE FEES APPLY: 1-7 Day Pass- $35 per vehicle (private, non-commercial). $20 per person (on foot, bicycle, or bus). $30 per motorcycle (not per person). 12 month pass available at Ash Mountain & Big Stump entrance stations. Check www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/fees.htm for details. CAMPING FEES: $32 per night for regular camping and $16 per night for valid lifetime Access Pass, lifetime Senior Pass, and annual Senior Pass. No other passes receive reduced rates. Group sites are $60 - $80 depending on site (see Facility Rates below). 50% Senior Pass and Access Pass discount rates DO NOT APPLY to group sites. If your campsite remains vacant for 24 hours after your arrival date it will be cancelled and made available on rec.gov.You will be charged for the first night's campsite fee and a $10 cancellation fee, all other fees after that will be refunded. Recreation.gov policies apply to all reservations, cancellations, refunds and date changes. Call (559) 565-4404 if you will be arriving 24 hours after your arrival date so your site won't be cancelled.
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Dorst Campground will not open for campground reservations in 2026.Disaster recovery efforts are still underway in areas of the parks, including Dorst Campground.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundDorst Creek Campground — Sequoia National Park - TEMPORARILY CLOSED is located in California
Directions
Both roads leading to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks approach from the west. They are open all day, every day, depending on weather. From the east, no roads reach the park boundary. The main park road, The Generals Highway, connects the north and south entrances. Winter storms may cause temporary closures from Grant Grove to Lodgepole. It takes about 1 1/4 hours to drive to the campground from the south park entrance (198E) or 45 minutes from the north park entrance (180E). Notice: Vehicles longer than 22 feet (including trailers) are not advised between Potwisha Campground and the Giant Forest Museum. Visitors with vehicles over 22 feet in total length hoping to visit the Giant Forest or camp at Lodgepole and Dorst Creek Campgrounds are advised to enter via the northern, Highway 180, entrance to these parks. Arriving from the south (Highway 198): From Highways 65 or 99, go east on Highway 198E. Follow signs for Sequoia National Park to the park entrance. Highway 180E may be reached from Highway 198E using Highway 63N from Visalia. Arriving from the north (Highway 180): From Fresno, take Highway 180E, following signs to Kings Canyon National Park. Once in the park, follow signs to Sequoia National Park and Lodgepole.
Address
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park 47050 Generals Highway
Three rivers, CA 93271
Coordinates
36.6361111 N
118.8097222 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Pull-Through Sites
Contact
General Info
Reservations
Drive Time
- 1 hr 27 min from Fresno, CA
- 1 hr 40 min from Visalia, CA
- 1 hr 52 min from Hanford, CA
- 2 hrs 44 min from Bakersfield, CA
