Best Dispersed Camping near Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Dispersed camping options abound between Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, providing free alternatives when park campgrounds fill up. Several established areas include Cherry Gap OHV Staging Area, Forest Road 14S11 North Camp, Buck Rock Campground, and Forest Road 13S02 Dispersed Site. These primitive sites offer varying levels of seclusion and accessibility. According to one camper, "Cherry Gap is super convenient free camping between Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks. A park ranger directed me here when all the campgrounds in the park were full."
Most dispersed sites require self-sufficiency as amenities are minimal or nonexistent. No drinking water is available, and visitors must pack out all trash. Vault toilets exist at Buck Rock Campground and Big Meadows Horse Camp, but most locations have no facilities. Fire permits are mandatory for all flame sources, including camp stoves. During high fire danger periods, all fires may be prohibited regardless of permits. Cell service is limited throughout the area, with reception generally better on main roads.
Road conditions vary significantly by location and season. Forest Road 13S02 offers "plenty of shade for you, plenty of sun for your solar panel," as one reviewer noted, but some forest roads require high-clearance vehicles, particularly after rain. The Buck Rock area features forested sites with mountain views, though roads can be rutted. Weather fluctuates with elevation; expect cooler temperatures at night, especially at higher elevations. The Chicago Stump, accessible from Cherry Gap, is considered "a must-see" by visitors. All dispersed camping in this region operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations accepted.
