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Camping near Sequoia National Forest

947 Reviews

Sequoia National Forest has good camping options throughout the year. Spring and fall bring nice weather that's great for hiking around the forest. Summer gets crowded, especially in Sequoia National Park, so you'll want to reserve your spot ahead of time. Horse Creek Campground gives you a quiet place to stay with trails nearby. If you're visiting the National Park, there are campsites with bathrooms and showers that work well for families. Most forest roads are in decent shape, though some spots might need a vehicle with higher clearance. The winter can be cold with some roads closed, so it's smart to check conditions before heading out. You'll need reservations during busy times, and booking early is a good idea. The campgrounds fit both tents and RVs, and some have hookups for electricity and water. You'll be camping among giant sequoias, mountains, and rivers while you're there. Sequoia National Forest works well for short trips or longer stays, depending on what you're looking for.

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Best Camping Sites Near Sequoia National Forest (193)

    1. Limestone Campground

    10 Reviews
    Johnsondale, CA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 376-1815

    $34 - $36 / night

    "Easily accessed campground located right on the Kern River in the lower Sequoia Forest. No service, running water, or electricity, but there is vault toilets and dogs are allowed."

    "The lsites are not as close to the river as Brush Creek campground, but still closer than Fairview, which is down the road.

    Facilities. There are vault toilets."

    2. Sequoia National Forest Quaking Aspen Campground

    10 Reviews
    Camp Nelson, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 539-5230

    $34 - $233 / night

    "The roads around the campground are drivable for all type of cars. Due keep in mind you will need a to obtain campfire permit online before you arrive depending if there are fire restrictions or not."

    "The campground hosts never came around and it felt like we could have stayed for free. We had some questions about the area and in order to get some answers we had to drive to the nearest people."

    3. Dispersed Camp near Sequoia National Park

    7 Reviews
    Johnsondale, CA
    3 miles

    "Regardless they were gorgeous tucked in spots among the trees. Woke up to cattle walking through the meadow we parked next to."

    "This camping site is a nice free area super close to the Giants Trail entrance (5 minute drive). As you head in you go thru a little dirt road and at the end you see an opening for this site."

    4. Sequoia National Park Dispersed campground

    7 Reviews
    Johnsondale, CA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 565-3341

    "Next to stream. Then if you continue on you will hit a 4 mile off road (my Corolla/any sedan OK) and see great views and waterfall! Nice!"

    "The area is secluded and away from kern campgrounds where you will see a lot of people. You will have some people checking out the area or driving in but for us they all left."

    5. Holey Meadow Campground

    7 Reviews
    Johnsondale, CA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 539-5230

    $32 - $34 / night

    "A small, quiet campground that’s good for groups of 2-4 people since the sites are close to each other."

    "The campsites are close to each other and is the only reason I did not mark this as 5 stars. 1, 2, 3 and 4 are in the first section/small loop and are up a slight hill and have a smaller bathroom. 5 and"

    6. Brush Creek Recreation Site

    7 Reviews
    Johnsondale, CA
    6 miles
    Website

    "This is our favorite campground in the Sequoia National Forest, of the four we've stayed in."

    "We camped right next to the river. It was such a peaceful place and the sounds of the river right next to our camp was just heaven on earth. We stayed for 2 nights in June 2020"

    7. Rivernook Campground

    27 Reviews
    Kernville, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 376-2705

    $45 - $75 / night

    "We tent camped and our site was close to the rv hook up sites. The rv sites have two different sizes and hookups. Tent sites had access to running water."

    "We loved this river spot even though we were next to one of the smaller parts rather than the main river. If you can try and get one near the main river as it is more picturesque. "

    8. Leavis Flat Campground

    9 Reviews
    California Hot Springs, CA
    11 miles
    Website

    "This small roadside campground is a lovely spot, tucked between a hillside and Deer Creek running year round right at the edge of the campground."

    "There is a market close by Incase you forgot something, when you go back on the road make a right and at the intersection make another fight and ir should take you to the market."

    9. Dome Rock Dispersed Camping

    6 Reviews
    Sequoia National Forest, CA
    5 miles

    "It’s on the slightly off road to Dome Rock. I didn’t get any traffic except some deer. Internet works on the Dome itself but spotty in the camping areas"

    "Typical BLM site, good cell coverage, close to the city"

    10. Redwood Meadow

    5 Reviews
    Johnsondale, CA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 539-5230

    $34 - $106 / night

    "However, it is located directly across from the trailhead to the Trail of 100 Giants, a 1/2 mile walking tour of some of the biggest trees Sequoia has to offer."

    "We stayed here in October after the yurts had been taken down which was no bother to us when you’re surrounded by the most magnificent trees in the world!"

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Recent Camping Photos near Sequoia National Forest

328 Photos of 193 Sequoia National Forest Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Sequoia National Forest

947 Reviews of 193 Sequoia National Forest Campgrounds

  • Lou F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Tule - Success Lake

    Cool at night and hot in the day

    I got here at 3pm and it was hot with no shade. By 5 pm it cool of and was very pleasant. Very good showers and restroom to freshen up in.

  • Elise F.
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Whitney Portal

    Favorite campground of all time

    Whitney Portal is a magical place. The second you pull into the campground, it feels like unlike anywhere else I’ve ever been. Whitney portal is exactly what a campground should be. There is a creek that runs throughout the campground that provides perfect background noise. Even though the sites are pretty close to each other, we could not hear a neighbor once because of the sound of the creek. This area is allegedly infested with black bears, but we didn’t see any this time. Bear boxes are provided at each campsite. There are spigots for water, clean, vault toilets, and bear-proof, garbages and recycle bins. It did get chilly at night, but as long as you bundle up in your tent, you’ll be completely fine. There are tons of mountain squirrels running around the campground frequently, and they are so cute and entertaining to watch. If you aren’t planning to summit Mount Whitney. I highly recommend the lone Pine Trail, which leads up to an alpine lake, which is absolutely gorgeous. Meysan Lake was also beautiful. I didn’t have cell service at this campsite, but other areas up near the portal do have limited service, but also the city of lone Pine is about a 15 minute drive down the mountain. Overall, this is my favorite campsite I’ve ever been to. 10/10.

  • b
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Kern River Campground

    Very chill

    Great serene spot (aside from a few noisy campers) by the river, liked it so much we camped out for 3 days. Great price too! Close enough to civilization but far enough you forget it's nearby. Would recommend!

  • french M.
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Stine Cove Recreation Site

    Stine Cove

    I'm looking for a campsite near water and a nice mountain view, will definitely add Stine Cove to my next trip list.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Sequoia RV Ranch

    Beautiful & Quiet

    Beautiful and well kept campground. Also loved the fact that loud music is not allowed. The sites by the river are amazing. There is also a really nice, large, and clean dog park! Will stay here again!

  • Kenneth P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Balch Park Campground

    Fantastic Family Campground

    This is a historic campground. With 1000 year old trees and history of logging. Good fishing and hiking all around the area. Nice hosts and most people are respectful of the area.

  • K L.
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Tuttle Creek Campground — Alabama Hills

    Scenic but misleading

    Labor day weekend and half the campground is closed, water faucets are locked, and dump station is closed. We specifically chose this campground for the convenience of water and dump station. Otherwise, the sites are spread apart and the scenery is beautiful.

  • J M.
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Alabama Hills North

    Great views

    Awesome location, easy to reach with a 4X4 Low clearance vehicles may need to be careful

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 22, 2025

    Sequoia Boondock

    Beautiful location

    Beautiful, quiet & remote location! Very limited and spotty cell service so difficult to pin exactly. Coming off the General Highway at Forest Rt 14S29 keep going along the paved road until it ends and you’ll find it (about 2 or 3 miles) Campfire stones rings available. Unfortunately previously campers didn’t respect the area and we had to pick up a bit of litter. There were also some signs of bear activity (bags clawed through) but we didn’t see any (unfortunately)… room for about 4 sites but we went mid Aug and we’re the only ones there!! Highly recommend if you’re looking for something quiet and off the beaten track.

Guide to Sequoia National Forest

Camping near Sequoia National Forest, California, offers a mix of stunning scenery and outdoor adventures. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking: There are numerous trails around the campgrounds. For example, at Potwisha Campground — Sequoia National Park, you can start a 6-mile hike that leads to beautiful waterfalls. One visitor mentioned, "The campground was full, but the creek is very pretty."
  • Fishing: Many campgrounds are near water bodies. At Horse Creek Campground, one camper noted, "This place is awesome... knowing that certain times of the year it actually goes underwater is pretty cool."
  • Swimming: If you're looking for a refreshing dip, KRS RV Resort@Camp James has excellent spots right on the Kern River. A reviewer said, "Excellent spots right on the Kern River. So many things to do."

What campers like:

  • Scenic views: Campers rave about the beautiful surroundings. One visitor at Limestone Campground said, "Campsites are above the river in a pretty narrow canyon. Spacious sites with trees for shade."
  • Clean facilities: Many campgrounds pride themselves on cleanliness. A camper at Three Rivers Hideaway shared, "Clean restrooms and showers, nice picnic tables and fire rings."
  • Friendly staff: Good service can make a trip memorable. A visitor at Sequoia RV Ranch mentioned, "The camp host was very friendly and helpful."

What you should know:

  • Crowded during peak season: Many campgrounds can get busy, especially in summer. A camper at Potwisha Campground noted, "Reservations required and we were able to reserve online just before we arrived. The campground was full."
  • Limited amenities: Some campgrounds may not have all the comforts. A reviewer at Kennedy Meadows Campground said, "The campground has been abandoned for years... no water, no trash, no bathrooms."
  • Noise levels: Be prepared for noise from other campers. One visitor at Rivernook Campground expressed disappointment, saying, "No one enforced the 10pm quiet time; it was super loud until about 1am."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose family-friendly campgrounds: Look for places with amenities like clean restrooms and activities for kids. A camper at Three Rivers Hideaway said, "Fantastic secluded campground with all amenities you need."
  • Plan for noise: Bring earplugs or white noise machines if you're sensitive to sounds. A visitor at Rivernook Campground mentioned, "People drive way too fast through the campground."
  • Pack snacks and drinks: Having food on hand can make family outings easier. A reviewer at KRS RV Resort@Camp James noted, "Prices are a tad high but expected with a clean upscale campground."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at KRS RV Resort@Camp James mentioned, "Sites are close together and site 4 has a small uphill to back into."
  • Look for full hookups: Many RVers prefer campgrounds with full hookups for convenience. A visitor at Sequoia RV Ranch said, "Full hookups, close to everything."
  • Be aware of wildlife: Keep food stored properly to avoid unwanted visitors. A camper at Horse Creek Campground shared, "Knowing that certain times of the year it actually goes underwater is pretty cool."

Camping near Sequoia National Forest, California, can be a fantastic experience with the right preparation and knowledge. Enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best campgrounds in Sequoia National Forest?

Sequoia National Forest offers several outstanding campgrounds for nature lovers. Brush Creek Recreation Site is highly regarded for its flexible camping options near the river and beautiful spots overlooking the stream. Quaking Aspen Campground provides an immersive forest experience with first-come, first-served sites that are accessible via roads suitable for all vehicle types. Other excellent options include Upper Stony Creek with its spacious sites and bear lockers, and Horse Meadow Campground which offers a beautiful setting despite its somewhat hidden access road. For those seeking seclusion, Coy Flat Campground provides a small but private experience with a river running through it near Springville.

Do I need reservations for camping in Sequoia National Forest?

Reservation policies vary throughout Sequoia National Forest. Headquarters Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis, making it ideal for spontaneous trips. Visitors have reported finding available sites even arriving as late as 5 PM. In contrast, Hungry Gulch requires reservations through Recreation.gov, with sites assigned upon arrival. For more developed options, Limestone Campground and Redwood Meadow are reservable campgrounds. During peak summer months and holidays, securing reservations where available is recommended. For non-reservable sites, arriving mid-week or early in the day offers the best chance of securing a spot.

Where can I find BLM camping in Sequoia National Forest?

Sequoia National Forest offers several dispersed camping options. Stine Cove Recreation Site provides dispersed camping with water access, making it a good alternative when Kern River sites are full. While limited to one pit toilet, it's popular for families enjoying water activities. Dome Rock Dispersed Camping is another free option with drive-in access. For dispersed camping near water, Brush Creek Recreation Site allows camping anywhere as long as you're at least 25 feet away from the river. Remember that dispersed camping in Sequoia National Forest typically means pack-in, pack-out ethics apply, with limited or no facilities and no reservation system.

What water recreation opportunities are available while camping in Sequoia National Forest?

Sequoia National Forest offers diverse water recreation activities for campers. Tule - Success Lake provides excellent opportunities for boating, with boat rentals available, and features beautiful sunset views over the peaceful water. The Kern River, accessible from multiple campgrounds including Rivernook Campground, offers swimming, fishing, and whitewater rafting. Stine Cove Recreation Site is popular for families enjoying water play and dog swimming. Many forest streams provide refreshing swimming holes during summer months. For fishing enthusiasts, the area offers trout fishing in mountain streams and larger catches in lake settings. Remember that water conditions can vary seasonally, with spring bringing higher, faster water flows and late summer offering calmer conditions.

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