Looking for the best campgrounds near Sequoia National Forest, CA? There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. Find the best campgrounds near Sequoia National Forest, CA. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.
$34 - $36 / night
"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."
"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."
$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."
"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."
"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."
$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"
"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"
$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."
"Dog friendly. My lab went swimming everyday. There is also a creek that runs through the campground. Lots of nearby hiking. Lake Isabella is close as well."
"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"
$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!"
$34 - $36 / night
"If you can, get a spot that is next to the river. We had a great time lounging by the river, fishing, and just hanging around. The bathrooms were clean, and the camp host was great too."
"It's next to a general store, hamburger stand and restaurant. The sites are spaced out well with some right on the river."
RangerThis is a very beautiful campground small but very secluded with a river running through it just above the Springville in the Sequoia National forest
LegendWe stopped here on the way into Sequoia National Forest knowing the Kern River sites would be full. There were lots of families playing by the water here and it was nice to have our dog out and swimming for a little bit.
There is only one pit toilet bathroom so that was rough waiting for the line to go down. Kernville isn't far away so you can go to town easily to get supplies and food.
GuideAbout 45 minutes drive into Sequoia National Forest, you find yourself at this spacious campsite...and yes, no cell phone service! You're surrounded by forest so there's bear lockers and you'll need some bug spray. The mosquitos like it out there. It's not too bad though. There's running water there. Well kept and the Rangers have a little classroom area where they have Bear Safety talks, trail info, lessons, all for free! The bathrooms were fine.
TravelerA nice secluded campground up the river from kern’s more populated sites, in the heart of the Sequoia National Forest. First come first serve style camp site, showed up at 5 pm on a last minute late night camping trip and arrived to an empty campground.
LegendThis is our favorite campground in the Sequoia National Forest, of the four we've stayed in. As long as you are 25 feet away from the river you can camp anywhere you want, so definitely not restricted to the parking lot area. There are some beautiful spots high up on a bank overlooking the stream. A quick walk down to the stream allows for quick refreshing dips whenever you want. The sound of the stream makes for wonderful white noise at night.
Facilities. There are vault toilets. During the summer season there are also trash bins provided. Unfortunately this campground does not have separate recycling bins nor running water. But hey, it's free! Just make sure to apply for your fire permit online ahead of time to be allowed to set up campfires or use camp stoves.
Dogs allowed throughout the forest as long as they are on leash.
Activities in the area:
GuideWe were unable to get into Sequoia National Forest due to damage on the road, which is no fault to the campground. But besides the national forest not much to do around the area unless you have watercraft. I do believe there are boat rentals. The lake is beautiful & peaceful, lovely sunsets there. Bathrooms are remodeled and very nice! Our site was at the end and did not have the cover over picnic table which would have been nice to know, bc we would have choose anothet but not a big deal. We had Verizon services work well there. Little t-mobile service.
GuideThis campground is a great area for yourself to be immersed into the forest. We arrived on a Sunday and there were first come first serve campgrounds available. We stayed one night but there were plenty of spots to choose from. 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. There is no service within the campground so make sure you have everything available to you. There are 2 hikes nearby but unfortunately one of the hikes, Freeman Creek Trail, was closed due to restoration work being done at the time. Definitely would recommend if you plan a little trip into Sequoia National Forest.
TravelerWe spent four nights at the end of July in this beautiful campground in Sequoia National Forest. The entrance to the road which leads from Sherman Pass to the campground does not give a clear indication that there is, in fact, a campground at the end. It’s an old logging road which we had to take quite slowly in our Hyundai Sonata, but we were very glad that we did. There are several hikes which are accessible from the campground. The water is potable, but spring fed, so availability is dependent upon whether things have dried up for the season. The nearest supplies are an hour one-way and there is no cell or wifi anywhere nearby. The camp host, Wayne , has been hosting the campground for 20 years and does a great job. The campsites are a truly mixed bag. Some are spacious, shady, flat, and along a creek while others seem a bit more attractive to those who are part mountain goat and do not require level surfaces for any reason.😁. At 7,600 ft., the nights dropped into the forties. A welcome break from the southern CA heat. We will definitely be returning often!
RangerReview
Made reservation on Recreation.gov. Arrived at 4pm. Sites are said to be assigned upon arrival. Camp host was the only tent found pitched in the entire campground. It’s during the pandemic and some places are closed. Campground sign said full. Yelled to see if anyone was there in the campsite and no answer from the camp host. Left a voicemail with campground to let them know my name and reservation info and I have was going to look for a spot. Picked a spot with shade - very few available. Some trees, but not large Sequoias like you may expect since it’s near the Sequoia National Forest. This place is desert hot and might be a bit miserable for folks to just hangout here. There’s no hookups. It’s near Lake Isabella. Went to bed and didn’t see a camp host that evening. ANTS!! So many ants in my camper in the morning. Ack!! Talked to a waitress in town and she says the campground I was at is known for an ant problem. Had to get diatomaceous earth at the hardware store in town along with ant traps galore now that my camper was overrun. Find out from the locals this campground has a reputation for being bad. I had to reconsider my plan to stay there and went elsewhere... so frustrating.
Discovering pet-friendly camping options near Sequoia National Forest allows you to enjoy the great outdoors with your furry companions. Here are some excellent campgrounds that welcome pets and offer a variety of amenities and activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Sequoia National Park and Sequoia National Forest for pet owners?
The key difference is that Sequoia National Forest has significantly fewer pet restrictions than Sequoia National Park. In the forest, pets are generally allowed throughout campgrounds and on most trails when leashed. National Park regulations are much stricter - dogs are prohibited on all trails, in wilderness areas, and must remain within developed areas like roads, campgrounds, and picnic areas. Sequoia RV Ranch offers a convenient base near the park entrance with a dedicated dog park. Lemon Cove Village also provides pet-friendly accommodations with a dog exercise area about 30 minutes from the forest entrance.
Which campgrounds in Sequoia National Forest are most pet-friendly?
Several campgrounds in Sequoia National Forest offer excellent accommodations for pets. Brush Creek Recreation Site stands out with its open camping policy allowing pets to enjoy the stream and surrounding areas. Stine Cove Recreation Site is another great option with water access where dogs can swim and play. Both sites provide natural settings with ample space for pets to explore while keeping them on leash when required. Many forest campgrounds have fewer restrictions than national parks, making them ideal for camping with four-legged companions.
Are dogs allowed in Sequoia National Forest campgrounds?
Yes, dogs are allowed in all Sequoia National Forest campgrounds. Headquarters Campground and Sequoia National Forest Quaking Aspen Campground welcome pets while offering immersive forest experiences. Dogs must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times within developed recreation sites and are not permitted to be left unattended. Always clean up after your pet and be mindful of wildlife. Many campers report positive experiences bringing their dogs to forest campgrounds, but it's important to follow proper pet etiquette to ensure everyone's enjoyment.
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