This post contains affiliate links.
Sequoia National Park has some of the most iconic trees in the world, and several campgrounds in the area where you can set up your RV. Not all campgrounds are created equal, so this guide is here to help you find the right one and get the most out of your vacation to the redwoods.
Where can you camp in Sequoia National Park? Whether you want a secluded campground in the park or all of the amenities you can get, there’s a campground near Sequoia National Park that has exactly what you’re looking for.
Chances are you’ve rolled up to a campground before and been less than impressed. Maybe you were expecting hookups and amenities that weren’t there, or maybe your neighbors were a little too close for comfort. This guide will ensure you don’t have any surprises during your vacation to Sequoia National Park, and help you find the perfect campground.
It’s important to remember Sequoia has many narrow, winding and steep roads. Many of which have size restrictions so double check your rig length and the National Parks road restrictions.
Best Full Hookup Campgrounds In and Near Sequoia National Park
I’ll admit it – I’m a little pampered when it comes to my camping style. I like having all of the hookups and amenities, and while I can rough it or boondock for a day or two, after that it starts getting old. If you’re like me and prefer to have a site with everything you want and need, you have to check out these three campgrounds.
Sequoia RV Ranch
Sequoia RV Ranch campground is open year round and has everything you could possibly want from spacious pull-through sites to deluxe sites on the Kaweah River, and almost all of them have full hookups (sewer, 30 and 50 amp power, and water). Every site also has a fire pit and a picnic table, and at least some shade covering.
They have WiFi and cable as well as a laundry room, and the bathhouses have showers available. You can restock or grab anything you may have forgotten at their general store and they have a swimming hole on the river that your whole family can enjoy. You can also find boat rentals and great fishing nearby, as well as horseback riding and mountain biking trails.
This campground is located in the nearby town of Three Rivers, and is just over an hour from the General Sherman Tree in the park if you have a car or an RV that’s under 22 feet long.
If you only have a larger RV, you’ll have to take the long way around to avoid the treacherous mountain passes to the south, and the trip will take you about two and a half hours.
Another option that’s available is the park shuttles. These shuttles run from May 21st-September 13th, and take you to all of the park’s main attractions including the General Sherman Tree, the Giant Forest, the Giant Forest Museum, and others.
There’s also a shuttle that’s $20 and runs to Three Rivers during the summer. You’ll save about an hour on your travel time, and the park admission is covered in the shuttle fare.
Sequoia Campground and Lodge
Sequoia Campground and Lodge is also open year round and offers full hookups as well as cable. They have laundry on-site and bathhouses with showers and a private beach on the Kaweah River. Here you can enjoy games like beach volleyball and horseshoe, or go swimming or rafting in the river.
This campground is also located in Three Rivers and is about fifteen minutes closer to the entrance of Sequoia National Park than Sequoia RV Ranch. This also makes it about fifteen minutes farther if you have to go the long way into the heart of the park unless you take the shuttle.
Lodgepole Campground
While Lodgepole Campground does not have full hookups, none of the campgrounds in Sequoia National Park proper have full hookups, this is going to be your best option for overall amenities and location. This campground is open seasonally, with different sections being open for different windows. The loop that is open the longest is D Loop from April 15th-December 2nd.
There is a dump station and a water station available in the campground, but no electricity provided. Every site does come with a food locker to protect it from bears, however. Sites are available only with a reservation from mid-June through mid-September. The reservation site will help you find a site suitable for your RV size.
In the nearby Lodgepole Village, you can find a market, deli, gift shop, and laundry, and the free in-park shuttle makes a stop at both the village and the campground.
This campground is less than 10 minutes from the General Sherman Tree and less than 15 minutes from the Giant Forest. It’s also very close to multiple trailheads, including the trail leading to Tokopah Falls. I think it’s safe to say that this is the best RV camping in Sequoia National Park that you’ll find.
Best Small RV Campgrounds In and Near Sequoia National Park
Traveling light? You’re in luck – RVs over 25 feet are prohibited on multiple roads and there are several campgrounds with length limits as well. If you’ve got a small rig, you’ll enjoy these smaller, more intimate campgrounds.
Potwisha Campground
While Potwisha Campground has sites that can accommodate larger RVs, the roads leading up to it are what ultimately make it a small RV campground. You don’t want to attempt the road between Potwisha and the visitor center if your camper is more than 24 feet long, and the road to the north going up to the Giant Forest Museum isn’t recommended for rigs over 22 feet either.
Despite the treacherous roads, this campground is one of a select few in the park that has sites open year-round. There are no hookups on any of the sites but there is a dump station, and the sites are situated in a grassy meadow dotted with oak trees. All sites are reservable from early May to late September.
This campground is about 40 minutes from the Giant Forest and the General Sherman Tree, but the free shuttle does also pass by if you would prefer to let someone else do the driving.
Landslide Campground
Between Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks is the Giant Sequoia National Monument, and Landslide Campground is right in the middle of it. You’ll find Landslide Campground along the Landslide Creek, and it’s about an hour north of the General Sherman Tree.
This campground has only 3 RV sites for rigs under 16 feet, and a total of 9 sites in the whole loop. There is a water station available and vault toilets, but no other hookups or amenities are around.
Though the campground is technically open through the winter, the road to get to it is not maintained so you may not want to risk it. Hiking trails that wind through groves of giant sequoias pass nearby, and you’ll definitely feel the call of the wild in this remote campground.
Tenmile Campground
Just south of Landslide is another quiet campground, Tenmile Campground, nestled in the mountains called Tenmile. The only amenities in this campground are vault toilets, and there are absolutely no hookups.
Its 13 sites can hold RVs up to 22 feet, but it’s on the same unmaintained road as Landslide Campground. While it’s a little difficult to access is well worth the pristine location.
Best Basic RV Campgrounds In and Near Sequoia National Park
If you prefer the more rough and rustic approach, there are plenty of campgrounds around the park that’ll do the trick. These three are the ones that are closest to Sequoia, and have the best basic camping setup.
Azalea Campground
You can find this Azalea campground in the Sequoia National Forest, and it’s about an hour north of the Giant Forest and the General Sherman Tree. Azalea is open from May 20th to September 9th, with no hookups on any of the sites but generators are allowed between 9am-9pm. There are flushable toilets in their facilities and food storage boxes at the sites, but the rest is as rustic as it gets.
The size of RV this campground can accommodate varies by site and all sites are on a first come first served basis. Unfortunately none of the sizes are listed online so it’s best to check the size restrictions on the roads leading to Azalea and to call the National Park for more information.
Big Meadows
Not to be confused with the campground in Shenandoah with the same name, this Big Meadow Campground is just over 45 minutes northeast of the main attractions of Sequoia National Park. You will get a food storage box and a fire ring at each site, but there are no hookups or other amenities besides vault toilets.
Big Meadows is also open seasonally and is located next to a horse trail. Sites are reservable and the reservation site includes information like RV size and whether the site is back-in or pull through. So you can pick a site you know will work for your set-up.
Dorst Creek Campground
Dorst Creek Campground is located near the northern lip of the Sequoia National Park, and is about 15 minutes away from the General Sherman Tree. There are no hookups on any of the sites but they do have a dump station that is open in the summer. Generator use is allowed between 8 and 11 am and from 5 to 8 pm.
The free park shuttle comes by this campground. The proximity of Dorst Creek to the heart of the park makes it the ideal basic campground for those looking to rough it in Sequoia.
During peak season all sites are reservable but in September and there are multiple first-come, first-serve sites available for those who don’t have a reservation. Sites have paved areas for vehicles and can accommodate most sizes of RV. Some are even pull-through, you can check on the reservation site for the best spots for your rig size.
Closing Thoughts
Whether you’re like me and prefer to have all of the hookups or you just have a better time keeping it basic, there’s a campground that will help you make the most of your vacation in Sequoia National Park.
Just remember while Sequoia is a spectacular national park there are many vehicle restrictions due to windy, narrow, and steep roads so you should plan your route ahead of time using the National Park road guide or take advantage of the numerous shuttles available.
Related Articles
If you are looking for more information about other amazing National Parks and National Monuments check out our other articles
Visit Mount Rushmore in Your RV – Getting There and Parking
Craters of the Moon National Monument – Where it is, What to See and Where to stay
Yellowstone National Park – 11 Tips to Enjoy it in Your RV