Notable Campgrounds
- Best for tree lovers: Off the General Highway, the Azalea Campground is just a short walk from the General Grant Grove.
- Best for amenities: Located near the Cedar Grove Village and visitor center, the Sentinel Campground is centrally located, with easy access to amenities.
- Best for river views: The Sheep Creek Campground offers several scenic riverside loops, and is popular with RVs.
Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
- From May to September, reserve a campsite as soon as you know your dates. Reservable campgrounds can be booked up to one month in advance.
- If you don’t have a reservation, arrive first thing in the morning to grab a site at a first-come, first-served campground.
- Be sure to check on seasonal opening and closing dates, which vary by campground.
When to Go
Summer is the most popular time to visit the park. It’s also the best time to explore the high country wilderness, as it’s usually covered by snow during other times. Several campgrounds offer summer programs. Visit in the spring and early summer for waterfalls and wildflowers. The Panoramic Point Road closes once snow falls and reopens when the snow has melted or Memorial Day weekend. Enjoy winter activities like sledding and cross country skiing once there is snow on the ground.
Know Before You Go
- One entrance fee covers access to Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks and Sequoia National Forest.
- Wilderness permits are required for overnight stays in the backcountry. There is a quota in place from May to September.
- RVs are not permitted on the Panoramic Point Road. There are no RV hookups. Dump stations are only available summer at the Forest service Princess Campground.
- Be bear aware and use bear-proof containers for proper food storage.
- Anglers 16 and older require fishing licenses.
Kings Canyon National Park Cabin Rentals
High up in the Sierra Nevada, the giant sequoia trees, rugged peaks, and clean mountain air of Kings Canyon National Park are what cabin camping dreams are made of. The sole option for cabin camping within the park, the Grant Grove Cabins put you right in the heart of Grant Grove Village and within walking distance of the General Grant Tree. These cabin rentals include a mix of rustic log cabins, tent cabins, and spacious oversized cabins with amenities like electricity, heating, wood burning stoves, and picnic tables, plus access to showers and toilets in shared bath houses. Reservations for the Grant Grove Cabins are competitive, but fortunately, Hipcamp also has a variety of bookable mountain cabins and vacation rentals near Kings Canyon that offer spectacular Sierra Nevada experiences with easy day-use access to both Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park.
Kings Canyon National Park
This spot is home to the country's deepest canyon and its largest grove of sequoia trees.
John Muir considered Kings Canyon National Park to be a rival to Yosemite, and it’s easy to see why, with an expansive landscape of meadows, canyons, mountains, waterfalls, and groves of towering sequoia trees. Highlights include the glacially carved Kings Canyon, Panoramic Point and its sweeping views, Redwood Canyon with more than 15,000 sequoias, and the General Grant Tree, the second largest tree in the world. Seven developed campgrounds near the main Grant Grove and Cedar Grove visitor areas offer campsites for tents and RVs, but there are also vast areas of wilderness best explored on an overnight backcountry trip.
John Muir considered Kings Canyon National Park to be a rival to Yosemite, and it’s easy to see why, with an expansive landscape of meadows, canyons, mountains, waterfalls, and groves of towering sequoia trees. Highlights include the glacially carved Kings Canyon, Panoramic Point and its sweeping views, Redwood Canyon with more than 15,000 sequoias, and the General Grant Tree, the second largest tree in the world. Seven developed campgrounds near the main Grant Grove and Cedar Grove visitor areas offer campsites for tents and RVs, but there are also vast areas of wilderness best explored on an overnight backcountry trip.
Activities in the park
7 campgrounds in Kings Canyon National Park
Located under open stands of evergreen pines, this campground has more than 100 sites situated at 6,500 feet above sea level. It is about 3. 5 miles away from the Kings Canyon park entrance in the Grant Cove area, and offers ranger programs in the summer. Like most campgrounds of this size, you will be relatively close to your neighbor, but sites Read more...
This spot is located about 4 miles into the park from the entrance near Grant Grove, close to Azalea Campground. Situated among pine groves at 6,500 feet, it is a much smaller campground than Azalea, with 36 individual sites and 13 mid-sized group sites (7 to 15 people). Campsites are spacious and nicely placed, and just about a ¼ of a mile Read more...
This campground has a lovely spot in the canyon along the South Fork of the Kings River, meaning you are just steps from one of the loveliest vistas in the park. This campground has a little bit of a wonky schedule: One loop is open April 24 through October 15 for early season, all loops are open May 21-28 for Memorial Day holiday, and all the loo Read more...
The best feature of this campground is in its name, and the vista certainly doesn’t disappoint! This campground is really only for larger groups, with 12 mid-sized group sites (7 to 19 people) and 4 large group sites (20 to 40 people) that are first-come, first-serve. The site is open from May 21 to September 29, and has showers, laundry and groc Read more...
Also located in Kings Canyon like nearby Sentinel Campground, this campground is on the middle fork of the Kings River. Located at 4,600 feet, these 111 campsites are first come, first serve, and located to the west of charming Sheep Creek. There are groceries, showers and laundry access at nearby Cedar Grove Village (a quarter mile away). A Read more...
Moraine Campground is also located on the Middle Fork of the Kings River, and at 120 sites, it is one of the largest in the park. Like most of the bigger campgrounds at the park, the sites are numerous but fairly well spaced. There are flush toilets, but the nearest groceries, showers and laundry are ¾ of a mile down the road at Cedar Grove Villag Read more...
Despite being one of the larger campgrounds in Kings Canyon (there are 157 individual sites and 2 group sites), the high elevation means nice temperatures in the summertime and the sites are nicely spaced. This campground is really an ideal car-camping spot, which is nice if you are planning to cover ground during your trip. Also located near Gran Read more...
Why can't I see these campgrounds when I search with dates?
Notable Campgrounds
Notable Campgrounds
Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
When to Go
Summer is the most popular time to visit the park. It’s also the best time to explore the high country wilderness, as it’s usually covered by snow during other times. Several campgrounds offer summer programs. Visit in the spring and early summer for waterfalls and wildflowers. The Panoramic Point Road closes once snow falls and reopens when the snow has melted or Memorial Day weekend. Enjoy winter activities like sledding and cross country skiing once there is snow on the ground.
Know Before You Go
Kings Canyon National Park Cabin Rentals
High up in the Sierra Nevada, the giant sequoia trees, rugged peaks, and clean mountain air of Kings Canyon National Park are what cabin camping dreams are made of. The sole option for cabin camping within the park, the Grant Grove Cabins put you right in the heart of Grant Grove Village and within walking distance of the General Grant Tree. These cabin rentals include a mix of rustic log cabins, tent cabins, and spacious oversized cabins with amenities like electricity, heating, wood burning stoves, and picnic tables, plus access to showers and toilets in shared bath houses. Reservations for the Grant Grove Cabins are competitive, but fortunately, Hipcamp also has a variety of bookable mountain cabins and vacation rentals near Kings Canyon that offer spectacular Sierra Nevada experiences with easy day-use access to both Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park.
Frequently asked questions
Can you camp anywhere in Kings Canyon National Park?
You cannot camp anywhere in Kings Canyon National Park, but there are designated campgrounds within the park where you can camp. Some campgrounds are available on a first-come, first-served basis, while others require reservations. You can find more information about camping options in Kings Canyon on Hipcamp.
Backcountry camping is also allowed in Kings Canyon National Park, but you must obtain a wilderness permit to camp in the backcountry. These permits are issued on a quota system, and you can apply for them online or in person at a visitor center.
Where can I camp for free near Kings Canyon National Park?
Free camping near Kings Canyon can be found in designated areas within the neighboring Sequoia National Forest. These undeveloped sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis and do not have amenities like restrooms, water, or trash services. Be prepared to practice Leave No Trace principles and pack out everything you bring in. Keep in mind that dispersed camping is not allowed within Kings Canyon National Park itself, as camping is only permitted in developed campgrounds that require a fee.
How much does it cost to camp at Kings Canyon National Park?
Camping fees at Kings Canyon National Park vary depending on the campground and the type of site you choose. Tent and RV sites typically range from $18 to $22 per night, while group sites can cost up to $50 per night. Keep in mind that these prices are for public campgrounds within the park. For more information on camping options and pricing, visit the National Park Service Kings Canyon page.
Can you camp in Kings Canyon National Park?
Yes, you can camp at Kings Canyon, located in Kings Canyon National Park. There are several campgrounds within the park, including Grant Grove, Cedar Grove, and other smaller campgrounds. Some campgrounds are available on a first-come, first-served basis, while others accept reservations. Be sure to check the National Park Service Kings Canyon page for more information on campgrounds and availability.
Can you camp along the Kings River?
Yes, you can camp along the Kings River in California. There are several campgrounds and campsites available along the river. One option includes the Kings Canyon National Park. This campground offers a variety of amenities, including tent and RV sites, picnic tables, fire rings, and restrooms. Make sure to check the specific campground for reservation requirements and availability before planning your trip.
How do I get a campsite reservation at Kings Canyon National Park?
Securing a Kings Canyon National Park campsite reservation is usually a challenge due to the park's popularity. Camping trips typically need to be planned months in advance and even then, available campsites can book up within minutes. The good news is that you have other options for last-minute Kings Canyon National Park campsite reservations. Try snagging one by setting up a free Hipcamp alert for any Kings Canyon campground. We'll monitor campground availability, and you'll get instantly notified of any openings that come up for your dates so you can jump on it to reserve the newly open site. Set up an alert.
When should I reserve camping in Kings Canyon National Park?
Most Kings Canyon National Park campsite reservations open up months in advance. However, it's notoriously difficult to secure a Kings Canyon National Park reservation even if you plan ahead, as campsites are often booked up within minutes. To increase your chances of snagging a campsite, set up a free Hipcamp alert for any Kings Canyon campground. We'll monitor campground availability, and you'll get instantly notified of any openings that come up for your dates so you can jump on it to reserve the newly open site. Set up an alert.
Public campgrounds (book externally) —