98% (266 reviews)
Astonishing natural diversity and the biggest trees on earth! Plan to be awed.
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Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.
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Stay at a public campground in Sequoia National Forest
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The best camping near Sequoia National Forest guide
Overview
About
Named after the world's largest trees, the forest is home to more than 30 groves of giant sequoias, many of which are protected by the Sequoia National Monument within the park. Besides a rich and diverse forest, the landscape encompasses dramatic canyons, granite monoliths, mountain lakes and streams teeming with fish and roaring whitewater, and nearly a thousand miles of trails for hikers, bikers, horseback riders, and off-roaders. Campers can choose from more than 50 developed campgrounds and historic guard stations and fire lookouts. There are also plenty of dispersed camping options, particularly within six designated wilderness areas, for backpackers seeking solitude and adventure.
Notable campgrounds
- Best for boaters and families: The Paradise Cove Campground is situated along the shores of the motorboat-friendly Lake Isabella, and includes a playground.
- Best for anglers and paddlers: The Headquarters Campground is located right along the banks of the Kern River, ideal for fishing and paddling.
- Best for off roaders and mountain bikers: The Fish Creek Campground is located near a network of OHV and mountain biking trails.
Tips for snagging a campsite
- During peak summer season, plan to reserve a campsite as soon as you know your dates. Reservations can be made up to six months in advance. Some campgrounds require reservations for holiday weekends.
- 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. Some campgrounds may be closed from recent fires.
When to go
Most campgrounds are open from mid May through September or October. July and August are the busiest months and campgrounds fill up early, especially over weekends. Wildflower displays can be dazzling in the spring. Spring and summer are the best times to go whitewater rafting. The best time for trout fishing at Lake Isabella is in the winter months. Activities like skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing are, of course, snow dependent.
Know before you go
- Wilderness permits are required for the Golden Trout Wilderness.
- Campfires outside of developed campgrounds require a campfire permit. Permits are also required for forest products, such as firewood and Christmas trees.
- Boaters must apply in person for permits for the Upper and Lower Kern Runs.
- Be bear aware. Store scented items outside of tents in bear-proof containers.
- Anyone 16 and older must have a fishing license. Additional regulations apply for sections of the Kings and Kern rivers that are deemed wild and scenic.
Nearby attractions
Embark on a unique camping adventure amidst the otherworldly landscape of Trona Pinnacles. Set up camp near the towering Tufa formations, explore the ancient fossil beds, and stargaze under clear night skies.
98%
266 ratings · 65 reviews
Not recommend
· May 2025
This place was closed by the forest service,
Tent · With pets ·
Cedar Creek Campground
This campground has been abandoned and the restrooms removed, gates were installed and are closed.
C
Charles M.
2 reviews
This campground has been abandoned, there are no camp sites, the outhouses were dangerous. I don't believe you can drive down to it anymore. Don't plan a trip there.
C
Charles M.
2 reviews
Recommends
· May 2025
Gorgeous gardens, private campground, adventures
Tent · With pets ·
Belknap Campground
The campsites require a walk-in with a wheelbarrow, but they're quite private when you arrive. Do bring bear spray, as there was reported cougar activity nearby. The hot springs are actually a pool where the water is piped in and it's pleasant. It's possible to take river rafting from the lodge, and it's such a treat! And walking the gardens is magical and you'll often have them all to yourself, perfect for a picnic. Would highly recommend. I would totally go here again, it's just a really long drive from Portland and hard to get to for just a weekend. Stay longer if you make the drive!
Becca P.
5 reviews
April 2024
This campground is closed according to the forest service, it has been abandoned.
C
Charles M.
2 reviews
April 2024
This campground is okay, It seems most folks just stop by for a ight on there way somewhere else. There are some good sites with shade, table and fire ring. Flush restrooms that need updating. It's close to the lake for fishing or kayaking. The road is close so you hear a lot of traffic and the price is what I consider ridiculous at 34 dollars a night. I'll give it a 5 in the summer heat and wind and 6-7 in cooler weather.
C
Charles M.
2 reviews
September 2023
I took a motorcycle trip the back way to Alder creek campground today. Hwy 155 is currently closed. There is basically nothing left of the campground other than the bridge over the creek and the bathrooms. We did not attempt to go into them, very dilapidated. There were however an abundant crop of blackberries. Most high clearance vehicles (maybe a Subaru) could make it in from the Rancheria Road Side. Evans campground right on Rancheria Rd. is way nicer though.
E
Eli H.
1 year on Hipcamp
July 2023
This camp ground is a okay set up but what makes it bad is the camp host that goes around harassing people and then he actually took a pic of my daughter that was laying in the tent saying he was going to report her to forest ranger just because she told him that me and her dad was out jet skiing and it wasn’t noon yet and she didn’t know if we was staying or leaving and mind you this was at around 10:15 am which if we didn’t want to stay (which we didn’t due to this man) had to be out of the campsite by noon. So I really didn’t like how he did that and I made a complaint about him taking pics of my daughter . My husband and I are so upset with Paradise Cove Camp Host that we will never go there again
B
Bee Q.
1 year on Hipcamp
July 2023
Stayed with a small group at site 36, which is a large site with a parking area that can fit 3 cars. We set up 3 large tents, 2 hammocks, plus a lot of cooking equipment, and still had room for more! There's a trail that leads down to the creek right from the site, which we used each day to cool down in the water. Very dog friendly - our group's pups enjoyed themselves too. Vault toilets are clean and the toilet paper was abundant. The price is very reasonable.
Now for the downsides...it was extremely buggy and the people are other sites were loud (driving ATVs and shooting guns).
Whitney L.
5 reviews
Recommends
· June 2022
Come in off hwy 155, not 178 if you’re pulling a trailer. Great spot located right at a trailhead and many other nearby trails. No running water or electricity but it does have an 2 room outhouse. Pitch a tent or park a trailer,1st come gets the spot.
J
Jason M.
3 years on Hipcamp
June 2022
Sadly to say but the lower campground has been closed since 2016, the upper side opens in the summer but there are no toilets, they have been removed, there is very little room for camping, I would not recommend going there.
Bryan M.
4 years on Hipcamp
February 2021
Love camping in Kennedy Meadows! We stay at Fish Camp and really enjoy the large tree coverage and close proximity to the river. Great for fishing, hiking, awesome motorcycle rides! There's also OHV single track trails that are very popular. It's first come first serve for the campsites, so be prepared and get there early. There's also a cute general store that has showers and bathrooms.
Megan M.
5 years on Hipcamp
September 2020
I've camped at Alder creek many times beginning in the late 70's, it used to be a great place to go when it wasn't to hot but now there is nothing left, years ago the forest service pulled out the tables and fire rings, they allowed loggers to clear out the dead trees and they destroyed the campground, left trees lying over the campsites, never put the tables back nor the fire rings. They turned it into a fire hazard, the toilets are falling down. It's a total shame. I was just there on 9/1/2020 and was 100% disappointed . the forest service is destroying all the small out of the way campgrounds.
Bryan M.
4 years on Hipcamp
August 2020
There is no campground at alder creek any more, tables gone, a lot of trees cut and laying all over, the outhouses are falling apart, it's a mess. I used to camp there in spring and fall and it was a good place. The forest service is letting these small campgrounds go back to nature I guess.
Bryan M.
4 years on Hipcamp
July 2020
This is one of the most beautiful places to camp. I have been going here since I was a kid. Right on the Tule River where you can trout fish. All night you can hear the sound of the river rushing by. Other than that it is quiet and serene. Campsites are big and spread out. You need a fire permit for campfires. Minimal parking which is good because it keeps the camping population to a minimum. In peak season you absolutely need reservations. No showers or flush toilets but there are spigots for filling up your water containers. I can’t say enough about how much I love this place. Towed RVs and large motor homes are simply not allowed; there is no place to park them or turn around. In other words, this is a no glamp campground.
M
Mary A.
2 reviews
July 2020
I stayed with a small group at a tent-camping site towards the back of the grounds. Immediately across the street from the campsite is the Trail of 100 Giants. This "Trail" is more of a walking path, but it was still cool to see and worth checking out. Expect to do a bit of driving to get to the more challenging and less crowded hiking spots. A stream runs around the campground, and there is a large meadow adjacent to the campsite. No running water available, but there are pit toilets. No cell service (to me, this is a positive). I enjoyed my stay thoroughly and would return/recommend.
Annie R.
3 reviews
May 2020
The Southern Sierra is being overrun by city folks. Last weekend huge piles of trash were left. The ranger put out over 20 abandoned fires. I witnessed human feces on a log over Peppermint Creek. Places I went to as a teen in the 70s have been discovered by crowds who have no idea how to clean up after themselves. Tagging with spray paint, empty plastic bottles, food wrappers, diapers, piles of shit.
Don’t go here. It’s unsafe.
M.A. S.
5 years on Hipcamp
March 2019
Your photos aren't of Quaking Aspen Campground. There is no lake, there is no waterfall. I've been to the campground a few dozen times. It's not the campground you've pictured.
Dave W.
6 years on Hipcamp
March 2019
One of the few campgrounds which we have repeated. Very close to the tule river. Highly recommended!
Shabbir B.
8 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· December 2018
Probably my second favorite Sierra campground, this used to be massive sequoia forest that was logged in the late 1800's, which is now rebounded with young 100ft sequoia "saplings" and the stumps of their ancient parents. No cell reception, but close to Grant grove and hume lake, as well as great shade coverage, picnic tables, fire rings, water, pit toilets, bear boxes, and some trails near by. Great place for Kings Canyon NP.
Nick L.
9 years on Hipcamp
Not recommend
· November 2018
Camped at Sandy Flats July 2018, campsites are very close together, not too many flats spots for tents, access to the river was not good, only two places and due to the campground being full it was very crowded at these two places, not much shade (tress), not easy to navigate for long trailers.
Peter N.
5 reviews
October 2018
Definitely, worth the drive! Quiet, clean and gorgeous.
A few things to note:
• There are pit toilets but they’re well maintained
• It was about 10 to 15 degrees cooler than what the weather apps said it would be. (It could be just a change in the weather when I visited but one may wish to plan for it being a little cooler if it’s late in the season.)
• No cell reception
• No nearby stores
• Potable water is available (but recommend filtering anyway … always filter!)
All of that said, pack wisely, allow for extra time on the roads around the campsite and it’ll be an epic time.
Randall G.
8 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· September 2018
Great campsite between King's Canyon and Sequoia National park. Close to Hume lake where we got to swim.
Nora V.
4 reviews
Recommends
· September 2018
There are lots of wasps and bees at this campground and they love to show up mornings when you 're making breakfast. Insect repellent candle worked great.
D
David T.
6 years on Hipcamp
July 2018
Every year we camp in Kernville during November it’s a perfect time to avoid the river traffic, beat the heat and swing by Kern River Brewing to pick up a case of their Citra. We enjoy having the campgrounds to ourselves during this time as well. This campground is near the river so bring your fishing pole, and there is also a trail nearby. We hiked up to a cave at the top; be careful because when we went it appeared someone was sleeping there and was there recently.
Alexis B.
6 years on Hipcamp
July 2018
We love this campsite; there is a nearby trail head that will lead you to waterfalls, if you hike bring lots of water and be prepared to hike ten miles round trip. If a perfect location to get away for the weekend and enjoy the peace and quiet of the outdoors.
Alexis B.
6 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· January 2018
That this place is magical.
Alex A.
7 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· November 2017
This campsite is in a very remote part of Sequoia. There's only one road in and out until you hit the fork in the road that takes you to the Trail of 100 Giants Trailhead. It was a great campsite to spend the weekend. Peppermint Falls is a must see, but it's a bit unmarked getting there. You'll have to do some exploring which I find is the best part of being in nature.
Craig T.
7 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2017
Great!
D
Deanna V.
7 years on Hipcamp
July 2017
We just spent 7 nights here. What a great campground. It is rustic car camping... but, oh, so stunning. We can't wait to return. The creek and the river are flowing. All spots looked great, but with our large group and gaggle of kids 9 and 10 were ideal. Be prepared for mosquitos!
Meghan B.
7 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· July 2017
I love this place. The lake is fantastic for swimming and great to enjoy the sandy beach on the far side. Get a shake at the cafe by Church Camp and drive the Grizzly Falls.
John S.
2 reviews
Top points of interest near Sequoia National Forest
Top cities near Sequoia National Forest
- Sequoia National Forest