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Lodgepole Campground

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At 6,700 feet of elevation on the banks of the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River, Lodgepole Campground is one of the best places to stay in Sequoia National Park.

Its central location is close to the Lodgepole Visitors Center, the famed General Sherman tree, the Giant Forest grove, and the Moro Rock trailhead. This gorgeous campground is dotted with pine and fir trees and has views of nearby peaks, while campsites feature picnic tables, fire rings, bear-proof storage boxes, and access to flush toilets. Just a fourth-mile from the campground, Lodgepole Village offers a market, cafe, gift shop, and showers. The park’s free shuttle service also picks up and drops off here.

Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation

Planning ahead is a must when it comes to getting a spot at this popular campground. Lodgepole Campground sites become available online 4 months in advance starting at 7am PT.

There are no first-come, first-served sites at Lodgepole, but cancellations do return online as "available" after they are processed.

When to go

Lodgepole Campground typically opens in May and closes in November, depending on the snowpack. For current season info and weather conditions, contact the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Ranger Station at (559) 565-3341. Sequoia crowds peak between June and August. If visiting in spring or fall, bring cold-weather camping gear for nighttime.

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78 ratings · 14 reviews

Robert M.recommends

September 28, 2020

Nestled just a few miles out of the giant forest, in Sequoia National Park, is Lodgepole Campground. One of the most beautiful campgrounds my group has been to. The campground is large and features numerous sites, some more in the woods, others closer to the Kaweah River. With a market, gift shop, laundry, bathroom, and showers the grounds have great amenities for everyone. Each site comes with ample space, picnic table, fire pit, and bear locker. The most notable feature is the proximity to Sequoia National Park. The campground is minutes away from the Giant Forest, Moro Rock, and miles and miles of hiking trails. Had an incredible time this summer, will definitely be back.

Amanda K.

March 7, 2018

Lodgepole campground was a great choice for us! Lots of hiking trails to take without having to leave the campground. The view is beautiful no matter which camp site you have.

Karen Q.recommends

February 9, 2018

Campsites are a bit bigger than I had anticipated. Definitely room for more than one tent, depending on how big your tents are. We brought a 6 people tent and had enough space for another one. Great location, near the trailhead for Tokopah Falls which is a must see!

Brandon R.recommends

November 17, 2017

There is only one of the loops open for campsites until the end of November. Then you are allowed to sleep in your camper in the parking lot during winter months.

Michael C.recommends

July 3, 2017

Went the last week of June 2016. Cluster of sites 80-84 are absolutely great! Right above the stream with lots of shade.

Megan R.

June 17, 2017

I was amazed by the beauty of this campground. It is also impressively well kept. Tons of trees, mountain views, and the sound of rushing water was what led me here. I've camped everywhere in California and this is easily a top 3 for me. It is a rather large campground and in the late spring/summer when we were there it was packed with tons of happy campers! The good news is that since it is such a large campground there is a chance you can snag a spot last minute if you get there early enough :) There's also an awesome visitor center down the road from the campground that has a couple places to eat/grocery store AND coin operated showers :)

Nicole M.recommends

May 31, 2017

It is past the other campgrounds by quite a bit but it is TOTALLY worth it. Plus it is open longer than most campgrounds at that high of elevation.

Heather K.

March 9, 2017

Great destination near amazing variety of trails

Jeremy F.recommends

March 1, 2017

Some of the sites are not large (and if you don't have a reservation they'll ask how larger your tent is when you arrive), but this place is definitely worth the stay (and worth the hassle trying to get a spot). The stream that runs through the middle of the campground and the proximity to all of the awesome Sequoia sites make this the perfect campground for the park.

Hayden L.

October 6, 2016

Camped here in the end of September (end of the season). The campsite and park weren't crowded at all. About 5 hours away from the LA area but a perfect place to get fresh air and escape the lights. I recommend getting a spot close to the creek since its so beautiful to see from your tent. The staff was very kind and the camp was clean, especially the bathrooms. There is a market/gift store down the road. It's like a small grocery store so even if you forget something I'm sure they'll have it. There are so many thing to do in the park so you're never bored. The park is so beautiful and Lodgepole made it perfect. If your going to stay in the park I recommend staying here.

Sabrina U.

January 12, 2016

Went camping here last summer. Moderately crowded (it was in August, so not a surprise), cool mornings, and clean, crisp air. We went to see General Sherman (largest tree in the world by volume) and THAT was crowded. But the nights were pretty peaceful, and the scenery is beautiful. There are lots of bears too! So make sure you remember to lock up your stuff.

Peter V.

May 13, 2015

My family and I have been going here for as long as I can remember, and I can't get enough of it! Best spots are in the back, 125-128. 128 is hands down the best site in the whole camp ground. Best time to go is in late June, early July, depending on rainfall.

Peter A.

March 25, 2015

Lodgepole is one of the best campgrounds in Sequoia National Park. Much more favorable summer temperatures than the lower park campgrounds, and right on the river! Check out the moderate 3.4 mile round trip hike ending at Tokopah Falls.

27 sites In Lodgepole Campground

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Potwisha Campground

36 sites · RVs, Tents In Lodgepole Campground

Your guide to camping in Lodgepole Campground

Overview

Biking

Sequoia National Park features miles of mountain biking trails to explore. Experienced road cyclists comfortable riding in traffic can also use General’s Highway or take Highway 180 into Kings Canyon.

Boating

While motorized crafts aren’t allowed, there are still many awesome ways to explore these lovely waterways. Checkout our kayaking & canoeing section (and SUPing, too!).

Fishing

Fly-fishing is available on the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River.

Hiking

The Topakah Falls Trail passes through Lodgepole Campground, leading up the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River to a 1,200-foot waterfall. The Lodgepole-Sherman Tree Trail connects Lodgepole Campground to the General Sherman tree. (You can return to the campground from this hike via the park’s free shuttle.) Trailheads to Moro Rock, the Big Trees Trail, and the Giant Forest are also close by.

Horseback riding

Horseback riding is found primarily in King’s Canyon further up, but one trip goes to the General Sherman tree and the surrounding area in Sequoia. You can cover plenty of ground on horseback and see the stunning scenery while you’re at it! The nearest stable in Sequoia is in the Big Meadow Corral, and the other two stables are located in King’s Canyon. Guided day rides and multi-day adventures are available here.

Paddling

Only extreme kayakers are recommended to try the trips in Sequoia and King’s Canyon, and they should still be cautious. It is high risk and requires advanced skills because the rivers are icy cold and swift. The Kaweah River is probably the best place for a good challenge with class IV conditions in the middle fork. Be warned that some areas are difficult to get to (and from). Make sure you know what you’re doing and plan ahead before you decide to kayak here! That includes getting a wilderness permit for overnight stays. Check out some runs under Sequoia here.

Off-roading (OHV)

Off-Highway Vehicles can glide on through this national park for a joyride, but should stay on the designated road! Kern Valley is the perfect place to explore, but make sure you pick up a motor vehicle use map which you can check out here.

Climbing

The Angel Wings, an 1,800-foot granite wall with an amazing south face, offers crazy climbing in Sequoia, where the climbing is just as good as in Yosemite. The best climbs are Little Baldy and quartzite Hospital Rock, while the most accessible is Moro Rock, although this spot closes between April and August due to nesting peregrine falcons. Sequoia National Park also offers guided tours of the marble caverns at Crystal Cave. Tickets can be reserved online and frequently sell out, so it’s best to book as soon as you have a camping reservation. Crystal Cave parking is about 40 minutes from Lodgepole Campground.

Snow sports

Skip that traditional snow trip to the same old spot you go to every winter and try Sequoia instead… It’ll be your new vacation spot! This summer paradise is equally amazing in the winter, with snow blanketing the ground. Do you want to build a snowman? Well here you can… and also take part in snowshoe walks (free snowshoes provided for 1 mile walk every Saturday!), cross-country skiing, and stay at the Pear Lake Ski Hut for more difficult trails. Check out the private high elevation trails from the Montecito Ski Lodge. If you’re feeling more adventurous, almost no one is out in the backcountry during the winter and you can snowshoe your way for some crazy snow camping!

Swimming

There’s swimming at Hume Lake about an hour from Lodgepole Campground.

Whitewater paddling

Rafting in Sequoia/Kings Canyon promises an exciting and adrenaline-pumping adventure with the Kaweah, Kings and Kern Rivers available. The Kaweah is the most intense-- with 85 feet drops, this is one of the steepest rivers in the US at a class V. If you’re looking for something tamer, the Kings River (more in Kings Canyon territory) boasts incredible scenery while offering some of the best family rafting trips. The Kern River is steep and wild and quite popular for whitewater rafting. If you’re looking for guided tours, the options are endless; the most reputable are All-Outdoors Rafting and Kaweah Whitewater Adventures based on Yelp reviews, but there are plenty of local companies as well!

Wildlife watching

Marmots, endangered bighorn sheep, pocket gophers and gopher snakes are only some of the 300 species of wildlife living here. With steep elevation change and various environments, the diversity of wildlife makes sense: there are rodents, 17 types of bats, beautiful fish, rare cave-dwelling invertebrates, and over 200 types of birds! But wait-- what’s that flying above? Is it a bird? Is it a plane? It’s… a flying squirrel! Keep your eyes peeled; the wildlife at Sequoia will be sure to keep you coming back for more.