98% (262 reviews)
Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Sequoia National Forest adventure.
Astonishing natural diversity and the biggest trees on earth! Plan to be awed.
Popular ways to camp
Community favorites near Sequoia National Forest
Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.
Public campgrounds in the park
Stay at a public campground in Sequoia National Forest
Top-rated campgrounds near Sequoia National Forest
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%
262 ratings · 62 reviews
April 2024
This campground is closed according to the forest service, it has been abandoned.
Charles M.
11 months on Hipcamp
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.
Charles M.
11 months on Hipcamp
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.
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
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
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.
4 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.
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
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