Sequoia National Park National Forest Free Campgrounds And Boondocking Kennedy Meadows Campground
AddressElevation: 6168
Management: Forest Service
Free Dispersed camping at Kennedy Meadows. Reservations are not accepted at this campsite. This is a high elevation location.
Best Review:
This is a Sequoia National Forest campground with plenty of space recreation opportunities. The forest service wanted to shut down the site but has kept it available due to a deal with the nearby Kennedy Meadows general store. It appears that the general store owners manage the campground now and allow it to remain a trash free and operable site. No payment or reservation is required but do stop in the general store and buy what you need from the guys who help keep it running.
Can You Camp At Sequoia
You can camp at Sequoia because there are several campgrounds in the park.
Some of these campgrounds offer amenities for those traveling in an RV, but others do not have many amenities and are better for those who want to camp under the stars or in tents. Group sites are also available for groups of up to 50 people.
Camping Near Sequoia And Kings Canyon
Campgrounds at Sequoia and Kings Canyon are popular and can fill up fast especially in the peak summer months. Luckily, there are hundreds of nearby camping locations just outside the park that are both paid and free.
Not only is this a good way to save some money, but if youre traveling with pets there are significantly fewer restrictions to abide by. The Giant Sequoia National Monument surrounds the National Parks and is maintained by the US Forest Service . There are three main districts that encompass almost 50 campgrounds.
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Where Can I Hike In Sequoia
If you love hiking, make sure that you stop by the visitors center to pick up a trail map.
Some of the top hikes in Sequoia help you get from the lodges to other spots in the park. Most of the hikes take a day or less to complete, which gives you more time to visit other attractions.
Some of the best hikes are in the Cedar Grove and Giant Forest areas.
Where Can You See Sequoias
You can see sequoias almost anywhere inside the park.
When you follow the posted signs, you can head to General Sherman and see this impressive tree in person. Other signs direct you to the Tunnel Log, which lets you drive your car through a large felled tree.
You can reach groves and other parts of the park via some of the hiking trails.
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How Long Is The Moro Rock Hike
The entire hike is 0.25 miles long and suitable for different types of hikers and different skill levels.
One of the more popular hikes is the one that leads to Moro Rock.
It offers some of the most beautiful views of the trees and mountains and allows you to get close to geological formations that are more than 100 million years old.
Descending Moro Rock, Sequoia National Park
Big Meadows Road Dispersed Camping
Restrooms: Vault toilets along the road.Water: NoMap
Located in the northern section of Sequoia National Forest near both Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks is Big Meadows Road. This winding forest service road has access to several excellent dispersed campsites as well as a few good developed campgrounds. The first good dispersed camping area is about 1 mile off the main highway and is followed by additional pullouts as you continue further into the national forest.
This is a popular place for dispersed camping as many of the park rangers for the nearby national parks suggest it to those looking for free camping. As such, youll want to arrive early on summer weekends to give yourself the best chance at securing a campsite.
There are dumpsters and pit toilets in the area, although they arent located directly at any of the campsites. Several of the pullouts along Big Meadows Road can accommodate smaller RVs and trailers, although the further back you head the rougher the road gets.
This is a popular place for both hiking and camping, so please be sure to practice Leave No Trace principles and leave your campsite in better condition than you found it.
There are campsites available on both the north and south sides of the Kern River here so you can choose what suits you best. Both sides are easy to access and can accommodate large rigs and trailers. The north side has a bit more room and vault toilets, but also tends to get more crowded.
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Which Sequoia Entrance Is Best
The best entrance to Sequoia is the Ash Mountain Entrance, which is also the only entrance dedicated specifically to the park.
It leads you by Three Rivers and lets you pick up supplies that you need for the trip. This entrance also provides you with convenient access to most of the parks campgrounds and other attractions.
How To Find Dispersed Campsites In National Forests
There are several ways to find free, dispersed camping in National Forests and we often find that a combination of all the resources explained below will yield the best results. The first step to finding a great campsite is to ensure that the National Forest you are interested in permits dispersed camping and that there are no closures or other restrictions in effect.
To do this, your best bet is to always reach out to the local Ranger District which can provide you with the most up-to-date information.
Next, we like to utilize a combination of camping apps/websites, USFS maps, and Google Maps to find the best dispersed campsites. You can learn more about each of these resources below and also check out our handy summary here:
Steps to find dispersed campsites in National Forests
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How Many Entrances Does Sequoia National Park Have
Sequoia has three entrances.
Sequoia National Park National Park Free Campgrounds And Boondocking Panorama
Address
Free Dispersed camping > No Reservations Cedar Creek is open all year.
Amenities:
Restrooms
Best Review:
Cedar Creek is open all year. 4800-foot elevation. 11 campsites, with fishing on Cedar Creek. This high elevation campground is a more rustic and mountainous area. The campground offers picnic tables and restrooms. Unsuitable for trailers. Cedar Creek runs the entire length of the campground on both the north and south sides of Hwy 155.
From Glennville, go 10 miles east on CA 155, the campground will be on both the north and south sides of the highway. From Lake Isabella head north on Hwy 155 6 miles where the highway then years to the west. Take Hwy 155 west for 14 miles, and the campground is accessible from the highway. Chains required in the winter.
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Best Weather In Sequoia National Park
Those who love warm weather and want to hike through the wilderness know that the best time to visit Sequoia is in the summer.
Though temps can easily climb to 90 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, youll find much cooler temperatures when you climb high into the mountains. The temperatures there can hit 50 degrees Fahrenheit or even lower.
Sequoia gets quite a bit of rain in the spring and experiences a high level of snow in the winter. Visiting in the early summer through autumn can help you take advantage of the nice weather in the park.
What Is The Best Sequoia Campground
The best campground in Sequoia might be the Crystal Springs Campground. It has 36 sites for tent campers and several group sites that you can reserve online.
The campground is only five minutes away from a grove that is home to the second biggest tree in the park. Crystal Springs is also close to hiking trails that let you explore the sequoia groves.
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General Sherman Tree Trail
This paved trail will lead you to see the largest tree in the world, General Sherman. Youll walk down a hill from the parking lot and return by walking back up. Read about the second-largest Sequoia, General Grant in Kings Canyon National Park, in my post about the 16 best trails in the national park system.
Note: This trail is located around 7,000 feet in elevation and can be steep. Allow yourself time to acclimate and rest while you hike this trail. For those with physical disabilities, there is an accessible parking area with a shorter, accessible trail leading to the General Sherman Tree.
Difficulty: ModerateDistance: 0.8 mi / 1.3 km one-wayElevation Gain: 154 ft / 47 m
Families, wheelchairs, strollers
Camping In Mineral King
Mineral King is a tent campers paradise: serene and quiet. Whether you choose to pitch your tent at Atwell Mill or Cold Springs, youll be minutes from world-class hiking. Both sites have potable water, vault toilets, fire pits, picnic tables, food lockers, and pay phones. No RVs can make the trip into Mineral King, which means no generators will be whirring and echoing throughout the campgrounds. Pets are permitted on leash at both campgrounds. There are no reservations accepted for either campground all sites are first-come, first-served. For holiday weekends, arrive early on Friday. You can self-register for a campsite at the entrance to Mineral King, Lookout Point.
The only campground where you can sleep beneath the stars and the sequoias is Atwell Mill . At 6,600 feet of elevation and 6 miles from the end of Mineral King Road, 21 sites sit in a forest of sequoias away from the winds of Mineral King Valley and nestled into a pocket of meadows. This is one of the quietest places to sleep in the front country. It also provides great access to the Hockett Trail . Site 11 is a wheelchair-accessible site. Site 12 is tucked away and overlooks a meadow. The nearest supplies are 1.5 miles away at Silver City Mountain Resort.
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Sequoia National Park National Forest Free Campgrounds And Boondocking Calkins Flat
Address
Elevation: 6381
Management: Forest Service
The road in is Dirt and .1 miles from a paved road. There are 1-5 campsites at this location. Large sandy area near The Trail of 100 Giants in Sequoia National Forest.
Best Review:
Fantastic campsite. Big enough for 4-5 tents . Roughly 3-4 passenger cars. Could fit maybe 2 larger rigs, but the road down is a bit tricky. We had no issue in a passenger car, but there are some larger ruts, and sharp turns .
Make sure you have your permit if you are making a fire, or using a camping stove.
Lovely area, nice flat sandy/gravel area for camping, surrounded by a small hill on all sides, and pine trees. Very quiet despite its proximity to the road.
Mineral King Trail To Eagle Lake Trail
Youll be gaining elevation on this hike, rounding out at about 10,000 feet at Eagle Lake. Make sure you know you are prepared for the altitude. To make this a longer trip, you can connect with the Mosquito Lakes Trail.
Difficulty: StrenuousDistance: 7.2 mi / 11.6 km one-wayElevation Gain: 2,200 ft / 671 m
Hiking, trail running
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Leave No Trace Dispersed Camping
One of the most important considerations when dispersed camping is to follow Leave No Trace principles. This will minimize your impact and ensure your campsite can be enjoyed by future visitors. Here are the seven principles of Leave No Trace camping:
- Plan Ahead & Prepare: Have an idea of where youd like to camp and always be sure you are camping in an area that permits dispersed camping.
- Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces: Never camp on fragile ground or create a new campsite.
- Dispose of waste properly: Pack out all of your trash and bury human waste away from water sources. Ideally, carry out human waste or use a portable toilet.
- Leave what you find: Never take anything from your campsite. Other than trash of course!
- Minimize campfire impacts: Never create new fire rings and only have fires if permitted.
- Respect Wildlife: Properly store food at all times and be aware of the areas wildlife.
- Be considerate of Other Visitors: Pack out your trash, dont be loud, and leave your campsite in better condition than you found it.
Campgrounds In Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park is located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range that stretches across California.
Its also close to Kings Canyon National Park, which lets you enjoy both parks during one visit. Some of the things you can do include hiking, seeing some of the worlds most impressive sequoia trees, taking tours with rangers and seeing beautiful plants and wild animals.
Watch on
With this Sequoia camping guide, you can find out everything you need to know, including which campgrounds are the best and what attractions you should see.
Entrance sign to Sequoia National Park
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Overview Of The Best Campsites In Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park has seven campgrounds spread across various regions of the park.
The Lodgepole area is close to the most popular areas of the park. The two campgrounds are tree-covered but densely populated. Here youll find Lodgepole Campground and Dorst Creek Campground.
The Foothills area is home to the most campgrounds in Sequoia National Park. Here youll find Buckeye Flat Campground, Potwisha Campground, and South Fork Campground.
In addition, the Foothills region is at a lower elevation than other areas of the park. So if youre looking to camp in Sequoia National Park in the winter, this is where youll stay.
The Mineral King area is one of the least visited areas in Sequoia National Park. Home to several alpine lakes, its the perfect way to explore the Sierras and escape the crowds found in other areas of the park.
Here youll find two campgrounds: Cold Springs Campground and Atwell Mill Campground.
Sequoia National Park National Park Free Campgrounds And Boondocking Ant Canyon Dispersed Camping Upper Kern River Sequoia National Forest
AddressKern River Rd / Mountain Hwy 99Kernville, CaliforniaElevation: 3274
Management: Forest Service
The road in is Paved. You may stay 14 Nights at Ant Canyon Dispersed Camping Upper Kern River Sequoia National Forest.
Best Review:
The best spot is just north on Old Mountain Highway 99 of j3061s coordinates just south of Salmon Creek on the river side. Dont blink or you will miss it. Once you pull off the road and down into the little lot, there is a Day Use Only skinny sign, but if you make a sharp 180 degree left turn you will pull into a sweet little incognito camping spot with a fire ring and flat tent spot in front of you with great shade trees. We did not tent camp, but this is great for hidden car camping as you are not visible from the main road.
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Sequoia National Park Best Campground In The Backcountry
Sequoia National Park and nearby Kings Canyon National Park offer more than 800,000 acres of backcountry wilderness for experienced hikers and campers to explore.
To adventure into the backcountry, youll need to apply for a wilderness permit.
You can apply for a wilderness permit online up to 6 months in advance via Recreation.gov.
Wilderness permits are also available on a walk-up basis. You can learn more about getting a walk-up permit here.
The High Sierra Trail is one of the most popular backcountry trails in Sequoia National Park. This route begins at Crescent Meadow, a popular day hike in Sequoia National Park. From there, hikers can make their way to the Bearpaw High Sierras Camp. Here youre rewarded with a more luxurious backcountry experience with meals and tents provided.
Dispersed Camping In National Forests: The Complete Guide
*This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure for more info.
The United States National Forest system is one of the true gems of our public lands. Managed by the United States Forest Service, there are 154 areas that are federally protected as national forests in the United States. Located in 40 different states, these national forests are an incredible place to spend the night in your tent or RV. Dispersed camping is a hallmark of the national forest system, and one of our favorite ways to spend a night out under the stars.
In this guide well walk you through everything you need to know about dispersed camping in national forests and provide some great resources on how to go about planning you own dispersed camping trip in a national forest near you.
Read on to get all the details on the best way to see our public lands.
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The Best Dispersed Camping In Sequoia National Forest
*This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure for more info.
Sequoia National Forest is one of Californias true gems. Consisting of a vast expanse of wilderness that protects the forests namesake Giant Sequoia trees as well as towering granite peaks, fast flowing rivers, and six unique Wilderness Areas. The national forest preserves nearly 1.2 million acres and is a top destination for outdoor lovers around the world.
Camping opportunities are abundant in Sequoia National Forest, and our favorite way to experience this one of a kind ecosystem is on a free, dispersed camping trip. There are plenty of opportunities to pitch your tent or park your trailer in Sequoia National Forest, and weve created this guide to help you find your perfect dispersed campsite.
Keep reading to learn how to be a responsible camper and to find some of the best dispersed camping Sequoia National Forest has to offer.