I am so excited to share this ultimate guide to the campgrounds in Kings Canyon National Park! Camping within Kings Canyon offers you the opportunity to camp near giant Sequoia trees or within Kings Canyon, the park's namesake. This ultimate Kings Canyon Camping Guide breaks down each campground, which ones you need reservations for, and what to expect while camping in the park.
Both Sequoia and Kings Canyon offer camping. Sequoia National Park is located south of Kings Canyon along the General's Highway.
If you are planning to enjoy Kings Canyon RV Camping please be aware that there are no hookups within the park. There are dump stations near many of the campgrounds.
Kings Canyon Camping
Kings Canyon Campground Map
When looking at the map of Kings Canyon Campgrounds you will see multiple campgrounds in the Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument. These campgrounds are outside of the National Park.
The Kings Canyon campgrounds are designated with a red circle to help you know which part of the park they are located in. The Grant Grove campgrounds are in the heart of the park near the General Grant Tree.
The Cedar Grove Campgrounds are in a different section of the park. To reach this section you will need to drive through the Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument and Monarch Wilderness.
The Cedar Grove area is a quieter section of the park and has great hiking and also the Cedar Grove Lodge. Campgrounds in this area are on the South Fork of the Kings River
Kings Canyon Camping Reservations
Individual sites are released on a 6-month rolling basis. You will want to know your dates and which campground you want to book.
Reservations open at 7:00 am PST. You can use Time.gov to make sure your clock matches the official US time.
These Kings Canyon Campgrounds take reservations:
Crystal Springs - Group Campsites
Sunset Campground
Canyon View Campground - Group Campsites
Sentinel Campground
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park Entrance Fee
Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.
Park Entrance Pass - $35.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $30.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Per-Person Entrance Pass - $20.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.
Annual Park Entrance Pass - $70.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.
$20.00 for Non-commercial group (16+ persons)
$45.00-75.00 for commercial sedan with 1-6 seats ($25.00 plus $20.00 per passenger)
$75.00 for commercial van with 7-15 seats
$100.00 commercial Mini-bus with 16-25 seats
$200.00 for commercial Motor Coach with 26+ seats
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.
Grant Grove Area Campgrounds
Azalea Campground
Location: 3.5 miles (5.6 km) from the Kings Canyon National Park entrance on Hwy 180
Elevation: 6,500 feet (1,980 m)
Open: Year-round
Number of sites: 110 Campsites
Accessible Sites: Site #30 is accessible for people in wheelchairs
Cost per night: $18 per night
Reservations?: First come first serve
Campground amenities: Fire pit, picnic table, bear boxes, running water, and flush toilets. Located within walking distance of the Grant Grove Visitor Center
RVs allowed?: Yes
For more information and photos check out our post on the Azalea Campground
Crystal Springs Campground
Location: 4 miles (6 km) from the park entrance on Hwy 180
Elevation: 6,500 ft (1,980 m)
Open: Early spring through late fall
Number of sites: 36 individual sites and 14 mid-size group (7-15 people) sites
Accessible Sites: Group site F is accessible for people in wheelchairs.
Cost per night: $18 per night and group sites $40 per night.
Reservations?: Reservations are recommended for group sites, but individual sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations available).
Campground amenities: Fire rings, picnic tables, running water and flush toilets, bear boxes.
RVs allowed?: The length of RVs or trailers that can be accommodated varies by site.
For more information and photos check out our post on Crystal Springs Campground
Sunset Campground
Location: 3 miles (5 km) from the park entrance on Hwy 180.
Elevation: 6,500 ft (1,980 m)
Open: Open July – September
Number of sites: 157 individual sites and two large groups (15-30 people) sites
Accessible Sites: There are a couple of Accessible Sites within the Sunset Campground.
Cost per night:
$22 per night for Regular Camping and $11 per night for valid lifetime Access Pass, Lifetime Senior Pass, or annual Senior Pass.
Group sites are a $50.00 flat-rate fee, 50% Senior Pass and Access Pass discount rates DO NOT APPLY for group sites.
Reservations?: Site reservations are available online at Recreation.gov or by phone at 877-444-6777 (TDD 877-833-6777)
Campground amenities: Bear boxes, fire rings, picnic tables, flush toilets, running water, and shade.
RVs allowed?: Yes, The length of RV or trailer that can be accommodated varies by site.
Cedar Grove Area Campgrounds
Canyon View Campground - Group Campground
Location: Highway 180, ¼ mile (.4 km) from Cedar Grove Village.
Elevation: 4,600 ft (1,402 m) elevation
Open:
- Mid-size group sites (G1-12): Open May - September
- Large group sites: Open May - September
Number of sites: 12 sites for mid-size groups (7-15 people) and four sites for large groups (15-30 people)
Accessible Sites: We did not see any sites designated for ADA sites.
Cost per night:
$40 per night for mid-sized group sites
$50 - $60 per night for large group sites.
50% Senior Pass & Access Pass discount rates DO NOT APPLY for group sites
Reservations?: Yes, Site reservations are available for this campground online at Recreation.gov or by phone at 877-444-6777 (TDD 877-822-6777).
Campground Amenities: Flush toilets, running water, fire rings, picnic tables and large space for groups.
RVs allowed?: No
For more information and photos check out our post on Canyon View Campground
Moraine Campground
Location: ¾ mile (1.2 km) from Cedar Grove Village
Elevation: 4,600 ft (1,402 m) elevation
Open: Late spring through early fall
Number of sites: 121 sites open to tents, RVs, and trailers
Accessible Sites: Yes, at least 2 sites are ADA
Cost per night: $18
Reservations?: No, the campground is first come first serve
Campground Amenities: Running water, flush toilet, fire ring, bear box, and picnic tables
RVs allowed?: Yes
For more information and photos check out our post on Moraine Campground
Sentinel Campground
Location: Highway 180, ¼ mile (0.4 km) from Cedar Grove Village
Elevation: 4,600 ft (1,402 m)
Open: Early spring through late fall
Number of sites: 82 sites open to tents, RVs, and trailers
Accessible Sites: Yes, at least 3 accessible sites
Cost per night: $22 per night
Reservations?: Site reservations are available online at Recreation.gov or by phone at 877-444-6777 (TDD 877-833-6777)
Campground Amenities: Flush toilets, running water, bear boxes, fire rings, picnic tables and areas with great shaded spots.
RVs allowed?: Yes
For more information and photos check out our post on Sentinel Campground
Sheep Creek Campground
Location: Highway 180, ¼ mile (0.4 km) from Cedar Grove Village
Elevation: 4,685 ft
Open: Late spring through early fall
Number of sites: 111 sites open to tents, RVs, and trailers
Accessible Sites: No ADA Sites
Cost per night: $18
Reservations?: Sites are first-come, first-served
Campground Amenities: Running water, flush toilets, bear boxes, picnic tables, and fire rings.
RVs allowed?: Yes
For more information and photos check out our post on Sheep Creek Campground
Can you have a campfire in Kings Canyon National Park?
Yes, You need to purchase firewood at local markets, including those inside the parks, or gather dead and down wood near your site.
How much does it cost to camp at Kings Canyon National Park?
Campground rates vary depending on the campground you choose. Most individual sites are $18 to $22 with group campgrounds being more expensive.
Group sites depend on the number of people and site size.
For a fun adventure check out Escape Campervans. These campervans have built in beds, kitchen area with refrigerators, and more. You can have them fully set up with kitchen supplies, bedding, and other fun extras. They are painted with epic designs you can't miss!
Escape Campervans has offices in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, New York, and Orlando
What to bring to Kings Canyon camping?
- Tent
- Water Jug for cooking
- Flashlight
- Sunscreen
- Refillable Water Bottle
- Bug Spray
- Camera & Extra Batteries
- Binoculars
- Camping Games
Don't miss all of the amazing things to do in Kings Canyon National Park.
Camping is also available nearby in Sequoia National Forest's Hume Lake Ranger District.
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