Lastly, as there’s limited cell service within both parks, we’ll tell you where you can find that coveted WiFi.

The History of Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon

First things first, a bit on Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon.  As we descended down the curvy road, often sandwiched in between giant granite walls, we were awestruck at the size and scope of both Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

Being avid adventurers and rock climbers, we couldn’t quite understand why the park felt empty.  How did we even manage to find campsites in the middle of summer?  If you’re wondering why you haven’t thought to visit yet, here are some other fun facts about each park you may not know:

Sequoia National Park

• Sequoia was the 2nd National Park established in 1890, right after Yosemite National Park
• Comprises over 400,000 acres and includes the highest point in the lower 48 states, Mt. Whitney.  Looking to hike, climb or simply visit Whitney Portal?  Well, you’ll access Mt. Whitney from the west side of the park, off the 395.  Therefore, check out our blog on the Eastern Sierras which includes Mount Whitney, Yosemite National Park, and the Mammoth Lakes area.
• Home to the largest tree on Earth, the General Sherman tree
• Both the Pacific Crest Trail and the John Muir Trail pass through Sequoia National Park
• More bears are spotted in Sequoia National Park than in Yosemite!

Kings Canyon National Park

• Also established in 1890, but Kings Canyon was originally named General Grant National Park
• Encompasses a glacier-carved valley that’s 1 1/2 miles deep and covers over 460,000 acres with several 14,000ft peaks!
• This makes it one of the deepest canyons in the U.S. with walls rising almost 8,200ft. from river to rim
• The number one cause of death in both Sequoia and Kings Cayon?  Drowning.  Why?  The rivers may look inviting, but swift currents and hidden objects can be hazardous.  Be careful when wading out into the river, especially with little ones!

Where to Stay in Sequoia and Kings Canyon: Camping, Lodges, and Cabins

Camping in Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park can be competitive!  However, with a little bit of planning, you can grab a beautiful camping spot with a river or lake view.

Lodges and Hotels in Sequoia and Kings Canyon

Looking more for the conveniences of home while visiting our National Parks?  Well, there are campgrounds close to markets, restaurants, wifi, and flush toilets!  Need a bit more comfort?  Then you could book a spot in one of several lodges or cabins through Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon.

These include:

• John Muir Lodge
• Wuksachi Lodge
• Grant Grove Cabins
• Cedar Grove Lodge
• Hume Lake Christian Camp
• Montecito Sequoia Lodge
• Stony Creek Lodge

Pro tip: Although travel times on the map look close, you’ll be driving along winding mountain roads.  This means tight turns, switchbacks, and large drops and gains in elevation throughout both Sequoia and Kings Canyon.  Therefore the 22 miles to Cedar Grove in Kings Canyon could take over an hour.

So, save the hours of drive time and stay inside the park.  Pay a bit more for either a lodge, campsite, or plan to disperse camp near the park boundaries if you have an RV or self-contained van.  Haven’t planned or packed for a road trip in awhile?  Check out our road trip blog for checklists of everything you need to stay safe and comfortable!

Camping in Sequoia and Kings Canyon

Where should you start when searching for a campground?  Recreation.gov.  All campgrounds within both Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park can be booked through  Recreation.gov.

Each campsite will have your standard amenities:

• Fresh drinking water, water filling stations
• Fire rings (make sure to get a campfire permit – it’s free and easy, plus a good reminder to soak, stir and feel!)
• Paved roads (no 4 wheel drive needed)
• Picnic tables
• Bear boxes for food storage
• Compost or flush toilets
• Dogs are allowed at your campsite, and on paved roads and trails only

Camping and Tent Choices for the Sierras

After much research, we decided to outfit our 2020 Subaru Crosstrek with a 3-person Yakima SkyRise Rooftop Tent.  Why?  Well, we had another car camping tent, but with the length of time on the road, the ease of packing up, and the chance to sleep up, off the ground, we opted for a rooftop tent.  In addition, keep in mind, this is bear country.   So while we enjoy watching wildlife, it’s from a safe distance.  Even if that means just 6 feet off the ground from a black bear.

After 20 years of camping on the ground, the rooftop tent was more comfortable, took 6-10 minutes to set up, and provided better airflow.  In addition, we could level the rooftop tent out quite easily with a few adjustments to the way the Subaru was parked, or with leveling blocks.

Other great selling points for us? The ease of install!  Watch our video to see the setup before we placed it on our roof!  Lastly, in addition to the 2.5″ mattress pad that comes in the Yakima SkyRise rooftop tent, we could leave pillows, sleeping bags, reading lights and extra blankets in the tent when we folded it up for travel!

Bears and How to Store Food Properly at Your Campsite

So now that you know there are black bears in Sequoia and Kings Canyon, get educated before your trip on bear encounters and what you should do if you see a bear.  At your campsite, you must lock everything with a scent in your bear box.  This means all of your toiletries, utensils, hand sanitizer, sunblock, even lip balm.  Therefore, everything that a bear might confuse for food, to no only keep them out of your campsite, but also for their protection.

Not to worry, the bear boxes at your campsite will have more than enough room for everything.

Are you planning to disperse camp?  If so, we suggest you buy a bear box or bear canisters at REI, and learn how to hang your food.  Think its only bears that will sniff out your greasy camp stove?  Well, we’ve had all sorts of animals invade our camp.  Deer, goats, chipmunks, marmots, and raccoons!  Some during broad daylight, and while we were sitting at the campsite!

Best Campgrounds in Sequoia and Kings Canyon

Here are some of our favorite campgrounds within both Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park:

Lodgepole Campground

At 6,700 feet of elevation, the Lodgepole Campground in Sequoia National Park is cool, even in the summertime!  Other sticking points:

• The popular hiking trail leading to Tokopah Falls starts right from the campground
• Lodgepole campground has both a Market and grill, plus a Visitor’s Center
• Pay showers
• The campground is situated along the Kaweah River, so easy-to-enter swimming pools to cool off in
• Bathrooms with several stalls, running water, and flush toilets!
• Rock climbing nearby at Tokopah Dome and the Watchtower
• Wifi available nearby at the Wuksachi Lodge

Upper Stoney Creek Campground

A bit further north, the Upper Stoney Creek Campground is at 5,200ft of elevation. It’s a much smaller campground than Lodgepole so it’s quieter and more remote.

More reasons to stay?

• Close to Stoney Creek Village, which has a market, gas station, and a small lodge.
• Wifi is available for free at the market!
• Close to the northern end of the Sequoia National Park boundary
• Rock climbing and hiking near the campground includes Little Baldy, Big Baldy, and Chimney Spire

Princess Campground

Looking for camping close to or within Kings Canyon National Park?  Or with lake access nearby?  Well, Princess Campground offers all of that, and it still feels quite remote!

Here’s more:

• Begin the descent down into Kings Canyon easily from camp
• Open meadow with easy hiking trail loop
• 3 miles drive down to Hume Lake
• A few miles to Grant Grove, home of the General Grant tree
• Grant Grove Village is also nearby, which has a large market and gift shop, restaurant, Visitor’s Center, and free wifi!

Hume Lake Campground

I think we might have saved the best for last as Hume Lake was by far our favorite campground on our trip through Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon!  Here you’ll find everything listed above, plus you’ll be nestled on Hume Lake- where you can swim, fish, kayak or SUP ’til your heart’s content.

Of course, here are all those reasons we would choose Hume Lake campground again on our next visit:

• Bathrooms with running water and flush toilets
• Easy access to Kings Canyon
• Hiking trails include an easy one that circles the lakeshore
• Rent sailboats, SUPs, kayaks and canoes nearby
• A half-mile from the Hume Lake Christian Camp, which offers a restaurant, snack bar, market, gift shop, and a gas station
• Paid wifi is available at Hume Lake Christian Camp (the best wifi we found in the park!)

Disperse Camping

Disperse camping has become more common as travelers take their families on the road for vacations closer to home.  Traveling in an RV or self-contained vehicle like a camper van?  If so, you’ll have a much easier disperse camping experience.  However, keep in mind you’ll need to find National Forest land, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), or an unsigned dirt road where you can camp for free.

For example, both Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon park boundaries border both National Forest and wilderness areas.  However, if a ‘No overnight camping’ sign is posted, be respectful.  Understand the local rules for the area you’ll be driving through.

One last point on disperse camping.  In most cases, you cannot have a fire, especially during the summer months.  Being smart about where you camp, and being sensitive to the environment where you tread will help keep disperse camping options open for everyone.  Get more disperse camping tips from Dyrt.  

Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon Park Resources

Park Maps

Are you looking for a map of Sequoia National Park or Kings Canyon before you book camping?  Well, whether driving maps or hiking trails, the National Park Service SEKI page has it all.

Park Weather

Weather in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks can change rapidly and vary by over 30 degrees on some days!  Why?  The weather is very different at the bottom of Kings Canyon Road at 3,000 ft of elevation than at the top of Mt. Whitney or some of the other park peaks that are over 14,000 ft.  In addition, park campgrounds are also at very different elevations.

Therefore, take the weather at Sequoia National Park into account when reserving a campground.

Got Questions on Where to Hike, Climb, or Camp?

Leave us a comment or contact us directly.

Searching for more travel tips? Check out our blogs on the Wind River Range in Wyoming, or road-tripping through the Eastern Sierras along the 395!

Thanks for reading,

Meredith McConvill

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