Sequoia and Kings Canyon sit side by side in California's Sierra Nevada, managed as a single park unit, but they couldn't be more different for RV travelers. Kings Canyon's Cedar Grove accepts rigs up to 65 feet without a second thought. Sequoia's Generals Highway, built in the 1920s, turns into a white-knuckle obstacle course for anything over 22 feet.
That split personality is what makes trip planning here tricky. The campground specs, road restrictions, and RV size limits are scattered across four different NPS pages, and none of them tell you what the information actually means for your rig. This guide pulls it together — which campgrounds work for RVs, which roads don't, where to find hookups (spoiler: not inside the parks), and how to see the giant sequoias without destroying your side mirrors in the process.
A Short Summary:
- RV restrictions: The Generals Highway in Sequoia advises against vehicles over 22 feet between Potwisha and Giant Forest — the stretch that accesses the General Sherman Tree, Moro Rock, and most major sequoia groves
- Campgrounds with RV access: Potwisha (24 ft max), Lodgepole (40 ft max) in Sequoia; Azalea (47 ft max), Sunset (30 ft max), Moraine (65 ft max), Sheep Creek (90+ ft on select sites), Sentinel (up to 82 ft on select sites) in Kings Canyon
- Hookups: Zero inside either park. Nearest full hookups at Lemon Cove Village RV Park (25 miles) and Sequoia Resort & RV Park (near the Big Stump entrance)
- Reservations: All campgrounds require Recreation.gov bookings — no first-come, first-served sites remain
- Best RV strategy: Base at Kings Canyon's Cedar Grove for big rigs; day-trip to Sequoia's Giant Forest by car or shuttle
- Nearest rental cities: Fresno (1.5 hours), Sacramento (4.5 hours), San Francisco (5 hours)
What are the RV restrictions at Sequoia and Kings Canyon?
This is the section that saves you from a very bad day on a very narrow road. Sequoia and Kings Canyon have more vehicle restrictions than almost any other national park, and most of them apply to the Sequoia side.
Generals Highway — the big one
The Generals Highway connects the two parks and passes through Sequoia's most famous attractions — the General Sherman Tree, Giant Forest, and Moro Rock. The problem: a 16-mile section between Potwisha Campground and Giant Forest Museum was built in the early 1920s, and it shows.
- Vehicles over 22 feet: Not advised between Potwisha and Giant Forest Museum. Tight curves, blind corners, no guardrails in sections, and oncoming traffic on a road barely wide enough for two sedans.
- Vehicles over 40 feet (single vehicle): Prohibited on the same stretch. This isn't a suggestion — it's an NPS regulation.
- Vehicles over 24 feet: Not advised between the Foothills Visitor Center and Potwisha Campground.
The RV renters we talk to are consistently surprised by how restrictive this stretch is. Anything over 22 feet will have a white-knuckle drive through blind curves with no guardrails and oncoming traffic. It's not impossible — 30-foot RVs navigate it — but it's not enjoyable.
Other restricted roads
- Moro Rock/Crescent Meadow Road: Vehicles over 22 feet and all towing units prohibited. Closed to private vehicles on summer weekends and holidays (shuttle access only).
- Crystal Cave Road: Vehicles over 22 feet prohibited. Seasonal, generally late May through late September.
- Mineral King Road: Vehicles over 40 feet prohibited. RVs and trailers not permitted in Mineral King campgrounds at all. Extremely narrow with unpaved sections.
- Panoramic Point Road (Kings Canyon): RVs and trailers prohibited entirely. Narrow and winding access to a viewpoint near Grant Grove.
The strategic takeaway
If you're driving anything over 22 feet, enter through Highway 180 from Fresno to the Big Stump entrance. This bypasses the restrictive southern section of the Generals Highway entirely. From Grant Grove, you can access Kings Canyon's Cedar Grove and most of Kings Canyon's campgrounds without size issues. To reach Sequoia's Giant Forest, either drive the Generals Highway (with the size advisory) or park your RV at a campground and use the park shuttle system during summer.
Which campgrounds accept RVs at Sequoia National Park?
Sequoia has fewer RV-friendly campgrounds than you'd expect from a park this size. Two of its four campground areas ban RVs entirely, and the ones that accept them have tight length limits.
Potwisha — the year-round option
Potwisha is the lowest-elevation campground in the park and the only one that stays open all year. It sits in the Foothills area before the Generals Highway starts getting difficult.
- Sites: 40 (2 ADA-accessible)
- Elevation: 2,100 feet
- Season: Year-round
- Reservations: Required via Recreation.gov
- RV length: 24 feet maximum
- Amenities: Flush toilets, drinking water, dump station
- Fee: $32/night
- Generator hours: 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
The 24-foot limit means Potwisha works for campervans, small Class C motorhomes, and short travel trailers — but rules out most Class A rigs. The dump station is a plus, and year-round access makes it the default for winter visits.
Lodgepole — the hub
Lodgepole is Sequoia's largest campground and the closest to the General Sherman Tree, Giant Forest Museum, and the park's main visitor services. Getting an RV here means navigating the Generals Highway advisory stretch.
- Sites: 214 total (76 tent-only, so ~138 available for RVs)
- Elevation: 6,700 feet
- Season: June 15–December 1, 2026 (tentative)
- Reservations: Required via Recreation.gov
- RV length: 40 feet maximum
- Amenities: Flush toilets, drinking water, dump station, camp store
- Fee: $32/night
- Generator hours: 8–11 a.m. and 5–8 p.m. (restricted schedule)
Note the split generator hours — Lodgepole runs a tighter schedule than other campgrounds. If you rely on a generator for power, plan your cooking and charging around those windows.
What's closed or off-limits
- Dorst Creek: Will not open for the 2026 season.
- Buckeye Flat: Will not open for the 2026 season.
- Atwell Mill (Mineral King): Tent-only. No RVs or trailers permitted.
- Cold Springs (Mineral King): Tent-only. No RVs or trailers permitted. If you're weighing RV or tent camping for Mineral King specifically, tents are your only option.
Which campgrounds accept RVs at Kings Canyon?
Kings Canyon is where RV camping in this park system actually gets comfortable. The Cedar Grove area in particular accepts large rigs with no drama, and the Grant Grove area offers year-round access.
Grant Grove area (6,500 feet)
Azalea Campground — the year-round anchor
- Sites: 110 (1 ADA-accessible)
- Season: Year-round
- Reservations: Required via Recreation.gov
- RV length: Up to 47 feet (some sites up to 30 feet — check site-specific limits)
- Amenities: Flush toilets, drinking water, camp store nearby, cell reception
- Fee: $32/night
Azalea is one of only two year-round campgrounds across both parks (the other is Potwisha in Sequoia). The 47-foot max makes it accessible for mid-size Class A motorhomes. Cell reception is a rare bonus in this park system — most campgrounds have none.
Sunset Campground
- Sites: 158 (2 ADA-accessible) plus 2 group sites
- Season: May 20–September 8, 2026
- Reservations: Required via Recreation.gov
- RV length: 30 feet maximum
- Fee: $32/night (individual), $60/night (group)
Crystal Springs Campground
- Sites: 35 plus 14 group sites
- Season: May 20–September 13, 2026
- Reservations: Required via Recreation.gov
- RV length: 25 feet maximum
- Fee: $32/night (individual), $50/night (group)
Cedar Grove area (4,600 feet) — the RV sweet spot
Cedar Grove sits at the bottom of Kings Canyon along the Kings River, accessed via Highway 180 from Grant Grove. This is where the large-rig campgrounds are, and the road in is wide and well-maintained. The catch: it's seasonal, typically open late May through mid-November.
Moraine Campground — best for big rigs
- Sites: 120 (5 ADA-accessible)
- Season: May 20–September 8, 2026
- Reservations: Required via Recreation.gov
- RV length: Up to 65 feet
- Amenities: Flush toilets, drinking water, camp store nearby
- Fee: $32/night
We see a pattern with experienced RV travelers: they base at Kings Canyon's Cedar Grove — which accepts rigs up to 65 feet with no drama — and day-trip into Sequoia's Giant Forest by car or shuttle. It's the move if you're bringing anything bigger than a campervan.
Sheep Creek Campground
- Sites: 111
- Season: May 6–October 25, 2026
- Reservations: Required via Recreation.gov
- RV length: 20–30 feet average; some sites accommodate 90+ feet
- Amenities: Flush toilets, drinking water, camp store nearby
- Fee: $32/night
Sheep Creek has the longest season of any Cedar Grove campground and some surprisingly large sites. If you're in a big rig, filter by site size on Recreation.gov when booking — the range between the smallest and largest sites is dramatic.
Sentinel Campground
- Sites: 82 (5 ADA-accessible)
- Season: May 20–September 15, 2026
- Reservations: Required via Recreation.gov
- RV length: 20–30 feet average; select sites up to 82 feet
- Amenities: Flush toilets, drinking water, camp store nearby
- Fee: $32/night
Are there RV hookups at Sequoia or Kings Canyon?
No. None of the 14 campgrounds across both parks offer electric, water, or sewer hookups. Every site in both parks is dry camping — bring a full fresh water tank, a charged battery bank, or a generator (within posted hours).
Dump stations
- Potwisha (Sequoia): Dump station available year-round
- Lodgepole (Sequoia): Dump station available when campground is open (June–December)
- Cedar Grove (Kings Canyon): No dump station at any Cedar Grove campground
The lack of dump stations at Cedar Grove is worth noting — if you're camping there for multiple days, you'll need to manage your holding tanks carefully or drive back to Grant Grove/Lodgepole for the nearest dump.
Gateway town hookup options
Lemon Cove Village RV Park — 25 miles from the Sequoia entrance on CA-198 in the San Joaquin Valley. Full hookups, pull-through sites, pool. Year-round operation. A practical base camp if you want hookup comforts and don't mind a 45-minute drive into the park each day.
Sequoia Resort & RV Park — near the Big Stump entrance off Highway 180. Full-hookup RV sites on 400 acres of private forest. About an hour from the main Sequoia visitor areas but close to Grant Grove in Kings Canyon.
Three Rivers area — the gateway town on CA-198 closest to the Sequoia entrance. Several private RV parks and campgrounds with hookups, plus grocery stores, restaurants, and fuel. Check the best RV campgrounds in California for more options across the state.
How do you plan an RV route through both parks?
The trick to a successful RV trip here is treating these as two separate visits that happen to share a border.
The recommended approach for RVs over 22 feet
- Start from Fresno via Highway 180. This wide, well-maintained highway takes you directly to the Big Stump entrance at Grant Grove — no size restrictions, no winding mountain switchbacks.
- Camp at Kings Canyon's Cedar Grove. Moraine, Sheep Creek, or Sentinel offer the most RV space. Drive Highway 180 from Grant Grove down to Cedar Grove (about 30 miles, all RV-friendly).
- Day-trip to Sequoia's Giant Forest. Take the Generals Highway south from Grant Grove to the General Sherman Tree and Giant Forest Museum. If your RV is over 22 feet, consider leaving it at camp and driving a tow vehicle or using the park shuttle (runs summer weekends).
- Exit via Highway 180 back to Fresno or continue south on the Generals Highway if your vehicle meets the size requirements.
The small-rig approach (under 22 feet)
If you're in a campervan or short Class C, you have more flexibility. Enter from either direction, camp at Potwisha or Lodgepole in Sequoia, and drive the Generals Highway without the size advisory hanging over you. You can also access Moro Rock and Crescent Meadow Road (when open to private vehicles on weekdays).
Fuel and services
No gas stations exist inside either park. The nearest fuel is at Hume Lake (year-round, Sequoia National Forest) and Stony Creek Resort (summer only). Fill up in Fresno, Three Rivers, or wherever you're coming from before entering. In-park services are limited to small camp stores at Lodgepole, Grant Grove, and Cedar Grove.
Renters picking up in Fresno consistently tell us it's the smoothest approach — CA-180 is a wide, well-maintained highway all the way to the Big Stump entrance, with none of the winding mountain road surprises that catch people off guard from the south.
Cell service: Limited to Grant Grove and scattered spots along the Generals Highway. Cedar Grove and most campgrounds have no reception. Download maps and campground details before entering.
No EV charging is available anywhere inside either park.
Campground rules to know
- Quiet hours: 10 p.m.–6 a.m.
- Generator hours: 9 a.m.–9 p.m. at most campgrounds; 8–11 a.m. and 5–8 p.m. at Lodgepole
- Food storage: All food and scented items must be stored in bear boxes or inside your RV. Bears are active throughout both parks — leaving food out means ranger citations and fines.
- Pets: Allowed on leash (6 feet max) in campgrounds. Prohibited on all trails.
- Stay limit: 14 days per visit
- Check-in/out: Noon
Where should you rent an RV for Sequoia and Kings Canyon?
Three California cities work as pickup points, and your choice affects which entrance you'll use.
Fresno (1.5 hours)
The closest and most direct route. Take CA-180 east from Fresno straight to the Big Stump entrance at Grant Grove — no mountain passes, no RV size issues on the approach. This is the recommended pickup city for rigs of any size, especially Class A motorhomes and fifth wheels that can't handle the Generals Highway.
Browse Fresno RV rentals for options.
Sacramento (4.5 hours)
A larger rental market with more inventory. Take CA-99 south to Fresno, then CA-180 east to the park. The extra distance gives you access to more vehicle choices — useful if Fresno inventory is limited during peak season.
Browse Sacramento RV rentals for options.
San Francisco (5 hours)
The Bay Area offers the broadest selection of rental RVs in Northern California. Take I-5 or CA-99 south to Fresno, then CA-180 east. Budget a full driving day to reach the park — this is a destination trip, not a weekend run.
Browse San Francisco RV rentals for options.
What to look for in an RV for this trip
In our booking data, the most common mistake first-timers make is renting a Class A for a Sequoia trip. A 35-foot motorhome can physically enter the park from the south, but it can't reach the General Sherman Tree, Moro Rock, or most of the Giant Forest attractions without navigating that 22-foot-advisory stretch.
For Sequoia and Kings Canyon specifically:
- Class B campervans or short Class C motorhomes give you the most access. Anything under 22 feet can go everywhere in both parks without restriction.
- Mid-size Class C (22–30 feet) works well for Kings Canyon camping and can handle the Generals Highway with extra caution. Check your comfort level with tight mountain roads before committing.
- Class A motorhomes and large trailers should plan around Kings Canyon's Cedar Grove campgrounds and avoid the southern Sequoia approach entirely.
- Generator or solar setup matters more here than at most parks — zero hookups means you're self-sufficient or you're cold and in the dark.
About this guide
This guide draws on campground specifications and vehicle restriction data from the National Park Service's Sequoia & Kings Canyon campgrounds page, the NPS oversized vehicle restrictions page, the NPS campground regulations, and the NPS road information page. Campground availability and reservation details reference Recreation.gov's Sequoia & Kings Canyon gateway. RV-specific insights — sizing recommendations, route strategy, and the Kings Canyon base-camp approach — reflect patterns from Outdoorsy's rental and booking data across California park trips. All information was verified against current NPS sources as of August 2026.
