Sequoia National Park offers exceptional RV camping across multiple campgrounds featuring America's largest living trees, diverse Sierra Nevada ecosystems, and year-round outdoor adventures. Lodgepole Campground provides the most popular base camp for RVs up to 40 feet, while strategic locations like Fresno and Visalia offer prime access to this 404,063-acre wonderland that welcomed over 1.2 million visitors in 2024, making advance planning essential for securing campground reservations.
Home to some of the world's most massive trees, including the famous General Sherman Tree, Sequoia National Park captures the majesty and wonder of California's Sierra Nevada Mountains. The park finds its home directly next to Kings Canyon National Park within the southern section of California's Sierra Nevada mountain range, well-renowned for its abundant sequoia tree growth. Sequoia is the ultimate RV adventure since it houses the largest living tree on Earth and offers access to Crystal Cave, an underground attraction with breathtakingly beautiful marble formations displaying glistening streams and interesting rock structures.
You will be in store for a world of limitless adventure during your RV trip to Sequoia, from hiking among giant trees and exploring underground caves to snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. You can experience the grandeur of the Giant Forest where four of the world's five largest sequoias are found. There is no shortage of great spots for photography and wildlife viewing, like Moro Rock or the scenic Generals Highway. You can walk amongst the towering sequoias in Giant Forest or explore the marble formations of Crystal Cave.
The summer is the peak season for RVers and other visitors since temperatures typically reach a pleasant 70 to 80 degrees with all roads accessible. The late spring and early fall are nice times to visit too, with mild temperatures and fewer crowded roads. In the colder months, Sequoia National Park turns into a winter wonderland perfect for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing among snow-dusted giants.
You can access Sequoia through two main entrances. Highway 198 from Visalia leads east to Sequoia National Park via Three Rivers, while Highway 180 from Fresno leads east to Kings Canyon National Park, then connects to Sequoia via the Generals Highway. However, vehicle length restrictions apply throughout the park. Vehicles longer than 22 feet are not recommended between Potwisha Campground and the Giant Forest Museum, and vehicles longer than 24 feet are not recommended between the Foothills Visitor Center and Potwisha Campground. For larger RVs, it's recommended to use the north entrance on Highway 180 through Kings Canyon.
California Central Valley Access: Fresno RV rentals position you perfectly for Sequoia's northern access through Kings Canyon, offering the safest route for larger RVs. This gateway provides direct access to Grant Grove and connects seamlessly to Sequoia's main attractions, with approximately 56 miles driving distance to the park.
Southern California Access: Visalia RV rentals offer convenient access to Sequoia's main entrance while serving as an excellent base for exploring the Central Valley. This location provides the shortest route to Giant Forest and General Sherman Tree, making it ideal for those prioritizing easy access to the park's most famous attractions.
You can park your RV at campgrounds and parking lots by the park's visitor centers and major attractions, such as Giant Forest Museum, Lodgepole Village, and Grant Grove. Parking may be more limited for larger RVs during peak season in the summer. In winter, many roads close due to snow conditions, requiring alternative transportation like park shuttles.
Located just ten miles from Giant Forest, Dorst Creek Campground offers 218 sites available for tents, RVs, and trailers. Open from June to September with reservations recommended, this campground can accommodate RVs up to 125 feet and offers pull-through sites. Amenities include a dump station, food lockers, vault toilets, and generator use permitted from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Lodgepole Campground is open from April to November, with 214 sites available for tents and RVs up to 40 feet in length. This campground is in a beautiful location within walking distance to Lodgepole Village, which offers a visitor center and camp store and shower and laundry facilities. Located near one of the forks of the Kaweah River, this is the most popular camping spot for both tent sites and RV spots. Each campsite includes a picnic table and fire ring
Located in Kings Canyon National Park near Grant Grove, Azalea Campground offers 110 sites accommodating RVs up to 30 feet. Open year-round, this campground provides easy access to both Sequoia and Kings Canyon attractions. Amenities include flush toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, and food storage lockers due to bear activity in the area.
Also located in Grant Grove area of Kings Canyon, Sunset Campground features 157 sites for tents and RVs up to 30 feet. Open from May to September, this campground offers similar amenities to Azalea and provides excellent access to General Grant Tree and other grove attractions.
High up in the mountains, far from any city lights, Sequoia National Park is one of the darkest places to visit in the Nation. Astronomy programs are offered at the Wuksachi Lodge and on clear nights, the Milky Way clearly shines above the park. The sky is as it was before artificial light polluted its wonders. You can soak in the magic of the stars during the Wonders of the Night Sky program or the Dark Skies Festival.
The heart of Sequoia National Park features Giant Forest. This forest houses about half of the Earth’s largest and longest-living trees. John Muir named the forest back in 1875, and many of today’s trees were there to bear witness to his travels. The Giant Forest is alive with wonder. Many come to see these towering tree giants but leave having experienced something so much more grand.
The most famous tree in the Giant Forest is General Sherman Tree. Towering at 275 feet tall, General Sherman is the tallest tree in the world. There are two trails, the Main Trail and the ADA-accessible trail, that make it easy to reach the legendary tree from the parking lot, off of Wolverton Road.
Located between the Ash Mountain entrance and Giant Forest, Crystal Cave requires a half-mile scenic, yet steep stroll in order to arrive at its mouth. The park offers guided tours from mid-May through September. Most tours last about 45 minutes through the half-mile loop in the cave. Tickets must be purchased before arriving to the cave and can be bought at the Foothills Visitors Center. Rigs over 22 feet are not allowed on Crystal Cave Road.
While public transportation is not offered inside the park, free park shuttles operate during peak season connecting major attractions. The Sequoia Shuttle provides fee-based transportation from gateway communities to key park destinations. During winter, road closures may require alternative transportation methods, though snowcoach tours and guided services are available through private companies.
Open from April to September, Buckeye Flat offers 28 tent-only sites along the Middle Fork Kaweah River. While this campground doesn't accommodate RVs, it provides a peaceful alternative for those with smaller camping setups. Located at 2,800 feet elevation, it offers access to excellent fishing and swimming holes.
Located along the South Fork Kaweah River, this small campground offers 10 sites for tents only. Open from May to October, it provides a quiet, secluded camping experience for those seeking solitude away from the main park areas.
Open year-round, Potwisha Campground offers 42 sites for tents and RVs up to 24 feet in length. Located at lower elevation near the Foothills Visitor Center, this campground provides earlier season access and warmer temperatures. Amenities include restrooms, picnic tables, and fire rings. The nearby Middle Fork Kaweah River offers excellent fishing opportunities.
Located just 23 miles from CA-198 on Mineral King Road, Cold Springs Campground is an ideal setting for tent-only camping. The grounds are located near the Mineral King Visitor Center, nestled among evergreen and aspen trees and situated along the eastern fork of the Kaweah River. Open typically from June to October, there are 40 sites available on a first-come, first-served basis. No water is available, so, come prepared. There are, however, food storage lockers, pay phones, vault toilets, and multiple trailheads that lead out from the grounds.
If you are up for an adventure, Sequoia offers great opportunities for backcountry camping. You can explore over 800 miles of wilderness trails and stay at designated backcountry campsites throughout the park. Remember that higher elevations may have snow until July and can be extremely cold even during summer months. Permits are required for overnight stays and must be obtained at least 48 hours in advance.
Explore more RV parks and campgrounds across North America for your next adventure.
As with many other National Parks, Sequoia has worked to make as much of the grounds as accessible as possible in order to allow everyone, of every ability, to enjoy the park. One of the most accessible trails in the park is found in Big Trees Trail. It is an easy, self-guided loop that circles through Round Meadow and features trail-side exhibits that describe the local ecology. The trail is just over a mile.
The park’s Rangers run a whole variety of programs that are designed to keep visitors entertained and educated. There’s just something special about having a park Ranger on hand to ask those questions that have been lingering in the back of your mind. The insights from these experts are the perfect way to learn about the park’s wonders. Whether you get to enjoy a guided hike, a nightly program, or attend a campfire talk, you surely won’t be disappointed. Most Ranger programs are held throughout the summer, so that's the perfect time to get involved. Check the park schedule for more information about Ranger-led activities and programs.
Big Stump snow play area near Grant Grove provides excellent sledding and snow play opportunities for families. The area offers gentle slopes perfect for children and safe winter recreation.
Snow-covered sequoias create magical photographic opportunities unique to winter months. The contrast between massive tree trunks and pristine snow creates stunning black and white and color photography subjects.
Did you enjoy reading this guide? For more California national park adventures, check out our Kings Canyon National Park guide.
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It’s a cross-country skier’s paradise here at Sequoia National Park. In the very heart of this recreational area, Wuksachi Lodge makes a supreme choice as a base for those who are just starting out with the sport. The lodge also offers more challenging trails where more seasoned skiers can show off their skills. Skiers should be sure to add this stop on their list of travel destinations.
Since temperatures can drop to the chill zone during the winter months, be sure to dress in layers to ward off the cold. You'll need to bring along drinking water to keep your hydration levels optimal during your cross-country skiing trip.
The Generals Highway is a roadway that connects the two parks, Kings Canyon and Sequoia. Along both sides runs the celebrated Sequoia groves and a number of popular trailheads pepper the way. The roadway offers a scenic drive to well-visited overlooks and rocky ridges. Winter weather conditions can make travel a bit tricky, so be sure to come well prepared. Weather can be unpredictable at times, so it is advised to be ready with enough creature comforts to get you through some time that could be spent waiting for a snowplow. Bring along a camera to record the beautiful sights you will encounter along your highway journey.
Easy, fun, and a totally unique way to wander among the giant Sequoias of the park, guided snowshoe walks are an extremely popular activity at this recreational area. This setting for snowshoeing is, simply put, perfect. The orange trunks contrast so nicely against the white snow, creating an ideal backdrop for such a leisurely recreation. With weather permitting, the Rangers provide guided snowshoe walks in the Giant Forest that are free of charge. They are perfect for beginners who also want to learn more about the history and unique geographical features of the park.
Be sure to dress in layers to stay warm during colder weather. Bring along drinking water and a thermos of coffee or hot chocolate to enjoy with your family and friends on your snowshoeing adventure.
This destination is more of a challenge, but very much worth the reward. All the way up at 9,200 feet, Pear Lake Winter Hut offers access to some of the most pristine winter wilderness settings in the park. There is a steep six mile-long trail that begins at Wolverton and gains a good 2,000 feet of elevation by the time Pear Lake is reached. It’s a hike that’s best suited for those who are quite fit and are more experienced with backcountry travelling. Those who do dare to venture out to the hut will get to experience a quiet that only the High Sierra in winter can provide. A cozy cabin with a provided pellet stove (and pellets) will keep you warm after your trek. It’s a well deserved ending. Before making your way to the hut, be sure you’ve made reservations, as they are required for access.
Half-day tours are provided by Sequoia Sightseeing Tours. These tours of Sequoia National Park depart from Wuksachi Lodge. From this start, the tour will take you along to witness such sights as the General Sherman Tree, the Tunnel Log, Moro Rock, and much more. Reservations are highly recommended as this is quite a popular tour.
The park’s southern portion is home to the famed Tokopah Falls. The towering falls scale to 1,200 feet and show off a series of small cascades. None of the drops themselves are really all that high, but that doesn’t steer away from the sheer beauty of the falls in their entirety. An almost two-mile hike will land you at the mouth of these incredible natural water features. It’s not a particularly difficult walk to get to this destination, so you won’t have to wait long to see the falls in all their splendor.
From black bears to birds of many feathers and from fish to falcons; you’ll never be without an opportunity to witness much of California’s wildlife in its natural splendor. A good portion of Sequoia National Park remains untouched, as its inhabitants are who rule in these parts. An array of birds, mammals, and everything in between await, all held within extreme elevation changes. Some of the most commonly sighted animals include bears, coyotes, opossums, deer, and badgers.
Scaling the Sequoia is a popular pastime for many of the park’s visitors. Sequoia offers rocky routes that challenge climbers of all ability levels. Moro Rock is one of the most popular and easily accessible climbs in the park, offering 1,000 feet of climbing adventure. If you're up for a challenge, you can take an 18-mile hike to reach Angel Wings, which is one of the tallest climbs in the park.
Climbing is typically prohibited at Moro Rock and Chimney Rock from April and through August to protect the habitat of nesting peregrine falcons. If you are not a skilled rock climber, you may want to consider hiring a professional guide to accompany you and your family on your adventure. Be sure to wear appropriate footwear and to carry drinking water and snacks with you.
Some of the best horseback riding can be enjoyed at Sequoia, with several locations providing riding services for equestrians of all abilities. Riding services include anything from guided day rides to overnight and multi-day trips. It’s best to contact the area’s stables for more in-depth information before committing to the trip. You can also bring your own horse to ride in the park, but make sure you follow all park rules. A permit is required for overnight rides.
The Giant Forest Museum is the perfect location to get to know all there is to know about the Giant Forest and its famous trees. Visitors come from far and wide to learn all sorts of fun and intriguing facts. Here, you can be taught how to identify trees, learn what makes a Sequoia different from a Redwood, explore the area’s natural ecology, or take an interpretive trail. Admission is free, and the museum is open daily.
At this park, fly fishing is renowned as so much more than a sport. It’s a science, a skill, an art--and it is a recreation that is celebrated at Sequoia. It’s not for everyone, and many succumb to fly fishing’s tediousness, but for those who stick with the mystique of the craft, hours of wonderful reward await. Be sure you have the correct bait for your fishing adventure and bring all of the creature comforts you will need to enjoy a great day on the water including refreshing beverages and snacks.
This strenuous hike is one that goes seven miles one way, meaning to and from is going to be a good 14-mile round trip. It is a trail that is considered by many to be one of “the best” day hikes in the park. At a whopping 11,204 feet in elevation, Alta Peak offers its visitors jaw-dropping vistas of the High Sierra and beyond. On a nice, clear day you can even see all the way to Mount Whitney!
Since this hike is considered a challenging one, you will want to be sure to bring along food and water to keep hunger and thirst at bay. Wear appropriate footwear to prevent injury. The weather can get chilly during the fall months, so dress in layers to remain warm.
The enormous Sequoias and famed Redwood forests make up some of the most inspiring scenes worth capturing forever. The photo opportunities are endless, even for the most novice of photographers. There are many overlooks where you can capture settings worth placing on a postcard, but don’t stop there. There is much that is worth capturing in this photographer’s paradise.
There are several lakes, rivers, and creeks inside Sequoia National Park. Many of these waterways hosts areas that are quite popular among fishing enthusiasts. Most come here to catch Rainbow Trout, wild Brown Trout, Brook Trout, and even sometimes Golden Trout. In this park, Wolverton Creek and places near Wuksachi Lodge and Mineral King are popular fishing havens.
You can fish directly from the shore or paddle out in your canoe or kayak to try your hand at catching the "big one." Once your fishing adventure is over, you can fillet your fish along the banks of the water then grill up a feast back at your campground.
