Dorst Creek Campground-Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park campground
Three Rivers, California

Dorst Creek Campground-Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park

Check by phone
203 campsites
Open in maps

203

Total Campsites

Campground

203

Reservable Sites

Check by phone

8

Accessible

ADA-compliant sites

Organization

Managing agency

Overview

About Dorst Creek Campground-Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park

Overview Dorst Creek Campground is located in the breathtaking Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in central California's rugged Sierra Nevada range. The campground is perched at an elevation of 6,700 ft., on the banks of scenic Dorst Creek. Several meadows surround the campground and a number of small streams flow through the site. A handful of popular day-hikes begin from or near the campground, including the trail to Lost Grove, a 57-acre grove containing 15 beautiful sequoias. Recreation Dorst Creek lies in the Giant Forest region of Sequoia National Park, where forty miles of trails invite visitors to immerse themselves in the majesty of the ancient groves. Several additional popular hiking and wilderness trailheads are close by, including the Big Trees Trail and the trail to Moro Rock, a granite dome with spectacular views of the Great Western Divide and western half of the park. Tokopah Falls Trail is an easy walk along the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River, leading to an impressive 1,200 ft. waterfall. Fly-fishing is a popular activity on Dorst Creek and the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River. Facilities Dorst Creek lies in the Giant Forest region of Sequoia National Park, where forty miles of trails invite visitors to immerse themselves in the majesty of the ancient groves. Several additional popular hiking and wilderness trailheads are close by, including the Big Trees Trail and the trail to Moro Rock, a granite dome with spectacular views of the Great Western Divide and western half of the park. Tokopah Falls Trail is an easy walk along the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River, leading to an impressive 1,200 ft. waterfall. Fly-fishing is a popular activity on Dorst Creek and the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River. Natural Features Lodgepole pine, red fir, and shrubs forest the campground, while towering groves of giant sequoias and craggy granite peaks dot the landscape. This region is characterized by warm days and cool nights in the summer and deep snow and cold days in the winter. contact_info For facility specific information, please call (559) 565-4404. Nearby Attractions The inspiring Giant Forest Grove, General Sherman Tree, General Grant Tree, Moro Rock and Tunnel Log are just 9-17 miles away, as well as the informative Lodgepole Visitor Center and Giant Forest Museum. Colorful Crescent Meadow offers views of vivid summer wildflowers and access to Tharp's Log, a cabin in a fallen sequoia. Tours into Crystal Cave, one of hundreds of marble caves in the park, give visitors an interesting view of rock formations, fossils, rare minerals and unique wildlife. Tickets are required. Reserve in advance on www.recreation.gov. Tickets may also be purchased same day, if available, at the Lodgepole Visitor Center. Tickets are not sold at the cave entrance. The Crystal Cave is about about a one hour drive (21 miles/34 km) from the campground. Vehicles longer than 22 feet long are prohibited on the narrow winding Crystal Cave Road. Charges & Cancellations Payment in full will be charged to your credit card upon completion of the reservation. A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation. Additional fees will apply for late cancellations. For individual campsites: All cancellations made between midnight on the day before arrival and check out time on the day after arrival are considered late cancellations and will incur a $10.00 cancellation fee and will also forfeit the first night’s use fee. Cancellations for a single night’s reservation will forfeit the entire use fee but no cancellation fee will apply. For group campsites: All cancellations made within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date are considered late cancellations and will incur the $10.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's use fee. Cancellations for a single night's use will forfeit the entire use fee but no cancellation fee will apply. If your campsite remains vacant for 24 hours after your arrival date it will be cancelled and made available on rec.gov. You will be charged for the first night's campsite fee and a $10 cancellation fee, all other fees after that will be refunded. Recreation.gov policies apply to all reservations, cancellations, refunds and date changes. Call (559) 565-4404 if you will be arriving 24 hours after your arrival date so your site won't be cancelled.

  • 203 total campsites listed.
  • 8 accessible campsites listed.
  • Most common site type: standard nonelectric (146).
  • Map coordinates are available for trip planning.
Dorst Creek Campground-Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park photo 2
Dorst Creek Campground-Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park photo 3

Our Take

What makes Dorst Creek Campground-Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park special

Dorst Creek Campground is your basecamp for exploring the ancient giants of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, nestled in the western Sierra Nevada near Three Rivers, California. At an elevation of roughly 6,700 feet, the campground sits beneath a canopy of towering conifers and offers a cool mountain retreat from the Central Valley heat below. With 203 sites spread across forested loops, Dorst Creek strikes a balance between accessibility and wilderness immersion that few park campgrounds can match. The big draw here is proximity to the General Sherman Tree and the Giant Forest, home to the largest trees on Earth. Hikers can access trails leading to Muir Grove, a quieter sequoia stand that rewards those willing to walk a few miles. Dorst Creek itself winds through the campground, and kids love wading in the shallow water during warm summer afternoons. The campground typically operates from late June through Labor Day, though exact dates shift with snowpack. Reservations are essential during July and August — competition for sites is fierce. Arriving midweek gives you the best shot at a prime spot. Evening programs led by park rangers are a highlight, and the dark skies here offer memorable stargazing. Pack layers, as Sierra nights can dip into the 40s even in midsummer.

Campsite Inventory

203 sites to choose from

STANDARD NONELECTRIC

146total sites

146

Reservable

6

Accessible

RV NONELECTRIC

25total sites

25

Reservable

1

Accessible

WALK TO

24total sites

24

Reservable

0

Accessible

GROUP STANDARD AREA NONELECTRIC

4total sites

4

Reservable

0

Accessible

TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC

4total sites

4

Reservable

1

Accessible

Amenities & Details

Everything you need to know

Accessibility

Yes

CAMPFIRE RINGS

Campfire Rings

Campfire Allowed

Yes

Check-in time

0:00 AM, 12:00 PM

Check-out time

0:00 AM, 12:00 PM

Condition Rating

Good

Driveway entry

Back-In, N/A, Parallel, Pull-Through

Driveway Grade

Slight

Driveway length (ft)

12, 121, 125, 133

Driveway surface

Paved

Fire Pit

Fire Pit, Yes

Food Locker

Food Locker, Yes

GRILLS

Yes

Grills/Fire Ring

Grills/Fire Ring, Yes

Hike In Distance to Site

111 FEET, 114 feet, 129 FEET, 138 feet

Max guests

25, 40, 50, 6

Max vehicle length (ft)

121, 125, 133, 15

Minimum guests

Yes, 12

Reservations & Contact

Plan your stay

Check by phone

Phone

559-565-3341

Email

Ed_Huston@nps.gov

Getting There

Both roads leading to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks approach from the west. They are open all day, every day, depending on weather. From the east, no roads reach the park boundary. The main park road, The Generals Highway, connects the north and south entrances. Winter storms may cause temporary closures from Grant Grove to Lodgepole. It takes about 1 1/4 hours to drive to the campground from the south park entrance (198E) or 45 minutes from the north park entrance (180E). Notice: Vehicles longer than 22 feet (including trailers) are not advised between Potwisha Campground and the Giant Forest Museum. Visitors with vehicles over 22 feet in total length hoping to visit the Giant Forest or camp at Lodgepole and Dorst Creek Campgrounds are advised to enter via the northern, Highway 180, entrance to these parks. Arriving from the south (Highway 198): From Highways 65 or 99, go east on Highway 198E. Follow signs for Sequoia National Park to the park entrance.  Highway 180E may be reached from Highway 198E using Highway 63N from Visalia. Arriving from the north (Highway 180): From Fresno, take Highway 180E, following signs to Kings Canyon National Park.  Once in the park, follow signs to Sequoia National Park and Lodgepole.

FAQ

Common questions

Everything you need to know before your trip to Dorst Creek Campground-Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park.

How do reservations work for Dorst Creek Campground-Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park?

Reservation availability for Dorst Creek Campground-Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park can vary by season and campsite type. Check the contact and access section before booking.

What campsite types are available at Dorst Creek Campground-Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park?

Dorst Creek Campground-Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park currently lists STANDARD NONELECTRIC (146), RV NONELECTRIC (25), WALK TO (24), GROUP STANDARD AREA NONELECTRIC (4).

Where is Dorst Creek Campground-Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park located?

Dorst Creek Campground-Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park is in California near Three Rivers. Coordinates: 36.6361, -118.8097.

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