Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [380]
INSIDE SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK
The only national park campgrounds that accept reservations are Dorst and Lodgepole (☎ 800/365-2267; http:// reservations.nps.gov); the other campgrounds are first-come, first-served.
Reservations for Dorst and Lodgepole can be made up to 5 months in advance.
The two biggest campgrounds in the park are in the Lodgepole area. The Lodgepole Campground, which has flush toilets, is often crowded, but it's pretty and near some spectacular big trees and enough backcountry trails to offer some solitude. In summer, you'll find nearby a grocery store, restaurant, visitor center, children's nature center, evening ranger programs, and gift shop. From Giant Forest, drive 5 miles northeast on the Generals Highway. Dorst Campground, 14 miles northwest of Giant Forest on the Generals Highway, is a high-elevation campground that offers easy access to Muir Grove and some pleasant backcountry trails. It has flush toilets and evening ranger programs. Group campsites are available by reservation.
In the Foothills area, Potwisha Campground is small, with well-spaced sites
tucked beneath oak trees along the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River. However, it does get hot in summer. The campground has flush toilets. From the Ash Mountain Entrance, drive 3 miles northeast on the Generals Highway to the campground entrance. The Buckeye Flat Campground, which is open to tents only, sits among oaks along the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River, and although it also gets hot in summer, its scenic beauty makes it one of our favorites. It has flush toilets. From the Ash Mountain Entrance, drive about 6 miles northeast on the Generals Highway to the Hospital Rock Ranger Station. From there, follow signs to the campground, which is several miles down a narrow, winding road. South Fork Campground, just inside Sequoia's southwestern boundary, is the smallest and most remote campground in the park. It is along the South Fork of the Kaweah River and has pit toilets only. From the town of Three Rivers, go east on South Fork Road 23 miles to the campground.
The two campgrounds in the Mineral King area are open to tents only—no RVs or trailers. Pretty, small Atwell Mill Campground is near the East Fork of the Kaweah River, at Atwell Creek. It has pit toilets. From Three Rivers, take Mineral King Road east for 20 miles to the campground. Cold Springs Campground, which also has pit toilets, is a beautiful place but not very accessible. However, once you get there, you'll be rewarded with lovely scenery. It's near the Mineral King Ranger Station, making it a good starting point for many backcountry hikes. From Three Rivers, take Mineral King Road east for 25 miles to the campground.
For additional information, call the general Sequoia/Kings Canyon information line (☎ 559/565-3341).
IN KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARK
All of the campgrounds in Kings Canyon are first-come, first-served only; reservations are not available. All have flush toilets.
In the Grant Grove area are three attractive campgrounds near the big trees—Azalea, Crystal Springs, and Sunset. They have a pleasant, woodsy feeling, are close to park facilities, and offer evening ranger programs. From the Big Stump Entrance, take Calif. 180 east about 1¾ miles.
There are four attractive campgrounds in the Cedar Grove Village area, all accessible from Calif. 180 and fairly close to the facilities in Cedar Grove Village. Sentinel, the first to open for the season, tends to fill quickly; Moraine is the farthest from the crowds. The others generally open on an as-needed basis. They are Sheep Creek, located along picturesque Sheep Creek, and Canyon View, a group campground not listed in the accompanying table.
For additional information, call the general Sequoia/Kings Canyon information line (☎ 559/565-3341).
OUTSIDE THE PARKS
The U.S. Forest Service operates a number of campgrounds in Giant Sequoia National Monument, a 327,769-acre section of Sequoia National Forest, which was