Crystal Springs Campground Mid-Sized Group Sites
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Crystal Springs campground is centrally located in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in central California's rugged Sierra Nevada range. This mid-sized group campground is at an elevation of 6,500 feet. In addition to the 14 mid-sized group sites, there are 35 standard size campsite available for reservation on the Crystal Springs Campground page.
Mid-size group sites are for tents only with paved and graveled parking areas. The 14 mid-sized group sites include 3 picnic tables, a fire ring, and 2 bear boxes. Flush toilets and potable water are available at the campground. Each mid-sized group site can accommodate 7-15 people. There are also 35 individual sites available for reservation through the Crystal Springs Campground page.
The campground is located near Grant Grove Village, where you will find the Kings Canyon Visitor Center, a restaurant, gift store, Post Office and market. Nightly campfire programs are offered at the nearby amphitheater.
Notifications and Alerts
MAJOR ROAD REPAIRS AND DELAYS on the Generals Highway this spring. Travel to the Giant Forest area, Lodgepole campground, and to Kings Canyon NP will be delayed due to construction on the Generals Highway if entering through the Sequoia NP entrance station. For more information on the construction and delay times, please visit Road Construction - Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov) .
Need to Know
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) 565-4357 if you will be arriving 24 hours after your arrival date so your site won't be cancelled.
Upon making a campground reservation: Site occupants agree to follow ALL campground rules. Failure to comply may result in a fine. You are responsible for your guests.
Campground Rules and Regulations:
• Food Storage- You are in an ACTIVE BEAR AREA. Black Bears are active day and night. When not in arms reach, you must properly store all food, drinks, scented items, coolers, and equipment used to prepare food, inside provided food storage lockers. These items must be stored day and night. Food storage locker dimensions are 28" high x 33" deep x 47" wide.
•Site Occupancy Limit- Maximum of 15 people and 4 vehicles per site in letters A-N. No RV’s or trailers. Reservations can be made in advance to accommodate a larger group size in another campground.
• Check In is at 12 NOON- Please be prepared to show a screen shot (limited cell service) or printout of your reservation confirmation email upon arrival to the campground.
• Check Out is at 12 NOON- Campsites need to be vacated (vehicles and occupants) by 12:00 NOON.
• Parking Pad- Vehicles must be parked with all four wheels on pavement. Vehicles that do not fit on the provided parking pad must be parked in overflow parking areas.
• Quiet Hours 10pm to 6am- Music, talking, and generators should not be audible beyond your immediate campsite. Unreasonable noise is prohibited any time of day.
• Generator Hours- 9am to 9pm.
• Fire Restrictions- Check current fire restrictions at nps.gov/seki. Fires must be attended. DO NOT build additional fire rings. Glass, aluminum, and food are prohibited in fire rings. Firewood is sold locally. Dead and down wood may be gathered for your campfire. Logs must fit within the fire ring. Chainsaws are not allowed. Fires must be extinguished completely with water and be cool to the touch before leaving your campsite or going to bed.
• Tents- Pitch tents only on tent pads or within campsite boundaries.
• Dogs/Pets- must always be kept crated, caged, or on a leash no longer than six feet. Pets are allowed in campgrounds and picnic areas. Pets may not be left unattended. Pets are not allowed beyond 100 feet of public roads or parking areas. Pets are not allowed on any Park trails.
• Preserve Natural Resources- Injuring plants or trees by cutting, breaking, or attaching nails or other hardware is prohibited. Driving off pavement is prohibited.
• Bicycles- Helmets required if under 18 years of age. Bicycles are not allowed on any park trails.
• Trash Disposal- Please keep your campsite clean. Place all litter/trash in bear proof campground trash dumpsters. To prevent bears from getting trash please DO NOT forget to lock or relatch the dumpster. Do not leave cigarette butts, bottle caps, confetti or litter on the ground.
• Water Disposal- Do not dump grey-water on the ground or at the water spigots. Bring a tub to wash dishes or to collect shower water. All grey-water must be disposed of at the restrooms, dish sinks, or at a RV dump-station. Used water must not be allowed to run onto the ground.
• Propane Tank Disposal- DO NOT leave in the park. We are unable to recycle your used propane tanks. Please take them home with you and dispose of them properly.
Tire Chains may be required at any time. Be prepared at any time of year for a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions. Check Road Conditions at nps.gov/seki.
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.
Dangerous Rivers! Many drowning victims were playing near rivers. Rivers present a far greater danger than lakes or pools. Surfaces may look calm, but strong currents often run below. Be cautious walking near rivers as rocks can be slippery. Getting out of a cold, swift river is often impossible.
Falling Objects- Don't linger under dead, cracked, or broken branches. Run if you hear cracks or snapping from tree roots, trunks, or branches (know that sometimes there is no sound, and very little time to react). Report falling branches or trees to a ranger.
A California state fishing license is required to fish in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, and Sequoia National Forest lakes and streams. Fishing licenses may be available at National Park and National Forest markets.
Natural Features
Crystal Springs campground is located in a mixed conifer forest of sugar pines, incense cedar, fir and sequoia trees. Summer days can be warm and dry with cool nights. Wildlife is abundant and includes black bear, mule deer, gray squirrel, golden-mantled ground squirrel, and a variety of resident birds, among many others. The dynamic landscape of the park evolves from geologic processes working over millennia to sculpt granite, marble and other forms of rock. Here in the parks are canyons carved by rivers and glaciers, towering rugged peaks and miles of underground caverns. Found throughout the park are thousands of lakes and ponds and miles of rivers and streams.
Nearby Attractions
Crystal Springs campground is within an hour's drive from the Giant Forest in Sequoia National Park, home of the biggest tree in the world, the General Sherman, and the Cedar Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park. Fishing is 30 minutes away at Hume Lake in Sequoia National Forest. The national forest also includes Converse Basin and Chicago Stump, where you can learn the history of logging in the area.
The Crystal Caves are about a one and a half hour drive (39 miles/63 km) from the campground. Reserve tour tickets in advance on Recreation.gov.
Recreation
There are numerous recreation opportunities in the immediate area. From your campsite, you can hike to a Sequoia Grove that includes the General Grant Tree, the Nation's Christmas Tree and only living memorial to our military veterans. Hike to the beautiful Ella Falls, a 50 foot waterfall or to Panoramic Point for a breathtaking view of the high Sierras.
Changes & 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 group campsites: All modifications must be made at least 14 days prior to scheduled arrival date to avoid additional fees.
- 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) 565-4357 if you will be arriving 24 hours after your arrival date so your site won't be cancelled.
Contact Information
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Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, 47050 Generals Highway Three Rivers CA 93271
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 559-565-3341
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From Fresno, CA, take Highway 180 East for 1 1/2 hours
Available Campsites
- Site E, Loop Crystal Springs Campground Mid-Sized Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site N, Loop Crystal Springs Campground Mid-Sized Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site K, Loop Crystal Springs Campground Mid-Sized Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site A, Loop Crystal Springs Campground Mid-Sized Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site I, Loop Crystal Springs Campground Mid-Sized Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site B, Loop Crystal Springs Campground Mid-Sized Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site M, Loop Crystal Springs Campground Mid-Sized Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site J, Loop Crystal Springs Campground Mid-Sized Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site L, Loop Crystal Springs Campground Mid-Sized Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site C, Loop Crystal Springs Campground Mid-Sized Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site D, Loop Crystal Springs Campground Mid-Sized Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site F, Loop Crystal Springs Campground Mid-Sized Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site H, Loop Crystal Springs Campground Mid-Sized Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site G, Loop Crystal Springs Campground Mid-Sized Group Sites, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
