Dorst Creek Campground-Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks

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.

The campground is very popular with tent and RV campers alike. It has paved roads, flush toilets, and drinking water, but no electricity. Picnic tables, fire rings, and bear food storage boxes are provided at each site. A free dump station is located on-site. Lodgepole Village is nine miles away, offering a visitor center, nightly Interpretive Ranger programs, a market, deli, snack bar, gift shop, post office, coin-operated showers and laundry facilities.

Notifications and Alerts

• Dorst Creek Campground will be closed for the 2022 season while impacts from the 2021 KNP Complex Fire are assessed.

Need to Know

• Notice: By making a reservation for this campground, site occupants agree to follow ALL campground rules listed below, and posted at the campground upon arrival. 

  Recreation.gov policies apply to all reservations, cancellations, refunds and date changes.

• Campground Rules and Regulations: 

  Failure to comply with these items may result in a fine.

  • Food Storage- You are in an active bear area. When not in use, you must store all food, scented items, coolers, equipment used to prepare food and garbage (recycling also) insife provided bear-proof boxes. These items must be stored day and night. Food-storage box dimensions are 28" high x 33" deep x 47" wide.
  • Registration- For campers with advanced reservations, please check in at the kiosk upon arrival.  
  • Parking- Vehicles must be parked with all four wheels on pavement. Extra vehicles must be parked in overflow parking lots.
  • Quiet hours- Quiet hours are from 10 PM to 6 AM daily. Music, talking, and generators should not be audible beyond your immediate campsite anytime of day. 
  • Generator use hours in Dorst Creek Campground are 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM & 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Generator use is NOT allowed in Sites # 62-127.
  • Check out- Campsites need to be vacated (people, equipment, and vehicles) by 12:00 pm noon.
  • Occupancy- There is a maximum of 6 people per campsite. If you exceed this number, purchase another site (if available) and relocate some of your group and equipment to the other campsite. Reservations can be made in advance for group campgrounds that will accommodate your group size.
  • Fires- Campfires are only permitted in fire rings. DO NOT leave a fire unattended. Be certain to extinguish fire completely with water before leaving site. Dead wood on the ground may be collected for fuel for campfires within the parks, do not cut or break trees. All collected wood must fit completely within fire rings.
  • Fire rings are provided in each campsite, DO NOT build additional fire rings.
  • Tents- Pitch tents on tent pads or within campsite boundaries only. 
  • Day Use- Campsites are for overnight visitors only. Please use designated day use areas for parking, picnics, and river access.
  • Trash- Please keep your campsite clean. Place all litter in campground trash dumpsters. Do not leave cigarette butts or bottle caps on the ground. Glass, aluminum, and food are prohibited in fire pits.
  • Water- Do not dump waste water on the ground or at the water spigots. All waste water must be disposed of at the restroom dish sinks or at a campground RV dumpstation. This applies to shower tents as well. Shower water must be collected and disposed of as stated above. Used water must not be allowed to run onto the ground.
  • Pets- Pets must be kept on a leash six feet long or less at all times. Pets may not be tied to an object or left unattended. Dogs, cats and other pets on a leash, crated, or otherwise under physical restraint are permitted in the parks only within 100 feet of the edge of established roads or parking areas open to public, and are permitted within established campgrounds and picnic areas. Dogs, cats, and other pets are prohibited in the backcountry and on established trails.
  • Preserve Natural Resources- Injuring plants by cutting, breaking, or attaching nails or other hardware is prohibited.
  • Bicycles are allowed (with helmets if under 18 years of age). Bicycles are not allowed off-road or on any park trails.                                                                          
  • No scooter, roller skate/blade, or skateboard usage allowed on park roadways, including in campgrounds.            
  • Propane Tanks- We are unable to recycle your used propane tanks. They CAN NOT be left at the park. You must take them home with you and dispose of them properly.

• Fire Safety: If having a fire at your campsite, you must use the fire ring provided. Logs and wood must fit completely within the fire ring. When done with your fire, make sure it is fully extinguished before leaving the area or going to bed at night — drown the remaining coals and embers with water and be sure it is cold to the touch. 

  Please don't travel with firewood; get it at or near your camping destination. Help protect these parks from invasive species, such as insects, fungi and other pests living in firewood that can spread beyond campgrounds threatening the health of the forest. Local markets sell firewood and gathering dead and down wood is allowed.

• 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.

• Summer Shuttle Information: NO SHUTTLE SERVICE SUMMER 2020

  • Shuttle service runs from Visalia to the Giant Forest within Sequoia National Park from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend; shuttle reservations are required for getting to the park and can be obtained by calling 1-877-BUS-HIKE.
  • A separate free shuttle service runs within the Giant Forest/Lodgepole area of Sequoia National Park with stops at Dorst Creek Campground, the Wuksachi Lodge, Lodgepole Visitor Center and Market, Lodgepole Campground, Upper and Lower Sherman Tree Parking, Giant Forest Museum, Moro Rock, and Crescent Meadow.

• Dangerous Rivers! Most park deaths result from drowning in rivers. Many drowning victims were playing near rivers and unexpectedly fell in. 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 smooth and slippery or shift unexpectedly. Getting out of a cold, swift river is often impossible.

  Falling Objects - Branches and entire trees may fall at any time. A pine cone falling from a great height can be dangerous. Rocks may tumble from above you. Watch for potential hazards while you are out exploring the parks. Trees and branches have been falling frequently, possibly due to the drought and beetle damage.Branches may fall whether or not they appear dead, even when there is no wind, so avoidance is the safest response. 

  • Don't linger under dead, cracked, or broken branches. Watch/listen for falling trees! 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.

• This is an American Black Bear habitat: all food, scented items, coolers and garbage must be properly stored in provided bear-resistant food storage boxes, not in your vehicle, 24 hours/day. Food storage box dimensions are 28" high x 33" deep x 47" wide.

• Miscellaneous Information:

  • 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. 
  • Cell service is extremely limited in the National Parks.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Contact Information

Default

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park 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

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.

Available Campsites

• Site 114, Loop Loop E, Type Walk To
• Site 151, Loop Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 154, Loop Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 035, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 193, Loop Loop H, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 217, Loop Loop H, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 116, Loop Loop E, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 041, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 085, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 023, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 131, Loop Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 139, Loop Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 010, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 170, Loop Loop G, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 117, Loop Loop E, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 071, Loop Loop C, Type Walk To
• Site 218, Loop Loop H, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 009, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 078, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 032, Loop Loop B, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 159, Loop Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 060, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 179, Loop Loop G, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 167, Loop Loop G, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 083, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 184, Loop Loop G, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 124, Loop Loop E, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 105, Loop Loop E, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 045, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 112, Loop Loop E, Type Walk To
• Site 123, Loop Loop E, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A, Loop Group Sites, Type Group Standard Area Nonelectric
• Site 091, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 182, Loop Loop G, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 047, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 080, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 122, Loop Loop E, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 055, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 030, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 063, Loop Loop C, Type Walk To
• Site 024, Loop Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 172, Loop Loop G, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 028, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 022, Loop Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 134, Loop Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 093, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 008, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 086, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 034, Loop Loop B, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 211, Loop Loop H, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 018, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 067, Loop Loop C, Type Walk To
• Site 050, Loop Loop B, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 097, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 188, Loop Loop G, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 113, Loop Loop E, Type Walk To
• Site 152, Loop Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 173, Loop Loop G, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 148, Loop Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 206, Loop Loop H, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 120, Loop Loop E, Type Walk To
• Site 014, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 037, Loop Loop B, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 213, Loop Loop H, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 079, Loop Loop D, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 056, Loop Loop B, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 017, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 072, Loop Loop C, Type Walk To
• Site 006, Loop Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 163, Loop Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 186, Loop Loop G, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 146, Loop Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 068, Loop Loop C, Type Walk To
• Site 029, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 103, Loop Loop E, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 198, Loop Loop H, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 026, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 057, Loop Loop B, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 180, Loop Loop G, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 073, Loop Loop C, Type Walk To
• Site 121, Loop Loop E, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 204, Loop Loop H, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 185, Loop Loop G, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 075, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site C, Loop Group Sites, Type Group Standard Area Nonelectric
• Site 145, Loop Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 155, Loop Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 001, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 199, Loop Loop H, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 049, Loop Loop B, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 048, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 205, Loop Loop H, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 109, Loop Loop E, Type Walk To
• Site 144, Loop Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 019, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 203, Loop Loop H, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 046, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 062, Loop Loop C, Type Walk To
• Site 040, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 025, Loop Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 096, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 214, Loop Loop H, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 015, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 064, Loop Loop C, Type Walk To
• Site 191, Loop Loop G, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 168, Loop Loop G, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 082, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 039, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 012, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 158, Loop Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 175, Loop Loop G, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 194, Loop Loop H, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 084, Loop Loop D, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 054, Loop Loop B, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 208, Loop Loop H, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 181, Loop Loop G, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 177, Loop Loop G, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 150, Loop Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 031, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 003, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 129, Loop Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 126, Loop Loop E, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 110, Loop Loop E, Type Walk To
• Site 107, Loop Loop E, Type Walk To
• Site 111, Loop Loop E, Type Walk To
• Site 169, Loop Loop G, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 190, Loop Loop G, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 102, Loop Loop E, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 053, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 087, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 164, Loop Loop G, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 077, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 038, Loop Loop B, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 044, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 189, Loop Loop G, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 130, Loop Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 098, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B, Loop Group Sites, Type Group Standard Area Nonelectric
• Site 066, Loop Loop C, Type Walk To
• Site 165, Loop Loop G, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 007, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 065, Loop Loop C, Type Walk To
• Site 201, Loop Loop H, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 160, Loop Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 119, Loop Loop E, Type Walk To
• Site 128, Loop Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 005, Loop Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 136, Loop Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 187, Loop Loop G, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 099, Loop Loop E, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 094, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 074, Loop Loop D, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 143, Loop Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 215, Loop Loop H, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 149, Loop Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 069, Loop Loop C, Type Walk To
• Site 095, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 059, Loop Loop B, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 051, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 210, Loop Loop H, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 100, Loop Loop E, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 196, Loop Loop H, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 052, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 153, Loop Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site D, Loop Group Sites, Type Group Standard Area Nonelectric
• Site 192, Loop Loop G, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 135, Loop Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 013, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 101, Loop Loop E, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 125, Loop Loop E, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 162, Loop Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 132, Loop Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 142, Loop Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 178, Loop Loop G, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 070, Loop Loop C, Type Walk To
• Site 195, Loop Loop H, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 058, Loop Loop B, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 042, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 081, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 043, Loop Loop B, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 021, Loop Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 202, Loop Loop H, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 161, Loop Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 033, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 027, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 212, Loop Loop H, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 092, Loop Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 140, Loop Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 147, Loop Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 115, Loop Loop E, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 174, Loop Loop G, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 197, Loop Loop H, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 036, Loop Loop B, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 133, Loop Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 118, Loop Loop E, Type Walk To
• Site 061, Loop Loop B, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 108, Loop Loop E, Type Walk To
• Site 156, Loop Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 141, Loop Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 011, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 209, Loop Loop H, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 106, Loop Loop E, Type Walk To
• Site 207, Loop Loop H, Type Standard Nonelectric

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