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.

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) 565-4487 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.  

  • 6 Person Limit- There is a maximum of 6 people per campsite. If you exceed this number, purchase 2 sites and spread your group and equipment out evenly between campsites. This is to preserve the natural resources and minimize noise levels. Reservations can be made in advance to accommodate larger groups in sites A-D.

  • 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- 8:00AM-11:00AM and 5:00PM-8:00PM 

  • 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

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.
• 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) 565-4487 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 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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