7 Gorgeous Campgrounds Near Kings Canyon National Park

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Further north and noticeably less crowded than its closest cousin, Sequoia, Kings Canyon is a true mountain lovers’ park.

Over 90% of this locale is designated wilderness, full of glacially-polished granite sentinels, roaring rivers, misty waterfalls, and the second-largest tree on the planet.

Campers in and around Kings Canyon have the benefit of enjoying this majestic forested setting in a Zen-like, crowd-free state, savoring sunrises and sunsets long after the day trippers have said their goodbyes.

Enjoy hundreds of miles of world-class hiking trails, opportunities to fish for native trout, second-to-none backpacking, and scenic drives with tremendous views of the area’s namesake ravine.

The park is home to a smattering of in-park drive-up campgrounds, plus nearby Hipcamps and RV parks that offer full hook-ups and additional creature comforts.

Whether you’re interested in pitching a tent, van camping, or kicking back in your roomy RV, here are our top picks for the best campgrounds near Kings Canyon National Park.

Best In-Park Campgrounds for Kings Canyon National Park

1. Azalea Campground

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Why you should camp here: This year-round campground is spacious and convenient to many amenities and the giant sequoias of legendary Grant Grove Village.

Reservations: Yes
Campsite Type: RV, tent, car camping
RV Hookups: No

If you’re looking for the best of the best while visiting Kings Canyon, this is it. Not only is Azalea Campground large, at 110 sites, but it’s also an easy hike away from the gigantic General Grant Tree, the main attraction of the area.

Amenities here are simple (think flush toilets, food storage lockers, fire pits, picnic tables, and a camp store with ice and firewood), but are amended greatly by well-appointed Grant Grove Village, which boasts a small grocery store, post office, restaurant, showers, visitor center, and, in winter, snow gear rentals.

There aren’t any RV hookups or dump stations to be found at this campground (for the latter, head to nearby Dorst Creek or Princess Campground), but the space can accommodate RVs of up to 47 feet and trailers of up to 30 feet, should you choose to make this your home-away-from-home for a few nights.

2. Moraine Campground

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Why you should camp here: More remote and view-studded than Azalea, Moraine Campground is a must-stay for serious hikers looking to explore the outermost stretches of the park.

Reservations: Yes
Campsite Type: RV, tent, car camping
RV Hookups: No

Located roughly an hour east of Grant Grove, Moraine Campground, set at a lofty 4,000 feet above sea level, offers fantastic views of high granite peaks rising beyond the South Fork of the Kings River.

Sure, the amenities here are pretty standard, like bear-proof food lockers, potable water, picnic tables, and fire rings (just be sure to check campfire restrictions before heading out), but the access to epic trails is tremendous.

Pro tip: we heartily recommend the .8-mile romp around Zumwalt Meadow and the all-day journey out to towering Mist Falls.

Here, you’ll also find a seasonal camp store with ice and firewood, flush toilets, and ADA-accessible sites (numbers 71A, 74, 103, 105, and 108). Sip your post-hike craft brew while the sun sets over soaring mountains.

3. Crystal Springs Campground

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Why you should camp here: The only campground in Kings Canyon that offers reservations on a two-day rolling window, Crystal Springs is extra-close to Grant Grove Village and great for last-minute planners.

Reservations: Yes
Campsite Type: RV, tent, car camping
RV Hookups: No

Tucked away under a shady strand of fragrant conifers at 6,500 feet, Crystal Springs is one of the few campgrounds in the area that allows for ultra-last-minute reservations, perfect for campers who’d rather wait for a decent weather window before heeding the call of the mountains.

Like the other in-park spots on our list, there aren’t any RV hookups or a dump station here, but campers will delight in classic features like fire rings, picnic tables, and food storage lockers.

Plus, if you’re hellbent on nabbing a shower, a hot meal, or some extra groceries, Grant Grove Village and its treasure trove of creature comforts is just mere steps away.

Best Nearby Car Camping for Kings Canyon

4. Riverbend RV Park

Riverbend RV Park camping — Photo: Riverbend RV Park

Why you should camp here: Avid RVers who want more in the way of amenities while remaining close to the park will love these huge, tree-lined sites on the banks of Wildwood Creek and the Kings River.

Reservations: Yes
Campsite Type: RV, van camping
RV Hookups: Yes, 30 and 50 amp

You want amenities? Riverbend RV Park has got ‘em in spades. Not only does this shady creekside campground have electrical hookups, but it’s also home to a dog park, hot showers, laundry facilities, a stocked fishing pond, a playground, and a bocce ball court.

In short, it’s a veritable wonderland for families and fishermen who want loads of room to sprawl out and have fun when they’re done exploring the park.

Riverbend is a scenic 41-mile drive to Kings Canyon National Park, with direct access to the lower-elevation stretches of the mighty Kings River. Hoping for an extended stay? Management also offers reasonable weekly and monthly rates for long-term travelers.

5. Princess Campground

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Why you should camp here: With a dump station, young sequoia groves, and seasonal expert-led talks and hikes, Princess Campground is a Forest Service gem hiding just outside the gates of Kings Canyon.

Reservations: Yes
Campsite Type: RV, tent, car camping
RV Hookups: No

Princess Campground is a happy medium when it comes to amenities and campground features – there’s a dump station, potable water, summertime campfire talks, and meadow views, but no electrical hookups and only vault toilets.

The area provides easy access to both Grant and Cedar Groves, though it’s technically not inside the national park boundaries.

Here, campers can opt to venture out into less-crowded National Forest trails, explore the nearby Hume Lake area, or simply grill up a family feast to fuel their post-hike hunger.

If you can, try to book a site on the Shining Cloud Loop, which is furthest from the road and provides ample tree coverage and privacy.

6. Kings Canyon Campground

kings canyon campground hipcamp — Photo: Hipcamp

Why you should camp here: A stunning 80-acre expanse that boasts 21 separate campsites, the privately-owned Kings Canyon Campground offers postcard-worthy views and well-spaced tent and RV sites.

Reservations: Yes
Campsite Type: RV, tent, car camping
RV Hookups: Yes, water and sewer

This fantastic, pet-friendly Hipcamp location features an impressive 21 sites for tenters, RVers, and car campers to relax in style, with fire rings, picnic tables, flush toilets, and potable water. Cool down on scorching summer days with a chilly dip in Ten Mile Creek, which runs right through the property, or book a super spacious group site and invite the whole crew for a weekend of forest bathing.

Set just 12 miles from Grant Grove and 16 miles from Cedar Grove, this spot is a rare private campground that’s actually close to Kings Canyon’s main attractions. And, just in case you forgot the important stuff, there’s also a small store on site that sells ice, firewood, ice cream, and drinks.

7. Sequoia Mountain Farms

Why you should camp here: Open, dreamy sites are spread across ten acres of Sierra foothills at this amenity-rich haven near both Sequoia and Kings Canyon.

Reservations: Yes
Campsite Type: RV, tent, car camping
RV Hookups: Yes, 30 and 50 amp, water

Drive out into ten open acres of countryside and camp like it’s the good old days (first-come, first-serve) at this rustic retreat that’s full of charm, or reserve an RV site and enjoy awesome hookups, sunset vistas, and guaranteed level surfaces to pull onto. The best part? It’s all just fifteen minutes from the northern Big Stump Entrance Station to Sequoia & Kings Canyon.

This pet-friendly Hipcamp host offers free hot showers to all campers, plus toilets and potable water. Unfortunately, due to high fire risks in the area, campfires are not allowed, but you can bring your own propane fire pit or charcoal bar-b-que and go to town.

The sites are set in the gently rolling foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, which makes for some sincerely incredible sunsets after you’ve spent a day hiking or fishing in Kings Canyon.