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.
Phone
559-565-3341
Activities
CAMPING, HIKING
Keywords
Test
Related Link(s)
California State Road Conditions
Overview
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.
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.
Facilities
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.
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.
Charges & 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 nights use fee. Cancellations for a single nights 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.
