Kings Canyon holds giant sequoias in the Grant Grove — including the General Grant Tree, the "Nation’s Christmas Tree" — and one of the deepest canyons in North America along the Kings River. Azalea and Sunset campgrounds sit in Grant Grove (no hook-ups). Indie Campers’ Los Angeles depot is about four hours / 370 km away, and the park shares management and a road with neighbouring Sequoia.

We get the logistics of a Sierra trip. It boils down to two things. You need the right-sized vehicle and the freedom to explore. Our Los Angeles depot is about 370 km, or a four-hour drive, from the park's Big Stump entrance, while our San Francisco depot is a solid alternative at about 400 km away.

Our fleet is sized for parks like this. The Generals Highway connecting Kings Canyon to Sequoia has a winding section with a strict vehicle length advisory of 22 feet. Don't ignore it. Many of our campervans fit comfortably within this limit, giving you access to the entire park system without the white-knuckle stress of piloting a 40-foot rig down a mountain. For this trip, we recommend our Solís or similar compact models to keep all your options open.

The park's main roads are the destinations. Simple as that. Take them slow, use the pullouts, and let the landscape unfold.

Kings Canyon Scenic Byway (Highway 180)

• Key stops: Grizzly Falls, Roaring River Falls, Zumwalt Meadow, Roads End
• Approx drive time: 90 minutes one-way from Grant Grove to Roads End without stops
• Best time to go: Early morning to get parking at Zumwalt Meadow. The road is typically closed from November to late April or May due to snow.
• Campervan notes: This road descends steeply into the canyon. It's a well-maintained, two-lane road, but you'll want to be comfortable with mountain driving. Seriously. Check your brakes before you start the descent. You'll find plenty of pullouts for photos, but they can be a very tight squeeze if you're in a larger campervan.

Generals Highway

• Key stops: General Grant Tree, Big Stump Trail, Redwood Mountain Overlook, General Sherman Tree (in Sequoia)

Camping in Kings Canyon means getting back to basics. It's dry camping. That means no water, electric, or sewer hook-ups at your site. You'll need to fill your fresh water tank before you arrive and use your generator sparingly, always respecting quiet hours.

• Grant Grove Area Campgrounds: This is your most accessible option, just inside the Big Stump entrance. The area includes Azalea (year-round, first-come, first-served in winter), Sunset, and Crystal Springs (both require reservations). All are situated deep in the forest, offering plenty of shade and that classic camping feel. It's the best place to base yourself for exploring the giant sequoias.
• Cedar Grove Area Campgrounds: Deeper in the canyon along the Kings River, you'll find Sentinel, Sheep Creek, and Moraine campgrounds. These are more remote and operate seasonally, typically late spring to autumn. Reservations are essential.
• Dispersed Camping: Outside the park, you can find boondocking sites in the surrounding Sequoia National Forest. Check with the local ranger district for current rules and fire restrictions. We find the iOverlander app is a good resource for finding potential spots.

Your trip will be defined by road closures, which are dictated by snowpack. The Kings Canyon Scenic Byway (Highway 180) into the canyon is the main artery, and it's typically closed from November until late April or May.

Summer (June to August): This is peak season. All roads and services are open, and the weather is warm and sunny. The trade-off is crowds. You must have campground reservations booked six months in advance, and you'll need to start your days early to secure parking at popular trailheads.

Autumn (September to October): This is the sweet spot. The summer crowds thin out, the weather is still pleasant, and a touch of autumn colour appears. The main risk? Services begin to close after Labor Day, and an early-season snowstorm is always possible. Highway 180 into the canyon usually stays open until mid-November.

Winter (November to April): The park transforms in winter. The road into Cedar Grove closes completely and the sequoia groves are blanketed in snow, but Grant Grove remains accessible. This opens up possibilities for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. You just need to prepare for winter driving conditions because chains are often required. Azalea Campground switches to first-come, first-served.

Spring (May to June): A time of transition. The snow melts, waterfalls rage, and wildflowers bloom. The road to Cedar Grove typically reopens sometime in late April or May. Campground opening dates can vary. It’s a great time to visit, but you need to be flexible and check road conditions constantly on the NPS website.

Many people try to see both Sequoia and Kings Canyon in a single day, which means seeing little more than traffic. Give it three days, minimum. Camping is affordable, but it requires planning.

• Reservations: Nearly all campsites in Kings Canyon must be reserved on Recreation.gov. Sites are released in rolling blocks, typically up to six months in advance, and they book up within minutes for peak summer dates. Set a calendar reminder.
• Pricing: Expect to pay around $28 per night for a standard site. Your park entry fee is separate: $35 per vehicle for a 7-day pass. If you plan to visit multiple national parks in a year, the America the Beautiful annual pass for $80 is a better value.
• Hook-ups & Amenities: There are no hook-ups (electric, water, or sewer) at any campground inside Kings Canyon or Sequoia. This is dry camping. Each campground has flush toilets and potable water spigots to fill jugs, but you cannot connect your campervan directly.
• Dump Stations: Campervan dump stations are available seasonally at Grant Grove, Cedar Grove, and in Sequoia at Potwisha and Lodgepole. The fee is typically included with your camping reservation. Always check the operational status online before you count on one being open.