Kings Canyon National Park encompasses Sunset Campground, a National Park Service facility that operates from late May through early September at elevations that provide cooler nights during summer months. The campground accommodates RVs up to 47 feet and accepts reservations through the standard system, with nightly rates ranging from $32 to $60.
Dense forest cover creates substantial shade throughout most sites, though this limits solar charging opportunities for campers relying on alternative power sources. Sites cluster closely together across the 100-plus camping spots, with asphalt driveways providing level parking for RVs and trailers. Bear boxes come standard at each site, along with fire rings equipped with swing-away grill tops. "Being so close the giant trees was amazing and the views are spectacular," notes John W., who recommends sites 103 and 104 for their elevated positions.
The campground's name reflects its western-facing orientation, where sites along the back edge offer sunset viewing opportunities across the valley. Grant Grove Village sits within walking distance, providing a market, restaurant, and visitor center. Flush toilets and potable water are available, though shower facilities require a trip to the shared facility near the visitor center that serves multiple campgrounds in the area.
Road access lacks clear signage, causing some visitors to miss the entrance initially. The campground fills consistently during peak season, creating a busy atmosphere that contrasts with backcountry experiences elsewhere in the park. "Lots of clean bathrooms with potable water," confirms Elise F., who stayed at site 101 on the campground's edge.
Sunset Campground works well for campers prioritizing convenience to park attractions and amenities over solitude, particularly those planning day trips to both Kings Canyon and Sequoia areas from a central base.
Description
Overview
Sunset campground is centrally located in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in central California's rugged Sierra Nevada range. This campground is at an elevation of 6,500 feet. A number of hiking trails begin within walking distance of the campground including the one mile trail to the General Grant Tree.
Recreation
There are numerous recreation opportunities in the immediate area. From your campsite, you can hike to a sequoia grove that includes the General Grant Tree, the Nation's Christmas Tree and only living memorial to our military veterans. Hike to the beautiful Ella Falls, a 50 foot waterfall or to Panoramic Point for a breathtaking view of the high Sierras.
Facilities
Group sites A & B are for tents only and have paved parking areas. No recreational vehicles allowed. The two group sites include 6 picnic tables, fire rings and 6 bear boxes. Flush toilets and potable water are available in the campground. Each group site can accommodate 15-30 people. Vehicles are not allowed to drive in to sites for unloading ice chests or supplies. Food lockers dimensions for all campsites are 47" long X 33" deep X 28" high. Group sites are located across the street from Grant Grove Village.
Natural Features
Sunset campground is located in a mixed evergreen forest of sugar pines, incense cedar, fir and sequoia trees. Summer days can be warm and dry with cool nights. Wildlife is abundant and includes black bear, mule deer, gray squirrel, golden-mantled ground squirrel, and a variety of resident birds, among many others. The dynamic landscape of the park evolves from geologic processes working over millennia to sculpt granite, marble and other forms of rock. Here in the parks are canyons carved by rivers and glaciers, towering rugged peaks and miles of underground caverns. Found throughout the park are thousands of lakes and ponds and miles of rivers and streams.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (559) 565-4357.
Nearby Attractions
Sunset campground is within an hour's drive of the Giant Forest in Sequoia National Park, home of the biggest tree in the world, the General Sherman, and the Cedar Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park. Fishing is 30 minutes away at Hume Lake in Sequoia National Forest. The national forest also includes Converse Basin and the Chicago Stump, where you can learn the history of logging in the area. The Crystal Caves are about a two hour drive (16 miles/63 km) from the campground. Reserve your tickets in advance on Recreation.gov.
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. 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) 565-4357 if you will be arriving 24 hours after your arrival date so your site won't be cancelled.
Fee Info
ENTRANCE FEES APPLY: 1-7 Day Pass- $35 per vehicle (private, non-commercial). $20 per person (on foot, bicycle, or bus). $30 per motorcycle (not per person). 12 month pass available at Ash Mountain & Big Stump Entrance Stations. Check www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/fees.htm for details. CAMPING FEES: $32 per night for Regular Camping and $16 per night for valid lifetime Access Pass, lifetime Senior Pass, or annual Senior Pass. No other passes receive reduced rates. Group sites are a $60.00 flat rate fee, 50% Senior Pass and Access Pass discount rates DO NOT APPLY for group sites. 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) 565-4357 if you will be arriving 24 hours after your arrival date so your site won't be cancelled.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundSunset Campground — Kings Canyon National Park is located in California
Directions
Kings Canyon National Park is easily accessible from Fresno, California. Take HWY 180 East from Fresno, and proceed 55 miles to Kings Canyon National Park. Three miles east of the Big Stump Entrance Station you will find Sunset campground on your left.
Address
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks 47050 Generals Highway
Three rivers, CA 93271
Coordinates
36.7377778 N
118.9647222 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 4/3/26
VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 104 usersLast on 4/3/26- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 4/3/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 4/3/26
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 104 usersLast on 4/3/26
- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 4/3/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Tent Cabin
Features
For Campers
- Market
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
Drive Time
- 1 hr from Fresno, CA
- 1 hr 13 min from Visalia, CA
- 1 hr 24 min from Hanford, CA
- 1 hr 45 min from Merced, CA
