Sequoia National Park

A comfy campout with 2 to 5 mile hikes
Driving to and sleeping at a campground
Ideal for first-timers
Perfect for families with young kiddos

Exploring the "Land of Giants" and Tokopah Falls at Sequoia National Park

Exploring the "Land of Giants" and Tokopah Falls at Sequoia National Park

Exploring the "Land of Giants" and Tokopah Falls at Sequoia National Park

Exploring the "Land of Giants" and Tokopah Falls at Sequoia National Park

Designed by
Yvonne Leow
Share this itinerary
Last updated
July 31, 2024

Trip · 3-day car camping trip

For · Friends and first-time campers

Vibe · Chill and easy

Drive · 5 hours from LA

Ideal dates · June to September

Pets · Allowed at camp, but not on trails

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park (SEKI) is often called "A Land of Giants" because it's home to towering groves of Sequoia trees, like the famous General Sherman Tree. The park's elevation ranges from 1,300 to 14,400+ feet, and includes a significant portion of the Sierra Nevada, which is the longest mountain range in the country.

Official Park Website

Latest Park and Road Conditions

Fire Restrictions

Main image credit: Mariola Grobelska

Stuff to know

  • Buy a 7-day vehicle pass online for $35 before your trip
  • Black bears call SEKI home. Store any food, scented items and trash in your metal food storage box when you're away from camp & overnight.
  • Be aware of altitude symptoms like nausea, dizziness, headaches and fatigue. Stay hydrated and take your time on the trails.
  • Face masks and social distancing are required. Recreate responsibly!
Check the weather
View from Lodgepole Campground

Where to camp

Lodgepole Campground

Tucked next to the Kaweah River at an elevation of 6,700 ft, Lodgepole Campground boasts a visitor center, market (that sells ice and firewood), showers, and laundry facilities. Reserve a tent or RV campsite up to 1 month in advance so snag your spot ASAP!

Each campsite comes with:

  • A picnic table
  • A fire ring and bbq grate
  • Space for up to six people
  • Two parking spots
  • Food storage locker
  • Trash collection (on site)

Check-in: After 12 PM · Check-out: 12 PM

Quiet hours: 10 PM to 6 AM

Nightly Fee: $22

View Lodgepole Campground map 

Lodgepole Campground
No items found.

Itinerary

Day One

Exterior of Local Farm to Table Eatery
Outside seating at Locale Farm to Table Eatery. Credit: Yelp

Leave LA by 9 AM and pick up lunch at Locale Farm to Table Eatery

  • Diners love their sandwiches, bacon fig burger and tacos
  • Located at 1727 18th St. in Bakersfield · Open Monday to Friday · 10 AM to 3 PM
  • Last pit stop · Chevron Three Rivers - 41907 Sierra Drive in Three Rivers

Enter SEKI and stretch your legs along Big Trees Trail

  • It's an easy, paved 1.3 mile loop around a beautiful meadow. Thanks to educational displays, you can also learn about the Giant Sequoia's ecosystem.
General Sherman Tree
General Sherman Tree. Credit: AllTrails

Take a quick detour and hike the General Sherman Tree Trail

  • From General Highway, veer right on Wolverton Road and follow signs to General Sherman Tree Car Park.
  • This area might be pretty crowded because this easy easy 1.2 mile loop takes you General Sherman, the largest tree in the WORLD!

Drive to Lodgepole Campground and set up camp

  • Prep dinner, s'mores, and enjoy an evening of storytelling and stargazing
In 1890, Sequoia National Park was the first U.S. national park that was formed to protect a living organism: the Sequoia tree.

Day 2

View of Tokopah Falls in Sequoia National Park
Tokopah Falls. Credit: All Trails

Sleep-in, make brunch, and prep for a day hike to Tokopah Falls

  • Pack a daypack with snacks, sunscreen, jacket, water, and sandals
  • Remember to tuck away your food in your car or food storage bin
  • It's a moderate 4-mile round-trip hike that offers plenty of shade and easy enough for kids! ​

Return to camp for an afternoon picnic

  • Prep a picnic lunch and find a picnic table near the Kaweah River at camp
  • Hang around camp, or if you're feeling ambitious...  

Hike to Willow Meadow from Lodgepole Campground

  • An easy 3.4 mile round-trip hike to a beautiful meadow that's great for kids    

Cook up dinner

  • Prep a delicious meal and warm up with your favorite hot bevvie.
  • Roast up s'mores and soak up your last night in SEKI!
Thousands of years ago, SEKI was home to several Native American groups, including the Western Mono (Monache), the Foothills Yokuts, and the Tubatulabal.

Day 3

Lodgepole and Willow Meadow Trail in Sequoia National Park
Lodgepole and Willow Meadow Trail. Credit: All Trails

Cook up brekkie, pack up and check-out before noon

  • Clean up around camp and throw away any random pieces of litter

Head home!

SEKI protects more than 275 caves. Restoration is ongoing, but you can sign up for a 50-minute guided tour of Crystal Cave in the park. Learn more.
June 1, 2024

Bewilder at LAist Super-Fun Saturday

Make wildflower seed bombs with Bezzi the Yeti at LAist's Super Fun Saturday

Event in 2 days

Bewilder Basecamp: Spooky Wonders

Join Bezzi the Yeti on her first spooky camping adventure!

Shop curated gear

Everything your family needs for a fun and easy campout

Search icon
Price Range
Reset
Scroll
Price Range
Bezzi's Pick
$399.99

Jetboil Genesis Basecamp System Camp Stove

A fancy stove for campers who want compact, portability, and performance all in one.

Bezzi's Pick
$129.95

Kelty Low Loveseat

This spacious loveseat is designed for cuddling with loved and furry ones at camp.

Bezzi's Pick
$159.95

NEMO Moonlander Camp Table

We can confirm that these camp tables withstand hot bevvies and rock collections.

Bezzi's Pick
$299.99

Kid-O-Bunk Camp Bed

A fun camping cot for siblings to share and sleep in overnight.

Bezzi's Pick
$29.99

Thermacell Mosquito Repeller

Bugs be gone with this rechargeable and refillable mosquito repeller.

Bezzi's Pick
$40.99

Pacific Play Galaxy Dome Tent

This small play tent will keep your kids busy and your main sleeping tent clean.

Bezzi's Pick
$19.95

Sea to Summit Passage Insulated Mug

A colorful mug with a lid to keep your bevvies warm and cool at camp.

Bezzi's Pick
$399

RovR RollR® 60 Wheeled Cooler

Coolers are made for chilling and rolling in and out of camp. This one is top-notch.

Bezzi's Pick
$89.99

Mac Sports Collapsible Wagon

Lighten the load from car to camp with this highly-rated collapsible wagon.

Bezzi's Pick
$55

Stanley Fast Flow Water Jug

Keep water cold and your family hydrated with this sleek, non-leak water jug.

Bezzi's Pick
$149.95

NEMO Victory Picnic Blanket

It's pricey, but this picnic/camp/play blanket is easy to clean and lasts.

Bezzi's Pick
$149.95

Sea to Summit Detour Essentials Kitchen Kit

A nesting set of collapsible cookware that saves space in your camp kitchen.

Eep! We don't have any results right now.
Send us your favorite gear reccs!

Meal & snack ideas

It turns out everything tastes better when we're outside

Search icon
Dietary Preferences
meal Type
Bezzi's Picks
Reset
Dietary Preferences
Meal Type
Bezzi's Faves
Bezzi's Pick
Dinner

Ham and cheese campfire sandwiches

Bezzi's Pick
Dinner

Moroccan apple beef stew

Bezzi's Pick
Breakfast

Apple sweet potato hash

Bezzi's Pick
Breakfast

Banana coconut french toast

Vegan

Bezzi's Pick
Lunch

Chicken soba noodle salad

Bezzi's Pick
Breakfast

Apple maple sausage sandwiches

Bezzi's Pick
Dinner

Chicken pad thai

Bezzi's Pick
Breakfast

Frittata

Gluten Free · Vegetarian

Bezzi's Pick
Dinner

Baked sweet potatoes and chili

Vegetarian

Bezzi's Pick
Breakfast

Huevos rancheros verdes

Vegetarian

Bezzi's Pick
Dessert

Banana boats

Gluten Free · Vegetarian

Bezzi's Pick
Breakfast

Scrambled eggs n' bacon

Gluten Free

Have feedback on this itinerary? Send us an email!
Spread the love
Explore our most popular trips
Explore our most popular trips
Explore our most popular trips
Explore our most popular trips
Self-Guided Trip

Immersing yourself in the idyllic wilderness of Idyllwild at Mount San Jacinto

Enjoy the small town charm and enchanting wilderness in Idyllwild for this beginner camping trip.

Self-Guided Trip

Catching desert sunrises and shooting stars at Joshua Tree National Park

Camp underneath the stars and watch glorious sunrises in Joshua Tree National Park, the second largest national park in California.

Self-Guided Trip

Beachside backpacking and sea lion sightings at Santa Rosa Island

This winter trek on Santa Rosa Island in Channel Islands National Park is a one of a kind itinerary for adventerous backpackers.

Looking for more?

View all itineraries