Cold Springs Campground
The Quick Take
Cold Springs is the kind of campground that earns its keep through sheer effort to reach. Tucked into the aspens and conifers of Mineral King Valley, it sits at the end of a punishing 25-mile dirt road that chews through about ninety minutes of white-knuckle driving from Three Rivers. That road is the filter -- it keeps the crowds thin and the atmosphere genuinely wild. With a modest number of sites shaded by quaking aspens that turn electric gold in early fall, this is one of Sequoia's most scenic and least-trafficked campgrounds. The trade-off is real: no flush toilets, no showers, no cell service, and the nearest anything resembling a store is Silver City Resort a few miles back down the road. But if you came to Sequoia to hike serious backcountry trails like Sawtooth Pass or Monarch Lakes without fighting for parking at dawn, Cold Springs is your base camp. Best suited for self-sufficient hikers who consider a rough access road a feature, not a bug.
Booking
Reserve Your Campsite
All 40 sites are reservable.
Book at Sequoia & Kings Canyons LodgesWhat You Get
Sites & Setup
RV Information
RVs allowed. No electrical hookups.
Accessibility
40 ADA-accessible campsites. Roads are unpaved, uneven, and are moderately-sloped in some areas of the campground. Unpaved Roads - All vehicles OK in good weather
Rules to Know
- Bear Safety:Black bears are active in this area.
Pro Tips
Reservations open exactly one month out and this campground books fast during July and August weekends. Set a calendar reminder and grab your dates the moment they drop -- there is no walk-up option here.
The Mineral King Valley trailheads are minutes away, giving you first-mover advantage on popular routes like Eagle Lake and Monarch Lakes. Start early -- afternoon thunderstorms are common above treeline from July through September.
Pack every supply you need before leaving Three Rivers. The Silver City Resort has limited provisions at resort prices, and the nearest full grocery store is over an hour of rough road away. Bring extra water containers too -- potable water can be shut off early in spring and late in fall.
Photos
NPS Photo
NPS Photo
NPS PhotoGetting There
Directions
Cold Springs campground is located 23 miles (37 km) from Highway 198 on the Mineral King Road. The road is narrow, winding and steep, deeply rutted in sections, and mostly unpaved. It is not advised for longer vehicles, including trailers and other recreational vehicles.
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