Crystal Springs Campground
The Quick Take
Crystal Springs is the quieter, more laid-back alternative to the bustling Azalea campground just down the road in Grant Grove. With only a few dozen sites tucked beneath open stands of sequoia-mixed conifers at around 6,500 feet, it feels noticeably less crowded than its neighbors -- even in peak summer. The trade-off is real: no flush toilets, no showers, and no camp host on site, so you are trading creature comforts for breathing room. But Grant Grove Village is a short drive away for supplies, and the General Grant Tree trail is practically in your backyard. The two-day-advance reservation window means planning is minimal, though it also means availability can vanish fast on holiday weekends. This is the campground for people who want easy access to the Grant Grove sequoias without feeling like they are sleeping in a parking lot.
Booking
Reserve Your Campsite
All 35 sites are reservable.
Book at Sequoia & Kings Canyons LodgesWhat You Get
Sites & Setup
RV Information
RVs allowed. No electrical hookups.
Accessibility
The path to the restroom here is not paved. Paved Roads - All vehicles OK
Rules to Know
- Fires:Buy firewood at local markets, do not cut standing or living trees.
- Bear Safety:Black bears are active in this area.
- Checkout:Check out before 12 pm.
Pro Tips
Reservations open exactly two days before your arrival date, so set a reminder and book the moment the window opens -- Crystal Springs is small enough that it fills quickly, especially Thursday releases for weekend stays.
The General Grant Tree trail is less than ten minutes by car and makes for a perfect evening walk after setting up camp. Go after 5 PM when the tour buses have cleared out and you can actually hear the forest.
No camp host means no one selling firewood on site, but the camp store at Grant Grove Village stocks bundles. Buy extra -- evenings at 6,500 feet get genuinely cold even in July, and you will burn through wood faster than you expect.
Photos
NPS Photo
NPS Photo
NPS PhotoGetting There
Directions
Crystal Springs campground is located 4 miles (6 km) from Kings Canyon Park entrance in the Grant Grove area. The entrance is on Crystal Springs Road.
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