Potwisha Campground
The Quick Take
Potwisha is the low-elevation workhorse of Sequoia -- the campground that stays open when everything else in the park is buried under snow. Sitting along the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River at just over two thousand feet, it trades the towering sequoia groves for a sun-drenched oak woodland that feels more like the California foothills than the Sierra high country. The river access is the real draw here: in late spring, you can wade right in from camp. The trade-off is summer heat that borders on punishing, and the modest site count means it books solid during shoulder seasons when the weather is actually pleasant. No showers, no flush toilets, and a 24-foot RV limit keep it from being a resort -- this is a campground for people who want a base camp to explore the park, not a destination in itself. Choose Potwisha if you are visiting between November and April, or if you want the closest camp to Three Rivers for a quick supply run.
Booking
Reserve Your Campsite
All 42 sites are reservable.
Book at Sequoia & Kings Canyons LodgesWhat You Get
Sites & Setup
RV Information
RVs allowed. Maximum length: 24 feet. No electrical hookups.
Accessibility
39 ADA-accessible campsites. The campground and some campsites are on a significant slope, which may make access to all campground facilities difficult. 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
Book exactly four months out to the day -- Potwisha's year-round status and small site count make it the tightest reservation in the park during spring and fall. Winter weekdays are the one window where you might snag a last-minute site.
The Marble Falls Trail starts right from the campground and climbs roughly four miles to a cascade that most park visitors never see. Hit it early in the morning before the foothills heat kicks in, especially from May onward.
Summer temperatures regularly push past 100 degrees at this elevation. Bring a shade canopy, freeze water bottles the night before, and plan to spend midday at higher elevations near the Giant Forest rather than baking at your site.
Photos
NPS Photo
NPS Photo
NPS PhotoGetting There
Directions
Potwisha Campground is on the Generals Highway, 3.7 miles inside the park entrance. To reach the campground, use Highway 198 to enter the park through the town of Three Rivers.
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