Sentinel Campground
The Quick Take
Sentinel is the reservation-only anchor of Cedar Grove, and that matters more than you think. While nearby Sheep Creek operates first-come-first-served and fills by mid-morning in summer, Sentinel lets you lock in a spot months ahead and actually plan your trip like a reasonable person. The campground sits right along the South Fork of the Kings River in one of the deepest glacially carved canyons in North America — the kind of place where granite walls tower thousands of feet on either side and the evening light does things that make you forget about the vault toilets. You are a short walk from Cedar Grove Village for showers and food, which takes the edge off roughing it. The trade-off is no flush toilets, no hookups, and zero cell service. Choose Sentinel if you want a guaranteed site with river access and do not mind being genuinely unplugged.
Booking
Reserve Your Campsite
All 82 sites are reservable.
Book at Sequoia & Kings Canyons LodgesWhat You Get
Sites & Setup
RV Information
RVs allowed. Maximum length: 30 feet. No electrical hookups.
Accessibility
10 ADA-accessible campsites. Paved routes exist to restrooms. Campgrounds roads are paved and relatively level. 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 four months out on a rolling window, not all at once. Set a calendar reminder for your target date minus exactly four months, then book first thing that morning — summer weekends in Cedar Grove sell out within hours of becoming available.
The Zumwalt Meadow trail starts just a few miles up the road and is the single best short hike in Kings Canyon — a flat loop under towering canyon walls with river crossings and wildflower meadows. Hit it before 9 AM to beat the day-trippers from Fresno.
Bear activity here is no joke — every site has a metal food locker, and you need to use it for everything scented, including sunscreen and toothpaste. Bring a headlamp for those midnight locker runs and keep your cooler locked up even while you are cooking.
Photos
NPS Photo
NPS Photo
NPS PhotoGetting There
Directions
Sentinel Campground is located 31 miles from Kings Canyon Park entrance in the Cedar Grove area. The entrance is along North Side Drive.
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