Azalea Campground, Kings Canyon: Sites & RV Limits (2026)

Azalea Campground is the most flexible in-park base for many RV trips to Kings Canyon: 110 sites, a $32 nightly fee, year-round operation, and one site that can accept an RV up to 47 feet. It sits at 6,500 feet in Grant Grove, with potable water, flush toilets, food lockers, and direct access to nearby giant sequoias.

But “big-rig friendly” needs a footnote. The 47-foot number belongs to site 93, not every campsite. Trailers are limited to 30 feet, individual parking pads vary, and the campground has no hookups or dump station. An RV that fits the park entrance still needs a site record that fits the actual equipment.

The approach road matters just as much. Large vehicles should use Highway 180 and the Kings Canyon entrance. The National Park Service advises vehicles over 22 feet against the Generals Highway segment between Potwisha Campground and Giant Forest Museum.

For the complete park comparison, read our Sequoia and Kings Canyon RV camping guide. The broader state silo is best RV parks in California.

Azalea Campground at a Glance#

Detail	Verified 2026 information
Location	Grant Grove, Kings Canyon National Park
Elevation	6,500 feet
Sites	110
Rate	$32/night
Hookups	None; all sites nonelectric
Dump station	None on-site
RV ceiling	47 feet at site 93; individual site controls
Trailer ceiling	30 feet; individual site controls
Main reservations	Four-month rolling window, May–October
Winter	20 first-come, first-served sites, November–April
Check-in / checkout	Noon / noon
Generators	9 a.m.–9 p.m.

Verify current conditions on the NPS Azalea page and book through Recreation.gov.

Campground Layout and Site Fit#

Azalea’s 110 sites mix RV, tent-only, and standard nonelectric records around one campground loop system. Each site includes a picnic table, fire ring, and bear-resistant food-storage box. The campground road is paved and relatively flat, but the parking pads are not identical.

The campground-wide RV maximum is easy to misread. NPS identifies site 93 as able to accommodate an RV up to 47 feet. That makes Azalea unusually useful for a national-park RV trip, but it does not turn every open site into a 47-foot option. Filter Recreation.gov by equipment type and inspect the individual record.

For trailers, NPS publishes a 30-foot maximum. Measure the trailer itself as the booking system requests, then make sure the tow vehicle can park with all four wheels on pavement or move to overflow parking as directed. The rules do not allow a vehicle to spill beyond its parking pad simply because the reservation accepted the trailer length.

Accessible Site#

Site 30 is designated accessible. NPS describes a relatively level tent pad, firm and stable surfaces, an accessible parking space, extended picnic table, raised fire ring, and a paved connection to the fee station and accessible restroom. Leave this inventory for campers who need its features.

No Hookups and No Dump Station#

Every Azalea site is dry camping. There is no electrical, water, or sewer connection at the campsite and no campground dump station.

What the campground does provide:

• Potable water
• Flush toilets
• Picnic table and fire ring at each site
• Bear-resistant food locker at each site
• Bear-proof trash dumpsters
• Dish or wastewater disposal points as posted

NPS says the nearest dump alternatives are at Princess Campground near the Hume Lake junction during summer, or Dorst Creek when that facility is open. Do not build a tank plan around a closed or seasonal dump station. Check the live operating page immediately before travel.

Because hoses cannot replace an at-site connection, arrive with a full fresh tank if the added weight is safe for the climb, or fill according to current campground instructions. Gray water may not be released on the ground or at a water spigot; collect it and use an approved disposal point.

Reservations and the Winter Loop#

Azalea changes operating model with the season.

May through October: all open inventory is reservation-only, released on a four-month rolling basis. Recreation.gov’s 2026 calendar lists a reservable season from May 20 through October 31, with $32 rates across standard, tent-only, and RV nonelectric sites.

November through April: the campground reduces to one loop with 20 first-come, first-served sites. Payment uses Recreation.gov Scan & Pay. NPS advises installing the mobile app before entering the park because cellular service is limited; the installed app can support payment when the device lacks a live connection.

The rolling window is more useful than a generic “book early” warning. Pick the intended arrival date, count back four months, and be ready when the date opens. Always read the live calendar because snow, road work, fire, and facility conditions can change the usable inventory.

Fees, Arrival, and Cancellation#

The 2026 use fee is $32 per night. Recreation.gov notes that displayed rates may not include all discounts, taxes, or incremental charges.

Check-in and checkout are both 12 noon. Bring a screenshot or printout of the confirmation because cell service is limited. If the site remains vacant for 24 hours after the arrival date, the reservation can be cancelled and returned to inventory. Recreation.gov charges the first night’s fee plus a $10 cancellation fee under that late-arrival rule; call the listed facility number if arrival will be more than 24 hours late.

Changing or cancelling a reservation normally carries a $10 service fee. Late cancellation can also forfeit the first night’s use fee. Read the final checkout policy because single-night and late-cancellation rules differ.

Bear and Food-Storage Rules#

Azalea is an active bear area. Food storage is not a suggestion or a night-only rule. When items are not within arm’s reach, store food, drinks, scented products, coolers, and cooking equipment in the supplied locker.

The locker dimensions are 47 inches wide, 33 inches deep, and 28 inches high. Plan cooler sizes before arrival rather than discovering that the full kitchen setup cannot be secured.

Trash belongs in the bear-proof dumpsters, and every latch must be closed after use. Never leave a cooler, grill, food bin, or scented toiletry outside while hiking. The rule protects both campers and bears; a food-conditioned bear can ultimately be removed or killed because of a preventable campsite mistake.

Generators, Quiet Hours, and Fires#

Generator hours run from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Quiet hours are 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., and noise should remain within the immediate campsite at all times.

Fire rules change with conditions. Use only the existing fire ring, keep any permitted fire attended, and extinguish it fully with water until cool to the touch. Check the current NPS restriction before bringing firewood or assuming a ring can be used.

Pets#

Pets are allowed in the campground and picnic areas when crated, caged, or on a leash no longer than six feet. They cannot be left unattended. Pets are generally not allowed on park trails or more than 100 feet from public roads and parking areas.

That restriction changes the trip for hikers. If the plan centers on park trails, arrange safe pet care rather than leaving an animal in the RV during warm daytime conditions.

What Is Nearby#

Azalea is near Grant Grove Village, where Recreation.gov lists the Kings Canyon Visitor Center, a restaurant, gift store, post office, and market. Availability and hours can be seasonal, so treat these as convenient backup services rather than a substitute for arriving stocked.

From the campground, official trip material highlights:

• General Grant Tree and its sequoia grove
• Ella Falls
• Panoramic Point
• Hume Lake in Sequoia National Forest
• Giant Forest in Sequoia National Park
• Cedar Grove in Kings Canyon

The location is the campground’s strongest practical advantage. You can establish camp near Grant Grove, leave the RV parked, and explore with a smaller vehicle that is better suited to the park’s restricted roads.

What Works#

The Highway 180 approach is the best in-park large-RV strategy. It avoids bringing an oversized rig through the Generals Highway segment NPS warns against.

Site 93 provides rare long-RV inventory. A verified 47-foot record inside a national park is meaningful, provided it is available and fits the complete setup.

The campground operates year-round. The 20-site winter loop extends the season beyond the main reservation calendar.

Grant Grove is close. Visitor services and a major sequoia grove are nearby without moving the RV.

What Does Not Work for Everyone#

There are no hookups or dump station. Every stay requires battery, water, and holding-tank planning.

The 47-foot number is site-specific. Booking any open “RV” record is not enough for a long motorhome.

Winter is first-come, first-served. The smaller loop and limited cell service require a backup plan.

Pet access is narrow. Dogs can stay in the campground but cannot join most trail itineraries.

Final Verdict#

Azalea is the strongest in-park Kings Canyon base for RVers who can dry camp and use Highway 180. It combines 110 sites, a predictable $32 fee, potable water, flush toilets, year-round operation, and an unusually long RV record at site 93.

It is not a universal big-rig campground. Confirm the exact site, use the correct entrance, arrive prepared for no hookups, and install the Recreation.gov app before a winter stay. With those four decisions made correctly, Azalea solves one of the hardest parts of planning an RV trip among the giant sequoias.

FAQ#

Is Azalea Campground good for RVs?#

Yes, but individual fit controls. Site 93 can accept an RV up to 47 feet, while trailers are capped at 30 feet. Other parking pads can be shorter.

How much is Azalea Campground?#

The published 2026 rate is $32 per night for standard, tent-only, and RV nonelectric sites.

Does Azalea have hookups or a dump station?#

No. There are no hookups and no dump station. Potable water and flush toilets are available.

When do reservations open?#

The main season operates on a four-month rolling window. November through April uses 20 first-come, first-served sites paid through Scan & Pay.

Which entrance should a large RV use?#

Use Highway 180 and the Kings Canyon entrance. NPS advises vehicles over 22 feet against the Generals Highway section between Potwisha and Giant Forest Museum.

Are pets allowed?#

Yes in the campground on a leash no longer than six feet, but pets are not allowed on park trails and cannot be left unattended.