Potwisha Campground

Potwisha Campground

Potwisha Campground is the lowest-elevation campground in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in California, sitting at about 2,100 feet in the oak-and-chaparral foothills along the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River. That low elevation is its appeal: it stays comfortable in early spring and late fall when higher campgrounds are snowed in or closed, and it is one of only two year-round campgrounds in the parks. It suits small-rig travelers, shoulder-season visitors and anyone who needs the only dump station on the Sequoia side.

Potwisha Campground at a glance

Hookups	None; dump available
Sites	40
Max RV length	24-ft RV/trailer
Cost	$32
Fees	Park entrance is separate.
Reservations	Year-round reservation
Season	Year-round
Elevation	~2,100 feet
Dump station	Yes — the only dump station on the Sequoia side of the parks

Source-backed: Official NPS campground page (checked 2026-07-18). Rates and site details change — verify with the operator before you book. Compare it with every other park we track in the price index.

Why RVers stay here

The practical picture is small and specific. Forty sites, each with a picnic table, fire ring and food storage box, flush toilets and potable water, no hookups, and a hard 24-foot maximum for RVs and trailers because of the narrow approach road. Sites are $32 per night plus park entrance, reservable year-round. Swimming holes downstream are popular in warm weather and the river is a constant backdrop. The dump station serves the entire Sequoia side of the parks, so it matters even if you camp elsewhere; in winter it may be the only in-park option. The trade-off is size: if your rig is over 24 feet, Potwisha is a dump-station stop, not a campground.

✓Open year-round and comfortable in spring and fall when higher campgrounds are closed

✓The only dump station on the Sequoia side of the parks

✓Riverside setting on the Kaweah with swimming holes downstream

✓$32 per night with flush toilets, potable water and food storage boxes

✓Reservable year-round

!24-foot maximum RV or trailer length with a narrow approach road

!No hookups; park entrance fee is separate

!Only 40 sites

What our guides say about Potwisha Campground

Excerpts from the RV Parks Guide articles that cover this campground. Each links to the full guide.

Regional guide

Sequoia & Kings Canyon RV Camping: Campgrounds Among the Giants

Potwisha is the lowest-elevation campground in the parks, sitting at roughly 2,100 feet in the oak-and-chaparral foothills zone along the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River. That low elevation is both its appeal and its limitation. The warmer temperatures make Potwisha comfortable for camping in early spring and late fall when the higher campgrounds are buried in snow or closed. But the 24-foot maximum RV length and the narrow approach road mean this campground is for small rigs only.

The campground has 40 sites, each with a picnic table, fire ring, and food storage box. Flush toilets and potable water are available. The setting is river-adjacent, with the sound of the Kaweah providing a constant backdrop. Swimming holes downstream are popular in warm weather.

Potwisha is one of two year-round campgrounds in the parks (along with Azalea) and the only campground with a dump station. That dump station serves the entire Sequoia side of the parks — a critical detail if you are dry camping anywhere on the Sequoia side and need to empty your holding tanks.

Dump station note: If you are camping at Azalea or Sunset on the Kings Canyon side, the nearest dump station is at Princess Campground on Highway 180 (summer only) or Potwisha on the Sequoia side. Plan your dump runs accordingly — in winter, Potwisha's dump station may be your only in-park option.

Read the guide →

Potwisha Campground: frequently asked questions

Does Potwisha Campground have hookups?

No. There are no hookups, but the campground has flush toilets, potable water and a dump station.

How much does Potwisha Campground cost per night?

$32 per night, with the park entrance fee charged separately.

What is the max RV length at Potwisha Campground?

24 feet for RVs and trailers. The narrow approach road makes this a small-rig campground.

Do you need reservations at Potwisha Campground?

Sites are reservable year-round; our guide lists year-round reservations. Book ahead for warm-weather weekends.

Is Potwisha Campground open year-round?

Yes. It is one of two year-round campgrounds in the parks, along with Azalea.

Where is the nearest dump station in Sequoia National Park?

Potwisha has the only dump station on the Sequoia side. On the Kings Canyon side, Princess Campground on Highway 180 has one in summer only.