A week in the Sierra Nevada

[wsp_scott]

Thanks for sharing all these wonderful pics!!

I’m planning a trip to Kings Canyon/Sequoia next June. What’s the camping situation like? Were these backcountry sites or designated campgrounds? I’m finding conflicting info online regarding camping. Is backcountry camping even allowed in these parks?

One place says there are only 14 or so designated sites and no backcountry camping but then you’ll see trails that are marked at 30+ miles with no campsites marked along them. Doesn’t make sense.

I think it depends on where you are in SEKI. Where I was, there were no designated campsites, but there are established sites, i.e. sites that have obviously been used in the past. There are also bear lockers in some places and people tend to accumulate near those, especially along the JMT. As far as no camping, there are stretches of trail climbing out of Roads End where camping is not allowed, you have to get ~5 miles from the trailhead before camping and then there are designated sites to camp in. I've never been along those trails, but my impression is it is not like Glacier/Yellowstone where you have a site reservation for a specific site. You just have to camp in one of those sites or hike a longer distance.

You will want to pay a lot of attention to snow levels if you are planning on going very high in June. There is a lot of information on http://www.highsierratopix.com/ to plan a trip

 

[Dustin Rand]

Thanks dude this is good intel. I’ll be checking that site out more later but it looks like a great resource.

So is it fair to say there really might only be 14 (or so) designates campsites/campgrounds throughout the two parks, but wild camping is permitted just about everywhere throughout the parks unless specified otherwise?

We’ll be keeping an eye out on the snowfall this winter but having a little bit wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. Our goal is to keep most of our hiking/camping below 10k because we really want campfires at night.

 

[wsp_scott]

Thanks dude this is good intel. I’ll be checking that site out more later but it looks like a great resource.

So is it fair to say there really might only be 14 (or so) designates campsites/campgrounds throughout the two parks, but wild camping is permitted just about everywhere throughout the parks unless specified otherwise?

We’ll be keeping an eye out on the snowfall this winter but having a little bit wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. Our goal is to keep most of our hiking/camping below 10k because we really want campfires at night.

yeah, I think that you can camp almost anywhere in the park, there are just restrictions in certain parts. All of this comes with the caveat that I have only been there once, so it is mostly based on what I've read online.

I assume you will be looking at trips on the west side of the park if you want to stay low. My impression is there is a lot out of the Roads End area, that is also close to the giant trees, so there are likely to be more people around. You should probably research the surrounding Wildernesses just outside the park. And read up on permits quick, the east side permits open 6 months ahead of the permit date and potentially disappear fast.

 

[fossana]

Thanks for sharing all these wonderful pics!!

I’m planning a trip to Kings Canyon/Sequoia next June. What’s the camping situation like? Were these backcountry sites or designated campgrounds? I’m finding conflicting info online regarding camping. Is backcountry camping even allowed in these parks?

One place says there are only 14 or so designated sites and no backcountry camping but then you’ll see trails that are marked at 30+ miles with no campsites marked along them. Doesn’t make sense.

You can backcountry camp with a permit, but they may prohibit/contain camping in certain areas to offset impact. Ranger-issued permit season runs May 24th - September 21st 2019, otherwise it's self issue. more info