Camp Observer1 of 8 photos
Potwisha Campground
Notice
1/2
Southern California Edison will be replacing a large number of utility poles within the parks from Sept. 8 to Nov. 23 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The project includes a staging area at the Potwisha day-use parking lot across the road from the campground. There will be frequent helicopter flights to transport equipment. Some noise and brief traffic delays on the Generals Highway near the staging area can be expected.
Jun 5, 2026 – Nov 24, 2026
Overview
Potwisha Campground, located along the Generals Highway in Sequoia National Park, offers convenience for visiting the many attractions in the park. The campground is situated along the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River, just four miles from the park entrance, in the Sierra Foothills. For more information and trip planning please see our website at www.nps.gov/seki .Recreation
There are numerous opportunities for fishing and hiking near the campground. The Marble Falls trailhead is situated adjacent to the campground and several other trails are a short drive away. Access to the Kaweah River is just a short walk across the street from the campground.Facilities
Potwisha Campground is open year-round to tents, RVs, and trailers. Reservations are required for all sites year-round. Site #39 and site #40 are suitable for wheelchairs. Picnic tables, fire rings and food storage lockers are provided at each site. Flush toilets, drinking water and an amphitheater are available within the campground. A free dump station, open year-round, is located across the highway from the campground.
Natural Features
The Foothills consist of the lower elevations of Sequoia National Park, where the grassy valley floor gives way to granite peaks. Oaks, chaparral, and river canyons are plentiful here in an area with more biological diversity than the conifer forests and High Sierra combined. Winters are relatively snow-free and mild; summer is characterized by hot and dry weather. Wildlife is frequently seen in the area, including the American Black Bear, mule deer, and bobcats, as well as numerous bird species.Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (559) 565-3714.Nearby Attractions
Potwisha Campground is located within a 45 minute drive from the Giant Forest, home to the largest trees on Earth. Moro Rock, Crescent Meadow and the Congress Trail are also located in the Giant Forest area, as well as numerous other opportunities for exploration in Sequoia National Park.The Crystal Caves are about an hour's drive (18 miles/29 km) from the campground. Reserve tour tickets in advance on Recreation.gov.
Charges & Cancellations
- Payment in full will be charged to your credit card upon completion of the reservation. A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation. Additional fees will apply for late cancellations.
- All cancellations made between midnight on the day before arrival and check out time on the day after arrival are considered late cancellations and will incur a $10.00 cancellation fee and will also forfeit the first night’s use fee. Cancellations for a single night’s reservation will forfeit the entire use fee but no cancellation fee will apply.
Camp site features
Across 37 camp sites:
- Picnic table: all 37 sites
- Pets allowed: all 37 sites
- ADA accessible: 2 of 37 sites
- Longest rig: 49 ft
- Largest party: 6 people
Fees
* ENTRANCE FEES APPLY: Check Entrance Fees & Passes - Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (U.S. National Park Service) for details.
* CAMPING FEES: $32 per night for Regular Camping and $16 per night for valid lifetime Access Pass, lifetime Senior Pass, and annual Senior Pass. No other passes receive reduced rates.
* Failure to notify the campground prior to 12:00 pm noon the day following scheduled arrival may result in your reservation being cancelled.
Directions
Potwisha Campground is easily accessed from Visalia, California, and Highway
99.
Follow Highway 198 east from Visalia for 36 miles, until you reach the Ash
Mountain Entrance Station. The campground is located 4 miles beyond the
entrance station on the left, or north, side of the road. Please visit our
website for more specific driving directions, as well as area maps.
Stay Limit
Check in from 12 PM, check out by 12 PM.
Reviews
Ratings (767)
5 stars
413
4 stars
168
3 stars
88
2 stars
58
1 stars
40
John D
Loop:Potwisha
Site:09
Reviewed 3 days ago
Great job. Got in later than we thought but everyone was super friendly, even gave us dinner. We sweated really bad in the night but the nearby river was cool enough to dunk in at first/last light.
Michele D
Loop:Potwisha
Site:20
Reviewed 6 days ago
The campsite we chose was great! Plenty of space and relative privacy. The restroom, however, was not good. Dark and in desperate need of updating. Unfortunately, with all of the funding cutbacks since COVID, the facilities are really suffering. Campground upkeep seems almost non-existent. There was no ranger presence. We were there during a fire ban, and people two campsites over were burning a fire. Glad we visited when we did because the future of the National Parks look pretty bleak.
Gisela R
Loop:Potwisha
Site:24
Reviewed 7 days ago
This camp ground is perfect if you have small kids. The river is close to the camp and the bathroom is clean (flushable). Also there are restaurants and stores near by.
Vicmar F
Loop:Potwisha
Site:09
Reviewed 8 days ago
The campground is nice, but my campsite was very small and difficult to park
Tony R
Loop:Potwisha
Site:22
Reviewed 15 days ago
I really enjoyed Campsite 22 which was very shady with lots of trees and close to the river which was very relaxing to hear the water running downstream. The weather was a bit warm and so there was very little need for sleeping bag and blankets but definitely needed the tent for the bugs and mosquitos. I was able to see some wild turkeys while at the campground and swim in the river. Unfortunately, because of the dry season and risk of fire the Fire Pits were unavailable to use.
Rene H
Loop:Potwisha
Site:20
Reviewed 18 days ago
Like every year for the past 35yrs
I being enjoying my stays with my family and friends
can’t wait till next summer to camp again
Cheryl J
Loop:Potwisha
Site:30
Reviewed 19 days ago
It was a very nice campground, but a bit tight for a 32-foot travel trailer.
Addie E
Loop:Potwisha
Site:19
Reviewed 19 days ago
Great campsite with lots of trees, easy access to running water, and friendly neighbors. The only downside is that it’s a bit far from everything. Overall, a peaceful place to camp!
Elvia G
Loop:Potwisha
Site:27
Reviewed 19 days ago
Our ranger, D Whitehead gave us lots of great tips.
The campground was quiet and we enjoyed being outdoors greatly.
Michelle W
Loop:Potwisha
Site:10
Reviewed 19 days ago
There is swimming hole nearby campground and Mables falls hike
Racheal P
Loop:Potwisha
Site:04
Reviewed 24 days ago
Location was wonderful, at the base of Sequoia we had a nice spot. The bear box was easy to use and held everything we brought with space left over. Restrooms were clean and easy to get too. We enjoyed our stay
Beverly A
Loop:Potwisha
Site:11
Reviewed a month ago
The gentleman at the gate was very kind and understanding when I took forever to find my reservation. The bathrooms were clean and the scenery was beautiful.
David R
Loop:Potwisha
Site:37
Reviewed a month ago
Great spot in the National Park to launch our adventure. The road up is a little windy. I wouldn’t advise going beyond the camp ground with a travel trailer. Site 37 was perfect for our 20 foot travel trailer. Of course, no hook ups but that’s what you get. Bathrooms were clean and the staff was friendly. It was warm during the day but cooled nicely at night. Biggest drawbacks are no showers and no cell service.
Joseph W
Loop:Potwisha
Site:31
Reviewed a month ago
great campground- very clean and easy to access they need to address the ground squirrel problem
Renee A
Loop:Potwisha
Site:29
Reviewed a month ago
We were at site 29. There was only 1 flat spot for the tent and it was very close to the site next to us. When that site became occupied their tent was about 2 feet away from ours which did not provide for any type of privacy. I would not book 29 again.
Restrooms were decent and had flush toilets and running water.
The squirrels were very aggressive any time we were eating. They would climb on the picnic table and on top of our grill and were not afraid of us at all. One even tried to climb in my car. It was really annoying and felt like we were constantly fighting a battle against the squirrels.
The river was a short bike ride across the road and we spent many hours sitting in it to cool off (it was 100 degrees during our visit).
Lynn W
Loop:Potwisha
Site:03
Reviewed a month ago
Campground was good, bathrooms are a hike (that you don't want to do in the middle of the night) from many campsites, but the quiet hours are NOT enforced. Afternoon/early evening a group had music playing loud enough for everyone in the campground to hear. Music was shut off for awhile then was started again at 11 pm until ~1 am.
Samuel G
Loop:Potwisha
Site:24
Reviewed a month ago
Very easy to find, low key and quiet. The ranger at the camp was extremely helpful in providing suggestions for activities, and everybody was extremely pleasant!
Ann G
Loop:Potwisha
Site:05
Reviewed a month ago
campground itself was not bad.sadly quiet time was not enforced.
Patricia B
Loop:Potwisha
Site:22
Reviewed a month ago
Campsite 22 very nice Bathrooms are clean. Swimming areas were nice to see water to high to get in need to stay away from fast water other then that I’ll be back again in august when water is low and it probably will be very hot
Jinghong L
Loop:Potwisha
Site:20
Reviewed a month ago
The campground is good overall. The site #20 is flat, however, it is very close to the river. The river sound is loud and beautiful. But it may cause the problem for sleeping.
Paul B
Loop:Potwisha
Site:05
Reviewed a month ago
Lovely campsite in the middle of know where. Amazing scenery and fantastic staff.
Franziska v
Loop:Potwisha
Site:03
Reviewed a month ago
I was thrilled to secure one of the rare spots at Potwisha for our RV trip. However, I was somewhat surprised by the condition of the campground. Some of the sites were heavily overgrown, and the paved pads were covered in gravel and dirt. In addition, the sites were extremely uneven. Compared to many other national park campgrounds we have visited, this was one of the poorer ones. The restrooms were clean.
Elena I
Loop:Potwisha
Site:13
Reviewed a month ago
Lovely small campground. A drinking water faucet would have been great
Tim S
Loop:Potwisha
Site:25
Reviewed a month ago
Nice enough. Given the heat would strongly recommend adding power.
Jeffrey J
Loop:Potwisha
Site:07
Reviewed a month ago
Campground was so small we couldn’t even fit our tent and the picnic table. Surrounding the campsite was a 5’ wall of thistle. We ended up leaving for another campground in Three Rivers. Would not recommend.
Linda J
Loop:Potwisha
Site:23
Reviewed a month ago
Always wonderful to stay at Potwisha - site 23 was especially nice!
David H
Loop:Potwisha
Site:05
Reviewed a month ago
Large campground. Lots of sites. Kind of close together. Lots of shade. Turkeys walking around. Squirrels are pushy. You can tell people are feeding them.
Nicole R
Loop:Potwisha
Site:13
Reviewed 2 months ago
Clean restrooms, very helpful and friendly camp host and rangers.
Jennifer C
Loop:Potwisha
Site:07
Reviewed 2 months ago
The camp site we had (7) was one of the worst we’ve ever seen in a national park. It was covered in thistles, no flat space for tents (advertised as a 2 tent site), and zero shade (there must have been a tree at some time because the online photos weren’t so bad) . The site next to us was much nicer, and unoccupied (though it was reserved), so we were able to move, with permission from the helpful camp host, after 2 bad nights. Many sites we reserved but unoccupied. Some poison oak was around the camp ground too.
Anna Marie H
Loop:Potwisha
Site:16
Reviewed 2 months ago
We had a beautiful campsite close to a river. Slept so well with the "white noise." Soft level spot for our tent. We had a nice fire and used the grill to heat our soup cans. No cell coverage for AT&T or Verizon.
Jennifer P
Loop:Potwisha
Site:12
Reviewed 2 months ago
This campground was clean and easy to access. We had a great time.
Eric H
Loop:Potwisha
Site:09
Reviewed 2 months ago
The campground was quiet, well-maintained, had potable water, a picnic table, fire ring and flush toilets at the campground bathrooms! The bear boxes for food were also appreciated. Our campsite was on the edge of the campground where there was a relatively steep hill next to it, but the campsite itself was terraced so we had a nice flat area to pitch our tent.
JUAN G
Loop:Potwisha
Site:27
Reviewed 2 months ago
The campground was very crowded and the sites where very small and hard to get into with a trailer. I ended up canceling my reservation and staying at a nearby rv park.
James W
Loop:Potwisha
Site:38
Reviewed 2 months ago
Nice campground at a lower elevation. Must see Moro dome hike. Check to see if you have to use the shuttle bus or if you can drive your own vehicle.
Nataliya Z
Loop:Potwisha
Site:28
Reviewed 2 months ago
Good campsite, little bit not in level but not bad at all. Restrooms are near, running water and utilities sink.
Nice short trail to a bridge cross street from campground .
Sandra B
Loop:Potwisha
Site:39
Reviewed 2 months ago
Camp Host was the sweetest! Willing to talk and offer suggestions for sites we might like. The campsite was nice with many friendly squirrels to welcome us! I would suggest cutting back the growth a bit in the campground, as biting insects were a bit much.
ziya k
Loop:Potwisha
Site:16
Reviewed 2 months ago
Campground was beautiful and the volunteer ranger Loen(i am not sure how to write her name) was very helpful.
Cynthia R
Loop:Potwisha
Site:24
Reviewed 2 months ago
The trail to the water fall is not for beginners if you haven’t experienced up hill hiking before I had a baby in tow I didn’t research the hike. I was warned by a fellow camper and I listened and turned back. My son went on and he took 2.5 hours to go up. It was hot but beautiful views and waterfall had diminished to barely any water it was in May when we went. Campsite was very nice and nice trails to the bathroom easy to go. We woke up to deer, tons of squirrels and wild turkey in our camp. You can hear the water from the campsite it was very relaxing. The food storage box was accommodating for our sons car seat and big icechest and still room for more food
Tom Z
Loop:Potwisha
Site:19
Reviewed 2 months ago
This campground is closest to the southern (more properly Ash Mountain) entrance and is thus easily accessible. There are nearby trails that lead out of the campground and require no driving. The Giant Forest is relatively nearby although a visit requires a drive up (and down) the Generals Highway. One caveat: This area may be quite hot during the warmer months. Still, a nice, modest-sized facility suitable for families and groups of friends alike.
jiayu x
Loop:Potwisha
Site:15
Reviewed 2 months ago
Great site. Close to the bathroom but not to close. Ground is flat enough to fit two tents.
Popularity
Very busy · 87%
Busiest in July, when about 87% of sites are booked. Based on 9 years of reservations.
Location
Three Rivers, CA 93271
Phone: 559-565-3714
Email: ashley_occhipinti@nps.gov
