Kings Canyon campground reservation at Kings Canyon: what applies in 2026?

Direct answer

Kings Canyon campgrounds are reservation-only in spring, summer and fall

Exact conditions

Status: Required under the listed conditions
Applies to: overnight guests
Place or corridor: Grant Grove area: Azalea, Crystal Springs and Sunset Campgrounds. Cedar Grove area: all campgrounds (reachable only while Highway 180 east of Hume Lake Road is open).
Effective dates: January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026
Release model: rolling window

Release detail: Booked on Recreation.gov. The parks state that reservation windows vary by campground and do not publish a single release date or clock time — do not assume a uniform window.

Fee detail: The parks' Current Conditions page does not publish Kings Canyon nightly rates; they are listed on the individual campground pages and on Recreation.gov.

Exceptions and limits

During the winter, part of Azalea Campground is open on a first-come, first-served basis.
Reservation windows vary between campgrounds — check the individual campground page or Recreation.gov.

Open the official action page

Official source

National Park Service · reviewed August 27, 2026

[Grant Grove Area Conditions (Kings Canyon National Park)] All camping is by reservation only, through recreation.gov. Azalea Campground is open. During spring, summer, and fall, camping is by reservation only. During the winter, part of the campground is open on a first-come, first-served basis.

Current Conditions - Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (U.S. National Park Service)