Atwell Mill Campground
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks — lakeside, hiking
Location: Three Rivers, CA, CA
Price: From $32 per night
Rating: 4.3 out of 5 (59 reviews)
Season: May through October
The Mineral King area features the highest elevation campground in the parks. At 7,500 feet (2280 m), it is only open during the summer months. It takes approximately 90 minutes to drive the long narrow, winding, largely unpaved road that leads to the area and its two campgrounds.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/atwell-mill-campground to be notified when sites open up.
High-elevation alpine camping at 7,500 feet with access to alpine lake trails in Sequoia National Park. At $32/night, it's an affordable gateway to the remote Mineral King area.
Wildlife alert: American Black Bear present in area — practice proper food storage and bear safety protocols. Also expect Mule Deer and Yellow-bellied Marmots.
Insider tips for Atwell Mill Campground: Book early — this is a federal campground with only 19 tent sites and high demand Plan 90 minutes of drive time on Mineral King Road; the narrow, winding, unpaved road with ruts requires careful driving No hookups available, so bring fully self-contained gear or plan for dry camping Arrive during shoulder season (May-June or September-October) for shorter wait times on the popular Mineral King Road
Skip Atwell Mill Campground if: You have an RV or trailer — they are not permitted and the road is not suitable. You need vehicle hookups for water, electric, or sewage. You want easy road access — expect 90 minutes of slow, winding, largely unpaved driving.
Best time to visit Atwell Mill Campground: May-October — Official operating season only; campground closes outside these months due to high elevation and snow.
Nearby campgrounds: Cold Springs Campground (Ca) (Three Rivers, CA), Buckeye Flat Campground (Three Rivers, CA), Potwisha Campground (Three Rivers, CA), Lodgepole Campground-Sequoia And Kings Canyon National Park (Three Rivers, CA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Atwell Mill Campground
Cell signal at Atwell Mill Campground (Three Rivers, CA): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
The Mineral King area features the highest elevation campground in the parks. At 7,500 feet (2280 m), it is only open during the summer months. It takes approximately 90 minutes to drive the long narrow, winding, largely unpaved road that leads to the area and its two campgrounds.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground with only 19 tent sites and high demand
Plan 90 minutes of drive time on Mineral King Road; the narrow, winding, unpaved road with ruts requires careful driving
No hookups available, so bring fully self-contained gear or plan for dry camping
Arrive during shoulder season (May-June or September-October) for shorter wait times on the popular Mineral King Road
Official operating season only; campground closes outside these months due to high elevation and snow
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
Atwell Mill Campground is located 19 miles (31 km) from Highway 198 on Mineral King Road, which turns off in Three Rivers, and 6 miles (10 km) before the end of the road. It is an approximately 90 minute drive. The road is primarily unpaved, narrow, winding, and deeply rutted in places. It is not advised for longer vehicles, especially recreational vehicles. No RVs or trailers are permitted in the campground.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Atwell Mill Campground cost per night?+
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Official resources
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