Cold Springs Campground (Ca)
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks — lakeside, hiking
Location: Three Rivers, CA, CA
Price: From $32 per night
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (121 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/cold-springs-campground-ca to be notified when sites open up.
Beautiful alpine campground at 7,500 feet elevation featuring hiking to alpine lakes. Google reviewers rate it 4.8/5 stars and praise its lovely setting with basic useful amenities.
Wildlife alert: American Black Bear, Mule Deer, Yellow-bellied Marmot, American Pika, Gray-headed Pika present in area
Insider tips for Cold Springs Campground (Ca): Book early — this is a popular federal campground with limited availability Allow 90 minutes minimum drive time from Highway 198; road is narrow, winding, steep and deeply rutted in sections Follow park ranger instructions for safety and comfort during your stay
Skip Cold Springs Campground (Ca) if: You have an RV or trailer — not permitted at this campground and not recommended on Mineral King Road. You need hookups — no hookups available at sites. You visit outside May-October season — campground is closed.
Best time to visit Cold Springs Campground (Ca): May-October — Campground seasonal operations period. June-August — Peak summer months when road conditions are most passable.
Nearby campgrounds: Atwell Mill Campground (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 Cold Springs Campground (Ca)
Cell signal at Cold Springs Campground (Ca) (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 popular federal campground with limited availability
Allow 90 minutes minimum drive time from Highway 198; road is narrow, winding, steep and deeply rutted in sections
Follow park ranger instructions for safety and comfort during your stay
Campground seasonal operations period
Peak summer months when road conditions are most passable
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 →
Cold Springs campground is located 23 miles (37 km) from Highway 198 on the Mineral King Road. It is an approximately 90 minute drive. The road is narrow, winding and steep, deeply rutted in sections, and mostly unpaved. It is not advised for longer vehicles, including trailers and other recreational vehicles. RVs and trailers are not permitted in campgrounds.
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 Cold Springs Campground (Ca) cost per night?+
What season is Cold Springs Campground (Ca) open?+
Does Cold Springs Campground (Ca) have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Cold Springs Campground (Ca)?+
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What is the cell service like at Cold Springs Campground (Ca)?+
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Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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