Stony Creek Campground

This is by far our favorite campsite at Kings. Right on the water, very secluded but yet close enough if you want a pizza.

The proper location of Stony Creek campground is the Sequioa National Forest not park. As you enter you will receive a cool mini newspaper describing the differences. We stayed in lower Stony Creek (#15) and must say after examining upper, we were glad we chose lower. Lower is a bit more shaded, dark and it appeared a bit quieter. Each site is a single or double. Single is max 6 people but I’m sure you could push that a bit. Bear boxes are provided and you must keep all good and scented items in the box. Do NOT keep anything in your car, there are many bears around. You get a picnic table and a fire pit. As of 7÷6÷15, all campfires are prohibited. You can use propane stoves to cook but absolutely no fires. Restrooms are walking distance and simple stand-​up urinal, one sitter (flushable) and a sink. Stony Creek is central to tons of attractions; Hume Lake, General Sherman Tree, Lodgepole, Crystal Caves, Zumwalt Meadows. You can only book 6 months in advance and I suggest you do so as they fill up quick. As to the bears, we saw a black bear inside of our first hour. It is shocking at first and you want to pack the family and bail. I purchased bear repellant (strong pepper spray) in the event of a close encounter. They though are after food and slobs will get a real close look as many bears have ripped off car doors, broken windows, ravaged campsites. Keep your site spotless and you shouldn’t have any problems. Bears will though come through the campsite. Keep two pans or metal bowls handy. Slam them together and yell «go!» or something loud and abrupt. They will flee. By day 2, the kids had zero anxiety about the bears and we all actually learned much about them. Stony Creek Upper and Lower both seem like a perfect spot to spend time with the family and unplug from «the Matrix.»

This year my new years resolution was to go camping at least twice. I used to go often as a kid and haven’t been since high school, so I invested in a crap ton of camping equipment and made some reservations.
As of this trip, I’ve achieved my goal, and this was an amazing place to do it! We went the last weekend of the season, as apparently the campground was closing up shop on the Sunday we were checking out. It was drizzly throughout the weekend, and at one point it even snowed on one of our hikes, but we were able to keep dry at night by the fire.
The camp host sells firewood at the campground for $ 8 a bundle. There are fire rings at each site and most of the campsites are very spacious. We were originally aiming for campsite 18 in lower Stony Creek Campground because of some of the reviews on here, but it disappeared right before we were able to book it! So we settled on campsite 12 (also in lower) – we were so glad we did!
Campsite 12 is a walk-​in site. You park at the top of the hill and have to carry everything down the hill to the picnic table and fire ring. It wasn’t too far, though, and it added a level of seclusion that the other sites don’t boast. We could see one or two other campfires at night from the surrounding sites, but for the most part we felt like we were in our own little corner of the woods.
It’s right by the creek and you could hear it softly trickling along all night, which to me was incredibly relaxing. The campsite was also very large. It didn’t have any fallen trees to sit on, but if you bring your own chairs and stools, this of course won’t be a problem. It’s also REALLY close to the restroom and water spigot (located just across the road that circles the campground), but because your actual site is across the road and down the hill, you don’t see/​hear/​smell anything from the bathroom.
The bathrooms have flush toilets and running water. They also have toilet paper! There’s no electricity, though, so you need to remember to bring a lantern or flashlight with you whenever you go, as well as soap or hand sanitizer.
There is a great trail across the street that starts in Upper Stony Creek campground and goes all the way to a lake. It’s a difficult hike (all uphill, at least as far as we went), but it has lots of beautiful views. Bring a small picnic, wear the right shoes, and carry enough water with you and it should be pleasant enough (but still difficult!). We didn’t make it the full 6 – 7 miles that the trail runs (and never made it to the lake), basically because, after about 4 miles, it started to get snowy and foggy, and it had already taken us quite a while.
You can also get in the car and drive around Sequoia National Park to see some giant sequoias and other awesome scenery.
This was a GREAT place to go camping. We were only here two nights but we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. It’s a campground to which I could see myself returning again and again.

We absolutely loved this campground although we were in the UPPER Stony Creek site across the street. It was quiet, we were right next to a stream and the facilities (bathroom) were clean. Our kids had a great time playing on the rocks and splashing in the stream.

Stayed here the weekend after Labor Day for 3 nights. Based on other reviews I read, we booked site 18. Perfect site — spacious, next to the restrooms, near the water spigot, and no neighbors right on top of us. It was nice and quiet our first night, but our 2^nd and 3^rd (and the reason I docked a star) was because there was a HUGE party that went on all night both nights. We got tired of all the noise they were making well past when the quiet hours had started and attempted to contact the host, to no avail. The group was so loud that they could be heard clearly from the upper stony campground (where we went looking for the other hosts). If the hosts were more on top of their game like at other parks I have visited, then 5 stars all around!

My husband and I stayed here with our pup for two nights this past weekend and we had a really nice time! This campground provides flushing toilets and running, drinkable water which is so great! We stayed at campsite #24, which was in a nice spot– pretty secluded, and right across from a water pump.
As I mentioned, they allow dogs (on leashes) which is awesome.
I would recommend bringing some sort of ax/​saw because they allow you to use wood that is around for campfires, but you will need to do some chopping for it!
Also, the campsites closer to the road are closer together, so depending on what you are wanting, that information is good to know :)
I would recommend this to people and we will all be staying there again!

Our first time in this area. This is a great place to CAMP. Located in the middle of everything there is to see and do in the area. There are stores, gas, post office, visitor centers, etc in the villages in the area. About a ¼ mile up the road is stony creek lodge. A small store, restaurant, lodging, showers ($ 4 10 minutes), and gas ($ 4.09 July 28^th 2014).
We thought the sites in the lower loop were just a bit better than the upper loop. Our site #18 was very spacious and private, and next to the stream. The bathrooms have flush toilets and sinks, and were clean and well stocked during our four day stay. About a dozen potable water sites through out the campground. Good sized bear boxes, bear proof dumpsters and recycle bins, and friendly camp hosts.
Because this is national forest you can gather wood from any fallen dead trees. There is and endless supply of available kindling, tinder, and logs of every size in and around the campground. Especially the lower loop. So bring a sharp axe or hatchet.

We stayed at Upper Stony Creek. We stayed at site #8. This campsite is fantastic.
The table and firepit were in good condition. There was plenty of wood to burn.
There was a fun hike right from the site. The area is beautiful.
The sites are close together, as they usually are, but still better than many.
The Upper campground has pit toilets.
It is quiet, you dont really hear any traffic.
Make a reservation.
Be prepared. We had a visit from a bear. Know the rules! Be ready for rain.
You can take day trips to Kings canyon and General Sherman.
There is a small river running right next to camp.
The stars are out! Be sure to stay up late!
Cannot wait to go back. Still trying to figure out why I left.