Big Meadow Campground - US Forest Service Sequoia National Forest (CA)
Sequoia National Forest, CABig Meadow sits at 7,500 feet in the Sequoia National Forest, 75 miles east of Fresno, designed specifically for horse camping with direct access to wilderness trailheads. The campground breaks into five separate units along Big Meadows Creek, each feeling like its own small camp. No water on site — pack what you need.
Campground Details
- 💵Fee per Night
- Free
- 📍GPS
- 36.71847, -118.82987
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- No
- 📞Phone
- 559-325-2232
- 🗺️Address
- CA
The Camp
The layout here is unusual: 43 single sites plus one double-family site spread across five distinct units, each holding 5-9 sites. Every unit operates like a mini-campground with its own vault toilet and dumpster, giving the place a decentralized feel that keeps things quieter than typical forest service camps. Sites come with the standard fire ring, picnic table, and food storage box.
The creek runs through the property, attracting wildlife that frequent the surrounding meadows. At this elevation, nights stay cool even in summer.
Horse Country
Horse Corral Pack Station sits nearby, and multiple trailheads fan out toward Jennie Lakes Wilderness, Monarch Wilderness, and backcountry routes into the national park. The equestrian focus means wider sites and better vehicle maneuvering room than typical forest camps.
Fly fishing works Big Meadows Creek, though you'll want to check current regulations. For lake fishing and swimming, Hume Lake sits 15 miles away.
What to Know
Bring all your water — none available on site. Buck Rock Lookout, perched at 8,500 feet, makes for a short scenic drive when you need a break from camp. The primitive feel comes with maintained amenities, so you get forest service reliability without the crowded campground atmosphere.
For specifics on reservations and current conditions, call (661) 702-1420.