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Belknap Campground sits by a small stream and sequoia grove at 5,000 feet elevation in the Giant Sequoia National Monument. The Tule River and Belknap Creek run through or near the campground.
Trails in the monument are open to hikers, horseback riders and bikers. The trails wind through giant sequoia groves, up mountains and alongside wild rivers.
A hiking trail also starts within the campground, leading into the sequoia grove, with fishing in Tule River along the way.
Belknap offers about 13 tent camping sites that can accommodate up to 6 guests each. Vault toilets, campfire rings and picnic areas are all provided.
The Sequoia National Forest, located at the southern end of the Sierra Nevada in central California, takes its name from the giant sequoia, the world's largest tree, which grows in more than 30 groves on the Forest's lower slopes.
The Forest comprises about 1.1 million acres, and elevations range from about 1,000 to 12,000 feet, creating precipitous canyons and mountain streams with spectacular waterfalls, such as Salmon Creek Falls near Fairview and Grizzly Falls on the Kings River.
From Springville, California, proceed east on State Highway 190 for approximately 15 miles. Turn east on Nelson Drive and continue about a mile to the campground.
Start at quaking Aspen meadow and take the trail by the road down into the grove that way. The redwoods appear at the stream about a mile in; from there go wherever you want. There is one trail that goes along the main river to cedar slope and passes through some impressive areas but this grove is massive and extends well up the north face of the mountain side so have at it, spend a whole day looking for ever larger trees.
