Cold Camping As a Vegan in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Camping is the type of trip that’s perfect for budget travelers, and it can totally be possible to have a fun and comfortable time during the colder seasons. Early fall is a special time in my heart for camping since it’s right when all the summer tourists are done with the National Parks and right before it starts to get too cold for the casual camper (not that I’m not into some winter camping). Southern California puts me in a strange spot for the Autumn season since it stays warm where I live, but I’m not too far of a drive away from the mountains where it does get cold, even during the early fall time of September. My (vegan) dad and I ventured up to the Sequoia area for some early fall camping and cold hikes and were greeted by one of the best outdoor experiences I’ve had in a long time.

Where to Camp:

Kings Canyon:

I’ll admit I didn’t go camping in Kings Canyon in the shoulder season (I was there in July), but since it’s attached to Sequoia National Park via the National Forest, it’s worth including here. The weather isn’t much different from the weather in Sequoia and it is at a slightly lower elevation. It’s also the less crowded of the two National Parks.

I’m the type of person who likes to venture far into the Park before settling down and picking a site for the night, so the ideal campground for me in Kings Canyon was Moraine, about 35 miles from the park entrance and located in the canyon itself. It’s not too far from some really beautiful hikes and the drive from the park entrance will take you past the visitor center and then through a road with a beautiful scenic view of the park. I am a tent camper all the way, but it’s nice to have a few amenities to get me through the night. The campground does have flush toilets and pay showers and is close to a visitor center. Each campsite is equipped with a parking space, picnic table, fire pit, and bear box and it costs $18 per night to stay there.

Dorst Creek Campground, Sequoia National Park, Photo by Halle Homel

Sequoia:

Again, all the way through the park is a must! Camping in Dorst Creek Campground was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. Each site comes with a parking spot, picnic table, fire pit, and bear box, and each site was fairly secluded from the next. It costs $22 per night and there are pay showers, dump stations for RV’s and Vanlifers, pay phones (there is little to no cell service in both parks), and flush toilets. This campground is nearly all the way at the end of Sequoia National Park and meets up with Sequoia National Forest a few more miles north on Generals Highway.

CAMPING TIP:

Go on a Tuesday or Wednesday for your first night! Although my dad and I were able to get a campsite in Dorst Creek no problem on a Friday morning, things are inevitably going to be more crowded as it gets closer to the weekend, so if you’re looking for a more secluded camping experience, midweek is the way to go!

What to Bring for Changing Weather:

As it gets cooler outside, the packing list can feel like it grows a lot from the true minimalist camper essentials of simply a tent, sleeping bag, food (more on that later), and a change of clothes. You’ll at least need your camping basics: a tent big enough for each member of your party, a warm sleeping bag (sleeping bags are labeled based on the minimum temperatures they can help you withstand), firewood, other food essentials, a backpack, dishes (to cook in), and warm clothes. Layers are super important in weather that can change drastically over just a few hours and you should make sure you bring a rain jacket or other waterproof jacket to these areas just in case. I did need a thick jacket, beanie, gloves, and thick socks at night and in the morning in Sequoia, so be prepared.

While sleeping bags can be expensive, it’s important to get one that is not only warm enough for the type of weather you’ll be in but one that is also ethically made. I got my 0˚ bag from Madera Outdoor, a company that plants trees for every item sold. Also, make sure any bag you buy is made of polyester or some other similar filling, and not down filling, because obviously, down isn’t vegan, nor will it keep you quite as warm anyway. (Get my sleeping bag here)

Where to Hike:

View of Zumwalt Meadows, Kings Canyon National Park, Photo by Halle Homel

Kings Canyon:

If you’re looking for a more easy to moderate level hike, absolutely check out Zumwalt Meadows. It’s only a few miles down the road from Moraine, and the loop is only about a mile and a half long. It will take you past a beautiful view of the meadow itself and through some extraordinary rock formations after passing by some rivers. TIP: Although the rivers might look fun (and cold) to swim in, they can be deadly, so ask a ranger where it’s safe to swim if you’re planning on doing so.

For a more strenuous hike in Kings Canyon, absolutely check out the trail to Mist Falls. It’s about 9 miles round trip and gains about 600 feet in elevation during mile 4. This hike is incredibly beautiful and takes you through a very diverse landscape of forest, river, rocky mountains, canyons, and peaks at the huge Mist Falls. TIP: Know your limits. If you’ve never done a hike this long before, this is not for you. Good hiking shoes and plenty of water are pretty necessary here.

View from the Top of Little Baldy Saddle, Sequoia National Park, Photo by Halle Homel

Sequoia:

Easy to moderate level hikers will love Little Baldy Saddle. The trailhead is located about a mile south on the Generals Highway from Dorst Creek (you’ll see it on your way there). The trail itself is only 3.5 miles round trip and peaks in an area with panoramic views and perfect quiet for a quick trail snack, sunrise or sunset watching (although, don’t go out without a headlamp for these, remember it is bear country), or just relaxing after setting up camp. I saw some pretty cool wildlife on this trail, including a pika that ran across my path and hid in some rocks.

Moderate to Strenuous level hikers should check out Big Baldy Ridge! It’s technically in a little sliver of Kings Canyon a few miles out of Sequoia National Park and into the National Forest, but since it’s only a 20 minute drive from Dorst Creek, it made sense for us to go for it! The trail itself is about 5 miles long and peaks with a similar view to Little Baldy, but includes a ranger-used radio tower, and other beautiful views along the way.

What to Eat:

One of my favorite parts of camping is trying to figure out how to make a super filling meal on either a camp stove or over an open flame. It takes some creativity, that’s for sure. PRO TIP: if you plan on camping often, invest in a camping stove. I got my Coleman two burner propane stove on Amazon for $30 and it has been a lifesaver in terms of making vegan food accessible while camping. Sure, you can cook anything over the fire, but not only does it take longer, there is more risk for cross-contamination since you don’t know who used that grill last. It’s also easier for vegan food like veggie burgers to fall apart since they don’t have all sorts of artificial preservatives in them, so cooking in a pan over a real stove is a lot less risky, especially when you come back from a hike super hungry.

A typical day of eating while camping looks like this:

Oatmeal with Chopped Apple

Breakfast:

Oats are a must. They are super high in nutrients for a pre-hike meal, they can easily be made more filling by adding fruit like apples, and they cook really fast on a propane stove. Breakfast was ready in five minutes, and having the hot food in the 40˚ weather was exactly what we needed to start our day. (8 Pack of Instant Oatmeal on Thrive Market for $3.49). It’s also super easy to boil water for instant coffee (Trader Joe’s Columbian Instant Coffee is my favorite) or tea to warm you up.

R.e.d.d. Bar for Energy While Hiking

Lunch:

Usually on the trail, lunch consists of a bunch of snacks. I always carry a jar (reusable and sustainable) or other container of mixed nuts for protein while I’m on a long hike since they’re super easy to eat while walking. Once I get to the peak point on the trail, I always sit down to eat the energy bar I have with me along with some fruit (usually an apple, since they don’t squish easily), and maybe one more thing (for Big Baldy Ridge, this was a pack of Annie’s Homegrown fruit snacks for sugar and also because they taste good). My favorite energy bars to bring on the trail with me are Larabar (especially the peanut chocolate chip flavor; click here to buy them from Thrive Market) and Reddbar (which also contains a small amount of caffeine and was perfect for the hike to Mist Falls). Use our code: VTRAVEL15 at checkout on Reddbar's website to receive 15% off your entire order!

Dinner:

Dinners while camping are usually pretty big since we often come back from a hike really hungry. With the camp stove, it’s easy to make veggie burgers, so that’s usually a go-to for me. My favorite veggie burgers are from Sweet Earth Foods, and we paired them with some beans and pickles for the trip to Sequoia. Dinner is always followed by a trip to the water spigot to wash dishes and then vegan marshmallows or s’mores over the campfire.

S’MORES TIP:

Trader Joe’s does sell vegan marshmallows and chocolate, however, the marshmallows are a seasonal summer item, so as it gets cooler, they are harder to find. Dandies is a great vegan marshmallow brand that is available all year on Thrive Market for $3.99. Endangered Species (on Thrive Market for $2.69) Chocolate is also great for that chocolatey goodness since they donate 10% to help endangered species. As for vegan graham crackers, Nabisco has a version that is honey free, although they do include palm oil (pack of 3 on Amazon)

In Conclusion…

Cold camping is always a good idea if you’re prepared for it and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are beautiful places not too far from SoCal and NorCal. The cooler weather will drive the more touristy groups away and you’ll have the woods (mostly) all to yourself, so get out there, enjoy, and remember to leave it better than you found it.

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