Setting Up Camp in Sequoia National Park - Where to Camp & What to Eat

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The season of change and pumpkin spice is upon us, and that means changing how we travel a little bit as the weather cools down and less and less people start hitting the road. 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. This past weekend, 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:

View from the Big Baldy Ridge Hiking Trail

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.

PRO 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 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 vegan while camping looks like this:

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. 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.

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) and Reddbar (which also contains a small amount of caffeine and was perfect for the hike to Mist Falls).

Dinners while camping are usually pretty big since we often come back from a hike really hungry. With a 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 PRO TIP:

Trader Joe’s does sell vegan marshmallows and chocolate, however, the marshmallows are a seasonal summer item, so as it gets cooler, they will be harder to find. Dandies is a great vegan marshmallow brand that is available all year, but is much more expensive. Endangered Species 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.

As you can see, Fall camping is always a good idea if you’re prepared for it and Sequoia National Park is a beautiful place 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.