Camp Wolverton (1939 – 2011) - Area 4 History - OA/Camps/Councils

80 ac. at an elevation of 7,200 ft. The only Scout camp in the country located in a National Park (Sequoia National Park), located about one mile from the General Sherman Tree and three miles from the Lodgepole Campground and Visitor’s Center. This camp provided an area for Scouts and leaders to organize equipment and choose from several 50-mile backpack treks and enjoy the mountains, lakes, streams, and wildlife, not to mention the golden trout and other native fish unique to the area. It opened in 1939 but unfortunately closed in 2011 when the USFS declined to continue the Scouts’ special use permit. Camp Wolverton closed permanently after 73 summers at the end of the 2011 season.

Located in Sequoia National Park, in the heart of the big tree country, offered an unforgettable camping experience. For the more seasoned troops, we are offering challenging experiences in packing to some of the back country lakes for a part of their 10 day period in camp in addition to a fine program of activities at Wolverton.

Forty miles of hiking trails, including the paved Big Trees Trail, invite visitors to immerse themselves in the majesty of the ancient grove. Several additional popular hiking and wilderness trailheads are close by, including the trail to Moro Rock, a granite dome with spectacular views of the Great Western Divide and western half of the park. Tokopah Falls Trail is an easy walk along the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River, leading to an impressive 1200 ft. waterfall. Fly-fishing is also a popular activity on the Marble Fork. There are also many miles of equestrian trails through the Giant Forest and Lodgepole areas.

After retiring it’s full summer camp program after the 1975 season, Camp Wolverton became a base camp in the shadows of beautiful red fir trees, some of which are probably 250 to 300 years old. The older and larger Sequoia trees are in the nearby Giant Forest. There was no electricity in the main Camp area after 1975; the only luxury being hot showers.

Each campsite used by Scouts, Scouters, and their families contained a picnic table, water, fire barrel, trash can, and a latrine. In the camp’s later years, most troops used Wolverton as a base camp prior to leaving on a long-term hike into the High Sierra. These troops usually spent only a night or two in Camp. Other troops spent an entire week at Camp and set up their own summer camp program.

Even without a summer camp program from 1976 through 2011, there were many in-Camp opportunities, short day hikes, and Park Service activities available.

See: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10124953

Page Contributions: Rick Breithaupt

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