## Overview

 Island Park Recreation Area is the place to go for campers looking for lots of exciting water activities at Pine Flat Lake. The area has plenty of campsites plus two group sites and a day-use area for boaters. Pine Flat Lake spans 20 miles in length with 67 miles of shoreline. The lake, formed in 1954 with the completion of the Pine Flat Dam, is used for flood control and irrigation as well as a recreation oasis for the area. Wildlife spotting opportunities include bobcats and red-tailed hawks. 
## Recreation

 Boating, jet skiing and fishing are some of the most popular activities at the lake. Anglers can find small and large-mouthed bass, spotted bass and rainbow trout. Families enjoy strolling on the Blue Oak Trail, a quarter-mile interpretive trail that\'s accessible from the campground. 
## Facilities

 Most campsites are non-electric, but 25 sites have electric hookups, and five of those sites have water hookups. There is one site that meets accessibility standards and is available as first come, first served. Day-use visitors have access to a boat ramp and vault toilets. All campers have access to flush toilets. Group campground reservations include the use of a horseshoe pit and volleyball court. 
## Natural Features

 Pine Flat Lake is situated where oak and pine meet in the foothills of the central Sierra Nevada Mountains. It\'s in Kings Canyon at the western edge of the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. At full capacity, the lake holds a million acre-feet of water, which is fed by the Kings Canyon watershed. 
## Nearby Attractions

 From the campground, head upstream on Kings River to find superb whitewater rafting in spring and early summer. Scenic drives through Sierra National Forest and Kings Canyon National Park never cease to impress visitors.

Island Park

Note: The average daytime temperature while I was here was 101 degrees(high 104), and this will no doubt color my review. 

  

I stayed here three nights in a 34 foot travel trailer in site 1 in late July. Sites vary in length, there were only a few that would have fit our rig. Some are only parking spaces that lead to tent platforms. Very few sites are level and some so steep that leveling is not possible. All sites have water and electric hookups, and these were very reliable. Our site also had sewage because we were in a host site(yay us!). Speaking of the hosts, they were awesome.  The bathrooms and showers were clean. 

  

The lake is pretty, but it was so high that boat ramps were closed and the picnic area (including the pit toliets) were completely underwater- so no swimming for us. Despite all this, the place was packed on the weekends. I would give it another chance, but not in late July. :)

Army Corps of Engineers campground on a lake

Camped three nights during the week in early May 2021 in a 24-foot travel trailer.  Site 007 was shaded with lake view, but narrow and barely long enough for our trailer.  Electric, water and sewer, all for Federal Golden-pass rate of $15!  Campground was mostly empty.  Bathrooms were ok: not sparkling clean but not horrible either.  Poor cell service.  Lake was too low to go swimming, although people were launching fishing boats.  Smooth roads to get to campground, but some very steep grades.  Would not recommend this campground for large rigs.  It was very hot even in early May, so expect extreme heat throughout the summer.

Mountain top camping with lake view

This park is absolutely stunning this time of year. There are wildflowers everywhere and the weather was a perfect low 70s in the daytime and 50s at night. We stayed in spot 33 which says for 53’ or less… we are 42’ and barely fit so be careful there. Additionally, you will NOT fit here if you can’t take your rig past a 90* turn safely. It was a bit of a nightmare getting turned around to back in here (we have a 42’ toy hauler and a 3500 ram DRW with an Andersen hitch), BUT we’ve had an incredible week here. Stars were beautiful, the nature trail was perfect for our three boys, and the views are absolutely stunning. Worth the $20 a night. If you’re a big rig, park in overflow or the upper loop. Trust me on this. 

Beautiful, but difficult 

Nice place to get away for the week. There are only two sites that have full hook ups. Site 4 is not one of them. The restrooms were not very clean and the cleaning crew really needs to be replaced. Camp sights were busy with one day visitors. Weekend camping was busy with lots of noise, but the weekdays were quiet. Pine Flat Lake is really low with a long walk down to the lake. Drove over to the group camp sites and they have volleyball, corn hole and large covered picnic areas with extra large fire rings and bbq area. Water was available no power but they did have restrooms for both sites. 