Tent campsites near Bodfish, California offer a range of seasonal conditions with elevations spanning from 4,000 to 7,000 feet. Temperatures at higher elevation camping areas often drop below 40°F at night, even during summer months. Many dispersed sites in the region require high-clearance vehicles or AWD to access, particularly those along forest roads north of Sequoia National Park.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Hobo Campground, tent campers can enjoy productive fishing in the Kern River. One visitor noted, "Absolutely love this campground. We will definitely go back. A peaceful and nice clean campground. Great fishing!"
Hot springs access: From tent camping areas near Bodfish, several natural hot springs are within a 30-minute drive. A camper at Remington mentioned, "A 10 minute walk to the natural hot springs along the river." Hot springs visits require careful planning as some areas have seasonal closures.
Trail exploration: The Trail of 100 Giants sequoia grove is accessible from several tent camping areas. A visitor to Dispersed Camp noted, "About a mile or two from the Trail of 100 Giants Sequoia trailhead so that was really nice beating the crowds there in the AM."
Creek swimming: During warmer months, natural swimming areas in creeks provide cooling opportunities. At Camping Area No. 3, a camper shared, "The water is super clear and nice! We were the only ones staying here, so it was very quiet and calming."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many tent campers value the seclusion available at Dispersed Camp near Sequoia National Park. One reviewer mentioned, "I was surprised how vacant this location was. It was absolutely gorgeous and the stars were unreal! There seemed to be a lot of campsites very far from each other."
Riverside locations: Tent sites along the Kern River offer direct water access. At Limestone Campground, a visitor reported, "There was a relatively calm pool near our site and some small beach areas to enjoy the (cold!) water."
Natural water features: Many tent campers appreciate having creeks or rivers near their sites. A camper at Camping Area No. 3 shared, "We stopped here on our way through Sequoia Nat'l Forest and loved it. The water is super clear and nice!"
Night sky viewing: Clear mountain air at higher elevations creates excellent stargazing conditions. One camper at Dispersed Camp described, "It was absolutely gorgeous and the stars were unreal!"
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to many tent camping areas requires careful driving on unpaved roads. A reviewer of Breckenridge Campground cautioned, "Cool place to go and chill, just make sure you are prepared for a narrow and bumpy road, also a short dirt trail."
Closure information: Several campgrounds in the area experience seasonal or maintenance-related closures. Regarding Hobo Campground, a visitor reported, "Hobo is amazing! Unfortunately, went to camp there last weekend and were informed the bridge has been washed out and camp is closed with no plans to repair the bridge."
Bear activity: Wildlife encounters, particularly bears, are common at tent sites near Bodfish. A visitor to Dispersed Camp advised, "Make sure you don't keep anything smelly in your tent or around your truck because there is a local bear that comes by in the middle of the night when everyone's sleeping."
Fire restrictions: Campfire regulations vary by location and season, with permits required at many sites. A camper at Dispersed Camp warned, "I would recommend this to anyone looking to have a secluded quite area that some ppl may not come to due to the friendly bear."
Tips for camping with families
Safer water areas: For families with children, look for camping areas with calmer water sections. At Camping area No. 3, a visitor noted, "This is one of my go to campgrounds when you want to do it all. Camping, fishing, swimming."
Established campgrounds: Sites with more facilities tend to be better for family camping. A camper at Limestone Campground described, "Campsites are a decent space apart and shaded. Located by the Kern River."
Wildlife education: Prepare children for possible wildlife sightings with proper safety protocols. A camper at Dispersed Camp shared, "The Bear didn't tamper with my ground tent but I ended up sleeping in my camper due to it being too cold. Although, I did hear the next campers yell out bear for safety."
Natural playgrounds: Many sites offer natural features children can safely explore. A visitor to Camping Area No. 3 mentioned, "If you walk across you will come across a beautiful waterfall. You can use a donut floaty and slide right down. So much fun times here."
Tips from RVers
Road clearance requirements: Many forest roads leading to tent sites near Bodfish require vehicles with adequate clearance. An RVer visiting Evans Road Hidden Camp reported, "Clearly defined track pops off 155. There are spots for a couple of campers. We drove to the end of the track, ends in a loop, and parked our camper van there."
Water planning: No potable water exists at most dispersed sites, requiring RVers to bring sufficient supplies. A visitor to Dispersed Camp advised, "BRING water and fill up on gas before you go. There are 0 resources for you."
Weather preparation: Temperature fluctuations at higher elevations affect RV camping comfort. A visitor to Dispersed Camp noted, "It does get cold here because of the elevation but once the sun comes out it's nice and warm."
Space limitations: Some forest roads have tight clearances that limit larger vehicles. One RVer mentioned about Dispersed Camp, "Access was easy with a 4x4, but may be a little tough for a 2WD car. Plenty of space for a small trailer to maneuver."
