Several pet-friendly camping options surround California Hot Springs in the Sequoia National Forest. Holey Meadow Campground provides tent and RV sites where pets are welcome, with clean vault toilets and access to nearby trails. Campers report bears frequent the area, so proper food and trash storage is essential when camping with dogs. Limestone Campground and Rivernook Campground also accommodate pets with picnic tables and fire rings at each site.
Sequoia National Park offers dispersed camping areas where pets are allowed on leashes. The Trail of 100 Giants, located just minutes from several camping areas, provides a popular destination for campers with pets. Many dispersed camping sites feature streams and meadows where visitors occasionally see wildlife including bears. One camper noted they had to secure trash in trees to prevent bear encounters. The higher elevation campsites near Sequoia can get cold even in summer, so packing appropriate gear for pets is necessary. Access to some dispersed sites requires navigating dirt roads, with AWD vehicles recommended for certain areas, particularly after rain.
$45 - $75 / night
"We tent camped and our site was close to the rv hook up sites. The rv sites have two different sizes and hookups. Tent sites had access to running water."
"Dog friendly. My lab went swimming everyday. There is also a creek that runs through the campground. Lots of nearby hiking. Lake Isabella is close as well."
"Next to stream. Then if you continue on you will hit a 4 mile off road (my Corolla/any sedan OK) and see great views and waterfall! Nice!"
"The area is secluded and away from kern campgrounds where you will see a lot of people. You will have some people checking out the area or driving in but for us they all left."
$34 - $36 / night
"A small, quiet campground that’s good for groups of 2-4 people since the sites are close to each other."
"The campsites are close to each other and is the only reason I did not mark this as 5 stars. 1, 2, 3 and 4 are in the first section/small loop and are up a slight hill and have a smaller bathroom. 5 and"
$36 - $38 / night
"The lsites are not as close to the river as Brush Creek campground, but still closer than Fairview, which is down the road. Facilities. There are vault toilets."
"Easily accessed campground located right on the Kern River in the lower Sequoia Forest. No service, running water, or electricity, but there is vault toilets and dogs are allowed."
"Regardless they were gorgeous tucked in spots among the trees. Woke up to cattle walking through the meadow we parked next to."
"This camping site is a nice free area super close to the Giants Trail entrance (5 minute drive). As you head in you go thru a little dirt road and at the end you see an opening for this site."
$39 - $340 / night
"All sites are well kept, with access to clean bathrooms and coin operated showers. Staff is friendly and available when needed. Prices are a tad high but expected with a clean upscale Campground."
"Lots of kids and dog friendly. The WIFI was good to stream TV and ATT cell service was good too. The sites had power, water and cable TV hook up. There is a dump station in the campground."
$36 - $38 / night
"If you can, get a spot that is next to the river. We had a great time lounging by the river, fishing, and just hanging around. The bathrooms were clean, and the camp host was great too."
"It's next to a general store, hamburger stand and restaurant. The sites are spaced out well with some right on the river."
$36 - $116 / night
"However, it is located directly across from the trailhead to the Trail of 100 Giants, a 1/2 mile walking tour of some of the biggest trees Sequoia has to offer."
"We stayed here in October after the yurts had been taken down which was no bother to us when you’re surrounded by the most magnificent trees in the world!"
"As long as you are 25 feet away from the river you can camp anywhere you want, so definitely not restricted to the parking lot area."
"We camped right next to the river. It was such a peaceful place and the sounds of the river right next to our camp was just heaven on earth. We stayed for 2 nights in June 2020"
$171 / night
"There is direct access to the river. We camped right at the riverfront so it was nice to wake up, step outside out tent and have my morning tea while watching the river flow. "
"A really nice drive along the river takes you right to this campsite. Some parts of the campground were very quiet, some parts were busier."
ScoutNice drive thru RV’s sites. Friendly Staff and good staff especially Jennifer. Very nice dog park, not a lot grass but good running area for dogs.
Location less than 30minutes from the National Forest entrance. We got up early on the road @645 am to the park was back by 11am. Only went as far General Sherman.
Only negative point was pool was closed for cleaning. Just bad timing
GuideGreat, clean place only 6 miles from Sequoia National Park entrance. This place has sites where you can back up to the river, is clean, has nice dog park area, nice fire pits & courteous staff.
ScoutClean, friendly, and easy full hookup...clean facilities Dog Park Swimming pool Wendy&Mario
TravelerGood spot to stop. They have dedicated RV hook up sites. I didn’t need hook ups since I was only there for a night stop therefore I don’t know the rates. Dog park is always a great thing to see at loves locations!
TravelerBeautiful and well kept campground. Also loved the fact that loud music is not allowed. The sites by the river are amazing. There is also a really nice, large, and clean dog park! Will stay here again!
ScoutMy family and I stayed at Lemon Cove Village over the weekend and had the most amazing time! The camp ground was clean and well kept. They had a really nice dog park. Management was super helpful. We can't wait to go back again soon!
GuideIf you’re looking to camp in California, Sequoia National Park should be one of your top destinations. They have cabin and tent camping. I have stayed in both. There are trails galore and GIGANTIC trees bigger than your car. This beautiful setting is worth visiting year round and I recommend camping during the less touristy times in early Spring and Fall. You are near lakes, waterfalls, and an array of bodies of water. I recommend coming up the back end up the park for an easier ascent rather than via the 198. The 198 takes you up a steep, but beautiful, hair pin turn ridden road. If you get car sick easily, take the route through Fresno.
GuideWe stayed at Sequoia RV Ranch this past weekend with high expectations, based on the stellar reviews. The campground is fine, but not five stars. As others have noted, this campground is close to the entrance of Sequoia NP and close to the town of Three Rivers which has a few restaurants and markets. We had site 6 for the first night (water and electric only) and site 54 (a river site with full hookups) for the second night. The campground is small but clean and the staff is helpful. There is a fenced dog park on-site, a nice touch. There are clean bathhouses available and a laundry too. The showers are coin-operated. Another plus for this campground is the natural spring-fed swimming hole in the North Fork of the Kaweah River, just a short walk from the campground. The rest of the river along the backside of the campground was dried up, due to drought conditions. The signage within the campground needs to be improved so download a map of the campground before you arrive, especially if you are arriving after dark. We had issues with low voltage from the electric post on site 6 which caused our RV's electrical system to cycle on and off every minute or two. The onsite techs diagnosed an issue with the city-supplied power and mentioned sites 1 through 10 had issues with power, mostly on the weekends. The camp staff moved us to site 54 which solved our power issue. The campground was full, but everyone observed the no noise after 10 PM rule. All in all a nice campground conveniently located near Sequoia NP.
RangerRv camped in winter. Not all loops open but there weren’t a lot of people there so it was ok. Lots of long rv spaces. Nearby exploring is plentiful
Remember pets on leashes on trails.
Dispersed camping areas near California Hot Springs provide sites ranging from 6,500 to 7,000 feet elevation. The climate varies significantly by season with summer daytime temperatures averaging 75-85°F while dropping to 40-50°F at night. Winter access becomes limited due to snow, with many forest roads closing from November through May depending on conditions.
Visit Trail of 100 Giants: Located just minutes from Redwood Meadow Campground, this accessible 1/2-mile trail showcases massive sequoias. "It was directly across from the trail of 100 giants which was highly trafficked every day," notes camper Ashley S. The trail gets crowded during peak times, so plan your visit strategically.
Float the Kern River: During summer months when water levels moderate, tubing becomes popular. "We love this site, we've been 3 times now and site 2 is the best for us," shares Kaitlyn M. about Holey Meadow. For a more adventurous experience, "We stayed on the southern end of the campground site #102 and we walked to the northern end and floated down the river back to our site with a nice cold beer in hand."
Wildlife observation: The meadows around dispersed camping areas provide excellent wildlife viewing. "This place has lots of trees great to hang a hammock like I did. What I like is that all you hear is the birds singing and the creek running, it is so relaxing," reports Jessica P. Many campers note seeing bears, deer and other wildlife, particularly during early morning and evening hours.
Privacy in dispersed sites: Sequoia National Park Dispersed campground offers secluded camping options. "This place is amazing, we went on a Thursday night and left on a Sunday afternoon. The area is secluded and away from kern campgrounds where you will see a lot of people," explains Jessica P. Sites tend to be more available midweek.
Night skies: Higher elevation camping areas provide exceptional stargazing opportunities. "What brings me back is the seclusion and the amazing night sky," notes one camper about Long Meadow Group Campground. Light pollution is minimal throughout the area, especially at sites further from established towns.
River access: Many campsites provide direct water access. "This campground is awesome. The prime reason is they have campsites directly on the Kern River," explains Mike N. Sites adjacent to water tend to fill quickly, especially during summer months when temperatures rise and water activities become popular.
Bear safety: Black bears frequent the area and proper food storage is mandatory. "The rangers said that recently, bears have been coming to this area since the recent fires forced them to move. We saw one black bear club that was about 5'6" climbing a tree," warns a camper at Long Meadow Group Campground. Not all sites provide bear boxes, so prepare accordingly.
Road conditions: Access to many dispersed sites requires navigating unpaved roads. "Parked next to the road (didn't want to mess with any critters) and barely noticed any road the whole night," notes Christopher about his dispersed camping experience. Some roads deteriorate after rainfall, with deep ruts forming in certain areas.
Limited services: Most campgrounds have minimal facilities. "No running water and has pit toilets but camp hosts kept them VERY clean," explains Vanessa H. Cell service is virtually non-existent throughout the area, so download maps beforehand and bring sufficient supplies for your stay.
Choose campsites with creek access: Dispersed Camp near Sequoia National Park features a gentle creek perfect for younger explorers. "This place was beautiful! We found a spot right next to the water and fell asleep to the sound of it," shares Kristina W. The shallow water areas provide safer play spaces than the faster-moving Kern River.
Bring layered clothing: Even summer temperatures drop significantly at night at these elevations. "We were here at the end of July and because of all the tree covering, the temperature was comfortable and cool even during the day," explains Vy N. about Holey Meadow Campground. Plan for 30-40 degree temperature swings between day and night.
Safety around water: The Kern River can be dangerous, especially during high water periods. "Please watch over your kids. This river is not something to mess around. If your tubing tie a rope to it," cautions Jessica P. after witnessing a dangerous situation. Areas with slower water movement are better for families with young children.
Reserve riverside sites early: Limestone Campground offers popular RV spots near water. "On the Kern River. Some spots with great views of the river. Some spacious and wooded," notes Amber D. These premium spots can book months in advance, especially during summer weekends.
Prepare for limited hookups: Most forest campgrounds lack full RV services. "Camp sights are very close to one another not much privacy. The RV sights with full hooks up are further away from the river about 200 yards," explains Jeff G. about Camp James. Some campgrounds offer water access but few provide full hookups in the immediate California Hot Springs area.
Camp shop access: Several campgrounds feature small stores for necessities. "There is a small store on the property that sells fishing gear, snacks and other goodies," notes one camper about KRS RV Resort@Camp James. These can be valuable for forgotten items, but prices run higher than in town.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near California Hot Springs, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near California Hot Springs, CA is Rivernook Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 28 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near California Hot Springs, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 114 dog-friendly camping locations near California Hot Springs, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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