Mountain campgrounds near Camp Nelson provide access to Giant Sequoia groves at elevations between 5,000 and 7,000 feet in the southern Sierra Nevada. Roads in the area feature multiple switchbacks and steep grades, with snow affecting access during winter months. Tent sites near rushing creeks offer respite from summer heat that can reach 90°F at higher elevations.
What to do
Hiking near Sequoia National Park: Sequoia RV Ranch serves as a convenient base for park excursions. "Location is perfect as a launch point for trips into Sequoia NP!" noted a visitor. Another camper shared their experience: "We ventured out to Sequoia National Park only a few miles away, the views were amazing, and there was so much to do."
Fishing mountain streams: Rivernook Campground offers direct riverfront access for anglers. "Great fishing spots all over the campground. And access to floating in your tubes and hanging out at beaches in the campground," explained one camper. Another mentioned: "It's like having property right there. You're own private fishing resort."
Kayaking and water activities: Lake Olancha RV Park & Campground provides water-based recreation options. "The small lake was ideal for a bit of casual kayaking and nature watching - mostly birds and dragonflies," noted one visitor. During summer months, "We rode bikes, played in the river and ran around until they crashed every night," according to a family at Sequoia RV Ranch.
Mount Whitney access: Whitney Portal serves as the gateway to climbing the highest peak in the contiguous United States. "This campground is right at the trailhead for Mt. Whitney!" explained one visitor. For those seeking less strenuous options: "I'd camp here to hike Meysan Lakes and the start of the Whitney trail to Lone Pine Lake, neither of which require permits for day hikes."
What campers like
Creek access for cooling off: Leavis Flat Campground offers waterside camping spots. "Site 3 will steal your heart forever. It's like having your own personal creek in the middle of nowhere!" wrote one enthusiastic visitor. Another noted: "Nice little campground next to a creek that runs year round."
Natural surroundings and wildlife: Nelson Falls RV Park provides an immersive forest experience. "Beautiful and quiet little campground with sequoia trees all around. Saw deer in and around the campground almost daily," wrote one visitor. Another observed: "There's a nice little creek/waterfall on site and pond."
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain high cleanliness standards. At Lemon Cove Village, "Pull through sites made setting up super easy. Place was quite and clean." At Nelson Falls RV Park, a camper highlighted: "The bathrooms had flush toilets and hot showers that were very CLEAN. That is usually very hard to find when you are camping!"
Proximity to small towns: KRS RV Resort@Camp James provides convenient access to nearby communities. "The town of Kernville is less then a mile away were you can get gas diesel groceries firewood or anything else you might have forgotten," noted a visitor. For Sequoia RV Ranch, campers appreciate "Easy and quick to Sequoia and a coffee shop and brewery just down the road!"
What you should know
Road conditions: Mountain roads require careful driving, particularly to higher elevations. At Nelson Falls RV Park, a visitor cautioned: "The drive up is a little daunting with going up the mountain, but the road was fine just take your time it will be worth it."
Cell service limitations: Prepare for limited connectivity in mountain areas. "Zero Cell coverage (we took that as a good thing), but make sure to download your google map," advised a Nelson Falls visitor. Another camper at Boulder Creek RV Resort noted "WiFi rough" in their review.
Wildlife considerations: Bear activity requires proper food storage. At Whitney Portal, a reviewer warned: "Bears will break into vehicles with food, scraps, wrappers, etc. Even a cardboard box can invite the critters' attentions. So keep a clean car if parking there and use the bear boxes provided by the forest service."
Seasonal weather variations: Weather patterns affect camping conditions year-round. "Year round camping is possible, provided you are ready for possible precipitation and dampness," noted a Leavis Flat camper. For winter visitors, "There's snow as go up in elevation so dispersed camping would be tough unless you're familiar with the area."
Tips for camping with families
Dog-friendly options: Several campgrounds accommodate pets with dedicated amenities. At Sequoia RV Ranch, visitors appreciated "a really nice, large, and clean dog park!" Boulder Creek RV Resort also received praise for its "great dog run that received positive mentions in reviews."
Campground activities: Some locations organize programming for children. At KRS RV Resort@Camp James, a visitor noted: "This campground even offers activities for the whole family, movie night, bingo, even rock painting."
Swimming holes for children: Look for shallow water access points. "The kids loved tubing down it all day. In front of us was the river. Gorgeous views," wrote a visitor about KRS RV Resort@Camp James. Another camper highlighted Sequoia RV Ranch's "really nice swimming hole."
Tips from RVers
Altitude considerations: Higher elevation campgrounds require acclimatization time. A Whitney Portal visitor advised: "Stayed here before our hike to Whitney. Great spot to get acclimated. Next time, I would try to stay here at least 2 days before the hike."
Site selection for RV camping near Camp Nelson: Choose sites based on specific needs. At Sequoia RV Ranch, a visitor noted: "We ended up camping in a dry site as it had more space and was at the end of the park under some oaks (site 17). The RV sites were close together and the ones not on the river were on a gravel parking lot."
Leveling requirements: Boulder Creek RV Resort features "large pull thru sites but small areas to hang out around your camp." At Lemon Cove Village, a visitor warned: "Extremely unlevel sites. You will need to use every leveling block you own."
Hookup variations: Verify utility connections before booking. At Rivernook Campground near Kernville, visitors recommended: "Try and get a spot on the river, it's like having property right there." Some parks like KRS RV Resort@Camp James offer options: "You can get a site right on the river with no sewage hook ups or get all hook ups off the river."
