Camping options around Clovis, California range from developed campgrounds to dispersed sites across the Sierra Nevada foothills and mountains. The region includes established facilities like Millerton Lake State Recreation Area, which accommodates both tent and RV camping along the shoreline, and Lost Lake Campground near Friant with boat-in access. Several campgrounds in the area feature full hookups for RVs, while others maintain a more primitive camping experience with basic amenities like vault toilets and picnic tables.
Road conditions and seasonal considerations significantly impact camping experiences in this region. Many campgrounds remain open year-round, though summer brings higher temperatures in the foothills while offering more moderate conditions at higher elevations. A camper noted, "It's quite warm in the summer months but perfect if you're visiting the Clovis Rodeo! A local town isn't far away." Facilities vary widely across the area, with some sites offering drinking water, showers, and electric hookups, while others provide only basic amenities. Campgrounds near water bodies like Millerton Lake and Shaver Lake tend to fill quickly during peak summer weekends, making advance reservations essential.
The landscape transitions dramatically from the valley floor to mountain terrain, creating diverse camping environments within an hour's drive. Campers report high satisfaction with waterfront sites that provide swimming and fishing opportunities. "This campground is situated by a lake. Love this spot! You'll hear all the frogs by night and birds in the morning, great place for fly fishing," wrote one visitor about Pine Flat Campground. Sites at higher elevations like Camp Edison near Shaver Lake offer cooler temperatures during summer months and proximity to hiking trails. Most campgrounds in national forests require proper food storage due to wildlife, particularly bears, and many provide bear-proof containers. Public lands throughout the region support various camping styles from tent sites to RV parks with full hookups.
$30 - $200 / night
"Bathrooms were so-so with regard to cleanliness but most sites had its own access to water which was awesome!"
"Had a fun time with the family, had accesible restroom and showers, had picnic table so we could put our things, shade, place where we could set our tent with our truck next to us, and we were able to"
$25 / night
"It was quite and have several trails to walk on. Their is a nice that runs by the campgrounds and further down and pass the station where pay the toll to the stake park."
"A few miles out of town, store close by. Usually mostly empty and good privacy"
$75 - $85 / night
"Place has grass, dog park, lots of kids play areas, adults game areas, fishing pond, creek and river next to property is very pretty. We really enjoyed it."
"This location was helpful when trying to take care of ordinary business matters. The park is well maintained and provided a nice area to walk with my pup."
$5 - $25 / night
"This campground is situated by a lake. Love this spot! You’ll hear all the frogs by night and birds in the morning, great place for fly fishing or cat fishing and nice folks staying here!"
"Excellent 4xx4 close by"
$40 - $105 / night
"Great campsite if you want to camp around Shaver Lake in the Sierras of California. Beautify lake, plenty of water sports. The small town has great rustic mountain vibe."
"Easy walk to lakeside and boat ramp. Nice picnic area near lake. Camped with full hookups. Nice store and hospitality center with food, drinks and stock of camp supplies."
"The county is underfunded and a parks management company is in talks to take over 3 nearby parks including this one."
"It was cool to hear and watch the local bats flying around. Very little smoke from the fires."
$20 - $100 / night
"Even with all the rain, the lake isn’t very full. The campground, including the bathroom, was clean."
"The site we stayed at had a nice fire ring, was flat, had a picnic table and it was close to running water. We tent camped, but it looked like there were plenty of RV spots too. Nice and quiet too."
$48 - $99 / night
"They all kept saying it was the best camping trip they ever had.. our hosts Frank and Jamie were super sweet and welcoming.. the campgrounds are immaculate and near the water."
"The access to the lake is a little walk but not too far and the cove is perfect for relaxing with kids. Highly recommend!"
Scoutthe road in was a bit tough but definitely worth it!!! So many cute animals and all very friendly. Owner is so nice and showed us around. Definitely recommend.
TravelerEasy camping a short drive from the Yosemite entrance. Watch for potholes as you head up the hill. We camped in the grassy area right behind the parking lot. Quiet and beautiful. We stayed two nights and had no issues.
ScoutThis takes you to a residential spot full of cabins. The last turnoff doesn't exist and can't find parking. I got here late-ish so now I'm not sure what I'm gonna do. Not a great first experience.
GuideClean, easy to access, and fun for fishing! Bathrooms r heated and hot water! Shower costs $5 for 40 mins so overall pretty good
ScoutBrian was super nice, and helpful. It's a nice, safe feeling campground. All amenities. We're glad we chose to stay here.
LegendI have camped here twice. It is a beautiful area and has a cool little trail through a meadow in the campground. It’s less crowded than the more popular campgrounds like Lodgepole. I love it because you can get to the Sequoia Park attractions easily and it’s also on the road to Kings Canyon and Hume lake.
ScoutThe view is amazing and beautiful but the road coming in the park is a bit to small its a 2 way road but it only fits one big rig, Very quiet but no wifi/service
RangerBeautiful forested Sugar Pine Forest. The sigh of the breeze in the trees is enough to make this a paradise. Two to three bars verizon, no other services, though there is a trash can in the parking lot. Fish Camp is only a couple miles away with its General store. Plenty of relatively level sites, fire rings, easy in and easy out. The road is paved up to the parking lot and the Boondock sites on the dirt access road are to the right of the parking lot and meadow. There's nothing negative to say about these sites.
RangerPark on grass mostly but nice quiet place with room to walk and explore
Camping near Clovis, California offers diverse experiences from the 400-foot elevation of the valley floor to pine-covered mountain destinations reaching 5,000+ feet. Temperature variations can be extreme, with summer valley temperatures frequently exceeding 100°F while mountain campsites remain 15-20 degrees cooler. Many recreational areas feature drought-affected water levels that fluctuate seasonally, affecting both accessibility and water activities.
Fishing opportunities: At Pine Flat Campground, the lake provides excellent angling options. "We fished a lot but didn't catch anything," noted a camper, though others report better luck with "outstanding fishing in the spring."
Water recreation: Millerton Lake State Recreation Area offers multiple water activities. "Great place to wakeboard, jet ski, fish, and BBQ," writes Christopher H., while Christina C. mentions "Beautiful nice clear water" for jet skiing.
Hiking networks: Trails connect various recreation areas to natural landmarks, towns, and scenic viewpoints. At Dorabelle Campground, visitors appreciate the "multiple hiking trails from campground to museum, town or around the lake," creating connectivity between different destinations.
Privacy levels: Campsites vary widely in seclusion. A visitor to Lost Lake Campground noted that "spots are close by to each other but usually respectful neighbors," while another mentioned it's "usually mostly empty and good privacy."
Cost value: Many campgrounds offer affordable options with varied amenities. At Hidden View Campground, campers can "use your national park pass for 50% off such a quiet place," while Lost Lake Campground offers reasonable rates at "$5 dollars day pass, $25 total for camping."
Water access: Proximity to water features heavily in positive reviews. A Camp Edison visitor mentioned, "We try to get a campsite next to the water. We also reserve a boat so we can explore the lake," noting this has become "an annual trip that we plan on taking for life."
Wildlife considerations: Ground squirrels can be problematic at certain sites. At Millerton Lake, one camper warned they "heard stories of cars and RV's being towed out because they chewed through wiring. Thankfully we escaped with just damage from them entering the RV and getting into plastic containers of food."
Access challenges: Many campgrounds have narrow entrance roads. At Dorabelle Campground, visitors note "tight roads throughout the site, wouldn't recommend a large trailer," which requires planning ahead with appropriate vehicles.
Bathroom facilities: Quality varies significantly across locations. While some campers report "bathrooms are the cleanest I've ever seen at a campground" at Dorabelle, others note that at Hidden View Campground, the "Male bathroom has a toilet and shower and was clean. Female bathroom has the same but was disgusting!"
Lake swimming spots: Shallow, protected areas work best for families with children. At Dorabelle Campground, "the cove is perfect for relaxing with kids" and "the cove is wonderful for swimming and mostly kayaks/SUP with plenty of beach space."
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. At Lost Lake Campground, families appreciate that there's a "playground for kids" and one visitor noted there are "a few playgrounds in the middle of the campgrounds and option to play an activity or two."
Site selection strategy: Corner sites often provide more space and privacy. At Dorabelle, one camper "reserved a corner space with a nearby toilet and water spigot" and found that "my campsite was large, clean, with sunny and shade spots and separated from other sites by trees."
Hookup availability: Full-service sites are limited but available. At Riverbend RV Park, RVers enjoy "FHU with large pull through spots" that include "grass, dog park, lots of kids play areas, adults game areas, fishing pond, creek and river."
Site levelness: Many mountain campgrounds have uneven terrain. At Camp Edison, one camper mentioned "the site wasn't level but was manageable," indicating the need for leveling blocks or jacks.
Dump station access: On-site waste disposal varies by location. Riverbend RV Park allows visitors to "dump the RV" during their stay, while others may need to plan for off-site dumping. As one visitor noted, "There is a dump station on site and also a 'honey wagon' that will come to your site and pump out your waste water, if you desire."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best camping locations near Clovis, CA?
The best camping near Clovis includes several standout locations in the Sierra National Forest. Texas Flats offers a true wilderness feel with ample space for large groups, massive fire pits, and a natural playground setting. For a peaceful forest experience, Upper Billy Creek Campground provides beautiful sites with the soothing sounds of a creek flowing behind campsites. The hosts are accommodating even for late arrivals. Those willing to drive a bit further can experience the majestic sequoias at Princess, an excellent all-purpose campground with nearly 100 sites suitable for both RVs and tents, set among sequoia stumps from historical logging.
How much do camping sites around Clovis typically cost?
Camping costs near Clovis vary based on amenities and location. Private options like High Sierra RV Park charge around $39 per night for RV sites with bathroom access, though some sites may require tricky maneuvering for larger rigs. For more budget-friendly options, public campgrounds in national forests generally range from $15-25 per night. At Riverbend RV Park near Sanger, expect to pay standard RV park rates with full hookups. Most national park campgrounds in the broader region (Kings Canyon, Yosemite) typically charge $20-35 per night, with some primitive sites available for less.
What lake campgrounds are available near Clovis for weekend trips?
Pine Flat Campground offers excellent lakeside camping with natural sounds of frogs at night and birds in the morning. It's ideal for fishing enthusiasts, with opportunities for both fly fishing and catfishing. While summers can get quite warm, the lake provides welcome relief. Another great option is Wishon Bass Lake, which features sites with flat tent spots surrounded by tall, beautiful trees. Closer to Clovis, Millerton Lake State Recreation Area Campground provides developed camping with water and toilets just a short drive away. For those seeking a quieter experience, Fresno County Lost Lake Recreation Area offers both boat-in and drive-in access.
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