Best Campgrounds near Sunland, CA

The foothills surrounding Sunland, California provide a gateway to diverse camping experiences within reach of Los Angeles County residents. Campers will find options ranging from established campgrounds at Success Lake to more primitive sites in Sequoia National Forest. The Tule River area offers several developed campgrounds including North and South Tule Campgrounds, which maintain year-round operations with basic amenities like drinking water and toilets. For those seeking a more immersive experience, dispersed camping near Sequoia National Park provides free sites with minimal facilities but maximum wilderness exposure. Glamping options along the Tule River adjacent to Giant Sequoia National Monument offer a more comfortable alternative with amenities like showers and picnic tables.

Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping conditions in the region. Summer temperatures often exceed 90°F in lower elevations, while higher altitude sites like Balch Park Campground (open mid-May through mid-October) offer cooler conditions. Fire restrictions frequently affect the area during dry months, with permits required for any open flame. As one camper noted, "Year round camping is possible at Leavis Flat Campground, provided you are ready for possible precipitation and dampness." Many sites require cash payment at self-check-in stations, and bear-resistant food storage is mandatory at forest campgrounds. Cell service varies dramatically, with most remote sites offering limited or no connectivity.

Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors to the area. Campgrounds situated along creeks and rivers provide natural cooling and recreational opportunities during hot summer months. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with deer, quail, and occasionally bears spotted near campsites. One reviewer mentioned, "We camped right at the riverfront so it was nice to wake up, step outside our tent and have morning tea while watching the river flow." Sites with shade are particularly valuable during summer, with several reviewers noting the importance of tree cover. Proximity to trails and natural features like the Trail of 100 Giants adds recreational value to many camping locations, allowing visitors to experience the region's famous sequoia groves without long drives between destinations.

Best Camping Sites Near Sunland, California (198)

    1. Tule - Success Lake

    12 Reviews
    Springville, CA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 784-0215

    $20 - $30 / night

    "in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park can fill up quickly, so if you arrive to the area in the afternoon, if the higher-elevation campsites are under snow, or if you’re looking for an option outside"

    "We were here on the weekend and we're able to drive in and get a spot. There are bathrooms and showers available. There is a day use area. The lake is beautiful and you are very close to town."

    2. COE Success Lake Tule Campground

    3 Reviews
    Springville, CA
    6 miles
    Website

    "Campground really close to the water. Lots of playground equipment. Good for tenors and an RVs with no hook ups. Lots of space and good cell coverage. Bathrooms are flush with showers and OK."

    "A friend and I camped here overnight while on a 4-day motorcycle tour of the Sothern Sierra, the location was convenient."

    3. Leavis Flat Campground

    10 Reviews
    California Hot Springs, CA
    20 miles
    Website

    "This small roadside campground is a lovely spot, tucked between a hillside and Deer Creek running year round right at the edge of the campground."

    "There is a market close by Incase you forgot something, when you go back on the road make a right and at the intersection make another fight and ir should take you to the market."

    4. North Tule Campground

    1 Review
    Springville, CA
    6 miles
    Website

    "We spent one night in this campground and found it to be quiet and far enough away from the freeway and trains that those noise makers did not bother us at all."

    5. Friends RV

    1 Review
    Sunland, CA
    5 miles
    +1 (559) 535-3963

    $45 - $450 / night

    6. Balch Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Camp Nelson, CA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 539-3896

    "Wood at entrance to upper near the host. The museum is non existent and was about to collapse. When I was a kid it had cool stuff from the logging days of the area."

    "The site donated the Balch family and operated by the Tulare County Parks, host camping among the Sequoias, fishing at two lakes that are stocked with trout, a self-guided hiking trail and more."

    8. Holey Meadow Campground

    7 Reviews
    Johnsondale, CA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 539-5230

    $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"

    9. Deer Creek RV Park

    1 Review
    Sunland, CA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 781-3337

    10. Wishon Campground

    7 Reviews
    Camp Nelson, CA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 539-5230

    $36 - $75 / night

    "This is a primitive campground with several site locations. It was a very long, winding and narrow road to get there."

    "About an hour away from the sequoia national park and a great option for cheap camping! There are several bathrooms, garbage and recycling bins, and a stream with an flat swim/ wading area!"

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Recent Reviews near Sunland, CA

848 Reviews of 198 Sunland Campgrounds


  • Vidalia S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 19, 2026

    Stine Cove Recreation Site

    Idyllic and easy to find

    Free dispersed camping right off the highway, on the shore of Lake Isabella. Decent dirt and gravel road. Grassy meadow for tents and flat gravel areas for RVs. Dumpsters provided. Only criticism is the vault toilets were closed for the season in March when we were there. As of the time of our visit, the location marked on Dyrt is accurate, and there is an abundance of signage on the highway. Good T-Mobile coverage. No wood available. Some shade provided by a couple of trees if you are a tent camper.

  • Erin G.
    Mar. 16, 2026

    Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park Lodgepole Campground

    BIG trees

    Sequoia trees the size of your freaking house. I’ve had apartment widths smaller than the circumference of these trees. AND this is the only spot that they grow. It feels like you’ve jumped through a portal onto another dreamy, green, forestry, planet. The campground is also rad. All of the amenities are there. Good luck not puking on the drive up with all of its hairpin turns. Oh, and the likelihood of seeing a bear is very high. Please prepare for that beforehand so you know the proper ways to handle that.

  • Kathy B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 16, 2026

    Kern River County Park

    Nice Haven on a Windy Day

    Got caught in a wind storm and needed to get off the road. This county park was a refuge. Pulled in around 2pm and had many sites to choose from. Got a nice site right on the river. Mostly stayed inside due to the strong winds. Did not see any camp hosts. Nice hot showers. Walking trails along the river and bike paths too.

  • Linda C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 16, 2026

    Calkins Flat Dispersed Camping

    5 stars

    Stayed six nights. Level spots and great exposure for solar and Starlink. Exciting to see the low-flying jets but they are LOUD. Vault toilets and a very full portajohn. Dumpsters were handy.

  • kevin M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 12, 2026

    Old Gold Ledge

    4 dispersed sire on the Kern river

    4 small sites, rigs need to be small tight quarters. You can spread out with plenty of room for tents, easy access to the river for swimming and fishing, no toilet, water or trash. Limited bars with at&t but starlink works flawlessly

  • Darren B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 10, 2026

    Visalia-Sequoia National Park KOA

    We like it here!

    Brian was super nice, and helpful. It's a nice, safe feeling campground. All amenities. We're glad we chose to stay here.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 10, 2026

    Grouse Valley Dispersed Camping

    Don’t go there

    You’re gonna drive a lot of miles to get there and the gates gonna be closed and there’s gonna be nobody to contact about it and you’re gonna have to turn around and drive all of those miles backwards. Consider this as me taking one for the team. now nobody else has to suffer like I did.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 6, 2026

    Hanning Flat Dispersed Area

    Amazing, truly alone

    So beautiful, so flat and open, we did genuinely see other people maybe 4 times, great area for fun rock scrambling and tooling around in the lake, perfect for tent camping or car camping!

    The ground can get very rocky the deeper you go in and is a bit sandy/packed dirt for most of the roads, but there are “spots” for all cars and comfort levels.

    Seems like this site will be rain-dependent, the water line was low when we went but space could be more limited after rain for sure.

  • Joel S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 6, 2026

    Lost Hills RV Park

    Basic KOA next to a truck stop

    A good stopover on the way to somewhere else.


Guide to Sunland

Campgrounds around Sunland, California include a variety of public and private camping areas spanning from Sequoia National Forest to the Success Lake region. Visitors can find established facilities like Tule - Success Lake and North Tule Campground offering both tent and RV sites with amenities including drinking water, toilets, and trash service. The region includes more rustic options such as Leavis Flat Campground along Deer Creek, as well as dispersed camping opportunities near Sequoia National Park. Several campgrounds in the area feature lake access, with both lakefront and inland sites available depending on preference and season.

Road conditions and campground access vary by elevation and time of year, with some areas requiring permits while others operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Many campgrounds in the Success Lake region remain open year-round, while higher elevation sites like Holey Meadow Campground typically operate from May through November. As one camper noted, "Very nice place to visit! Comfortable campgrounds & crowds." Cell reception can be limited at more remote locations, though sites closer to Porterville and Springville generally maintain better connectivity. Temperatures can fluctuate significantly between day and night, particularly in the higher elevations, requiring proper preparation for temperature shifts.

Waterfront camping receives consistently positive reviews, particularly at Success Lake where sunset views are frequently highlighted. A recent review mentioned, "We found sitting and watching the sunset over the lake perfect after a long day ride." Facilities vary widely across the region, with some campgrounds offering improved amenities like showers and electric hookups, while others provide a more primitive experience with vault toilets and no hookups. Public lands near Sequoia National Park offer free dispersed camping but require permits and proper fire management protocols. Several visitors mentioned the proximity to natural attractions as a key benefit, with easy access to Giant Sequoia National Monument and riverside locations providing opportunities for swimming, fishing, and hiking. Campgrounds at lower elevations can become quite hot during summer months, with limited shade at some locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Sunland, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Sunland, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 198 campgrounds and RV parks near Sunland, CA and 42 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Sunland, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Sunland, CA is Tule - Success Lake with a 4.3-star rating from 12 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Sunland, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 42 free dispersed camping spots near Sunland, CA.

What parks are near Sunland, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 20 parks near Sunland, CA that allow camping, notably Sequoia National Forest and Kaweah Lake.