Cabins near Dunlap, California sit at elevations between 4,500-7,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada foothills, providing access to both Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Summer temperatures typically range from 50-85°F with cooler evenings, while winter brings substantial snowfall that can limit accessibility to certain cabins and camping areas. Weather conditions can change rapidly at these elevations, particularly during spring and fall.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Lodgepole Campground offers direct access to Tokopah Falls trail. "It's a stunning area of the park with the Topokah falls trail right inside the campground. The market makes for great convenience and souvenirs," notes one visitor.
River swimming: Cool off during summer months at natural swimming spots near cabin accommodations. At Sequoia RV Ranch, "There is a really nice swimming hole that we did not test out in March. Easy and quick to Sequoia and a coffee shop and brewery just down the road!"
Stargazing: The high elevation and minimal light pollution make cabin areas excellent for astronomy. "A nice campsite by the meadows with some rocky open spaces to lie and look at the stars. The stars are great out there," reports a visitor at Big Meadow Campground.
Trout fishing: Several creeks near cabin rentals offer fishing opportunities. One camper at Big Meadow notes, "I enjoy this site. My spot was directly below the footbridge to head up to Weaver and Jennie lakes. Excellent brook trout fishing and feels off grid."
What campers like
River sounds: Many cabin locations feature creeks or rivers nearby. A visitor at Sentinel Campground commented, "Absolute favorite campground, you can hear the river all day long. The site we got was really big."
Cooler temperatures: The elevation provides relief from valley heat. A reviewer at Lodgepole noted, "The elevation also means it's 10-15 degrees cooler than other campgrounds. Generator hours are thankfully enforced."
Accessibility to attractions: Most cabin rentals provide strategic locations for park exploration. "This campground is an excellent choice for campers looking to experience the best of Sequoia National Park, offering a great balance of convenience and natural beauty," states a Lodgepole visitor.
Wildlife viewing: The area offers opportunities to observe local fauna. "We stopped to let a mama Quail pass with all her babies in a row behind her. Marmots greeted us from the hidden nooks, running here and there to find something to nibble," shares one camper.
What you should know
Bear safety requirements: All cabin areas enforce strict food storage regulations. A visitor at Three Rivers Hideaway advises, "The campground is basically an unpaved parking lot with campsites around the edges. There is very little privacy between sites."
Seasonal availability: Many cabins operate only during specific months. "Stayed 4 nights the first two dry camping in spot 14 in the Oak Grove, nice and spacious with a little deck picnic table and fire pit. The last two nights in spot 26 which was spacious on the small river (probably larger later in spring)," notes a Sequoia RV Ranch visitor.
Limited services: Some cabin areas have minimal amenities. "There is no running water in the camp so be prepared to bring water with you for washing dishes, drinking and general cleanliness," states a Big Meadow Campground visitor.
Reservation requirements: Most cabins require advance booking. "Phenomenal campground. Far from most of the hiking and especially from the entrance but the roaring river was definitely the highlight of our trip!" advises a Sentinel Campground visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water activities: Several cabin locations offer shallow water areas. A camper at Dinkey Creek shared, "Great place to relax and enjoy the water. Pretty cold in the off season, and pretty swift for littles. Hot and isolated, bring water or a filter."
Ranger programs: National Park cabins offer educational activities. A visitor noted, "Sentinel campground is closest to the ranger station, where the National Park service rangers host many programs. There is also a small store and informational center with the rangers station."
Pack extra supplies: Markets near cabins have limited stock. "All spots closest to the water were already booked. Reality is... all water access is through the day use areas, so all camp sites are good! Creek was FUN!" observed a Dinkey Creek camper.
Noise considerations: Some cabin areas have quiet hours while others allow more activity. "The campground was the loudest I'd ever been to...people up all night long partying. Never again. Upper loop sites looked a little nicer," cautions a Lodgepole visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose cabin or RV sites based on specific needs. At Grant Grove Cabins, "This location is for the Crystal Springs campground across from Azalea. $32 per night, no hookups but a beautiful place. We have a 28 foot class c and there were lots of spots we could fit."
Power considerations: Electrical availability varies significantly between cabin locations. A visitor at Sequoia RV Ranch noted, "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."
Leveling challenges: Terrain can present difficulties for larger units. "Let me start off by saying there was a fairly big issue with 2 of the 3 spots we reserved. The paved lots were so far from level that we didn't have enough leveling blocks," shares a Dinkey Creek visitor.
Maneuvering space: Access roads and site dimensions vary. "The grounds are small, nothing to be excited about and they have all these little stubby trees that seem to be strategically placed just in the way as sites are all back in," warns a Three Rivers Hideaway visitor.
