RV sites near Dunlap, California provide access to the southern Sierra Nevada mountains at elevations ranging from 1,800 to 3,500 feet. The area experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures frequently exceeding 90°F between June and September, while winter brings occasional snow at higher elevations. Most campgrounds in the region offer variable cell service, with better connectivity at lower elevations closer to Highway 180.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Creekside RV Park, campers can fish at the stocked pond that's particularly good for children. "There's a stocked pond for fishing that is really good for kids," notes one visitor who camped there with friends during the Fourth of July.
Wildlife viewing: The Sierra foothills provide habitat for numerous wildlife species easily spotted from campgrounds. "We tromped through some 'trails' and saw garter snakes, chipmunks, mice, and bats at dusk," reports a camper who stayed at Creekside RV Park with their family.
Jeep trails exploration: The higher elevation campgrounds offer access to challenging off-road routes. A visitor at Wishon Village RV Resort noted, "There are many activities available from this campground. Hiking, mountain bike riding, Jeep trails (Dusy-Ershim Trail), and fishing."
What campers like
Mountain views: The scenic vistas from camping areas rank high among visitor preferences. At Sequoia RV Park, one reviewer commented, "Lots of room to get around. Grassy large spots with full hook ups. Close to King Canyon and other attractions."
Waterfront campsites: Sites adjacent to water features receive consistently positive feedback. "The river is lovely and rushes by with the nice sounds of a creek," writes a Creekside RV Park visitor, though they caution, "Be aware that the water is fast and cold."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained restrooms and showers matter significantly to campers. At Outdoorsy Yosemite, a visitor praised the "nice clean park with clean toilets and showers. Great pool as well."
Generous site spacing: Campers appreciate room to spread out at their sites. One visitor to Sequoia RV Ranch who stayed in a dry camping area noted, "We had a good stay here. It's a smaller campground but met our needs. 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)."
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Many campgrounds at higher elevations have limited operating seasons. Wishon Village RV Resort sits at 6,800 feet elevation, and as one camper notes, "Courtright at 8200' opens later than Wishon at 6600'," referring to nearby reservoirs.
Variable cell service: Connectivity depends significantly on location and terrain. At Riverbend RV Park, located in the lower foothills, campers report reasonable cell reception, while a visitor at Wishon Village observed, "There is no signal unless you buy the wifi internet pkg. I can't remember the price but around $15 for 3 days I think."
Wildlife precautions: Local wildlife requires proper food storage. A Wishon Village camper mentioned, "Racoon and squirrels are always around looking for food, so I just use a bear can and store my food here. It's just easier."
Road conditions: Access to some campgrounds involves challenging drives. A visitor to Wishon Village warned, "The road is a little windy to Wishon. It's about 40 min past Shaver Lake."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer swimming facilities for children. At Yosemite RV Resort, a visitor shared, "We had a blast here. You're 25 miles from the park entrance, on a straight path. The sites were a great space and the pool and playground was a lot of fun of the kids."
Kid-friendly fishing: Stocked ponds provide accessible fishing for young anglers. "The fishing was good," reports a visitor to Wishon Village RV Resort, where rainbow and German brown trout can be caught in nearby reservoirs.
Playground access: Dedicated play areas keep children entertained. A Yosemite RV Resort camper noted, "Large clean pool with a shallow lounging section. Playground. Bathrooms/showers were freshly renovated and clean."
Educational opportunities: Wildlife viewing creates learning moments. "Turkeys and lots of birds roaming. We did see a bear too (in Sequoia not at the campground)," reported a family staying at Sequoia RV Ranch.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Some campground sites require significant leveling. A camper at Bass Lake at Yosemite RV Resort observed, "Our site (#162) was large enough, although not very level. The sewer connection was almost level with our dump pipe, so it made dumping a challenge."
Big rig accessibility: Several RV parks accommodate large vehicles with varied success. "Lots of room to get around," noted a visitor to Sequoia RV Park, while another camper at Bass Lake cautioned that the "Park is tight for big rigs, but can fit if careful. Pads are gravel and almost level."
Electric reliability: Power issues occur at some locations during peak usage. A camper at Sequoia RV Ranch reported, "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."
Site selection strategy: Choosing the right site significantly impacts comfort. At Sequoia RV Ranch, one RVer advised, "The RV sites were close together and the ones not on the river were on a gravel parking lot."
