Best Campgrounds near Elk, CA

Camping in the Sequoia and Kings Canyon region near Elk, California encompasses a variety of developed campgrounds with mountain forest settings and water access. Campgrounds like Riverbend RV Park offer full hookups for RVs, while more primitive settings can be found at Pine Flat Campground. The region features multiple campgrounds with tent, RV, and even glamping options, particularly around Shaver Lake, where Camp Edison provides electric hookups and water access, and near Kings Canyon National Park, where tent-focused sites predominate in a forest setting.

Road access to many campgrounds requires careful planning, with some areas accessible only by high-clearance vehicles. Most established sites in the region require reservations during peak summer months, especially at popular destinations like Lodgepole Campground in Sequoia National Park. Summer temperatures typically remain comfortable due to higher elevations, though facilities vary widely between basic and more developed campgrounds. Several campgrounds offer bear boxes for food storage, a critical safety feature when camping in this region. A visitor noted, "If you're looking to camp in California, Sequoia National Park should be one of your top destinations...I recommend camping during the less touristy times in early Spring and Fall."

Waterfront camping areas receive particular praise from visitors, with several campgrounds situated near rivers or lakes. The Kings River flows through some camping areas, providing swimming opportunities and scenic views. Wildlife sightings, particularly bears, are common throughout the region's mixed-use campgrounds and should be anticipated by properly storing food. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, privacy between campsites varies significantly, with some campgrounds described as offering "well secluded" sites while others have sites "right on top of each other." Campgrounds at higher elevations offer relief from summer heat, with one camper noting they "appreciated this site at higher elevation with the chilled air at night." Many developed campgrounds feature amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, with showers available at select locations like Camp Edison and some Kings Canyon facilities.

Best Camping Sites Near Elk, California (236)

    1. Riverbend RV Park

    7 Reviews
    Elk, CA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 787-3627

    $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."

    2. Pine Flat Campground

    9 Reviews
    Elk, CA
    10 miles
    Website

    "Excellent 4xx4 close by"

    "One of the boat launch ramps was right there in the camp ground and the other was really close at lake view."

    3. Sequoia RV Park

    16 Reviews
    Dunlap, CA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 338-2350

    $40 - $55 / night

    "Typical California foothills hardpan and dead grass sites - large and able to accommodate very long combo rigs and have enough width to disconnect and park adjacent to the towable."

    "There are many ways to arrive here, but the most direct and easiest is on California State Highway 180. The park is open, but the office is not, so it’s find a spot and check yourself in."

    4. Choinumni Park

    6 Reviews
    Elk, CA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 488-3004

    "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."

    5. Island Park

    8 Reviews
    Tollhouse, CA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 787-2589

    $10 - $135 / night

    "It was a bit of a nightmare getting turned around to back in here (we have a 42’ toy hauler and a 3500 ram DRW with an Andersen hitch), BUT we’ve had an incredible week here."

    "The only thing was neighbors were very, very near. But our neighbors were quiet so it wasn't bad. End of March was rainy, so be prepared for rain if you go during that time."

    6. Millerton Lake State Recreation Area Campground

    19 Reviews
    Friant, CA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 822-2332

    $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"

    7. Kings River RV Resort

    7 Reviews
    Reedley, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 897-0351

    $60 / night

    8. Camp Edison

    25 Reviews
    Shaver Lake, CA
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 841-3134

    $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."

    9. Lakeridge Camping & Boating Resort

    1 Review
    Elk, CA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 787-2260

    "Quiet, clean, family friendly, walking distance to the lake, lots of non threatening wild life ."

    10. Azalea Campground — Kings Canyon National Park

    27 Reviews
    Hume, CA
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 565-3341

    $32 / night

    "Easy walk to campstore, post office, restaurant, and visitor center. Many trails close by. Very busy in summer. No reservations. Tent only loops available."

    "Very quiet but some sledding and hiking activity close by. Sites are a little close to each other, but being so quiet it's not a big deal."

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Recent Reviews near Elk, CA

839 Reviews of 236 Elk Campgrounds


  • Angela Jerel G.
    Jun. 1, 2026

    Park of the Sierras - Escapee Park

    SKP Park of the Sierras exceeded our expectations

    We stayed at SKP Park of the Sierras for two months during April and May and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. To use the park, you'll need an Escapees membership(about$50), which we found well worth the cost given the quality of the facilities and amenities. 

    Originally, we were only able to reserve one month at a time, but when our circumstances changed, the office staff were incredibly understanding and worked with us to extend our stay. The staff throughout the park were welcoming, friendly, and helpful. 

    Our site was spacious, shaded by mature trees, and included full hookups and a concrete patio area that was perfect for setting up chairs and relaxing outdoors. The grounds were well maintained, and the park was surprisingly quiet during our stay. The amenities were excellent. The clubhouse hosted daily activities, and there was a library, games, fitness area, coffee station, and a donation-based thrift shop section. The laundry facilities were clean and well maintained, and quarters were available for purchase in the office during business hours.

    Traveling with dogs, we especially appreciated the dog park. It featured separate fenced areas for large and small dogs, water spigots, covered areas for rainy weather, and even a heater for chilly mornings. 

    The shower facilities were clean and comfortable. They sold propane onsite. Fuel was conveniently located just down the road at the casino, often at reasonable prices. For our longer stay we would drive into Oakhurst or Fresno for groceries, so it's worth planning ahead for larger grocery runs.

    One of the biggest advantages of this park is its location. It served as an excellent home base for exploring Yosemite National Park, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Monterey Bay, San Francisco, and Pinnacles National Park,(we don’t mind a long drive!). 

    We used Starlink throughout our stay and were pleased by how well it worked. Even with a tree-filled site, it was able to find enough open sky to maintain a reliable connection. 

    A few things future guests should know: some of the roads have tighter curves, but the staff are very knowledgeable about matching RVs to appropriate sites. Our 25-foot trailer had no issues. Mail and package delivery can also require some planning. As guests, we had mail sent to General Delivery at the Coarsegold Post Office. However, we later learned that FedEx would not deliver there, so packages shipped by different carriers may require different delivery addresses. It's worth confirming shipping methods before ordering anything important.

    Overall, SKP Park of the Sierras exceeded our expectations. The spacious sites, excellent amenities, quiet atmosphere, friendly staff, and central location made it one of our favorite long-term stays. We would gladly return and highly recommend it to other RV travelers.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 26, 2026

    Camp ikigai Animal Sanctuary 501c3

    Amazing views friendly crew

    I cant say enuf about our stay. After choosing a perfect spot. We setteled into relax and enjoy to quiet country vibes. Pool. Was great for a cool down. Very great since of community very welcomed by everyone. Matt Tracy and chad made us feel like we were at home The animals were great and friendly. Also The shower was over a granite bolder surrounded with grapevines. We boondocked and had a great time .

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 23, 2026

    Potwisha Campground — Sequoia National Park

    6000 Ft Lower than the Park

    This was a nice stay in May, not hot enough to need the AC. I just barely fit into site number 32 with a 23 foot trailer and parked my F150 askew. No hook ups, but there are bathrooms and dishwashing station. Across the Generals Hwy from the park is the dump station and freshwater fill, neither of which have a metal threaded end that you can connect to your RV. The fresh water is good quality and flows out fast. I filled containers and siphoned into my trailer. Stayed 4 nights, had to run generator once to charge batteries since I was under a shade tree and solar panel is on roof. A few sites are in full sun, but most have shade or partial shade. By 10 AM most campers had checked out or left to tour the park. Campground was silent, except for nature sounds. Wild turkeys walked the campground daily, sometimes gobbling, saw one deer two days. The campground is overrun with ground squirrels. A fat one kept begging at my screen door. Lots of acorn woodpeckers and wild mustard plants with small yellow flowers that the honeybees loved. Twice hummingbirds came to my red tail lights thinking they were feeders. Beautiful hikes along the Kaweah river in both directions. If you hike from site number 14, you will see a path to Marble Falls. Be aware it is a very narrow trail and you will get poison oak on your clothes, or skin if in shorts, that you will need to wash off. Lots of small flies and gnats fly around your head, but they don’t bite, just annoying. Didn’t see mosquitoes or get bites. Next time, I will stay in a campground on the north end. Driving from the CG to the Sequoia Trees, are countless tight hairpin turns and a gain in elevation of 6000 feet. After two days of going up and back down, with little cars riding my bumper and pulling over to let them by, it was tiring. Around one turn, a buck in velvet was standing in the road, no place to go except the side, which went straight up and the other side straight down. I was going 15 mph, the speed limit, and had to drive in the middle to avoid him. I did that drive every day to see the sequoias, which are magnificent! Pictures do not capture how awesome they are.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 19, 2026

    COE Eastman Lake Codorniz Campground

    Quiet, Spacious Place

    Codorniz is a quiet, well-maintained campground run by the Army Corps of Engineers on Eastman Lake. It’s a great spot if you want a peaceful camping experience with decent amenities and easy lake access. What I liked: • Spacious sites with good separation for privacy • Decent restrooms and hot showers • Hookups available at some sites • Relaxed, low-key atmosphere—no crowds or noise • Nice lake setting for fishing, kayaking, and swimming Things to keep in mind: • It’s fairly remote, so bring everything you’ll need • Amenities can vary by site and season • Cell service is limited, so download maps/info ahead of time Overall, Codorniz is a solid choice for RV or tent camping if you want a calm, lake-adjacent spot without the chaos of more popular campgrounds. Great for a weekend getaway or a longer stay if you’re exploring the Central Valley area.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 14, 2026

    Outdoorsy Yosemite

    Great Location

    A great location at the South entrance of Yosemite NP. The Staff were so friendly and helpful. Prices are very reasonable for laundry. The sites are well spaced.

  • Shaun T.
    May. 10, 2026

    Little Sandy Campground - PERMANENTLY CLOSED

    Little Sandy

    Im 54 now and I remember camping there with my parents and grandparents when I was 10 to 16 years old.  We would fish the streams, find the small water falls and go on adventure. Just googled it and it says it it is permanently closed. Is that true?

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 5, 2026

    Sequoia Resort & RV Park

    Nice and Quiet

    Amazing park! Very private and our 2 cats loved it here. The host was so friendly and gave us great advices on visiting the Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks.

  • Matthias S.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 5, 2026

    Sequoia Resort & RV Park

    Perfect trip

    Top-notch campsite. Clean. Quiet location. Water, sewage, and electricity available.

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 2, 2026

    Sequoia RV Ranch

    Just okay

    My husband and I spent two nights there while traveling to the national parks. It was a bit dirty and packed in. We travel with two dogs, so a dog park is important to us. Their dog park needs a lot of work, it wasn't very clean or well kept.


Guide to Elk

Campgrounds near Elk, California provide diverse camping experiences throughout the Kings Canyon area, with options including RV parks, lakefront sites, and state recreation areas. Pine Flat Campground offers lakeside camping and accommodates tent and RV camping, while Riverbend RV Park provides full hookups and grassy sites for larger rigs. Most campgrounds in the region are established facilities rather than dispersed camping areas, with amenities varying from basic toilets to comprehensive water, electric, and sewer connections.

Seasonal considerations affect camping availability throughout the area, with some campgrounds like Sequoia RV Park operating only from May to September, while others remain open year-round. Many sites require advance reservations, particularly at popular destinations like Camp Edison and Millerton Lake State Recreation Area. Summer temperatures often exceed 100°F in lower elevations, making spring and fall more comfortable for camping. Water levels at Pine Flat Lake fluctuate significantly, affecting boat launches and swimming areas. "Water was really low but still had a blast on my kayak and with my dogs and trying to catch fish. It's by reservations only and we stayed 3 nights," noted one camper at Pine Flat Campground.

Kings Canyon area campgrounds receive high ratings for their water access and natural surroundings. Several visitors mentioned the peaceful atmosphere at Pine Flat Lake, where night sounds include frogs and morning birdsong. Campgrounds with river proximity, like Choinumni Park and Riverbend RV Park, provide fishing opportunities and cooler temperatures than surrounding areas. As one camper at Riverbend RV Park described, "FHU with large pull through spots. Quiet place that was nice to spend a few days at while exploring Sequoia and Kings Canyon. Place has grass, dog park, lots of kids play areas, adults game areas, fishing pond, creek and river next to property is very pretty." Developed campgrounds in the region typically include fire rings, picnic tables, and basic restroom facilities, though shower availability varies between locations. Mixed-use campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping, with some offering specialized amenities for different camping styles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Elk, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Elk, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 236 campgrounds and RV parks near Elk, CA and 29 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Elk, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Elk, CA is Riverbend RV Park with a 3.7-star rating from 7 reviews.

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

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 29 free dispersed camping spots near Elk, CA.

What parks are near Elk, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 22 parks near Elk, CA that allow camping, notably Pine Flat Lake and Sierra National Forest.