RV camping near Elk, California offers a mix of mountainous terrain and riverfront settings with elevations ranging from 3,500 to 6,000 feet throughout the region. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-95°F during the day, while nights cool to 50-65°F regardless of season. Sites near Sequoia National Park can fill months in advance during peak summer weekends, particularly those with river access.
What to do
River activities at Sequoia RV Ranch: Located 8 miles from Sequoia National Park entrance, the Kaweah River runs alongside campsites, providing cooling water activities. "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)," reports a visitor about Sequoia RV Ranch.
Bass Lake recreation: Just a short distance from camping options, Bass Lake offers swimming, boating, and fishing in cooler mountain temperatures. "Nice short bike rides up and down hills. Kids loved it!" notes a reviewer about Yosemite RV Resort, which provides easy access to the area.
Hiking trails: National forest trails branch out from many campgrounds, offering day hikes of varying difficulty. "We did see a bear too (in Sequoia not at the campground)," mentions one camper, highlighting the wildlife viewing opportunities while exploring the region.
What campers like
Spacious dry camping sites: Some campers prefer non-hookup sites for their additional space and natural settings. "We stayed in the dry camping area for a week and had a great time. Lots of space in dry camping area, a fire pit, and a picnic table at the site," notes a visitor to Sequoia RV Ranch.
Pet-friendly amenities: Many parks accommodate four-legged campers with specialized facilities. "Great place and experience. Bathroom are the best I've seen by far. Large dog run which was amazing," shares a reviewer about Outdoorsy Yosemite, which provides dedicated pet exercise areas.
Swimming holes: Natural water features provide relief from summer heat. "The creek, waterfalls & rope swing over the swimming hole was unbelievable!! The kids enjoyed the rope swing while the mom enjoyed the walk back to the falls & thru the shallow waters," explains a camper at High Sierra RV Park.
What you should know
Site layout challenges: Some parks have difficult navigation for larger units. "The site we pulled into was really tight with a hill and drop off on either side so our picnic table had to be in front of the airstream," reports a camper at Bass Lake at Yosemite RV Resort.
Electrical reliability: Power can be inconsistent at certain parks. "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."
Seasonal water levels: River sites change dramatically based on season. "During our stay the river was full, water was ice cold which made it very humid and the mosquitoes were horrible," notes a camper, while another mentioned, "Nice overnight stay. More than a few full timers. Most likely high season spring-summer when the water runs."
Tips for camping with families
Recreational facilities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. "The park has grass, dog park, lots of kids play areas, adults game areas, fishing pond, creek and river next to property is very pretty," describes a visitor to Riverbend RV Park.
Swimming options: Pools provide reliable swimming regardless of river conditions. "Amenities include a pool, day room with tons of things to do, a separate day room for kids, a large fire pit, showers, store at the office, horseshoe and 2 shuffleboard courts. While we were there, they played movies at sunset next to the pool."
Site selection for privacy: Family groups may want to request specific areas. "We stayed in site 6 for the first night (water and electric only) and site 54 (a river site with full hookups) for the second night. The campground is small but clean and the staff is helpful. There is a fenced dog park on-site, a nice touch."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many RVers report challenges getting level on mountain terrain. "Our spot was also very hard to try and level our trailer. We never did quite get it leveled the way we would've liked," reports one RVer.
Turning radius: Several parks require careful maneuvering with larger rigs. "To leave with a 26' travel trailer I had to pull out and back down another road just to exit the park," notes a camper at Sequoia Resort & RV Park.
Site depth considerations: Pull-through sites vary widely in usable space. "Sites are kind of narrow but are deep. Felt bad that our hooks up were in front of our neighbors door but this could be avoided based on how far back you pull in."
