Glamping and cabin camping options near Sunland, California include yurts and canvas accommodations scattered throughout Sequoia National Forest at elevations ranging from 5,000 to 6,500 feet. These locations typically experience warm summer days with temperatures in the 70s-80s°F and cool evenings dropping into the 40s-50s°F. Winter brings snow at higher elevations, making many glamping facilities seasonal operations that close from November through April.
What to do
Hiking the Freeman Creek Trail: Located near Sequoia National Forest Quaking Aspen Campground, this trail offers access to giant sequoias without the crowds of more popular routes. "This campground is a hidden gem. Absolutely beautiful place to get away," notes Robert S., who appreciated the secluded nature of the area.
Cool off in the Kern River: During summer months, KRS RV Resort@Camp James provides excellent river access. "Our camp site was great. We stayed in site 81 in our class C RV. Corner site on a creek that ran through the campground. The creek was great to sit in to escape the heat and float down," shares David H., who visited during August.
Stargazing from the campsite: The foothills surrounding Sunset Campground create ideal conditions for night sky viewing. "The stargazing is beautiful. There is some limited light pollution emanating from the other side of the foothills, but because you are surrounded by foothills you get some good, dark surroundings to really appreciate the stars," explains Brittney J.
What campers like
Helpful camp hosts: The hosts at glamping sites near Sunland provide valuable local information. "Tim is amazing! He has all the info on nearby trails, maps of the area, answers every question you can think of. Just fantastic," reports Kim L. about Sequoia National Forest Quaking Aspen Campground.
Clean facilities: Despite remote locations, many glamping areas maintain good standards. "The vault toilets were well maintained," notes one reviewer, while another adds, "The bathrooms were also kept very clean. There is no service but it is about a 5 minute drive from a cafe/store/lodge that has Wi-Fi."
Late season camping: Visiting Redwood Meadow in fall offers advantages. "We stayed here in October after the yurts had been taken down which was no bother to us when you're surrounded by the most magnificent trees in the world! This also meant there were no crowds and we had practically the entire campground to ourselves. Highly recommend going later in the year," advises Lili R.
What you should know
Limited water availability: Some campgrounds have restricted facilities. "There are no water fill up sites. There are also NO BEAR BOXES despite claims otherwise and the requirement that food be kept in them. Bears do frequent the area and are know to be numerous within a mile of camp," warns a reviewer about glamping close to Sunland, California.
Seasonal wildlife concerns: At Camp Three Campground, timing matters. "The unfortunate part was were in a family of Skunk's back yard. It's Skunk season when they teach their young. No one was sprayed but they were clear that we were not welcome," cautions David W.
Tourist traffic: Popular locations face congestion. "It is located directly across from the trailhead to the Trail of 100 Giants, a 1/2 mile walking tour of some of the biggest trees Sequoia has to offer. Let me be clear, this is not a hiking trail. This is a tourist stop."
Tips for camping with families
Best riverside sites: At Headquarters Campground, select waterfront spots. "The river front campsites are awesome and have a great size. There's plenty of shade (which is rare for the area), and the section of river is so fun," recommends Morgan F.
Quiet time enforcement: Some campgrounds actively manage noise levels. "They clean and rake all camp sites after each use and they enforce the 10:00pm quiet time," mentions David H., noting that this makes the camping experience more pleasant for families with children.
Recreational options: Locations with varied activities work best for kids. "We were able to float down the river in our inner tubes safely. We were told May to June the river is very high in this area. We also fished in the river," shares a visitor, adding that lower water levels in August created ideal conditions for families with younger children.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Horse Creek Campground, site choice matters. "Nearly every campsite has a major hill, so most will not have a good flat area for a tent. Site 61 is flat and a couple of others have flatter grounds, but many will have you sleeping on an angle," advises Brittney J.
Utilities and hookups: RVers should verify what's available. "Sites had power, water and cable TV hook up. There is a dump station in the campground," notes a camper, while another mentions, "No hook up but fresh water and a dump station are available at the campground."
Proximity to supplies: Some glamping locations are far from resources. "Located approximately 40 miles from convenience stores" applies to several camping areas near Sunland, so RVers should stock up before arrival.