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Best Tent Camping near Fresno, CA

578 Reviews

The Sierra National Forest and surrounding public lands offer numerous tent camping options near Fresno, California, with varying levels of development and accessibility. Bass Lake Recreation Area provides established tent sites with amenities like showers and toilets, while San Joaquin River Gorge features more primitive tent camping experiences. Little Yosemite Valley Campground, though requiring a hike to access, rewards tent campers with stunning natural surroundings and serves as a popular base for those attempting Half Dome.

Most tent campgrounds in the region have basic amenities, though facilities vary significantly between locations. Walk-in tent sites at Ya-gub-weh-tuh Campground require a short hike from the parking area to reach camping spots equipped with picnic tables and fire rings. Many backcountry tent camping areas lack running water, so filtering from nearby streams is necessary. Vault toilets are common at established sites, but primitive areas require proper waste disposal techniques. Fire restrictions are frequently implemented during summer and fall months due to high fire danger. A visitor commented, "The road to get to campsite can get rough. It's a good 8 mile dirt road. Some parts are collapse."

Tent campers in the Fresno area often enjoy significant shade coverage at forested sites, though recent tree removal at some locations has reduced natural shelter. Areas near water features like Bass Lake or the San Joaquin River provide opportunities for swimming and water activities directly from tent sites. Backcountry tent camping locations offer greater solitude but require more preparation and self-sufficiency. The higher elevation tent campgrounds provide cooler temperatures during hot summer months when valley temperatures soar. A recent review noted, "Little Yosemite is one of the nicest backpacking campgrounds. Nice bathrooms and right next to a clean blue river perfect for swimming in! Surrounded by granite rocks in one of the most wonderful place Yosemite."

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Best Tent Sites Near Fresno, California (32)

    1. Bass Lake Recreation Area Rudy

    2 Reviews
    Friant, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 642-3212

    "Bass lake is the perfect campground for young family camping. There are plenty of facilities and even a restaurant."

    2. Buck Ridge

    1 Review
    Raymond, CA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 673-5151

    $30 / night

    "First come first serve, vault toilets, water pump by outhouse area, pic a site and make a donation, the is a camp host."

    3. San Joaquin River Gorge

    2 Reviews
    Prather, CA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (661) 391-6000

    "It's a nice place real nice open large camp area pretty cool nice trail to a bridge overlooking the San Joaquin River gorge I really enjoyed it it's much more fun if you have horses to ride"

    4. Little Yosemite Valley Campground

    5 Reviews
    North Fork, CA
    31 miles
    Website

    "We hiked the waterfall trail, which is breathtaking, but full of a lot of people! Once you get passed the 2nd huge waterfall, the crowds start to die down and its just you and the mountains."

    "One of the nicest backpacking campgrounds. Nice bathrooms and right next to a clean blue river perfect for swimming in! Surrounded by granite rocks in one of the most wonderful place Yosemite"

    5. Ya-gub-weh-tuh Campground

    1 Review
    Prather, CA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (661) 391-6000

    6. Dunlap canyon retreat

    7 Reviews
    Dunlap, CA
    38 miles
    +1 (408) 761-2610

    $40 - $150 / night

    "Just 25 minute drive to the entrance of National Park.  But did enjoy staying in campground with nice walking trails around the property and peaceful pond to canoe. "

    "He is super attentive and friendly without being in your face, he strikes the perfect balance between helpful and respectful of your privacy. Great place!"

    7. Bretz Mill Campground

    3 Reviews
    Shaver Lake, CA
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 297-0706

    "Good supply of wood clean restrooms clean creek water , definitely going back"

    8. Recreation Point Group Campground

    4 Reviews
    Bass Lake, CA
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 642-3212

    $131 - $397 / night

    "These are group sites, but they are the best sites on the whole lake in my opinion. My family has been camping here for 78 years and it’s part of all my family memories."

    "It’s still our favorite spot on the lake for my weekends and the hosts are wonderful. These are group sites, and honestly, I think they’re the best on the entire lake."

    9. Aholul Group Campground

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    Prather, CA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (661) 391-6000

    10. Equestrian Campground

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    Prather, CA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (661) 391-6000
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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Fresno, CA

30 Photos of 32 Fresno Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Fresno, CA

578 Reviews of 32 Fresno Campgrounds

  • Caroline N.
    Jun. 20, 2021

    Sunset Campground — Kings Canyon National Park

    Wonderful Campground, Avoid 32 &34

    Great location, centrally located for exploring both Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks.

    Nicely shaded spots and the higher elevation is nice for cooler nights during the hot summer months.

    Great views of the sunset from the back of the campground.

    Grant Grove Village is very close by with market and restaurant.

    We stayed in site 32 which was probably the worst spot in the campground. Very hilly spot with one flat spot for a tent right next to neighbors picnic table and fire pit. Both 32 & 34 are tent only spots and right on top of each other. The other sites nearby were much more flat and looked much nicer.

  • Heather P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 10, 2019

    Princess

    Beautifully laid out and amazing trees

    While I did not camp here, I did drive through and checked out the sites.

    I was looking to get a bit further on my driving or I would have happily set up camp.  

    I even picked out the site I would have set up camp.  26, huge stump of a tree, bear boxes, fire rings, picnic tables, water on site, flush toilets.  Nice sites for sure.

    Some sites are right on top of each other and others are a bit more spread apart.  Drive around and check them all out.

    In Mid Sept there were only a handful of campers and the majority were in campers just a few tent campers.

  • F
    Nov. 11, 2020

    Sweetwater

    Convenient Yosemite Campground

    We drove in after a long day of hiking in Yosemite. This campground is right off of Hwy 120 and makes for a super convenient stop the night before or after visiting Yosemite.

    At the time we visited (early Nov 2020) there were no water or trash removal services, but the infrastructure is there. Bathrooms were in poor shape, though I'm not sure if this is due it being the winter season.

    Campsites were $16 and included a picnic table, campfire ring, and a bear box. There were plenty of spots within our campsite for three 2-person tents.

  • Christina S.
    Jun. 13, 2019

    Princess

    Great Stop!

    We were planning on driving through the Great Sequoia National Park and camping at one of the campgrounds. We figured since it was the middle of the week they wouldn’t be packed full. However neither of us realized how much the park catered to tourists. All the open campgrounds were full and the rest were closed probably because it was still a little early in the season. We were starting to think we’d be driving all night to get out and find a place but then we crossed over into the National Forest and saw the Princess Campground. It was pretty late and there were no self service envelopes for payment so we found an open site and in the morning the campground host came around to collect the payment! Really nice sites with a picnic table, fire ring, and metal bear box for food and smellable items. There are vault toilets, trash bins, and clean water available. There are even some giant sequoia/sequoia stumps throughout the campground.

  • Haley M.
    Jun. 5, 2023

    Wishon Bass Lake

    Large campground, no water access

    We stayed in sites 37 & 38. These two weren’t ideal for group camping as there was quite a bit of brush in between, but 39 is much closer and cleared out so 38 & 39 would have been better. They were still nice campsites though with flat spots for tents. Lots of tall beautiful trees.

    I liked that our spots were on the outskirts as we didn’t have anyone else too close to us. Driving through the campground it looked like some of the other spots were right on top of each other.

    There was also a 2-stall bathroom with flushing toilets near by. It was well kept and did not smell.

    There is no water access close to the campground. You can go across the road and down a small hill but it wasn’t a beach or anything. Kind of a rocky shore. There are of course spots along the lake you can find. You’ll just have to drive and look for something.

    We didn’t experience any nighttime wildlife visitors nor did we see any snakes. Our dog had to stay on leash which was best anyways as there were many people walking their dogs throughout the campground. We had the camp host stop by to check in but otherwise wasn’t too bothersome.

  • Brittanie R.
    Sep. 1, 2022

    Dorabelle Campground

    Cute Campgroud

    We had spot 29 which was the first of 4 sites sitting on a roundabout. Had a picnic table, bear box and a fire pit ring. The site itself sat behind our trailer so we didn’t use much of it. The lake is a 5 minute walk and our site was well shaded. Hosts were friendly. The bathrooms weren’t the cleanest but we don’t expect much from vault toilets. Would definitely come back!

  • Elliott B.
    Aug. 8, 2016

    Nelder Grove Campground

    Nice sites, weirdly not heavily use...

    Great location which isn't as heavily used as you'd think. Being so close to the Bull Buck trail. No water, so you'll need to make sure and bring in what you'll need. No Reservation, first come first serve but not a problem usually. Also, does have vault toilets, so at least no digging needed.... Right by the entrance to Yosemite and we had the 7 sites all to ourselves. Not sure why more people don't stop when you have great access to some amazing trails with some of the oldest and tallest trees in the world!

    Nice flat sites with great coverage and picnic tables and fire rings.

  • m
    May. 17, 2024

    Tenmile Campground

    Ron is a gem.

    Ron, the host, is a gem. Went here because we wanted at least a vault toilet. Nothing was free at the national parks reservation-wise, they were logging in Sequoia so its first come first serves were unavailable on 5/15 and some of the park was closed, and we wanted not to be kicked out of Sequoia and Kings Canyon for boondocking. Has single, double, and walk in tent camp sites, no water.

  • Kelly M.
    Nov. 1, 2018

    Little Sandy Campground - PERMANENTLY CLOSED

    Good option if Yosemite sites are full

    It is more of a trek to get there than you would think looknig at the minimal distance on the road. The road in is rough. It looks short on the map but you have to go slowly. Please pack your trash and leave no trace. They’re only open for the summer-fall - forest service road definitely not maintained when it snows. Pretty little spot and mostly undeveloped. Although there are firepits I think there is a burn ban still in effect- please respect the burn bans to protect the epic old growth forests!

Guide to Fresno

Tent camping near Fresno, California, offers a variety of scenic locations perfect for outdoor enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in nature.

Tent campers should check out San Joaquin River Gorge

  • The San Joaquin River Gorge features a spacious camp area with trails leading to stunning views of the gorge, making it ideal for hiking and horseback riding.
  • This campground allows pets, so you can bring your furry friends along for the adventure.
  • Enjoy the experience of campfires under the stars, as fires are permitted here, enhancing your camping experience.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities at Bass Lake Recreation Area

  • At the Bass Lake Recreation Area, you'll find showers and toilets, ensuring a comfortable stay for families and groups.
  • The campground is conveniently located near boat rentals, making it easy to enjoy water activities on the lake.
  • With alcohol allowed, you can unwind with a drink after a day of exploring the beautiful surroundings.

Some prices for tent camping range from $10 to $30

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best tent campgrounds near Fresno for weekend trips?

For weekend tent camping trips from Fresno, Fresno Dome Campground offers beautiful expansive first-come, first-served sites with vault toilets. Bring your own water and enjoy the mix of sun and shade. Crystal Springs Campground in Kings Canyon National Park provides spacious sites with picnic tables, fire pits, and access to flushing toilets and showers near the John Muir Hotel. It's dog-friendly and surprisingly quiet even when full. For lake activities, consider Bass Lake Recreation Area, which offers easy access to water recreation plus proximity to Yosemite's southern entrance.

Where can I find free tent camping near Fresno, CA?

For free tent camping near Fresno, check out Ya-gub-weh-tuh Campground which costs only $10/night and has walk-in tent sites with picnic tables and fire rings. Water is seasonally available, and pit toilets are on-site. For truly free options, look into dispersed camping in Sierra National Forest areas like Hume Lake Rd Overlook, where you can camp without facilities following Leave No Trace principles. Remember that most free camping requires you to bring your own water and pack out all trash. Always check current regulations with the local ranger district before heading out as conditions and rules can change seasonally.

Are there any secluded tent camping spots around Fresno for privacy?

Bretz Mill Campground offers seclusion with the tradeoff of an 8-mile rough dirt road access. The remote location ensures privacy, plenty of shade from trees, and no cell service for a true disconnect. Be prepared for vault toilets and mosquitoes. Dunlap Canyon Retreat provides a more accessible private experience with walking trails and a peaceful pond for canoeing, located just a 25-minute drive from Kings Canyon National Park. For backpacking enthusiasts seeking ultimate seclusion, the Little Yosemite Valley area offers backcountry camping with limited permits, ensuring low crowds and pristine surroundings.

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