S
Sibylle S.
Scout
ScoutHigh Sierra RV Park
Small campsites
Very friendly staff. The sites are rather narrow but even. Restrooms are far away. Propane is available.
Best Campgrounds near Friant, CA
Camping near Friant, California centers around water recreation with established campgrounds at Millerton Lake State Recreation Area and Lost Lake Campground. Both areas accommodate tents and RVs, with Millerton Lake providing year-round access to camping along the reservoir created by Friant Dam on the San Joaquin River. The surrounding Sierra Nevada foothills offer additional camping opportunities within a short drive, including dispersed sites in the San Joaquin River Gorge managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Bass Lake, approximately 30 miles northeast, provides another popular water-based camping destination with multiple campgrounds.
Most campgrounds in the Friant area require reservations, especially during summer months when water recreation is at its peak. Millerton Lake State Recreation Area features basic amenities including drinking water, picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, though hookups for RVs are limited. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F, making shade a valuable commodity at campsites. Fire restrictions are common during the dry season from late spring through fall. According to reviews, early spring camping offers more comfortable temperatures and less dust than summer visits.
The camping experience varies significantly between developed and primitive sites. Millerton Lake campgrounds provide convenient access to water recreation with boat ramps and swimming areas, while Lost Lake offers a more secluded experience with boat-in camping options. One visitor noted that Lost Lake Campground is "big-rig friendly" with water hookups available. For those seeking proximity to Yosemite National Park, several campgrounds within an hour's drive of Friant serve as convenient basecamps. The foothills location means campers should be prepared for hot, dry conditions in summer and potential for significant rainfall during winter months, when some primitive roads may become difficult to navigate.
Best Camping Sites Near Friant, California (232)
1. Millerton Lake State Recreation Area Campground
19 ReviewsFriant, CA3 milesWebsite+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"
2. Lost Lake Campground
6 ReviewsFriant, CA1 mileWebsite+1 (559) 488-3004$25 / night
"It was quite and have several trails to walk on. Their is a nice that runs by the campgrounds and further down and pass the station where pay the toll to the stake park."
"A few miles out of town, store close by. Usually mostly empty and good privacy"
3. Hidden View Campground — Hensley Lake
10 ReviewsRaymond, CA14 milesWebsite+1 (559) 673-5151$20 - $100 / night
"Even with all the rain, the lake isn’t very full. The campground, including the bathroom, was clean."
"The site we stayed at had a nice fire ring, was flat, had a picnic table and it was close to running water. We tent camped, but it looked like there were plenty of RV spots too. Nice and quiet too."
4. Camp Edison
25 ReviewsShaver Lake, CA24 milesWebsite+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."
5. Yosemite RV Resort
11 ReviewsOakhurst, CA18 milesWebsite+1 (559) 683-7855"RV spaces have many different location styles, secluded, views, groups etc.
Large clean pool with a shallow lounging section. Playground. Bathrooms/showers were freshly renovated and clean.""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. The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful."
6. Fresno County Lost Lake Recreation Area
1 ReviewFriant, CA1 mileWebsite+1 (559) 600-3004$5 - $25 / night
7. Little Yosemite Valley Campground
5 ReviewsNorth Fork, CA17 milesWebsite"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"
"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."
8. Bass Lake Recreation Area Rudy
2 ReviewsFriant, CA11 milesWebsite+1 (559) 642-3212"Bass lake is the perfect campground for young family camping. There are plenty of facilities and even a restaurant."
9. San Joaquin River Gorge
2 ReviewsPrather, CA11 milesWebsite+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"
10. Dorabelle Campground
16 ReviewsShaver Lake, CA24 milesWebsite+1 (559) 841-3533$48 - $99 / night
"They all kept saying it was the best camping trip they ever had.. our hosts Frank and Jamie were super sweet and welcoming.. the campgrounds are immaculate and near the water."
"The access to the lake is a little walk but not too far and the cove is perfect for relaxing with kids. Highly recommend!"
Recent Camping Photos near Friant, CA
287 Photos of 232 Friant Campgrounds
Regina P.
Lost Lake Campground
august M.
Millerton Lake State Recreation Area Campground
Warren K.
Bass Lake Recreation Area Rudy
matt
Hidden View Campground — Hensley Lake
Kate W.
Little Yosemite Valley Campground
Thomas S.
Creek Side Acres
Chris H.
Yosemite RV Resort
Miguel M.
Redinger Campground
Ken M.
Cedar Springs Retreats
Haley M.
COE Eastman Lake Codorniz Campground
jesse H.
Musick Creek Falls
Edita M.
Riverbend RV Park
Recent Reviews near Friant, CA
818 Reviews of 232 Friant Campgrounds
Kelly C.
GuideSequoia National Forest Hume Lake Campground
Awesome stay
Hume Lake Campground was a beautiful place to stay in the Sierra Nevada. The campground is surrounded by tall pines and has a peaceful mountain atmosphere that makes it easy to relax. The lake is just a short walk away and offers great views, especially in the morning and evening.
The campsites were well maintained and felt fairly private thanks to the trees. Temperatures were much cooler than down in the valley, which was a welcome change during the summer. Wildlife was active around the campground, and there were plenty of opportunities for hiking, fishing, and exploring the surrounding area.
Overall, Hume Lake is a great choice if you’re looking for a quiet mountain campground with easy lake access and beautiful scenery. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to stay an extra day.
Art C.
TravelerSierra National Forest Rancheria Campground
Rancheria Sierra Camp
Overall great experience. Lots of tree coverage, with a beautiful lake just a walk away. If you want a more secluded area, I’d recommend getting a site closer to the 100’s area. Not a fan of how close our campsite at 79 was to another site. I felt guilty being outside past 10, with them going to sleep. There was no firewood for sale at the time we went ( early June ) and our campsite host was “off” for the duration of our stay which made getting a trailer out of our parking a bit difficult initially. We also found out they don’t allow amplifying speakers ( any speaker ) as we had a complaint made against us for having the music on. Which in our defense, in the morning when we played it, we didn’t believe it to be too loud. Other than a few hitches, it was an overall good experience, and I’d highly recommend it if you want a wooded camping experience!
- SSibylle S.Scout
Sunset Campground — Kings Canyon National Park
Outdoor /Dry Camping
The Sites are in the woods and there is enough room. Restrooms are far. There is not everywhere potable water available.
- SSibylle S.Scout
Sequoia Resort & RV Park
Good Stay
Friendly staff. Free usage of a gas grill. Free usage of the washing machine.
M H.ScoutHigh Sierra RV Park
Fraudulent business practices
I made a campsite reservation, later changed the dates, and ultimately had to cancel. The cancellation was made both by phone and email more than 7 days before the scheduled arrival date.
I understand and accepted the $5 reservation change fee and the $10 cancellation fee outlined in their policy. However, instead of refunding the remaining balance, they kept the entire amount and issued no refund whatsoever.
As a result, I have initiated a credit card dispute. I would strongly recommend reviewing their cancellation policies and billing practices carefully before booking.
Angela Jerel G.ScoutPark 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.
Elijah W.ScoutWawona Campground — Yosemite National Park
Just Okay
Wawona Campground is good if all you’re needing is somewhere to camp inside the park. The sites are fairly close together with little to no foliage blocking your view to each site. Some of the sites are not very level so if you have a roof tent like myself keep this in mind. It is about a 30-40 minute drive to the valley and the whole campground just feels busy and not much privacy. If you’re needing a place to stay I would recommend trying for a campground inside the Valley it will make your time in Yosemite much better spent
- A
Adam H.GuideCamp 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 .
Guide to Friant
Camping near Friant, California provides access to foothill recreation sites ranging from 500-3,000 feet in elevation. The region experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures routinely reaching 100°F from July through September. Winter camping from November through March often sees nighttime temperatures dropping below 40°F with occasional frost at higher elevations.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Lost Lake Campground, visitors can fish directly on the San Joaquin River. "Camped here twice, pros camp right on the river, playground for kids, trail to the fish hatchery," notes Regina P. The campground provides river access for anglers seeking bass and trout.
Jet skiing and water sports: Millerton Lake State Recreation Area Campground offers multiple water recreation options. Christina C. reports, "Beautiful nice clear water," making it ideal for jet skiing. Christopher H. adds, "Great place to wakeboard, jet ski, fish, and BBQ," highlighting the diverse water activities available.
Hiking trails: The San Joaquin River Gorge offers several hiking options. Aaron M. describes it as having a "nice trail to a bridge overlooking the San Joaquin River gorge," adding that "it's much more fun if you have horses to ride." Trails range from easy 1-mile loops to more strenuous 4-mile routes with significant elevation changes.
What campers like
Private camping sites: Campers appreciate sites with some separation from neighbors. At Hidden View Campground, Matt notes, "The site we stayed at had a nice fire ring, was flat, had a picnic table and it was close to running water. We tent camped, but it looked like there were plenty of RV spots too. Nice and quiet too."
Spring season visits: Early spring offers more comfortable temperatures compared to summer heat. Charlotte from Millerton Lake mentions, "Lake levels were low in Sept but I hear they were high & lake access was even better in the spring & early summer!" Spring camping from March to May typically sees daytime temperatures in the 70s-80s.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms matter to campers. LosAngeles F. says about Lost Lake Campground, "Gets hot in summer, spots are close by to each other but usually respectful neighbors... bathrooms aren't particularly clean so I chose not to shower."
What you should know
Wildlife concerns: Ground squirrels can cause problems at some sites. Tom D. warns about Millerton Lake: "We would not stay here again until the park gets control of the ground squirrels. We heard stories of cars and RV's being towed out because they chewed through wiring. Thankfully we escaped with just damage from them entering the RV and getting into plastic containers of food in the bays."
Seasonal lake levels: Water levels fluctuate significantly throughout the year. At Millerton Lake, Regina P. notes, "The lake is very full now till July 4th. Great boating, and jet ski area." Plan water activities accordingly, with peak water levels typically occurring in late spring.
Campsite proximity: Many sites offer limited privacy from neighbors. Heather R. observes about Lost Lake Recreation Area, "I enjoyed my stay on the most part. Sadly there was some trash scattered all over the place because of previous visitors. It was quite and have several trails to walk on."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds include play areas for children. Heather R. notes at Lost Lake, "Their is a few playgrounds in the middle of the campgrounds and option to play an activity or two." These play areas provide children with recreation options when not swimming.
Swimming options: The river provides safer swimming than the lake for younger children. Esbeyda D. shares about Millerton Lake, "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 go swimming in the lake."
Evening quiet time: Most campgrounds enforce evening quiet hours. LosAngeles F. mentions that Lost Lake "closes at 7pm so you won't get people coming in the middle of the night." Families appreciate the enforced quiet time for earlier bedtimes with children.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup options: Yosemite RV Resort offers complete services for larger vehicles. Jesse F. reports, "Great place and experience. Bathroom are the best I've seen by far. Large dog run which was amazing. Personal just a bit expensive 100 ish for a rv spot with 30 amp an water."
Site sizing concerns: RV sites vary significantly in size between campgrounds. Aban J. notes about Yosemite RV Resort, "Site is small little to no space for vehicle at the site we are at some sites have a lot more room than ours. Cable works great and staff is very friendly and helpful."
Millerton Lake hookup details: The campground offers limited full-service sites. Tom D. points out, "Sites 120 - 144 offer full hookups. However, the sites are arranged on a parking lot. We were able to get our 43' Blue Bird completely onto site 138. Power was good but there were only 4 of us in the FHU sites."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Friant, CA?
What camping is available near Friant, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Friant, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 232 campgrounds and RV parks near Friant, CA and 26 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Friant, CA?
Which is the most popular campground near Friant, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Friant, CA is Millerton Lake State Recreation Area Campground with a 3.7-star rating from 19 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Friant, CA?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Friant, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 26 free dispersed camping spots near Friant, CA.
What parks are near Friant, CA?
What parks are near Friant, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 22 parks near Friant, CA that allow camping, notably Hensley Lake and Pine Flat Lake.
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