Sequoia National Forest dominates the landscape around Glennville, creating diverse camping options with elevations ranging from 2,800 to 9,000 feet. Summer temperatures reach 90°F during the day but drop significantly at night, even in July and August. Winter brings snow to higher elevations while lower camping areas remain accessible year-round.
What to do
Float the Kern River: At Camp James in Kernville, the river offers varying difficulty levels depending on the season. "We stayed on site 80 which is back up right on the small Creek that runs right thru the middle of the grounds. The kids loved tubing down it all day," notes Amber D., who found this activity perfect for families.
Fishing spots: Sandy Flat Campground provides direct access to fishing areas along the Kern River. "We really enjoyed our time in this campground. At first I was a bit upset because they prohibited campfires because of the high temperatures during the summer but this did not ruin our stay... we loved hiking up and down to go swim in the river," writes Pamela A.
Explore mountain trails: Sequoia National Park Dispersed campground offers access to nearby hiking trails with a range of difficulty levels. "It is a huge area enough for other campgrounds but during this pandemic you definitely want to be away from people... you have a running creek and a beautiful meadow which you will have some cows visiting every morning," shares Jessica P.
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings at Keyesville Recreation Area Dispersed provide opportunities to spot local wildlife. "We pulled in at night time around 10:30PM. I was scared it would be sketchy, but turned out to be a smooth dirt road. We encountered multiple other campers as well before we found a suitable turnout," Daniel H. mentions about access to this wildlife-rich area.
What campers like
River access: Camp Three Campground offers direct paths to the Kern River. "Take a 3 minute walk through the woods to get to Kern River and you have a little oasis away from it all," explains Mike N., highlighting the short distance to water.
Natural swimming areas: Camping spots with safe swimming zones are highly valued. "From these gems, the river is just a short, 1 or 2 minute walk to the River... if we were to come back, we'd probably choose site #47 which had two shaded, flat places right near the site and was only a few steps from the river," writes Kim about Camp Three.
Privacy between sites: Campers appreciate sites with natural separation. "This is a great primitive campground if you truly want to disconnect for a few days. No cell reception, no WiFi, there are restrooms but no showers," notes Mike N. about Camp Three Campground's secluded nature.
Pet-friendly environments: Most campgrounds welcome dogs with standard leash requirements. "Our campsite was right on the river, which was nice. We only stayed one night, but would consider returning," Seth P. says about his experience at Rivernook Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal restrictions: Fire bans often affect summer camping. "Convenient to local restaurants, shops, and even a brew pub -- it's walking distance," mentions Chanel C. about Kern River Campground, noting locations where you can still enjoy meals during fire restrictions.
Traveler
