Best Tent Camping near Goshen, CA

National forests and parks surrounding Goshen, California provide numerous tent camping options within an hour's drive. Sequoia National Park offers several tent-only campgrounds including Buckeye Flat, Cold Springs, and Atwell Mill, which operate seasonally from spring through fall. Kings Canyon National Park features Crystal Springs Campground with tent sites available from May to September. For those seeking less developed options, Weaver Lake Trail Campsites offer walk-in tent camping with lakeside views. Dunlap Canyon Retreat, located about 30 minutes from Kings Canyon National Park, provides tent sites with basic amenities in a quieter setting.

Most tent campgrounds in the region require preparation for variable conditions. Sites typically feature dirt or forest duff surfaces with minimal grading. Buckeye Flat and Cold Springs campgrounds provide bear boxes for food storage, essential in this active wildlife area. Vault toilets are standard at most locations, though facilities vary in cleanliness and maintenance. Water availability differs significantly between campgrounds - Cold Springs offers potable water, while backcountry tent sites at Weaver Lake require water filtration from natural sources. Fire restrictions are common during summer months due to drought conditions. Many primitive tent sites enforce 14-day stay limits and require campers to pack out all trash.

Tent campers frequently mention the exceptional shade coverage at Sequoia National Forest's Belknap Campground. According to reviews, "each campsite has its own uniqueness" with "plenty of trees and shade on all sites." At Atwell Mill Campground, one visitor noted it "wasn't even crowded on Memorial Day weekend" and described camping "among giant sequoia stumps." Cold Springs Campground provides riverside tent sites where campers can "climb down into the river," though spring flooding affects some areas. Weekday visits generally offer more solitude, as several reviewers mentioned increased weekend crowds at popular tent campgrounds. Most tent-only sites provide good access to hiking trails, with many serving as starting points for backcountry exploration into higher elevations.

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Best Tent Sites Near Goshen, California (27)

    1. Dunlap canyon retreat

    7 Reviews
    Dunlap, CA
    32 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!"

    2. Camp ikigai Animal Sanctuary 501c3

    1 Review
    Dunlap, CA
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (844) 424-4424

    $39 - $69 / night

    3. Cold Springs Campground — Sequoia National Park

    8 Reviews
    Three Rivers, CA
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 565-3341

    $32 / night

    "To access the campground, you drive across a bridge and locate the camp site that you want (first-come, first-served). Tent camping only."

    "Recommend getting a site not directly by the bathrooms because they are vault toilets and the smell tends to drift."

    4. Buckeye Flat Campground — Sequoia National Park

    4 Reviews
    Three Rivers, CA
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 565-3714

    $22 / night

    "This is a really cool little campground near the entrance of Sequoia National Park. The sites are tent only, so no hookups or anything like that. Pretty nice sites though, a lot of space."

    "Great camping spot, dogs allowed on leash. Clean restrooms. Respectful neighbors. Would come back!"

    5. Crystal Springs Campground — Kings Canyon National Park

    3 Reviews
    Hume, CA
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 565-3341

    $50 / night

    "Camp ground was very easy to find, very spacious, picnic table, pit fire, restrooms are not too far & not too close to any site, flushing toilets and showers are not too far away located next to the"

    "Great camp sites. we got in at 10pm and were still able to find a free site. it is so close to the General Grant so we didn’t have to get in the car, we just made it a long hike."

    6. Weaver Lake Trail Campsites

    3 Reviews
    Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, CA
    42 miles

    "Maybe this is just a Southern Californian desert rat talking, but there is something very satisfying about hiking in and having a water source at your first night’s location."

    "Easy 3-4 mile hike to beautiful weaver lake. Camp sites are spread out through out the side of the lake. Even spots with no amenities but an awesome lake."

    7. Sequoia National Forest Belknap Campground

    6 Reviews
    Camp Nelson, CA
    48 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 539-5230

    $34 - $36 / night

    "Nice trails to explore. Husband caught a nice trout. There’s a decent swimming hole. Vault toilets. A few water spigots scattered throughout the campground."

    "Beautiful drive up campground with a really friendly camp host. Vault toilets, but the cleanest vault toilets I’ve used in CA. River runs through the camp and there’s a little swimming hole."

    9. Camp 4 Campground

    1 Review
    Dunlap, CA
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 338-2251

    $10 / night

    "Great little spot close to a lot of nice trail heads and close to all of the amenities of Yosemite. Was recommended this spot by a friend who works for the park and was so glad!"

    10. Atwell Mill Campground — Sequoia National Park

    2 Reviews
    Three Rivers, CA
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 565-3341

    $32 / night

    "This primitive campground is amazing! There were hardly any people and some fellow campers told us it wasn’t even crowded on Memorial Day weekend."

    "There are still a couple sequoias nearby that you can hike right up to, but even cooler are the giant stumps left over that you can right next to."

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Tent Camping Reviews near Goshen, CA

505 Reviews of 27 Goshen 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.

  • Mary S.
    Feb. 18, 2021

    Potwisha Campground — Sequoia National Park

    Campsite 13

    We camped at site 13 between 2/12 and 2/14. There were restrooms and a large sink that is useful to dump bear attracting water located pretty close.

    The campsite itself is fairly large. I would say it lends itself more to tent camping than car or RTT camping. The site is located on a significant slope, this includes the paved parking area and the grass. There are a fire pit, bear box and picnic table located at the site. Be wary, when we went there were numerous large holes that were definitely a trip hazard.

    While there were rangers and employees of the park driving around, there were no actual rangers at the kiosk. Additionally, there wasn't a reservation list posted.

  • D
    Aug. 1, 2018

    Dorst Creek Campground — Sequoia National Park - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

    No complaints!

    This was a beautiful campground. The only thing negative I could say about this campground is that a lot of the campsites are very close to each other. But if you choose wisely, as my friend and I did, then I have no complaints. Surrounded by trees and wildlife, we were visited by deer and entertained by a family of quails as we sat around our fire. Our campsite had a fire ring with a grill, two picnic tables and a bear box. The restrooms, which had flush toilets, were clean and well maintained. There was potable water near our campsite and an additional bear box was nearby if needed. There were also trash bins, including separate waste bins for recycling glass and plastics nearby. There was no cell reception in the campground but there was a pay phone next to the ranger station where you check into camp. Though I do not know if it was in working condition so I would not rely on it. If you were planning on hiking to some of the less traveled spots in the park, this campground was nice because there were several trails that you could access from within the campground.

  • Sam M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 30, 2018

    Buckeye Flat Campground — Sequoia National Park

    trees trees trees

    This is a really cool little campground near the entrance of Sequoia National Park. The sites are tent only, so no hookups or anything like that. Pretty nice sites though, a lot of space. I think there can be fire restrictions in the summer since it can get so dry, so just be aware of that. As far as places go, it wasn't too pricey. I think we paid about $20 a night. There are bathrooms with running water, and the sites have picnic tables and fire rings. Each site also has storage lockers for your food, so be sure to lock it up in order to keep the bears from getting into it.

    As for stuff to do around here, you obviously have to check out the trees. Go look at General Sherman and all the other Sequoia trees. They're so amazing and honestly it humbles you a little. Also check out Moro Rock Trail. The view from the top is amazing. You'll also probably see a fair amount of wildlife while you're hiking around, so be careful of the bears. Out of all my trips to California, I've seen the most bears here in Sequoia. They are super cool creatures, just keep a respectful distance and of course don't feed them.

  • 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.

  • Jill F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2018

    Cold Springs Campground — Sequoia National Park

    Been camping here for 20 years

    Cold Springs campground is a must for camping in Mineral King. Remote, but not too remote and great for kids. Closed in winter due to snow. Usually open late May through October.

    Getting to this campground takes a little patience. It is about 45 min drive from SR-198 on Mineral King Rd (partially paved/dirt), but with a couple small pull offs with water falls and Sequoias along the way. You can also stop at Silver City, a small cabin resort that offers a hot meal, some supplies, and paid showers, that is located about 15 minutes down the road from the campground.

    To access the campground, you drive across a bridge and locate the camp site that you want (first-come, first-served). Tent camping only. There is a drop box for camping fees and the ranger does a walk-around daily.

    The campground road is a loop. There are sites located along the East Fork of the Kaweah River from which you can climb down into the River. In spring, some river sites have some flooding because of rain and runoff. Note that the water is COLD, even in summer.

    Vault toilets and potable water are provided. No cell service, but they do have a pay phone you can use. Be sure to bring all the supplies you need. Firewood is a must, and each site has its own fire ring. Keep food in bear boxes. I have seen bears there, but not every time. Also be wary of marmots.

    Great access to many different hiking trails of varying difficulty. 100% Recommend.

  • Shea M.
    Apr. 2, 2020

    Wishon Campground

    Under the Sequoia

    This is a primitive campground with several site locations. It was a very long, winding and narrow road to get there. There is a river near the entrance and it is covered in giant sequoia trees throughout. The park offers a picnic table, bear box, and a fire pit at each campsite. They have also made benches out of fallen trees which was really neat. There's a porta house nearby, fairly clean but I've seen nicer. There is no water or hookups. Perfect for needing a simple place to sleep while visiting Sequoia National Park.

  • 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.

  • 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.


Guide to Goshen

Tent camping near Goshen, California offers a unique blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

Tips for tent camping near Goshen

  • Make sure to bring bug spray, especially at campgrounds like Buckeye Flat Campground, where the area can get crowded and insects are prevalent.
  • Arrive early to secure a good spot, as many campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis, such as Atwell Mill Campground.
  • Pack extra water and snacks, as some sites like Weaver Lake Trail Campsites lack amenities like markets or water hookups.

Local activities to enjoy while camping

  • Explore the scenic trails and stunning views at Crystal Springs Campground, which is conveniently located near Kings Canyon National Park.
  • Enjoy a peaceful day of canoeing at Dunlap Canyon Retreat, where you can also take in the beauty of the surrounding landscape.
  • Experience the thrill of hang gliding at Dunlap Canyon Retreat, a unique activity that adds excitement to your camping trip.

Some prices for tent camping range from $12 to $20

  • Camping at Buckeye Flat Campground typically costs around $20 per night, making it an affordable option for families.
  • At Atwell Mill Campground, you can enjoy a night under the stars for approximately $12, perfect for budget-conscious campers.
  • Rates at Camp Ikigai Animal Sanctuary may vary, but it's worth checking out for a unique experience with animals on-site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Goshen, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Goshen, CA is Dunlap canyon retreat with a 5-star rating from 7 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Goshen, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 27 tent camping locations near Goshen, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.