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.
Camping near Hensley Lake
Hensley Lake features several developed camping options including Hidden View Campground, which offers tent and RV camping with access to drinking water, showers, and toilets. This Army Corps of Engineers recreation area is situated about 40 miles northeast of Fresno near the town of Raymond. Campgrounds in the vicinity also include Buck Ridge and the nearby Eastman Lake's Codorniz Recreation Area, providing a mix of lakeside and rural camping experiences. The region supports both established campgrounds with facilities and more primitive camping areas with fewer amenities.
Reservations are recommended at most developed campgrounds in the Hensley Lake area, particularly during spring and summer months when visitation increases. Many sites in Hidden View Campground can be booked through Recreation.gov, though some visitors report being able to secure spots upon arrival during off-peak times. The campground features varying terrain with some sites offering lake views while others are situated in more open, exposed areas. Access roads to most camping areas are paved and suitable for standard vehicles. Visitors should note that the lake level fluctuates seasonally as it serves irrigation purposes, which can affect water access and views. According to one camper, "This is a decent campsite. Nothing amazing but the lake is nice. The sites are very wide open so you won't have much privacy."
Campers frequently mention the views of the lake and surrounding foothills as highlights of staying at Hensley Lake. Several visitors note the cleanliness of the facilities, with bathrooms and shower buildings that are regularly maintained. The campground atmosphere tends to be quiet and family-friendly, though some reviewers caution about limited shade in certain areas. Proximity to the water is valued by many guests, though site selection matters significantly as not all camping areas offer direct lake access or views. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, campers appreciate the reasonable rates and the option to use National Park passes for discounts. The area experiences hot summers typical of the Central Valley, while spring brings green hillsides and wildflowers that enhance the camping experience.
Best Camping Sites Near Hensley Lake (224)
1. Hidden View Campground — Hensley Lake
10 ReviewsRaymond, CA1 mileWebsite+1 (559) 673-5151$20 - $100 / night
"Very calm, clean, welcoming campground on Hensley Lake. Free hot showers were clean."
"Even with all the rain, the lake isn’t very full. The campground, including the bathroom, was clean."
2. Millerton Lake State Recreation Area Campground
19 ReviewsFriant, CA13 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"
3. COE Eastman Lake Codorniz Campground
10 ReviewsRaymond, CA8 milesWebsite+1 (559) 689-3255$20 - $100 / night
"It would make the perfect group site as they were a bit tucked back from the other sites. Site #12 could easily be connected to site #11 as the brush is well-cleared between the two."
"Located a short 20 miles east of 99, just north of Fresno, this Army Corps of Engineers campground is stunning."
4. Yosemite RV Resort
11 ReviewsOakhurst, CA12 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."
5. Lost Lake Campground
6 ReviewsFriant, CA13 milesWebsite+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"
6. Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site
47 ReviewsFish Camp, CA29 milesWebsite"After accidentally driving to this location following the directions of another reviewer for the “Yosemite Boondocks” campground across 41 (which we never found) we were very happy with this location."
"Great spot about 5 minutes away from Yosemite entrance. Only a few other campers nearby but plenty of space to where they were only seen from a distance."
7. Buck Ridge
1 ReviewRaymond, CAWebsite+1 (559) 673-5151$30 / night
"Picnic tables, well used.. fire pits, barbecue pits.. sites look d pretty clean, i am across from lake, train noise.."
8. High Sierra RV Park
13 ReviewsOakhurst, CA19 milesWebsite+1 (559) 683-7662$13 - $50 / night
"The campsite was 39 and it was right next to the bathroom. To leave with a 26’ travel trailer I had to pull out and back down another road just to exit the park."
"Good access to Yosemite. We prefer less neighbors but overall it was nice."
9. Bass Lake Recreation Area Rudy
2 ReviewsFriant, CA8 milesWebsite+1 (559) 642-3212"Bass lake is the perfect campground for young family camping. There are plenty of facilities and even a restaurant."
10. Shooting Star Sanctuary and Retreat near Yosemite National Forest
18 ReviewsAhwahnee, CA24 miles+1 (801) 361-1982"It’s close to both Yosemite entrances ! Close to town . Love it ."
"He kept in touch with us all throughout our drive there and helped us get set up upon arrival."
Recent Camping Photos near Hensley Lake
386 Photos of 224 Hensley Lake Campgrounds
matt
Hidden View Campground — Hensley Lake
Warren K.
Bass Lake Recreation Area Rudy
Haley M.
COE Eastman Lake Codorniz Campground
Chris H.
Yosemite RV Resort
august M.
Millerton Lake State Recreation Area Campground
Regina P.
Lost Lake Campground
Kate W.
Little Yosemite Valley Campground
Alisa B.
Sierra National Forest Forks Campground
Ken M.
Cedar Springs Retreats
Royce
Spring Cove Campground
Joseph B.
Lupine
Kelsey M.
Cedar Bluff
Recent Reviews near Hensley Lake
975 Reviews of 224 Hensley Lake Campgrounds
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!
Kelly I.TravelerCrane Flat Campground
Great location
This was a great spot for a quick stay. Restrooms, camping and good spaces between others. Would definitely stay here again!
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.
N P.ScoutBarrett Cove Merced Irrigation District
Great fun
We have spent summers here on the water for the last 3 years. The site has a convenience store and a restaurant that serves up a really great burger. Also a very short drive into town.
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.
Peter D.TravelerHodgdon Meadow Campground — Yosemite National Park
Beautiful Views, Frustrating Experience
The morning view and the sunset light through the trees were wonderful, and the starry sky at night was a highlight. I also liked the grill area, but the campsite was quite challenging for the tent since the ground wasn't even.
We booked two nights but left after one because of the cold weather and lack of internet connection. Service was only available about 10 minutes away by car, which became inconvenient for us. Since the area is publicly managed, getting help was difficult, and we couldn’t easily cancel the second night because nobody was available. Two volunteers were very kind and tried to help though.
The place would also benefit from adding showers, especially considering how many people stay there.
Overall, the location itself was beautiful, but the inconveniences made it harder to fully enjoy the experience.
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
Joan B.ScoutHodgdon Meadow Campground — Yosemite National Park
Hodgdon Meadow Campground
We are having a great time at Hodgdon Meadow Campground! The camp hosts have been terrific! Helped us out when we got locked out of our trailer. This campground has lots of tent camping and a handful of rv and trailers. The hardest thing is to get consecutive nights at the same site. We had to move from site 104 to site 85 after 1 night. We are at site 85 (very nice ) for 3 nights. Have 1 more move to site 75.
Guide to Hensley Lake
Hensley Lake camping provides access to a reservoir that fluctuates significantly in water level throughout the year. Located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the region experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters with occasional rainfall. The terrain surrounding Hensley Lake consists primarily of grassland dotted with oak trees, creating a classic California foothill landscape.
What to do
Hiking and biking trails: The area surrounding Hidden View Campground offers several trails suitable for both hiking and biking. One camper notes, "Sparse and open foothills very beautiful in late winter," highlighting the seasonal appeal of the trails.
Fishing opportunities: COE Eastman Lake Codorniz Campground provides excellent fishing options when water levels are sufficient. A visitor confirms: "Outstanding fishing in the spring," making this a prime season for anglers.
Water recreation: While lake levels fluctuate seasonally, water activities remain popular during higher water periods. At Millerton Lake State Recreation Area Campground, one camper shared their experience: "Great place to wakeboard, jet ski, fish, and BBQ," indicating the variety of water activities available within a short drive.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: The foothills ecosystem supports diverse wildlife. According to a camper at Codorniz Recreation Area, "Fall has a Tarantula migration and you will definitely see them. Coyote, Bobcat, and deer are frequently seen," providing nature enthusiasts with ample observation opportunities.
Affordable rates: Budget-conscious campers appreciate the reasonable costs. One camper at Hidden View Campground — Hensley Lake shared: "Use your national park pass for 50% off such a quiet place," highlighting an important cost-saving tip.
Quiet atmosphere: Many campers value the tranquil setting. A Hidden View visitor mentioned: "Great stay, very quiet," confirming that despite its proximity to Fresno, the area maintains a peaceful environment perfect for relaxation.
What you should know
Site selection matters: Not all sites offer the same experience. As one Hidden View camper noted: "Great Views of the lake...IF you get the right spot. We were there during Easter weekend and it was a bit crowded but not too bad."
Site accessibility challenges: Some camping areas require physical effort to access. According to a review of Hidden View Campground: "Not all sites are drive up. Some have a 'thrombosis hill and stairs' to get to. If you book sites B 16, 17 or 18 bring a sherper or pack horse with you to get your tent and stuff to the top of the hill."
Seasonal water levels: The lakes in this region serve irrigation purposes, dramatically affecting water levels. At Lost Lake Campground, a camper observed: "Gets hot in summer, spots are close by to each other but usually respectful neighbors," reflecting both the climate conditions and site spacing.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Lost Lake Campground, a visitor mentioned: "Camped here twice, pros camp right on the river, playground for kids, trail to the fish hatchery," making it suitable for families with young children.
Swimming options: During warmer months, swimming provides relief from the heat. A camper at Lost Lake shared: "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."
Shade considerations: The foothill environment can be hot, making shade important. A Hidden View camper noted: "We had a shared space, good thing they were really friendly. It was a very well shaded area that we got! It was a beautiful day, very peaceful too."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: RV campers should prepare for potentially uneven sites. At Yosemite RV Resort, approximately 40 miles northeast of Hensley Lake, a visitor mentioned: "We were in site 25 in the Mono Loop and the views were wonderful! Staying over Labor Day during record heat and local fires were not ideal but our site was private."
Full hookup availability: While Hidden View Campground offers limited hookups, nearby alternatives provide more amenities. A camper at Yosemite RV Resort confirmed: "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."
Reservation recommendations: During peak seasons, securing a spot in advance is essential. At Hidden View Campground, a recent visitor shared: "Plenty of sites, we arrived after 8 pm and were able to find a spot and book it on Recreation.gov easily," though this experience may not be typical during busier periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Hensley Lake?
What camping is available near Hensley Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, Hensley Lake offers a wide range of camping options, with 224 campgrounds and RV parks near Hensley Lake and 18 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Hensley Lake?
Which is the most popular campground near Hensley Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hensley Lake is Hidden View Campground — Hensley Lake with a 4.3-star rating from 10 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Hensley Lake?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Hensley Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 18 free dispersed camping spots near Hensley Lake.
What parks are near Hensley Lake?
What parks are near Hensley Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 24 parks near Hensley Lake that allow camping, notably Pine Flat Lake and Sierra National Forest.
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