Campgrounds near Hensley Lake offer options for RV travelers beyond the main reservoir recreation area. While Hensley Lake itself sits at approximately 540 feet elevation in central California, the surrounding campgrounds range from valley locations under 500 feet to mountain settings exceeding 3,000 feet. Temperatures fluctuate significantly with summer highs reaching 100°F while winter lows can drop below freezing, creating distinct camping seasons.
What to do
River recreation: 15-20 minutes from most RV parks near Hensley Lake, the Fresno River provides alternate water activities. At High Sierra RV Park, "the creek, waterfalls & rope swing over the swimming hole was unbelievable!! The kids enjoyed the rope swing while the mom enjoyed the walk back to the falls & thru the shallow waters," according to Emily L. The park features hiking trails along the river for easy nature access.
Fishing opportunities: Year-round options exist at several locations within driving distance of Hensley Lake campgrounds. The Lakes RV & Golf Resort in Chowchilla maintains a stocked pond adjacent to campsites. One visitor at McCabe Flat Campground reported success with minimal effort: "The water was cold, high and fast but I managed to catch a 12" rainbow almost right away, just feet from the campsite."
Golf access: Available at select locations for RVers wanting activity beyond water recreation. The Lakes RV & Golf Resort connects directly to a course with special rates for campers. "You can walk through a gate to the golf course and a nice little restaurant," notes Bill B., highlighting the convenient access between camping and golfing facilities.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Particularly valued after outdoor activities. Yosemite RV Resort receives consistent praise for maintenance standards. "Restrooms very clean. Some areas shadier than others. Kids loved pool and clubhouse. Shopping nearby," reports Tamara P. Several parks maintain daily cleaning schedules for restrooms and shower facilities.
Family amenities: Swimming pools rank highest among camper preferences at RV parks near Hensley Lake. Sherrie R. describes Yosemite RV Resort's "large clean pool with a shallow lounging section. Playground. Bathrooms/showers were freshly renovated and clean. Laundry on site. Clubhouse and small provisions." These features provide alternatives when lake access isn't convenient.
Pet accommodations: Designated areas for four-legged travelers exist at most parks. Bass Lake at Yosemite RV Resort includes pet-friendly sites. Jesse F. found Yosemite RV Resort particularly accommodating: "Great place and experience. Bathroom are the best I've seen by far. Large dog run which was amazing." Most parks require leashes and proper waste disposal.
What you should know
Campsite proximity: Limited separation between sites at many locations. Bonnie C. at High Sierra RV Park notes, "We were told that during COVID that they they were keeping sites in between those rented open for social distancing, however this did not apply to premium sites. Spaces were VERY close!" This spacing consideration affects privacy levels.
Seasonal conditions: Weather impacts camping experiences significantly. McCabe Flat Campground visitor Arturo C. shared, "On this particular trip the weather was over 100 degrees but we had the river right next to us to cool down." Winter months bring cooler temperatures but reduced crowds at most RV parks near Hensley Lake.
Connectivity limitations: Cell service varies dramatically across locations. A visitor to Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes observed, "There is no cell service and the 'pay WIFI' did not work for us...but there is complimentary WiFi at the laundry to check in on things that works just fine." More remote campgrounds often have minimal or no service while valley locations maintain stronger signals.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Confirm current conditions before planning river recreation. "The water was cold, high and fast but I managed to catch a 12" rainbow almost right away, just feet from the campsite. Later on hooked another one but lost it," reports LILI P. at McCabe Flat Campground. Water levels fluctuate seasonally, affecting swimming safety.
Recreation alternatives: Indoor options provide backup during extreme weather. Outdoorsy Yosemite maintains community spaces with activities. Kim O. explains the appeal: "This park is absolutely wonderful! They have cabins, places to rent camp, laundry on site, a pool, 30/50 hookups... if you don't want to do that... There's always Bass Lake...which is 2 miles down the hill!"
Wildlife awareness: Prepare for encounters with local fauna. At McCabe Flat Campground, Ben R. advises: "The squirrels are a little too friendly, clearly they rely on the humans in the area for food, so try not to drop food on the ground & don't feed them. They'll walk right up to you already." Secure food storage remains essential throughout the region.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Reserve early for preferred locations. At Sequoia RV Park, Michael C. advises, "The park is open, but the office is not, so it's find a spot and check yourself in." When arriving at Bass Lake at Yosemite RV Resort, Garett S. found "site 126 it was a level site with limited shade and full hookups."
Navigation considerations: Road conditions vary significantly approaching mountain campgrounds. At Bass Lake RV Resort, visitor Raymond V. recommends: "Nice clean park with clean toilets and showers. Great pool as well. We had a Great spot in september and its close to Yosemite." Allow extra travel time when towing larger RVs on mountain roads.
Hookup variations: Confirm availability before arrival at RV parks near Hensley Lake. William V. at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes notes, "There are only a handful of 50amp spots and people move to them quickly after someone leaves lots of 30amp though so you might want to bring an adapter." Having adapters for both 30-amp and 50-amp connections prevents power supply issues.
