Searching for the best camping near Johnsondale, CA? Johnsondale is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Johnsondale. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.
$34 - $36 / night
"Easily accessed campground located right on the Kern River in the lower Sequoia Forest. No service, running water, or electricity, but there is vault toilets and dogs are allowed."
"The lsites are not as close to the river as Brush Creek campground, but still closer than Fairview, which is down the road.
Facilities. There are vault toilets."
$45 - $75 / night
"We tent camped and our site was close to the rv hook up sites. The rv sites have two different sizes and hookups. Tent sites had access to running water."
"We loved this river spot even though we were next to one of the smaller parts rather than the main river. If you can try and get one near the main river as it is more picturesque. "
"Regardless they were gorgeous tucked in spots among the trees. Woke up to cattle walking through the meadow we parked next to."
"This camping site is a nice free area super close to the Giants Trail entrance (5 minute drive). As you head in you go thru a little dirt road and at the end you see an opening for this site."
"The area is secluded and away from kern campgrounds where you will see a lot of people. You will have some people checking out the area or driving in but for us they all left."
"Next to stream. Then if you continue on you will hit a 4 mile off road (my Corolla/any sedan OK) and see great views and waterfall! Nice!"
"As long as you are 25 feet away from the river you can camp anywhere you want, so definitely not restricted to the parking lot area."
"We camped right next to the river. It was such a peaceful place and the sounds of the river right next to our camp was just heaven on earth. We stayed for 2 nights in June 2020"
$34 - $233 / night
"The campground hosts never came around and it felt like we could have stayed for free. We had some questions about the area and in order to get some answers we had to drive to the nearest people."
"Most of your group will have to park on the side of the road outside the entrance to the campground. Besides those two things the campground is great."
$32 - $34 / night
"A small, quiet campground that’s good for groups of 2-4 people since the sites are close to each other."
"The campsites are close to each other and is the only reason I did not mark this as 5 stars. 1, 2, 3 and 4 are in the first section/small loop and are up a slight hill and have a smaller bathroom. 5 and"
"We found this place during in our way to Johnsondale and glad we did. First of all the campsites are distant and all have great river views. This place is great for fishing trout."
"This small roadside campground is a lovely spot, tucked between a hillside and Deer Creek running year round right at the edge of the campground."
$34 - $36 / night
"If you can, get a spot that is next to the river. We had a great time lounging by the river, fishing, and just hanging around. The bathrooms were clean, and the camp host was great too."
"It's next to a general store, hamburger stand and restaurant. The sites are spaced out well with some right on the river."
"Each site is private-ish and they won’t be walking through your site to drop in, you’ll just see groups of people float by your area, once they drop in close to the first site on the north end."
"There's great access to the national forest and the little town of Kernville is so cute and friendly."
TravelerBeautiful and well kept campground. Also loved the fact that loud music is not allowed. The sites by the river are amazing. There is also a really nice, large, and clean dog park! Will stay here again!
ScoutThis is a historic campground. With 1000 year old trees and history of logging. Good fishing and hiking all around the area. Nice hosts and most people are respectful of the area.
ScoutLabor day weekend and half the campground is closed, water faucets are locked, and dump station is closed. We specifically chose this campground for the convenience of water and dump station. Otherwise, the sites are spread apart and the scenery is beautiful.
ScoutAwesome place, can’t beat the zip line. Gonna be coming back for sure
TravelerClean, newer type of space. Free showers for campers, and the price is cheap for a developed site. $20 for regular, $30 for an RV. Bathrooms are clean, water hookups, covered tables, and a dump station. Also seems pretty low usage. Saturday in Aug and we were the only ones. Reasonable cell on mint, T-Mobile and spectrum. If the trains and small freeway weren't close, it would be 5 as a site. It's central valley so hot in the summer with a bit of breeze and flat.
TravelerYou must register and reserve a campsite before 4 PM local. The website directs you to an unsecured website. I pressed on through and got a human on the phone, so far so good. The total was $35.
GuideThis campground is a great area for yourself to be immersed into the forest. We arrived on a Sunday and there were first come first serve campgrounds available. We stayed one night but there were plenty of spots to choose from. The roads around the campground are drivable for all type of cars. Due keep in mind you will need a to obtain campfire permit online before you arrive depending if there are fire restrictions or not. There is no service within the campground so make sure you have everything available to you. There are 2 hikes nearby but unfortunately one of the hikes, Freeman Creek Trail, was closed due to restoration work being done at the time. Definitely would recommend if you plan a little trip into Sequoia National Forest.
ScoutMy sister and I arrived on a Tuesday and left on a Wednesday. We had slot 50. Our neighbors were blasting music all day non stop. It was beautiful campground and perfect location next to the river, it was just the blasting of music that was really rough to deal with. Would totally visit again and just pray the neighbors can be quiet!!
GuideVery nice spot with a nice view of Mt Whitney
Camping near Johnsondale, California, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, this area has something for everyone.
Camping near Johnsondale, California, provides a great mix of nature and adventure. With the right preparation, you can enjoy everything this beautiful area has to offer!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Johnsondale located in California?
Johnsondale is located in the southern Sierra Nevada mountains of California, in Tulare County. It sits just north of the Sequoia National Forest boundary and south of the Trail of a Thousand Giants. The area is positioned strategically for accessing both the Kern River region and the giant sequoia groves of the national forest. Johnsondale Dispersed Camping is situated just north of the Johnsondale community, making it a convenient base for exploring the surrounding wilderness areas. The location puts you within driving distance of natural landmarks like Moro Rock and the Needles.
What outdoor activities can you do near Johnsondale, California?
The Johnsondale area offers abundant outdoor recreation opportunities. Hiking enthusiasts can explore the South Rincon Trail, which stretches approximately 16 miles from Johnsondale Bridge to Fairview Campground, offering beautiful views and peaceful wilderness. Fishing for trout is popular in the local waterways, particularly along Deer Creek and the Kern River. The region provides excellent access to the giant sequoias, with the Trail of a Thousand Giants nearby. Other activities include stargazing (the area has minimal light pollution), wildlife viewing, photography, backpacking, and scenic drives. During warmer months, visitors enjoy swimming in creek pools, and some areas feature natural water slides. The region's diverse terrain supports mountain biking and rock climbing opportunities as well.
What camping options are available in Johnsondale, CA?
Johnsondale offers diverse camping options from dispersed to established campgrounds. Leavis Flat Campground features spacious sites with river views and trout fishing opportunities. For those seeking a more primitive experience, Camp 2 Dispersed Camping provides numerous spots with creek views. Other nearby options include Camp Three Campground, which is popular outside summer months for quieter river access. Dispersed camping is available in the Sequoia National Forest areas surrounding Johnsondale. If established campgrounds are full, the dispersed sites north of Johnsondale offer flexibility with easy access to major attractions. Most campgrounds in the area are seasonal, typically open from late spring through fall.
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