Camping options near Johnsondale, California sit within the Sequoia National Forest at elevations between 5,800 and 6,500 feet. Summers typically reach highs in the 80s with cool evenings in the 40s, while spring and fall bring significant temperature variations. Forest roads in this area often close during winter months due to snow accumulation, restricting access to most campgrounds.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Access several trail systems directly from Camp Three Campground for day hikes ranging from 2-5 miles roundtrip. "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. Take a 3 minute walk through the woods to get to Kern River and you have a little oasis away from it all," notes reviewer Mike N.
Fishing spots: Fish Creek offers productive trout fishing throughout the season, particularly in early summer when water levels remain high. "Tons of trees water and quiet. Just the way everybody likes it. Not to far from a general store and has tons of places you can hike. Highly recommend checking the river out and swim during the summer! I have also caught tons of trout here so fishing is excellent!" reports Tyler C. about Springhill South Recreation Site.
Nighttime astronomy: Take advantage of minimal light pollution at higher elevation campgrounds for stargazing between May and October. "We stayed here in October after the yurts had been taken down which was no bother to us when you're surrounded by the most magnificent trees in the world! This also meant there were no crowds and we had practically the entire campground to ourselves," shares Lili R. about their experience at Redwood Meadow.
What campers like
Riverside sites: Many campers prefer spots directly adjacent to water for both convenience and natural cooling effects. "By far the best campground there. The river front campsites are awesome and have a great size. There's plenty of shade (which is rare for the area), and the section of river is so fun," notes Morgan F. about Headquarters Campground.
Off-season tranquility: Visiting in late September through early October offers similar amenities with significantly reduced crowds. "A nice secluded campground up the river from kern's more populated sites, in the heart of the Sequoia National Forest. First come first serve style camp site, showed up at 5 pm on a last minute late night camping trip and arrived to an empty campground," reports Diego R. about their Headquarters Campground experience.
Amenity variations: Glamping in Johnsondale, California ranges from basic to comprehensive depending on the specific site chosen. "My partner and I stayed here after a campground down the road overbooked us for a weekend, and it ended up being a lovely trip. The campsites were clean and spacious, the bathrooms were sanitary and showers were hot," shares Makenna R. from Kern's River Edge Campground.
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Cell service is virtually nonexistent throughout most of the Johnsondale area. "If you want cell service briefly, there is a spot about 3.5 miles away off 21S70 as if you're headed to Dome rock," notes Kim L. from Sequoia National Forest Quaking Aspen Campground.
Legend
