Camping near Kaweah, California centers primarily around access to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, where the elevation changes from 1,700 feet in the foothills to over 7,500 feet at higher campgrounds. Winter temperatures in upper elevations can drop below freezing while summer temps in lower elevations frequently reach triple digits. Campgrounds along the Kaweah River corridor provide strategic positioning for park exploration with sites typically opening in mid-April and closing by late November depending on snowfall.
What to do
Hiking from camp: At Upper Stony Creek Campground, trails lead directly into designated wilderness areas. "There is a trailhead into a designated wilderness area. I wish we'd had the time to take it," notes one camper, while another mentions "The hike to the waterfall is easy for kids and the trailhead is in the campground."
Swimming holes: Natural water features provide relief from summer heat. A visitor at Sequoia RV Ranch highlights "a really nice swimming hole that we did not test out in March," while another camper describes "granite slides, pools of blue water, trout fishing" at Upper Stony Creek.
Wildlife viewing: Animal sightings enhance the camping experience at Potwisha Campground, where one visitor reported: "Wildlife came through camp. We saw deer and quail each day." Another mentioned "We had a deer run by our site in the morning which was a surprise."
Stargazing: Clear mountain skies offer impressive nighttime views. A camper at Horse Creek Campground observed: "The stargazing is beautiful. There is some limited light pollution emanating from the other side of the foothills, but because you are surrounded by foothills you get some good, dark surroundings to really appreciate the stars."
What campers like
River access: The sound of flowing water consistently ranks as a top feature. At Lodgepole Campground, a visitor observed "The marble creek river is gorgeous and people come, park and spend the day cooling off," while another noted "So nice to be able to jump in the river after a long day of camping!"
Cooler temperatures: Higher elevation sites provide relief from valley heat. A Lodgepole camper mentioned "The elevation also means it's 10-15 degrees cooler than other campgrounds," making it a comfortable summer option compared to the scorching foothills.
Proximity to amenities: Many campsites offer convenient access to supplies. "The market makes for great convenience and souvenirs," notes one Lodgepole visitor, while a Three Rivers Hideaway camper appreciated that "The greatest part was the proximity to Sequoia/Kings Canyon (8 miles to the entrance)."
Winter options: Off-season camping provides a different experience. A visitor to Azalea Campground noted, "We decided to come in the off season in February and we got lucky with weather. Low tonight is only supposed to be in the upper 30s. Very quiet but some sledding and hiking activity close by."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds require advance booking. At Horse Creek Campground, a visitor noted "Very pretty spot... All awesome except for the fact you have to reserve one night in advance."
Site leveling challenges: Many campsites in this mountainous region have uneven terrain. A visitor to Dorst Creek Campground observed, "We barely fit on the site and had to use some crazy leveling techniques to get us set up," while another noted, "No real level flat ground for tent camping."
Seasonal closures: Higher elevation campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Dorst Creek Campground operates "June 16 to September 7," while Lodgepole is available "April 18 - November 28."
Facility limitations: Amenities vary widely between campgrounds. At Three Rivers Hideaway, "Bathrooms had showers with hot water, clean. Had laundry but we didn't use," while Horse Creek Campground visitors found "The central restrooms/showers have been non-operational for over a year based on the maintenance log of the porta potty."
Bear safety: Proper food storage is mandatory throughout the region. A visitor to Dorst Creek mentioned watching "wildlife management team came and made sure bear stayed in it's nature areas. fun to watch and learn how they track bears and keep visitors informed on how to store our items with smells inside metal bear boxes."
Tips for camping with families
Ranger programs: Educational activities enhance family camping experiences. At Dorst Creek, "Rangers put on a Campfire program at the campground every Saturday evening," while a visitor to Three Rivers Hideaway mentioned "They also do rafting trips from here."
Kid-friendly hikes: Short trails accessible from campgrounds work well for younger hikers. At Upper Stony Creek, "The hike to the waterfall is easy for kids and the trailhead is in the campground," while at Lodgepole "There are several great hiking trails that are very near the campground."
Swimming opportunities: Natural water features provide recreation for children. A Sequoia RV Ranch visitor reported, "We had 2 families with 4 kids under 5 years old. They rode bikes, played in the river and ran around until they crashed every night."
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds enforce quiet hours while others don't. A Three Rivers Hideaway visitor appreciated that "loud music is not allowed," creating a more family-friendly atmosphere.
Tips from RVers
Generator restrictions: Regulations vary between campgrounds. At Lodgepole, "Generator hours are thankfully enforced," creating a quieter atmosphere for non-RV campers.
Leveling equipment: Prepare for uneven terrain at most sites. A Dorst Creek visitor warned, "The sites were much closer together than the previous visit. Apparently a large snowmelt changed the course of the river and many sites were washed away causing the park to squeeze them in other areas."
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds offer this amenity. A Lodgepole visitor noted, "The dump station is very nice and free to use," while at other campgrounds, "The RV Dump station was also unavailable."
Site selection: Research specific site numbers before booking. A visitor to Lemon Cove Village advised, "Some spots don't have full hookups so look before you book your spot."
