Best Campgrounds near Kaweah, CA

Located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, Kaweah, California serves as a gateway to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks with several developed campgrounds accommodating various camping styles. Lodgepole Campground within Sequoia National Park provides tent, RV, and cabin options from April through November, while nearby Potwisha Campground offers additional established sites. Three Rivers Hideaway and Sequoia RV Ranch, both located in Three Rivers, feature riverside camping with amenities including full hookups for RVs, cabin rentals, and tent sites. These mixed-use campgrounds provide strategic bases for exploring the national parks, with most located within 10 miles of park entrances.

National Park Service regulations govern many camping areas in this region, with reservations strongly recommended during peak summer months. Most developed campgrounds operate seasonally, with Lodgepole typically open April through November and Dorst Creek available only from mid-June through early September. Access to higher elevation sites may be limited by snow in winter months, while summer temperatures in lower elevations can exceed 100°F. Three Rivers and Lemon Cove provide year-round camping options with varying levels of amenities. Water availability fluctuates seasonally, with some riverside sites experiencing low water levels during drought conditions. One camper noted, "The greatest part was the proximity to Sequoia/Kings Canyon (8 miles to the entrance). Would definitely stay again should we visit the parks in the future."

Riverside camping receives consistently positive reviews, with several visitors highlighting the Kaweah River access as a key feature. Sequoia RV Ranch campers frequently mention the peaceful sound of the river and swimming holes as highlights of their experience. Many campgrounds in this area maintain quiet hours after 10 PM, creating a serene atmosphere even when sites are fully booked. Wildlife sightings, including birds and wild turkeys, enhance the camping experience. Winter camping offers a different perspective, with one visitor describing December camping as "Beautiful river front site. Our 5th time here & it's always so nice. Rain today & oh so very cozy." Proximity to Three Rivers provides convenient access to restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, and markets for supplies, making these camping areas practical bases for extended stays while exploring Sequoia and Kings Canyon.

Best Camping Sites Near Kaweah, California (240)

    1. Lodgepole Campground — Sequoia National Park

    44 Reviews
    Hartland, CA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 565-3341

    $32 / night

    "If you’re looking to camp in California, Sequoia National Park should be one of your top destinations. They have cabin and tent camping. I have stayed in both."

    "Amazing views all around the campgrounds. If you want to get of away from the city this is the place to be...Love it."

    2. Potwisha Campground — Sequoia National Park

    25 Reviews
    Kaweah, CA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 565-3714

    $32 / night

    "Far away from neighbors to feel privacy and great hikes in every direction that go up in the mountains. A lot of mule deer very close by as well."

    "We were right next to the entrance of a hiking trail (#14) so there was a lot of foot traffic & cars early in the morning and throughout the day."

    3. Three Rivers Hideaway

    19 Reviews
    Three Rivers, CA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 561-4413

    "You are next to the Kaweah river. The campsite has clean bathrooms, showers, laundry and even rafting. Camping spots are flat with table and fire rings, and you surrounded by trees."

    "The campsite is next to the Kaweah river and you are surrounded by trees. Camping spots are flat with table and fire rings."

    4. Sequoia RV Ranch

    14 Reviews
    Kaweah, CA
    0 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 561-4333

    $120 / night

    "As others have noted, this campground is close to the entrance of Sequoia NP and close to the town of Three Rivers which has a few restaurants and markets. "

    "Also there are a few places to fish and swim in the nearby Kaweah River. The campground is also a good place to stay if you plan on going up to Kings Canyon National park."

    5. Horse Creek Campground

    10 Reviews
    Three Rivers, CA
    4 miles
    Website

    $20 / night

    "The tap outside the building didn't work and neither did the water fountain. The host was not there for check-in."

    "Two well located bathrooms with good showers at no additional cost. During the summer months the Rangers put on a Campfire program at the campground every Saturday evening."

    6. Azalea Campground — Kings Canyon National Park

    27 Reviews
    Hume, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 565-3341

    $32 / night

    "Easy walk to campstore, post office, restaurant, and visitor center. Many trails close by. Very busy in summer. No reservations. Tent only loops available."

    "Very quiet but some sledding and hiking activity close by. Sites are a little close to each other, but being so quiet it's not a big deal."

    7. Dorst Creek Campground — Sequoia National Park - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

    14 Reviews
    Hartland, CA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 565-3341

    $32 - $80 / night

    "The only thing negative I could say about this campground is that a lot of the campsites are very close to each other. But if you choose wisely, as my friend and I did, then I have no complaints."

    "It was also very close proximity to pretty much everything. We did a lot of driving around."

    8. Lemon Cove Village

    9 Reviews
    Lemon Cove, CA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 370-4152

    "Nice drive thru RV’s sites. Friendly Staff and good staff especially Jennifer. Very nice dog park, not a lot grass but good running area for dogs."

    9. Horse Creek

    7 Reviews
    Lemon Cove, CA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 597-2301

    $20 - $40 / night

    "Some of the sites (75, 76 etc..) look out on Lake Kaweah. It’s clean and well organized. Some highway noise."

    10. Upper Stony Creek Campground — Sequoia National Forest

    12 Reviews
    Hartland, CA
    14 miles

    $34 - $36 / night

    "So I chose this one because it has a nice stream nearby, it's so nice to camp near water. It was sparsely crowded, very quiet."

    "We were able to tuck our tent back by some shaded trees and directly behind our site was Stoney Creek. There were lots of areas to swim and wade which was helpful with the warm weather."

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Recent Reviews near Kaweah, CA

1027 Reviews of 240 Kaweah Campgrounds


  • Bull D.
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Horse Meadow Campground

    Horse Method Campground

    went there on a picnic once, nice place, very quiet,

  • Julianne M.
    Oct. 22, 2025

    Leavis Flat Campground

    Beautiful River Campsite

    This is a beautiful campsite right off of the road next to a beautiful river. You can hear road noise, but the river mostly drowns it out. There is a $15 fee per day and $7 per additional car. There are plenty of trash cans and the 2 pit toilets were clean and stocked. There is a "hot spring" about 150 yards above the campsite that is about knee deep.

  • T
    Oct. 22, 2025

    Tenmile Road Camping Area

    Beautiful

    Incredibly beautiful area in nature. Unfortunately a bit a small trash from others. I’ve been there in July, Sept, & Oct. Many spots for fires (need permit). Perfect spot for enjoying Sandy Cove at Hume Lake.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Fairview Campground

    If you need a place to crash

    Not particularly nice, clean, or scenic. Perfect place to crash for the night but not great otherwise

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Django Free Dispersed

    Nice location but diffucult to find a spot

    It’s a beautiful spot, but if you come late it’s incredibly difficult to find a spot in the area due to camping restrictions. For many spots, 4x4 is recommended.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Inyo / Lower Grays Meadow Campground

    Upper gray meadows

    Has 38 sights mix of rv and tent sights very narrow sights longest trailer 24 feet beautiful view trees and a creek

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Forest Rd 14S29

    Alright place

    We actually didn’t stay primarily because this spot absolutely did not have any cell coverage whatsoever (this app said it had some coverage for Verizon. It did 100% not. We couldn’t find a suitable place for tent and some of it looked like private property and/or reserved camping areas. Definitely more suitable if you have a RV or a built out van.

  • andrew The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 20, 2025

    Three Rivers Hideaway

    Like a glove

    This campground is super comfortable. I’m not sure why but it just feels right. Park staff very friendly. We had a nice site and plenty of campside room. I felt like I was in my neighbors site when I had to dump my tanks. The sewage hookup was right in front of his steps. The laundry is your standard $2 per load but the is only one washer and one dryer. Sequoia entrance is about 4 miles, but the trees are an hour up into the hills. Kings canyon is 2.5 hours. But it’s worth it. A bunch of restaurants nearby and the Village Market is a real grocery store. Great location.


Guide to Kaweah

Camping near Kaweah, California, offers a fantastic escape into nature with stunning views and plenty of outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to hike, relax by a river, or enjoy the company of family and friends, this area has something for everyone.

What to do

  • Hiking: There are numerous trails nearby, including the Topokah Falls trail right inside the Lodgepole Campground — Sequoia National Park. One visitor mentioned, "It’s a stunning area of the park with the Topokah falls trail right inside the campground."
  • Swimming: The Potwisha Campground — Sequoia National Park features a lovely swimming hole. A camper noted, "This campground is sort of basic. It is very close to town as it's the first campground in the Sequoia Park. The swimming hole is unmatched, complete with a rope swing."
  • Wildlife Watching: Many campers enjoy spotting deer and other wildlife. One review from Azalea Campground — Kings Canyon National Park said, "A place where you are surrounded by beautiful nature. Deer pass by your camper in the morning."

What campers like

What you should know

  • Restroom Conditions: Some campgrounds have mixed reviews about restroom cleanliness. A visitor at Lodgepole Campground noted, "Only the restrooms were a little disgusting - experienced that differently in other NPs."
  • Crowded Sites: Certain campgrounds can get busy, especially during peak seasons. One camper at Azalea Campground mentioned, "Some of the sites are a bit close together and it does get very crowded."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have showers or electric hookups. A review for California Potwisha pointed out, "The camp site itself was decent. Large enough for several tents."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Spacious Sites: Look for campgrounds with larger sites for family gatherings. A camper at Princess Campground said, "Great campsite good spacing between other campsites."
  • Plan for Activities: Bring games and outdoor gear to keep kids entertained. One family at Sequoia RV Ranch enjoyed the river, stating, "The relaxing sounds of the river are great."
  • Pack Snacks: Having snacks on hand can make a big difference. A visitor at Dorst Creek Campground mentioned, "We had an amazing family vacation in one of the most beautiful places on earth."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A review for Lodgepole Campground noted, "Spot 198 is the best for RVs in my opinion, but it only accommodates up to 22ft."
  • Use Dump Stations: Take advantage of dump stations for convenience. A camper at Sequoia RV Ranch mentioned, "The dump station is very nice and free to use."
  • Be Bear Aware: Store food properly to avoid bear encounters. One visitor at Sentinel Campground advised, "Make sure you store ALL food and coolers in the bear box."

Camping near Kaweah, California, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. With beautiful campgrounds and plenty of activities, it’s a perfect getaway for nature lovers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Kaweah, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Kaweah, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 240 campgrounds and RV parks near Kaweah, CA and 60 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Kaweah, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Kaweah, CA is Lodgepole Campground — Sequoia National Park with a 4.6-star rating from 44 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Kaweah, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 60 free dispersed camping spots near Kaweah, CA.

What parks are near Kaweah, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 20 parks near Kaweah, CA that allow camping, notably Kaweah Lake and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.