Kaweah Lake sits at 692 feet elevation in the Sierra Nevada foothills, spanning 1,870 acres when full and dropping significantly during drought periods. Located 20 miles east of Visalia, the reservoir experiences hot summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F from June through September. Winter camping remains viable with daytime temperatures typically in the 50-60°F range and overnight lows occasionally dipping below freezing.
What to do
Hiking to Moro Rock: Trek the Moro Rock Trail for panoramic views of the Great Western Divide. A camper at Buckeye Flat Campground notes, "Go look at General Sherman and all the other Sequoia trees. They're so amazing and honestly it humbles you a little. Also check out Moro Rock Trail. The view from the top is amazing."
Water activities on Kaweah Lake: Boat rentals are available at the marina from April through October, with costs starting at $25/hour for kayaks. "When the lake is full you can walk right up to the waters edge and actually boat in for camping," mentions a visitor at Horse Creek Campground. Lake levels fluctuate seasonally, so check conditions before planning water-based activities.
Explore the meadow trail: Take the gentle 1-mile interpretive trail near Princess Campground to see wildflowers and sequoia stumps. "We enjoyed the walk through the Meadow trail and interpretive signs to learn about the history of the big trees," shares a camper. This trail is wheelchair accessible and perfect for early morning wildlife viewing.
What campers like
Access to rivers: Many campsites offer river access for cooling off during hot summer months. A guest at Sentinel Campground describes, "We had site 8, which was a large site close to the restrooms... and backs to a beautiful meadow. During the summer months the Rangers put on a Campfire program at the campground every Saturday evening."
Stargazing opportunities: Clear night skies provide excellent viewing conditions away from city light pollution. "The stargazing is beautiful. Because you are surrounded by foothills you get some good, dark surroundings to really appreciate the stars," notes a camper about their experience in the area.
Wildlife viewing: Bears, coyotes, and various birds frequent the area. "There were also bats at night that really helped with the bug problem and created a cool ambience while stargazing. My husband loved listening to them hunt!" shares a visitor at Horse Creek Campground. Rangers provide safety information about local wildlife at most campgrounds.
What you should know
Bear safety is mandatory: All food and scented items must be stored in provided bear boxes. "Each site has storage lockers for your food, so be sure to lock it up in order to keep the bears from getting into it," advises a camper at Buckeye Flat Campground. Bear boxes measure approximately 48" x 30" x 36" and are typically shared between 1-2 campsites.
Seasonal facilities limitations: Many campgrounds reduce services outside peak season. A visitor at Tenmile Campground points out, "No showers or anything obviously but they do have showers in the nearby parks seasonally."
Water access changes with lake levels: Drought conditions significantly impact shoreline access. "The drought have made it too far to my liking we had to drive 3 miles up where the river flows to cool down," explains a Horse Creek Campground visitor. Check current water levels before planning water activities.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with meadows: Sites adjacent to open areas provide safe play spaces away from steep drop-offs. "The sites were clean and relatively roomy," notes a camper at Princess Campground, adding "There was a creek running behind our campground which was an easy (less than 10 minute) walk that had a natural rock slide into the water... perfect to cool off in."
Consider yurt camping at Kaweah Lake: Yurt accommodations offer sturdy shelter for families with young children. At Quaking Aspen Campground, a visitor shares, "I stayed in one of the yurts. It was very clean and there is a bunkbed with two full size beds and another separate full size bed."
Plan for limited cell service: Most areas around Kaweah Lake have no reception. "No at&t cell reception which is true for most of the surrounding national forest/park land," reports a Tenmile Campground visitor. Download offline maps and entertainment options for children before arrival.
Tips from RVers
Check length restrictions: Many campground roads have tight turns unsuitable for larger rigs. "This is a great Corp of Engineer Campground just minutes from Sequoia National Park. Sites are big and well spaced from each other. No hook up but fresh water and a dump station are available at the campground," explains an RVer at Horse Creek Campground.
Plan for dry camping: Most forest service campgrounds near Kaweah Lake lack hookups. Bring sufficient water and power storage for your stay. "It's about an hour and a half drive from camp to the General Sherman tree area," notes a camper, highlighting the need for self-sufficiency when venturing out.
Reserve level sites when possible: Many campsites in mountain areas have significant slopes. "Sites were generally not level as it is situated on the hill down to the lake. Bathrooms were messy and half were out of order due to a maintenance project," reports an RV camper, emphasizing the importance of researching site-specific conditions.
