Camping options near Kaweah Lake sit at elevations ranging from 600 to 1,800 feet, creating variable temperatures throughout the year. The area experiences hot summers with temperatures frequently exceeding 100°F from June through September, while winter lows can drop below 40°F. Proximity to both Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon means campers often use these rv sites near Kaweah Lake as staging areas for day trips into the mountains.
What to do
Swimming holes with natural spring water: Three Rivers Hideaway offers access to the Kaweah River with a swimming area for cooling off. "The rest of the river along the backside of the campground was dried up, due to drought conditions. Another plus for this campground is the natural spring-fed swimming hole in the North Fork of the Kaweah River, just a short walk from the campground," notes a visitor to Sequoia RV Ranch.
Hiking to alpine lakes: For those willing to venture further from Kaweah Lake toward the eastern Sierra, "I highly recommend the lone Pine Trail, which leads up to an alpine lake, which is absolutely gorgeous. Meysan Lake was also beautiful," according to a camper at Whitney Portal.
Wildlife observation: The mountains and foothills provide habitat for diverse wildlife. "Turkeys and lots of birds roaming. We did see a bear too (in Sequoia not at the campground)," reports a camper who stayed at Sequoia RV Ranch.
What campers like
Off-season quietude: Winter camping offers a different experience with fewer crowds. "Visited right before Christmas and so we were treated to chilly temperatures and a relatively empty park. As a result, the experience was quiet and relaxing with a soundtrack dominated by the creek right outside our site," notes a visitor to Sequoia RV Ranch.
Riverside camping spots: Premium sites along waterways provide natural cooling and ambiance. "The sites by the river are amazing. There is also a really nice, large, and clean dog park!" shares a camper at Nelson Falls RV Park, reflecting the appeal of waterfront sites throughout the region.
Mountain views from campsites: The Sierra Nevada backdrop creates scenic camping environments. "Pretty mountain views from both sites," writes a camper about Sequoia RV Ranch, while another visitor at Sequoia RV Park states "The views from the park are postcard beautiful."
What you should know
Water levels vary seasonally: Rivers that run full in spring may dry up later in summer. "The King River that runs adjacent to the CG is pretty much dried up this time of year (January) but fills for the summer season," notes a visitor to Kings River RV Resort.
Self check-in procedures: Some campgrounds have limited staffing. "We pulled up in the small parking lot in front of the entry gate. Although we arrived during open hours, there wasn't anyone in the office," explains a Kings River visitor about arrival procedures.
Site levelness varies significantly: Many campsites require substantial leveling equipment. "Extremely unlevel sites. You will need to use every leveling block you own," warns a camper at Lemon Cove Village.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with kid-friendly activities: Some locations offer additional recreation options. "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," notes a family that stayed at Sequoia RV Ranch.
Choose campgrounds with fishing ponds: Some locations offer fishing opportunities without leaving the property. "The campground is clean and has a lot of space and things to do," mentions a visitor to Riverbend RV Park, which features a fishing pond on the property.
Pack for variable temperatures: Mountain foothill locations experience significant day-night temperature swings. "It did get chilly at night, but as long as you bundle up in your tent, you'll be completely fine," advises a Whitney Portal camper.
Tips from RVers
Electricity concerns during peak periods: Power issues affect specific sites during busy weekends. "We had issues with low voltage from the electric post on site 6 which caused our RV's electrical system to cycle on and off every minute or two. The onsite techs diagnosed an issue with the city-supplied power and mentioned sites 1 through 10 had issues with power, mostly on the weekends," reports an RVer at Sequoia RV Ranch.
Sewer hookup positioning: The layout of utilities can create awkward situations. "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," notes a camper at Three Rivers Hideaway.
Gravel parking surfaces: Most RV sites feature gravel rather than concrete pads. "Lots of room to get around. Grassy large spots with full hook ups," describes an RVer at Sequoia RV Park, while another notes that some RV sites "were on a gravel parking lot."
