Camping in Exeter, California provides access to several established campgrounds and recreational areas in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. The area includes developed campgrounds such as Sequoia RV Ranch, Three Rivers Hideaway, and Visalia-Sequoia National Park KOA, which accommodate both tent and RV campers. Several locations like Three Rivers Hideaway and Sequoia RV Ranch also offer cabin options for those seeking more comfort. The proximity to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks makes this region particularly appealing for visitors looking to explore giant sequoia groves and mountain landscapes. Most campgrounds are situated within a 30-45 minute drive from Exeter, providing convenient basecamp options for day trips into the national parks.
Road conditions and accessibility vary significantly depending on the season and specific location. Many campgrounds in the area remain open year-round, including Visalia-Sequoia National Park KOA and Sequoia RV Ranch, though amenities may be limited during winter months. Temperatures can fluctuate dramatically between seasons, with hot, dry summers in the foothills and cooler conditions at higher elevations. Campgrounds closer to Sequoia National Park may experience snow in winter, potentially limiting access. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially during summer months when visitation peaks. A camper noted that "when it's warm you can go tubing in the river," highlighting the seasonal recreational opportunities available at riverside campgrounds.
Developed campgrounds in the region typically provide amenities such as drinking water, picnic tables, and fire rings, with many also offering electric hookups, shower facilities, and dump stations for RVs. Campers consistently mention the benefit of riverside locations, with one visitor highlighting that their campsite had "direct access to the river...it was nice to wake up, step outside our tent and have my morning tea while watching the river flow." Wildlife viewing opportunities are frequently mentioned in reviews, with deer sightings common throughout the area. While campgrounds closer to national park entrances tend to be more crowded, especially during summer months, they offer convenient access to hiking trails and natural attractions. Some campgrounds feature shaded sites among mature trees, providing relief from summer heat, while others offer more open settings with mountain views.
"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."
"They all have the events close to the park entrance. Three Rivers is about 5 miles away, i was blown away with this lake by the foothills but it really feels like a lake on a mountaintop!"
"I’ll start with the negatives: you can hear traffic all night because it is located in an industrial area and the showers are not hot."
"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."
"No real walking trails in the area but were able to go down to the river and there was a swimming hole,$40 for holiday weekend."
$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. "
"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."
$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."
$20 - $40 / night
"The sites themselves are nice, located in a grassy meadow around a reservoir This is the most grass we have seen in several months."
"Some of the sites (75, 76 etc..) look out on Lake Kaweah. It’s clean and well organized. Some highway noise."
$20 - $30 / night
"in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park can fill up quickly, so if you arrive to the area in the afternoon, if the higher-elevation campsites are under snow, or if you’re looking for an option outside"
"We were here on the weekend and we're able to drive in and get a spot. There are bathrooms and showers available. There is a day use area. The lake is beautiful and you are very close to town."
$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."
$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."
"Nice lake views but too muddy for swimming. Some highway noise. Woken up by a group of roosters and had a nice chat with them."
"Campground really close to the water. Lots of playground equipment. Good for tenors and an RVs with no hook ups. Lots of space and good cell coverage. Bathrooms are flush with showers and OK."
TravelerHad used dyrt to plan a roadtrip, when we arrived to the site we could access the gravel parking lot but all the sections beyond that had day use only signs every 5 meters.
The area is covered in state park camping spots however. The main issue is that there is no network coverage so you would need cash to use the paid spots next door.
TravelerDid not stay here as we realized too late we needed a permit to stay here. In hindsight that was good as this section of the woods has burned down since the previous commenter.
GuideI cant say enuf about our stay. After choosing a perfect spot. We setteled into relax and enjoy to quiet country vibes. Pool. Was great for a cool down. Very great since of community very welcomed by everyone. Matt Tracy and chad made us feel like we were at home The animals were great and friendly. Also The shower was over a granite bolder surrounded with grapevines. We boondocked and had a great time .
TravelerGreat value for $20, we had our first showers in a week and they were nice and hot. Clean bathrooms. Not many others here. Nice lake views but too muddy for swimming. Some highway noise. Woken up by a group of roosters and had a nice chat with them.
GuideThis was a nice stay in May, not hot enough to need the AC. I just barely fit into site number 32 with a 23 foot trailer and parked my F150 askew. No hook ups, but there are bathrooms and dishwashing station. Across the Generals Hwy from the park is the dump station and freshwater fill, neither of which have a metal threaded end that you can connect to your RV. The fresh water is good quality and flows out fast. I filled containers and siphoned into my trailer. Stayed 4 nights, had to run generator once to charge batteries since I was under a shade tree and solar panel is on roof. A few sites are in full sun, but most have shade or partial shade. By 10 AM most campers had checked out or left to tour the park. Campground was silent, except for nature sounds. Wild turkeys walked the campground daily, sometimes gobbling, saw one deer two days. The campground is overrun with ground squirrels. A fat one kept begging at my screen door. Lots of acorn woodpeckers and wild mustard plants with small yellow flowers that the honeybees loved. Twice hummingbirds came to my red tail lights thinking they were feeders. Beautiful hikes along the Kaweah river in both directions. If you hike from site number 14, you will see a path to Marble Falls. Be aware it is a very narrow trail and you will get poison oak on your clothes, or skin if in shorts, that you will need to wash off. Lots of small flies and gnats fly around your head, but they don’t bite, just annoying. Didn’t see mosquitoes or get bites. Next time, I will stay in a campground on the north end. Driving from the CG to the Sequoia Trees, are countless tight hairpin turns and a gain in elevation of 6000 feet. After two days of going up and back down, with little cars riding my bumper and pulling over to let them by, it was tiring. Around one turn, a buck in velvet was standing in the road, no place to go except the side, which went straight up and the other side straight down. I was going 15 mph, the speed limit, and had to drive in the middle to avoid him. I did that drive every day to see the sequoias, which are magnificent! Pictures do not capture how awesome they are.
ScoutMy experience here at Success Lake has been fun!
ScoutWe had a great time very relaxing just needs to be watered more but other wise it was good staff was very friendly
GuideDecent little spots right off of the main road, traffic isn't steady or heavy but you're close enough to hear it anytime a vehicle passes. 2wd is possible to get into the sites but it is a challenge that you need to take very carefully.
GuideAmazing park! Very private and our 2 cats loved it here. The host was so friendly and gave us great advices on visiting the Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks.
Camping near Exeter, California places visitors in the Sierra Nevada foothills at elevations ranging from 400-600 feet, providing year-round access with temperatures ranging from 45°F winter nights to 100°F summer days. The area sees distinct seasons, with spring offering wildflower displays along foothill trails and summer creating optimal conditions for water recreation on Lake Kaweah and the Kaweah River, where water levels fluctuate significantly throughout the year.
Tubing and swimming at Sequoia RV Ranch: Located 6 miles from the Sequoia National Park entrance, the ranch features a natural spring-fed swimming hole in the North Fork of the Kaweah River. "There is a ramp down to the river but a small pool to play in for kids or to just relax. During the summer the campground can be very hot (July was pushing 100) but if you plan to spend the day at the river the cold water makes it feel like a perfect 75-80 degrees and worth hanging out all day," shares Rachel M. at Three Rivers Hideaway.
Explore ancient petroglyphs: Located across the street from Potwisha Campground, visitors can find a swimming hole with ancient petroglyphs and acorn grinding holes. "There is a swimming hole with ancient petroglyphs and acorn grinding holes right across the street," notes Bryan R. This historical site offers a unique combination of cooling off while experiencing Native American cultural history.
Boat rental at Lake Success: For visitors without their own watercraft, Lake Success offers boat rentals. "There is a day use area. The lake is beautiful and you are very close to town," explains Martha H., making this a convenient option for day activities while staying at one of the best places to camp near Exeter, California.
Direct river access: Many campers specifically seek riverside sites for the ambiance and recreation. "The sites are close 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," says Luis A. at Three Rivers Hideaway.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The area offers frequent wildlife encounters, particularly with deer. "We had a deer run by our site in the morning which was a surprise," shares Stacy C. at Potwisha Campground. These wildlife sightings enhance the camping experience without requiring special equipment or planning.
Stargazing conditions: The foothills provide excellent stargazing opportunities due to limited light pollution. "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," explains Brittney J. at Horse Creek Campground.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the area have uneven terrain requiring preparation. "Nearly every campsite has a major hill, so most will not have a good flat area for a tent. Site 61 is flat and a couple of others have flatter grounds, but many will have you sleeping on an angle," notes Brittney J. about Horse Creek Campground.
Early morning activity: Trails near campsites can create early morning traffic. "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," reports Mandy at Potwisha Campground. Light sleepers should consider sites away from trail access points.
Lake water levels fluctuate seasonally: Water recreation opportunities change dramatically with seasons. "Supposedly the lake is full up to here at other times in the year. For now it's quite the ways but you can see it far off near the dam," mentions Cliff K. about Lemon Cove Village, highlighting how drought conditions impact camping experiences.
Dog-friendly areas: Several campgrounds offer designated pet areas. "There is a fenced dog park on-site, a nice touch," mentions RichMichelle M. at Sequoia RV Ranch. This amenity allows families traveling with pets to let them exercise safely off-leash.
Kid-friendly water access: Look for campgrounds with safe water play areas. "The best part of the stay is the spot they have on the river my dog can swim in every day," shares Ashley M. about Three Rivers Hideaway. These water access points provide natural entertainment for children.
Predator awareness: Families should prepare for local wildlife encounters. "Predators: Coyotes, rattlesnakes, meat bees (bring cheap canned meat to set out during the day and they will leave you alone for the most part)," advises Brittney J. at Horse Creek Campground. This practical tip helps families stay safe while enjoying the outdoors.
Site selection for large rigs: RV campers should carefully research site dimensions. "The description said they had pull through but they are all back in's which if I had known that we would have never booked there! The grounds are small, nothing to be excited about and they have all these little stubby trees that seem to be strategically placed just in the way as sites are all back in," cautions Douglas T. at Visalia-Sequoia National Park KOA.
Electrical issues in some areas: Power concerns affect certain sites at some campgrounds. "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 RichMichelle M. RVers with sensitive electronics should verify power reliability.
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer dump stations, and some may be temporarily closed. "The RV Dump station was also unavailable (same reason). During peak season I'm sure this is a great spot, but at the time of our visit it was a bit out of sorts," notes Connor N. at Horse Creek Campground. RVers should confirm dump station status before arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Exeter, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Exeter, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 192 campgrounds and RV parks near Exeter, CA and 49 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Exeter, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Exeter, CA is Lemon Cove Village with a 3.7-star rating from 9 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Exeter, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 49 free dispersed camping spots near Exeter, CA.
What parks are near Exeter, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 21 parks near Exeter, CA that allow camping, notably Kaweah Lake and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
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