Camping spots near Reedley sit at approximately 350 feet elevation in California's San Joaquin Valley, nestled between the Sierra Nevada foothills to the east and agricultural lands to the west. Summer temperatures routinely exceed 100°F from June through September, with mild winters rarely dropping below freezing. Most campgrounds in the area remain open year-round, with the Kings River experiencing significant seasonal fluctuations affecting water activities.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Pine Flat Lake at Island Park offers fishing despite water level changes. "Lake was too low to go swimming, although people were launching fishing boats," reports one visitor who stayed in May.
Hiking trails: The nature trails at Island Park provide family-friendly exploration options. "The nature trail was perfect for our three boys, and the views are absolutely stunning," writes Sarah P., who visited with her family.
National Park access: Sequoia RV Park serves as a convenient base for Kings Canyon National Park excursions. "Lots of room to get around. Grassy large spots with full hook ups. Close to King Canyon and other attractions," notes Rick L.
Hang gliding observation: The unique Dunlap Canyon Retreat offers visitors a chance to watch hang gliding activities. "There are people hang gliding and paragliding here which was super cool to watch both at take off (upper spot) and landing (main camp)," shares Courtney F.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept common areas. At Dunlap Canyon Retreat, campers appreciate the "very clean bathrooms and laundry room," according to Martha H., who found it to be a "hidden gem."
Riverside spots: The Kings River provides pleasant camping backdrops when water levels permit. At Lindy's Landing, Scott M. noted, "There are a couple of new looking piers out into the river and a very nice beach. It was a dry time of year so the river was down and the lagoon was dry."
Children's amenities: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for families. At Riverbend RV Park, Lauren M. found "lots of kids play areas, adults game areas, fishing pond, creek and river next to property is very pretty."
Seasonal wildflowers: Spring visitors to higher elevation sites can enjoy natural displays. At Island Park, Sarah P. observed, "This park is absolutely stunning this time of year. There are wildflowers everywhere and the weather was a perfect low 70s in the daytime and 50s at night."
What you should know
Water level variations: Pine Flat Lake and Kings River fluctuate significantly. "The river is along the King River. Which was dry as a desert when I was here. No water presently but looks like that's not always the case," writes William M. at Kings River RV Resort.
Site leveling challenges: Uneven campsites can present setup difficulties. At Island Park, Erin S. notes, "Very few sites are level and some so steep that leveling is not possible."
Weekend crowds: Expect busier conditions Friday through Sunday. "Weekend camping was busy with lots of noise, but the weekdays were quiet," observes Patrick G. at Island Park.
Seasonal closures: Some campgrounds may close without notice. Lu G. reported Kings River was "Permanently closed" in a March 2021 review, though this information may have changed since.
Tips for camping with families
Check pool availability: Some dog friendly campgrounds near Reedley offer swimming facilities with varying seasonal operation. At Kings River RV Resort, Gina P. found a "Warm pool, riverfront and a gorgeous beach! Will be back with out family of five and two doggos!"
Consider midweek visits: For quieter family camping experiences, schedule outside weekends. Patrick G. notes at Island Park, "Weekend camping was busy with lots of noise, but the weekdays were quiet."
Look for budget options: National Park campgrounds offer affordable rates with proper passes. At Azalea Campground, Connor N. advises, "The America the Beautiful access pass knocks the price down from $22/night to $11/night, so if you don't have it, get it!"
Pack for temperature swings: The area experiences significant day-night temperature differences. Sarah P. observed at Island Park during spring, "weather was a perfect low 70s in the daytime and 50s at night."
Tips from RVers
Check site configurations: RV site layouts vary significantly between pet-friendly campgrounds near Reedley. At Lindy's Landing, Tonya C. cautions, "If you have a big trailer, don't get these spots at the end (L-28). The lady that said we would fit no problem obviously has never tried to park a big trailer there."
Verify hookup locations: Placement of utilities might affect your parking position. At Riverbend RV Park, Cathaleen E. noted, "Felt bad that our hooks up were in front of our neighbors door but this could be avoided based on how far back you pull in."
Road conditions vary: Access routes may have maintenance issues. William M. found at Kings River RV Resort, "A section of road leading into the park is extremely bumpy. Careful with carbonated drinks after you arrive."
Consider turn radius: Larger RVs may struggle with tight campground layouts. Sarah P. warns about Island Park, "You will NOT fit here if you can't take your rig past a 90° turn safely. It was a bit of a nightmare getting turned around to back in here."
