Christina R.
Guide
GuideSunset Campground — Kings Canyon National Park
Nice Area
Nice campground. Bathrooms are outdated but generally clean. Some spots are not very great- such as 156, but I was able to get my van in sideways.
Camping near Elk, CA
239 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Camping in the Sequoia and Kings Canyon region near Elk, California encompasses a variety of developed campgrounds with mountain forest settings and water access. Campgrounds like Riverbend RV Park offer full hookups for RVs, while more primitive settings can be found at Pine Flat Campground. The region features multiple campgrounds with tent, RV, and even glamping options, particularly around Shaver Lake, where Camp Edison provides electric hookups and water access, and near Kings Canyon National Park, where tent-focused sites predominate in a forest setting.
Road access to many campgrounds requires careful planning, with some areas accessible only by high-clearance vehicles. Most established sites in the region require reservations during peak summer months, especially at popular destinations like Lodgepole Campground in Sequoia National Park. Summer temperatures typically remain comfortable due to higher elevations, though facilities vary widely between basic and more developed campgrounds. Several campgrounds offer bear boxes for food storage, a critical safety feature when camping in this region. A visitor noted, "If you're looking to camp in California, Sequoia National Park should be one of your top destinations...I recommend camping during the less touristy times in early Spring and Fall."
Waterfront camping areas receive particular praise from visitors, with several campgrounds situated near rivers or lakes. The Kings River flows through some camping areas, providing swimming opportunities and scenic views. Wildlife sightings, particularly bears, are common throughout the region's mixed-use campgrounds and should be anticipated by properly storing food. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, privacy between campsites varies significantly, with some campgrounds described as offering "well secluded" sites while others have sites "right on top of each other." Campgrounds at higher elevations offer relief from summer heat, with one camper noting they "appreciated this site at higher elevation with the chilled air at night." Many developed campgrounds feature amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, with showers available at select locations like Camp Edison and some Kings Canyon facilities.
Best Campgrounds near Elk (239)
1. Riverbend RV Park
"Place has grass, dog park, lots of kids play areas, adults game areas, fishing pond, creek and river next to property is very pretty. We really enjoyed it."
from $75 - $85 / night
Check Availability2. Pine Flat Campground
"Excellent 4xx4 close by"
"One of the boat launch ramps was right there in the camp ground and the other was really close at lake view."
3. Island Park
"It was a bit of a nightmare getting turned around to back in here (we have a 42’ toy hauler and a 3500 ram DRW with an Andersen hitch), BUT we’ve had an incredible week here."
"The only thing was neighbors were very, very near. But our neighbors were quiet so it wasn't bad. End of March was rainy, so be prepared for rain if you go during that time."
from $10 - $135 / night
Check Availability4. Sequoia RV Park
"Typical California foothills hardpan and dead grass sites - large and able to accommodate very long combo rigs and have enough width to disconnect and park adjacent to the towable."
"There are many ways to arrive here, but the most direct and easiest is on California State Highway 180. The park is open, but the office is not, so it’s find a spot and check yourself in."
from $40 - $55 / night
Check Availability5. Choinumni Park
"The county is underfunded and a parks management company is in talks to take over 3 nearby parks including this one."
"It was cool to hear and watch the local bats flying around. Very little smoke from the fires."
6. Millerton Lake State Recreation Area Campground
"Bathrooms were so-so with regard to cleanliness but most sites had its own access to water which was awesome!"
"Had a fun time with the family, had accesible restroom and showers, had picnic table so we could put our things, shade, place where we could set our tent with our truck next to us, and we were able to"
from $30 - $200 / night
Check Availability7. Kings River RV Resort
from $60 / night
Check Availability8. Camp Edison
"Great campsite if you want to camp around Shaver Lake in the Sierras of California. Beautify lake, plenty of water sports. The small town has great rustic mountain vibe."
"Easy walk to lakeside and boat ramp. Nice picnic area near lake. Camped with full hookups. Nice store and hospitality center with food, drinks and stock of camp supplies."
from $40 - $105 / night
Check Availability9. Lakeridge Camping & Boating Resort
"Quiet, clean, family friendly, walking distance to the lake, lots of non threatening wild life ."
10. Azalea Campground — Kings Canyon National Park
"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."
from $32 / night
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Drive Time
- 16 min from Fresno, CA
- 40 min from Visalia, CA
- 44 min from Hanford, CA
- 1 hr 1 min from Merced, CA
Recent Camping Photos near Elk, CA
300 Photos of 239 Elk Campgrounds
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Recent Reviews near Elk, CA
864 Reviews of 239 Elk Campgrounds
Jeff B.
TravelerLemon Cove Village
Great stop for Sequoia NP
Good amenities and friendly staff! We took the shuttle into Sequoia NP and used the internal shuttles to get around up there. It was nice not to have to drive but still get to enjoy a good portion of the park. We stayed at site 24. It was nice because it was on the end and enjoyed our view in the mornings. We have group sites that are next to us but were unoccupied while we stayed.
- LLiedewei V.Guide
Road to Armenian Camp - Dispersed Spot
Awesome spot, great sunset
Great spot to camp for the night! Private, safe
- HHope H.Guide
Lodgepole Campground — Sequoia National Park
Excellent Location for Sequoia Sights, Busy
Lodgepole, Site 199. Late June. Nice warm days, cold nights. The river and scenery make this campground special. There are lots of birds and rodents (Squirrels and chipmunks of varying sizes and colors).
If you can get a site near the river, or on the outside if a loop, the views and sounds are wonderful. Great location for Sherman Tree Trails, Moro Rock.
The loop restrooms are old and not well cared for. There are only two small restrooms at the visitors center. So Dirty and too few for too many people. (The situation at Grant Grove VC is much better for restrooms, but no showers or laundry.) I used both showers and laundry. My shower was cold and dirty despite having just been cleaned (I waited 50 minutes). (Lowest Bidder). Laundry was adequate and I was thankful to have it.
- HHope H.Guide
Sunset Campground — Kings Canyon National Park
Location and Views Keep Me Coming Back
Sites 100, 33, 41. Late June. A beautiful HILLY campground with dirty to very dirty flush bathrooms and no hosts. NPS does a terrible job with janitor service all over the country in my experience.
Site 100 parking pad has a 4 degree grade. It is a very lovely site for smaller tent camping with view of sunset. In a quiet hilly part of the campground, but I had few neighbors even though the sites showed up as completely booked on rec.gov.
Site 33 has a 3 degree grade and *abuts several sites* and the water spigot. Short pad could accommodate a van, but the pad adjacent is *very* close.
Site 41 is at the top of the hill and has a beautiful view and but little shade.
Big Stump trailhead can be reached by footpath from the campground. (Or you can drive back toward the gate and park there).
Visitor's Center with WiFi and a store and decent flush toilets near the restaurant is almost just across the street.
Beware of tiny chipmunks in the most crowded areas. At site 33 I saw two jump onto people's cars/campers. One was trying to get into an open car door.
- HHope H.Guide
Sequoia National Forest Princess Campground
Beautiful and Family Friendly
Run by concessionaire, this is a hosted campground with some Saturday night events in the amphitheater. Warm days and cold nights(40) refreshing respite from the valley heat. The fragrance of the forest in Sequoia is like no other. Best for tents and small RVs.
Abuts the beautiful Princess Meadow, at the turn off to Hume Lake. Site 90 has Open space behind and on one side. Large site, dirt parking pad. Slight grade. Pit toilet close. (Did not use). Walk to trailhead. 1 mile easy hike partially paved is drop dead gorgeous in the early evening light.
Lively Hume(a youth camp) has a snack shop with fast food and gigantic milkshakes. They also have canoes, rowboats, paddle boards, etc for rent, as well as a gift shop, mini mart, and gas station. The campground is near to Grant Grove and Grant Tree and several trailheads.
- LLiedewei V.Guide
Road to Armenian Camp - Dispersed Spot
Great location!
Evening sun, super secluded, loved the spot. Nice birdwatching
Jeff J.
ScoutPark of the Sierras - Escapee Park
Beautiful Park Excellent Value
Wow what a beautiful park with large sites that have space a privacy…. Not your typical RV parking lot. You do have to be an Escapees member but easy to sign up if you aren’t… you can also add it to tour existing Harvest Host membership as they merged with Escapees… Very friendly people with nice pickelball court, dog park, clubhouse and events…
- AAlicia C.Scout
RandCher Vineyards
Best Vineyard Sunset
Peaceful! Beautiful vineyard setting with plenty of fantastic photo ops, expansive level concrete pad and electric hookups (take your long extension), water available, picnic tables with umbrellas and large shade structures. Nice breezy evenings. Plenty of space and clearance for even the largest RV rigs. Convenient access and would be great for overnighters heading towards Sequoia/Kings Canyon or Yosemite National Parks. The hosts are very communicative & responsive. This location is Caruthers, CA- we live nearby CSUFresno (about 30 minutes away) but used this convenient opportunity as a test-outing as first time rv owners. A great experience to try out our rig and hook-ups. Dog friendly too (on leash). Summer bonus: the Caruthers fair is coming soon! Would highly recommend this location to fellow campers.
Guide to Elk
Campgrounds near Elk, California provide diverse camping experiences throughout the Kings Canyon area, with options including RV parks, lakefront sites, and state recreation areas. Pine Flat Campground offers lakeside camping and accommodates tent and RV camping, while Riverbend RV Park provides full hookups and grassy sites for larger rigs. Most campgrounds in the region are established facilities rather than dispersed camping areas, with amenities varying from basic toilets to comprehensive water, electric, and sewer connections.
Seasonal considerations affect camping availability throughout the area, with some campgrounds like Sequoia RV Park operating only from May to September, while others remain open year-round. Many sites require advance reservations, particularly at popular destinations like Camp Edison and Millerton Lake State Recreation Area. Summer temperatures often exceed 100°F in lower elevations, making spring and fall more comfortable for camping. Water levels at Pine Flat Lake fluctuate significantly, affecting boat launches and swimming areas. "Water was really low but still had a blast on my kayak and with my dogs and trying to catch fish. It's by reservations only and we stayed 3 nights," noted one camper at Pine Flat Campground.
Kings Canyon area campgrounds receive high ratings for their water access and natural surroundings. Several visitors mentioned the peaceful atmosphere at Pine Flat Lake, where night sounds include frogs and morning birdsong. Campgrounds with river proximity, like Choinumni Park and Riverbend RV Park, provide fishing opportunities and cooler temperatures than surrounding areas. As one camper at Riverbend RV Park described, "FHU with large pull through spots. Quiet place that was nice to spend a few days at while exploring Sequoia and Kings Canyon. Place has grass, dog park, lots of kids play areas, adults game areas, fishing pond, creek and river next to property is very pretty." Developed campgrounds in the region typically include fire rings, picnic tables, and basic restroom facilities, though shower availability varies between locations. Mixed-use campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping, with some offering specialized amenities for different camping styles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Elk, CA?
What camping is available near Elk, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Elk, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 239 campgrounds and RV parks near Elk, CA and 29 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Elk, CA?
Which is the most popular campground near Elk, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Elk, CA is Riverbend RV Park with a 3.7-star rating from 7 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Elk, CA?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Elk, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 29 free dispersed camping spots near Elk, CA.
What parks are near Elk, CA?
What parks are near Elk, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 22 parks near Elk, CA that allow camping, notably Pine Flat Lake and Sierra National Forest.
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