Camping options near Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks range from rustic tent spots to RV sites with full amenities at elevations between 1,300 and 8,000 feet. Winter temperatures at higher elevation campgrounds can drop below freezing, while summer daytime temperatures regularly exceed 90°F at lower elevations. Most campgrounds experience significant crowds from June through August, with weekends requiring reservations up to six months in advance.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Creekside RV Park in Bishop, campers can fish at the stocked pond or nearby Bishop Creek. "Do an annual fishing trip here with the guys and it's always good. Full amenities and recent upgrades/cleanup," notes one visitor. The campground includes a fish cleaning station for processing your catch.
Alpine lake hiking: Access multiple alpine lakes from Whitney Portal campground. "If you aren't planning to summit Mount Whitney, I highly recommend the Lone Pine Trail, which leads up to an alpine lake, which is absolutely gorgeous. Meysan Lake was also beautiful," shared a camper. Most lake trails involve moderate elevation gain, requiring 2-4 hours round trip.
Mountain biking: Explore the network of trails accessible from Sequoia Resort & RV Park. The resort offers bike rentals for guests without their own equipment. "This site has bikes to rent, a library with DVDs to borrow and a lake with little boats," according to a recent visitor. Trails range from beginner-friendly loops to more challenging terrain.
What campers like
Creek-side camping: Many campers appreciate the sound of running water at their campsite. One reviewer at Nelson Falls RV Park noted, "Beautiful and quiet little campground with sequoia trees all around. Saw deer in and around the campground almost daily." The creek provides ambient noise that helps mask neighboring campsites.
Pet amenities: Multiple campgrounds offer dedicated dog areas. A reviewer at Sequoia RV Ranch mentioned, "Beautiful and well kept campground. Also loved the fact that loud music is not allowed. The sites by the river are amazing. There is also a really nice, large, and clean dog park!" Similarly, at Riverbend RV Park, a camper appreciated that the "place has grass, dog park, lots of kids play areas, adults game areas, fishing pond, creek and river next to property."
Proximity to parks: Location remains a primary consideration for most campers. "Location is perfect as a launch point for trips into Sequoia NP!" commented one visitor about Sequoia RV Ranch. Another camper at Whitney Portal noted its value as "a great camp for acclimatization" before hiking into higher elevations of the national parks.
What you should know
Water availability: The Kings River that runs adjacent to Kings River RV Resort is seasonal. A visitor noted, "Nice overnight stay. More than a few full timers. Most likely high season spring-summer when the water runs." Another mentioned, "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."
Varying site quality: Many campgrounds have significant differences between sites. At Sequoia RV Park, a camper observed, "We reserved online and just picked a spot. After 2 hours of trying to reach the host about the WiFi, they sent a text with the password. Password didn't work with a message that the Internet was disabled." Always confirm specific site features when booking.
Road conditions: The mountain roads leading to campgrounds can challenge larger vehicles. For Whitney Portal, a reviewer cautioned, "The Whitney Portal's position at the end of the road means you'll need to ascend/descend a mile in elevation over 13 steep and twisting curves every time you leave or return."
Tips for camping with families
Recreational options: When camping with children, look for campgrounds with diverse activities. At Riverbend RV Park, "There's games for kids etc," mentioned one reviewer. Another noted, "The place has grass, dog park, lots of kids play areas, adults game areas, fishing pond, creek and river next to property is very pretty."
Wildlife viewing: Children often enjoy observing local wildlife. A camper at Nelson Falls RV Park reported, "Saw deer in and around the campground almost daily." At Whitney Portal, another visitor shared, "There are tons of mountain squirrels running around the campground frequently, and they are so cute and entertaining to watch."
Water features: Creeks, ponds and swimming areas provide entertainment for children. At Sequoia RV Ranch, a visitor mentioned, "There was a really nice swimming hole that we did not test out in March." Another camper at the same site noted, "The kids rode bikes, played in the river and ran around until they crashed every night."
Tips from RVers
Level sites: RV campers consistently mention the importance of level sites. At Lemon Cove Village, one RVer warned, "Extremely unlevel sites. You will need to use every leveling block you own." Conversely, at Riverbend RV Park, a camper appreciated that "sites are kind of narrow but are deep."
Hookup configuration: Check hookup placement before selecting a site. One RVer at Kings River RV Resort noted, "The way the large-sized sites here are arranged, you can park your rig in various configurations." At Lemon Cove Village, a camper advised, "Pull through sites made setting up super easy. Some spots don't have full hookups so look before you book your spot."
Big rig access: Several campgrounds accommodate larger RVs but have limitations. At Boulder Creek RV Resort, a visitor commented, "This seemed to be an overnight spot for travelers making their way further up the 395" and mentioned "big pull thru sites." Sites over 40 feet may be limited, especially during peak season.
