Camping near Camp Nelson, California ranges from full-hookup RV sites to primitive tent camping and dispersed sites within Sequoia National Forest, all at elevations around 4,200 feet. Nelson Falls RV Park provides cabin accommodations alongside tent and RV camping with full hookups, while Belknap Campground offers a more primitive experience focused on tent camping. The landscape includes giant sequoias, mountain meadows, and waterways, with most developed campgrounds positioned along the Middle Fork of the Tule River.
Many campgrounds operate seasonally, typically opening from late May through October due to mountain weather conditions and road access. "No cell coverage, which we took as a good thing, but make sure to download your Google map," notes one camper about the region's connectivity limitations. Vault toilets are standard at most forest service sites, with varying levels of maintenance. Water availability differs significantly between campgrounds—some like Coy Flat have reported water system issues, while others maintain reliable potable water sources. The higher elevation results in cool evenings and cold mornings even during summer months, requiring appropriate gear for overnight stays.
Campers consistently mention the peaceful atmosphere and natural beauty as key highlights of the Camp Nelson area. "Beautiful and quiet little campground with sequoia trees all around. Saw deer in and around the campground almost daily," shared one visitor to Nelson Falls RV Park. Belknap Campground receives positive reviews for its riverside sites that allow campers to "listen to water the whole time." Wildlife viewing opportunities include deer sightings, though bears are present in the area and proper food storage is essential at all campground options. Several developed campgrounds feature clean facilities despite their remote settings, with multiple reviews noting "the cleanest vault toilets" as an unexpected highlight. Weekday visits are recommended for those seeking solitude, as weekend occupancy tends to be high, especially during summer months.
$36 - $242 / night
"He has all the info on nearby trails, maps of the area, answers every question you can think of. Just fantastic. "
"The campground hosts never came around and it felt like we could have stayed for free. We had some questions about the area and in order to get some answers we had to drive to the nearest people."
"Wood at entrance to upper near the host. The museum is non existent and was about to collapse. When I was a kid it had cool stuff from the logging days of the area."
"The site donated the Balch family and operated by the Tulare County Parks, host camping among the Sequoias, fishing at two lakes that are stocked with trout, a self-guided hiking trail and more."
$36 - $75 / night
"This is a primitive campground with several site locations. It was a very long, winding and narrow road to get there."
"About an hour away from the sequoia national park and a great option for cheap camping! There are several bathrooms, garbage and recycling bins, and a stream with an flat swim/ wading area!"
$36 - $38 / night
"Beautiful drive up campground with a really friendly camp host. Vault toilets, but the cleanest vault toilets I’ve used in CA. River runs through the camp and there’s a little swimming hole."
"We had site 15, and although the picture of the site looks small there is a trail to, an upper spot for putting the tent, which makes the campsite secluded and beautiful!"
"It’s on the slightly off road to Dome Rock. I didn’t get any traffic except some deer. Internet works on the Dome itself but spotty in the camping areas"
"Typical BLM site, good cell coverage, close to the city"
$36 - $73 / night
"Friendly staff checked us in and gave great trail and site recommendations. Very clean and well maintained."
$20 - $235 / night
"My little family & I had a great experience tent camping here at Camp Nelson, Trudy showed lovely hospitality & we made some new friends, the campground is really clean & peaceful."
"Beautiful and quiet little campground with sequoia trees all around. Saw deer in and around the campground almost daily. Camp host was very friendly and helpful. Would definitely visit again."
$36 - $38 / night
"Easily accessed campground located right on the Kern River in the lower Sequoia Forest. No service, running water, or electricity, but there is vault toilets and dogs are allowed."
"The lsites are not as close to the river as Brush Creek campground, but still closer than Fairview, which is down the road. Facilities. There are vault toilets."
"Regardless they were gorgeous tucked in spots among the trees. Woke up to cattle walking through the meadow we parked next to."
"This camping site is a nice free area super close to the Giants Trail entrance (5 minute drive). As you head in you go thru a little dirt road and at the end you see an opening for this site."
$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."
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 .
ScoutThis is something we never thought we’d be writing after coming to Frandy for so many years. Some of us have been coming here for almost 30 years, and others for 10–15 years. This has always been more than just a campground trip for our families, it’s been a tradition, memories with our kids, friends, and years of looking forward to the same weekend together. Sadly, this year felt like watching something we’ve loved for decades completely lose what made it special. The biggest disappointment wasn’t even the campground itself, it was the way people were treated. Long-time loyal customers were spoken to with a level of disrespect that honestly left us shocked. We weren’t treated like returning guests who had supported this place for years; we felt like we were an inconvenience. After decades of coming here and bringing countless families and business over the years, to be treated that way was frustrating and honestly pretty sad. The campground itself has noticeably gone downhill as well. Bathrooms weren’t consistently maintained, the overall experience felt neglected, and the atmosphere that once made Frandy feel fun and family-oriented just wasn’t there. The place that used to feel welcoming now feels more like it’s being run with an“our way or the highway” attitude. What’s most disappointing is that Kernville is still beautiful and our group still had a great time because of each other, not because of Frandy. The only reason this trip was saved was by the people we came with. We left talking less about the fun memories we made and more about how disappointed we were with the campground experience itself. After decades of loyalty, we never thought we’d seriously consider going elsewhere, but after this experience we absolutely will be. There are too many other campgrounds nearby to spend hard-earned money somewhere that makes loyal customers feel unwanted.
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.
TravelerLone Pine Campground is just below Whitney Portal and Mt Whitney. It has a creek full of trout running along side it. Small sites, with vault toilets, but beautiful and full of wildlife.
ScoutMy experience here at Success Lake has been fun!
GuidePlenty of space between campers. We parked about 10 feet from the water. Somewhat trashy but not the worst I have seen. The wind made the water really choppy and I think that kept any mosquitoes or flies away.
Camping spots near Camp Nelson, California range from established forest service sites to dispersed camping areas at elevations nearing 7,000 feet. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing with periodic road closures from November through April. The region spans multiple ecosystems including giant sequoia groves, meadows filled with wildflowers in late spring, and river corridors with swimming holes that remain cold even in mid-summer.
Hike to giant sequoias: Visit the Wheel Meadow Grove near Sequoia National Forest Quaking Aspen Campground where hiking options abound. "It is just a short (very steep) hike from The Wheel Meadow Grove of Giant Sequoias. The trail going from the campground down to the trees is a great Mtn Biking trail. Loads of turns and beautiful views," reports one visitor.
Fish local waters: Fish for trout in stocked ponds at Balch Park Campground. "Good fishing and hiking all around the area. Nice hosts and most people are respectful of the area," writes one camper. Water levels and stocking schedules vary seasonally, with some ponds not stocked year-round.
Explore swimming holes: The Kern River corridor offers swimming opportunities during warmer months. At Limestone Campground, campers report, "There was a relatively calm pool near our site and some small beach areas to enjoy the (cold!) water."
Peaceful mountain setting: Campers consistently mention the quiet atmosphere at higher elevations. "This campground is so peaceful, and near several hiking trails. Would 100% come back here again," writes one visitor to Quaking Aspen Campground. Weekday visits offer greater solitude with noticeably higher traffic on summer weekends.
Wildlife viewing: Deer sightings are common throughout the region, while bears actively visit several campgrounds. At Sequoia National Park Dispersed campground, one camper noted, "We saw two bears every night so take precaution. They were Cubs, they're not scared of you but also won't mess with you if you lock up all your food."
Clean facilities: Despite remote locations, several campgrounds maintain surprisingly clean amenities. "The bathrooms were also kept very clean. There is no service but it is about a 5 minute drive from a cafe/store/lodge that has Wi-Fi," reports a camper at Quaking Aspen.
Limited connectivity: Cell coverage is virtually nonexistent in most camping areas. Some spots offer minimal reception at specific locations. "If you want cell service briefly, there is a spot about 3.5 miles away off 21S70 as if you're headed to Dome rock," notes one camper at Quaking Aspen Campground.
Water availability: Water systems at certain campgrounds experience intermittent issues. At Sequoia National Forest Coy Flat Campground, a visitor reported, "Although they list as having water, none of it is drinkable and only the top half of the place has any." Plan accordingly with extra water containers.
Bear presence: Bears frequently visit campgrounds across the region. "You will come across some wildlife, this is the path of a bear and a mountain lion so be careful. You will see many tracks of them and also deer," explains a visitor to Sequoia National Park Dispersed campground. Some sites have bear boxes while others require storing food in vehicles.
Consider campsite location: At Balch Park Campground, families should weigh dust conditions. "The campground roads are pretty rough and it is super dusty. I use to camp here as a kid and don't remember it being this dusty. Remember, no showers, so bring wipes or something to clean up with especially if you have kids!"
Select sites away from facilities: Bathroom proximity can affect camping experience. At Coy Flat Campground, one camper advised, "Do yourself a favor and avoid campsite 008; this tent site is right next to the vault restrooms that have not been cleaned in ages…oodles of flies coming out of them."
Check tent site conditions: At Nelson Falls RV Park, families find a comfortable middle ground between established campgrounds and dispersed camping. "My little family & I had a great experience tent camping here at Camp Nelson, Trudy showed lovely hospitality & we made some new friends, the campground is really clean & peaceful."
Road access considerations: The mountain roads leading to most camping areas require careful navigation. "It was a very long, winding and narrow road to get there," notes a camper at Sequoia National Forest Belknap Campground. Most sites accommodate smaller RVs while larger rigs face significant challenges.
Parking limitations: Group sites at Quaking Aspen Campground have specific parking constraints. "Parking is also an issue as they have 4 giant group campsites with maybe one small parking lot with 15 spaces to share between them. Most of your group will have to park on the side of the road outside the entrance to the campground."
Level site availability: Limited level spaces exist at most campgrounds. Nelson Falls RV Park offers the most reliable RV accommodations with full hookups. "Full hookups for our 5th wheel, spacious sites, flushing restrooms and showers if you wanted. Starlink worked perfect, though there was wifi available."
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I reserve a campsite at Camp Nelson?
Reservation policies vary across Camp Nelson area campgrounds. For Sequoia National Forest Quaking Aspen Campground, reservations can be made through recreation.gov. The campground offers potable water and well-maintained vault toilets. Coy Flat Campground is another option in the area, though it's situated high up the mountain with a 30-minute drive to reach it. For most Forest Service campgrounds in the area, reservations open six months in advance. Some smaller campgrounds may be first-come, first-served only, so arrive early during peak season.
What amenities are available at Camp Nelson Campground?
Camp Nelson area campgrounds offer various amenities. Nelson Falls RV Park provides clean, peaceful grounds with a creek, waterfall, and pond. It's suitable for both RV and tent camping. For a more rustic experience, Sequoia National Forest Belknap Campground features vault toilets (notably clean by California standards), a river running through the camp with a swimming hole, and proximity to trails. Water availability and toilet facilities vary by campground in the area, so it's best to check current conditions before your trip.
What recreational activities can I do when camping at Camp Nelson?
The Camp Nelson area offers abundant recreation opportunities. Hiking is popular, with the Camp Nelson trail accessible by a short walk from Belknap Campground, following alongside a river. Swimming is available at river spots and swimming holes within some campgrounds. Long Meadow Group Campground provides seclusion and spectacular stargazing opportunities. For those willing to venture a bit further, the giant sequoias at Lodgepole Campground offer a majestic backdrop for exploration. Wildlife viewing is also possible, with bear sightings reported in some areas, particularly after recent forest fires.
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