RV sites near Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks range from basic campgrounds to full-service options situated in mountainous terrain at elevations between 4,000-7,000 feet. Winter camping remains available at lower elevation facilities, while higher sites close seasonally with snowfall. Most Sequoia area campgrounds open between April and October when temperatures average 45-85°F depending on elevation.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds provide easy access to streams and stocked ponds for fishing. Creekside RV Park in Bishop features a stocked fishing pond and sits along Bishop Creek. "Fun fishing around the area and actually caught a few out of the camp creek, which is footsteps from the sites," notes one visitor at Creekside RV Park.
Hiking to alpine lakes: Multiple short hiking trails lead to alpine lakes directly from campgrounds. Whitney Portal Campground offers access to several day hikes including Lone Pine Lake. A camper reports, "I highly recommend the Lone Pine Trail, which leads up to an alpine lake, which is absolutely gorgeous. Meysan Lake was also beautiful" from their stay at Whitney Portal.
Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds provide opportunities to observe local wildlife including deer, bears, and small mammals. "We saw deer in and around the campground almost daily," mentions a visitor at Nelson Falls RV Park. Bird watching is also popular, with one Lake Olancha visitor noting, "The small lake was ideal for a bit of casual kayaking and nature watching - mostly birds and dragonflies."
What campers like
Swimming spots: Natural swimming areas provide relief during summer months. "There is a really nice, large swimming hole that we did not test out in March," mentioned a visitor to Sequoia RV Ranch. Another reviewer noted the "natural spring-fed swimming hole in the North Fork of the Kaweah River, just a short walk from the campground."
Pet-friendly facilities: Many campgrounds feature designated dog areas. Boulder Creek RV Resort gets praise for its "great dog run" while a Sequoia RV Ranch visitor mentioned they "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!"
Free amenities: Several parks offer unexpected free services. At Sequoia RV Park, one reviewer highlighted the "full range of services, easily accessible and level sites, an onsite laundry and showers, free WiFi and FREE firewood." Boulder Creek RV Resort provides "complimentary muffins and coffee from 7-9a daily which was very hospitable and kind."
What you should know
Altitude considerations: Higher elevation campgrounds require acclimation. Whitney Portal sits at approximately 8,000 feet, making it "a great camp for acclimatization" according to one visitor. Another camper advised, "Next time, I would try to stay here at least 2 days before the hike" when preparing to climb Mt. Whitney.
Uneven terrain: Many RV sites require careful leveling. Lemon Cove Village visitors note "extremely unlevel sites. You will need to use every leveling block you own." Another reviewer mentioned their spot was "very uneven & the sewer is pretty much on an uphill slant from the trailer, which was an issue for dumping."
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies widely between campgrounds. One camper at Nelson Falls RV Park mentioned "zero cell coverage (we took that as a good thing), but make sure to download your Google map." However, Highlands RV Park offers better connectivity with a visitor reporting "site WiFi is legit as is T-Mobile and AT&T service."
Tips for camping with families
Enclosed dog areas: Families with pets benefit from dedicated spaces. "The great dog park area" at Boulder Creek RV Resort receives frequent mentions. A reviewer at Sequoia RV Ranch wrote about their visit: "We had 2 families with 4 kids under 5 years old. They rode bikes, played in the river and ran around until they crashed every night."
Water safety awareness: Fast-moving streams require supervision. At Lake Olancha RV Park & Campground, one visitor noted the small lake was "ideal for a bit of casual kayaking and nature watching," providing a safer alternative to swift mountain streams for families with children.
Wildlife precautions: Bear awareness is essential near Sequoia. "Bears will break into vehicles with food, scraps, wrappers, etc. Even a cardboard box can invite the critters' attentions," warns a Whitney Portal visitor. Most campgrounds provide bear boxes, and visitors should follow posted guidelines about food storage.
Tips from RVers
Variable hookup configurations: Many parks feature unusual utility layouts. At Nelson Falls RV Park, one visitor noted "full hookups for our 5th wheel, spacious sites," while another RVer at Sequoia RV Ranch mentioned the unusual configuration: "power and water are on the right instead of left."
Advance planning required: Peak season reservations should be made 6-12 months ahead. A visitor to Whitney Portal advised: "The campgrounds do fill up insanely quick! Be sure to book at least 2-3 months out especially during the 'climbing' season for Whitney June-Sept."
Weather considerations: Mountain weather changes rapidly year-round. A Nelson Falls RV Park visitor mentioned: "We went from the Thursday before Memorial Day to Memorial Monday. Everything was amazing." However, higher elevation campgrounds like Whitney Portal experience significant temperature drops: "It was COLD. Great site, friendly camp host, vault toilets."
