Glamping opportunities near Sequoia National Forest range from 6,000 to 7,000 feet elevation across multiple locations in the southern Sierra Nevada. While summer temperatures typically reach 75-85°F during the day, nights can drop below 50°F even in July and August. The camping season generally runs from May through October with most facilities closing during winter months due to heavy snowfall.
What to do
Wildlife viewing opportunities: At Camp Three Campground, visitors can spot diverse wildlife near the Kern River. "This is a great primitive campground if you truly want to disconnect for a few days. No cell reception, no WiFi... Take a 3 minute walk through the woods to get to Kern River and you have a little oasis away from it all," reports Mike N.
Sequoia hiking access: The area offers multiple trails for viewing giant sequoias beyond those mentioned in popular guides. "This is a stunning campground. 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," notes Hayley K.
River activities: During summer months when water levels moderate, the Kern River provides excellent recreation. "Best sites are right next to the river. Spacious with a good amount of privacy depending on the site you get. Easy to float to if you go up river. Keep an eye out for rattlesnakes during the summer months," advises Paul N. at Camp Three.
What campers like
Natural swimming spots: Kern's River Edge Campground provides direct river access for cooling off during hot days. The campsites are "clean and spacious, the bathrooms were sanitary and showers were hot," according to Makenna R., though she noted that "the on-site general store was shut down the whole weekend."
Peace and seclusion: Many campers value the quiet atmosphere available at certain times. "A nice secluded campground up the river from kern's more populated sites, in the heart of the Sequoia National Forest. First come first serve style camp site, showed up at 5 pm on a last minute late night camping trip and arrived to an empty campground," reports Diego R. about Headquarters Campground.
Fishing opportunities: The forest's rivers and streams offer productive fishing. "Highly recommend going to this campground! Tons of trees water and quiet... I have also caught tons of trout here so fishing is excellent!" notes Tyler C. about Springhill South Recreation Site.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Many Sequoia forest campgrounds operate seasonally. "We stayed here in October after the yurts had been taken down which was no bother to us when you're surrounded by the most magnificent trees in the world! This also meant there were no crowds and we had practically the entire campground to ourselves," reports Lili R. about Redwood Meadow.
Bear safety protocols: Bears remain active throughout the region, requiring proper food storage. "No food lockers, but also no in-camp bear incidents/sightings in the last few years, per Tim. So we made sure our food was locked in our cars whenever we weren't using it," advises Kim L. about Quaking Aspen Campground.
Limited connectivity: Cell service is minimal throughout most of the forest. "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 Kim L., providing a specific location for those needing connectivity.
Tips for camping with families
Stream access for children: Some campgrounds feature gentle water features suitable for younger children. "The River was a little low but it was perfect for us with our 5 year old son. We were able to float down the river in our inner tubes safely," shares David H. about KRS RV Resort@Camp James.
Campground activities: Some locations offer organized recreation. "This campground even offers activities for the whole family, movie night, bingo, even rock painting," mentions Amber D. about KRS RV Resort@Camp James.
Wildlife encounters: Families should prepare for various wildlife encounters. "We saw no wildlife besides ground squirrels and some birds. We had a trail camera set up all night every night and caught nothing," reports Amanda B., noting that despite concerns, wildlife sightings were minimal during her stay.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Hospital Flat presents specific challenges for larger vehicles. "The website says several spots are good for a 30-foot RV. I do not recommend anything bigger than 24 feet or so. The road through the campground is very narrow, and lined with large boulders. Some of the turns are very tight," warns Tricia V.
Group camping logistics: Some campgrounds accommodate RVs differently than expected in group sites. "When using a pop up you are essentially camping in the parking lot. It didn't end up being a bad spot but I would definitely say this site is more appropriate for tent camping," shares Kramer B. about Halfway Group Campground.
Hook-up availability: Some locations offer full amenities while others provide only basics. "The RV sights with full hooks up are further away from the river about 200 yards," notes Jeff G., pointing out the tradeoff between amenities and prime riverfront location.
