236 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Springville, California offers camping destinations primarily in the Sequoia National Forest, ranging from developed campgrounds to dispersed wilderness sites. Campers seeking diverse accommodations can choose between tent sites at Balch Park Campground, RV hookups at Success Lake, cabin options at Nelson Falls RV Park, or glamping experiences at Camp or Glamp along the Tule River. Most established sites are concentrated within 20-30 miles of Springville proper, with several options positioned near water features including Success Lake and the Tule River.
Primitive camping sites in the Sequoia National Forest typically operate seasonally, with most higher elevation campgrounds closed during winter months. One camper noted, "It was a very long, winding and narrow road to get there" when describing access to Wishon Campground. Many forest campgrounds including Wishon, Belknap, and Coy Flat typically open from May through October, though specific opening dates depend on snow melt and road conditions. Balch Park Campground specifically operates from mid-May through mid-October. Cell service can be limited throughout the region, especially at higher elevations and more remote sites. Dispersed camping is available in designated areas with a required permit, offering free but primitive accommodations for self-sufficient campers.
Riverside and lakefront sites receive considerable attention in visitor reviews, with swimming holes and water access frequently mentioned as highlights. "There are several bathrooms, garbage and recycling bins, and a stream with a flat swim/wading area," reported one visitor about Wishon Campground. The lake at Success Lake provides opportunities for fishing, boating, and kayaking, with campers appreciating the sunset views over the water. Many campgrounds feature bear boxes for food storage, especially those in forested areas near the Sequoia National Monument. Campers looking for more secluded experiences tend to favor the higher elevation forest campgrounds, while those seeking more amenities gravitate toward developed sites like Success Lake with its flush toilets, showers, and hookups for RVs.
"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."
from $20 - $30 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
"Campground really close to the water. Lots of playground equipment. Good for tenors and an RVs with no hook ups. Lots of space and good cell coverage. Bathrooms are flush with showers and OK."
"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!"
from $36 - $75 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $36 - $242 / night
Check Availability"This is a very beautiful campground small but very secluded with a river running through it just above the Springville in the Sequoia National forest"
"Friendly staff checked us in and gave great trail and site recommendations. Very clean and well maintained."
from $36 - $73 / night
Check Availability"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!"
from $36 - $38 / night
Check Availability"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."
"The drive up is a little daunting with going up the mountain, but the road was fine just take your time it will be worth it."
from $20 - $235 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $60 - $70 / night
Check Availability"This small roadside campground is a lovely spot, tucked between a hillside and Deer Creek running year round right at the edge of the campground."
"There is a market close by Incase you forgot something, when you go back on the road make a right and at the intersection make another fight and ir should take you to the market."
GuideHeavy winds for most of the day, but less in the evening. Beautiful views of the mountains. Well spaced spots, clean restrooms and plenty of availability even when arriving Saturday around noon of labour day weekend
RangerThis is an older campground with fantastic views of Mt. Whitney. When I say older, I refer to narrow driveways and sites close to one another. The narrow driveways mean that if you have a camper or RV, you will not have a lot of room immediately out of the door. Maybe that's important to you, maybe not-just an FYI. Every site appears to have a tree capable of providing shade. There is a host on site. It has the standard amenities-table, fire ring w/grill, water & restrooms. The North Fork of the Lone Pine Creek runs along the north side of the campground and sites are available along side it. Most of these are tent sites. Site 39 sits right at a nice little pool in the creek & I saw trout in this pool. (it is a tent site) People in the campground were fishing. It wasn't crowded and most folks seemed to spend just one night.
TravelerOur camp spot was great exactly as pictured, quiet and peaceful. Bathhouse and laundry room filthy and you had to pay to take a shower like a car wash. Just saying if you’re going to charge people to take a shower you could at least clean it. As much as they charge per night shouldn’t be charging anyways . But the spot was nice.
TravelerStopped by here on a last minute late afternoon to get out of the heat, sit by a campfire in the cool weather and wake up to a brisk warning. Did a half day hike before heading out in the afternoon.
ScoutStaying for 2 nights at the end of August. Its hot but the lake and amenities offered make you totally forget the temperature! Kids had a blast with the peddleboat, peddle boards and kayaks. The docks are a fun spot to hang out and have dinner. Amazing views!!!
ScoutThis is a nice camp ground in. Camp parking , right on the Mighty Kern River, beautiful landscapes and mountains, friendly people , and great trout fishing, and kayaking. All in all 100% one of my all time favorites.
TravelerGreat remote open plain site. Solid paved roads and parkways. Each sote has ample spacing with individual covered picnic tables and fire pit. Would definitely stop here again crossing thru ca 😎
TravelerWe stayed at site 67. When bookibg, we were worried it was too close to neighboring sites but it turned out ok. The flattest spot for our giant tent was down the hill and it felt very private. All the sites in our section (66, 67, 68) had sloped parking spots. If you have an RV or sleep in your car, be sure to bring levelers.
The only water was a large sink outside of the bathroom. You could screw a hose to the faucet if needed.
The bathroom was close but not too close. The women’s has 2 stalls and a sink. Bring your own hand soap and hand towel.
We weren’t at the site much during the day so I can’t say for certain if it stays shady during the day but there are many trees. We never needed our canopy.
Azalea allows dogs and the barking echos quite loudly through the campground.
GuideWe came late afternoon on a Saturday and there was heaps of space left. Some spaces any car can drive, some require higher clearance and some are 100% 4x4 access only. But there was plenty.
The pit toilet is off to the right of the site, although, it can be messy inside, we cleaned it twice in our 1 day stay.
The river is clean, flowing and not freezing cold which was great. Plenty of places to have a dip or a swim. Plenty of places to get chairs under trees for a break from the sun. Absolutely no flies or mosquitoes, it's hands down the best camping spot we've found in the USA so far. Huge bins on the way in to accommodate rubbish.
2 bars 4G Verizon signal, tarmac road until entry and then abit lumpy down to main site.
Campgrounds near Springville, California range in elevation from 1,000 to 7,000 feet, creating diverse camping experiences across multiple climate zones. Most dispersed camping in the area requires a California Campfire Permit, obtainable online through the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Winter access to higher elevation sites can be limited by snowfall from November through April.
Fishing opportunities: At Tule - Success Lake, campers can enjoy lake fishing year-round. "There is so much to do here and around this area. From hidden water falls and earth made rock slides this is one of my favorite places to come camping," noted Angelica G. The lake provides options for fishing and boating activities with rental equipment available at some locations.
Swimming holes: The forest campgrounds feature natural water features for cooling off during summer months. A camper at Wishon Campground reported, "There are several bathrooms, garbage and recycling bins, and a stream with an flat swim/wading area! (Water is cold but clean for taking a camp shower)." Many campgrounds have river access with small swimming areas.
Stargazing: Higher elevation sites offer exceptional night sky viewing opportunities. At Dispersed Camp near Sequoia National Park, one camper shared, "I was surprised how vacant this location was. It was absolutely gorgeous and the stars were unreal!" The 7,000-foot elevation and distance from urban light pollution creates optimal conditions for astronomy enthusiasts.
Privacy between sites: Dispersed camping areas provide seclusion not found at developed campgrounds. A visitor to Dispersed Camp near Sequoia National Park noted, "My wife and I love this location and definitely will come back. There was only one other camper and they were 50 yards away." These areas typically have unmarked sites separated by natural features.
Wildlife viewing: The area supports diverse wildlife including deer and bears. At Balch Park Campground, campers reported, "We didn't have bears the two nights we stayed but someone said the bears were there the night before we got there." Another camper at Nelson Falls RV Park mentioned, "Saw deer in and around the campground almost daily."
Clean facilities: Despite the rustic setting, many campgrounds maintain well-kept amenities. One visitor to Quaking Aspen Campground shared, "The bathrooms were also kept very clean. I didn't get a chance to go hiking in the area, but there are trails nearby." Another camper at Tule - Success Lake noted, "It's really a cheap place to camp and have nice hot clean showers."
Fire restrictions: Fire regulations vary by location and season. A camper at Sequoia National Forest Quaking Aspen Campground noted, "Due keep in mind you will need to obtain campfire permit online before you arrive depending if there are fire restrictions or not." Most areas require a California Campfire Permit even when campfires are allowed.
Road conditions: Many forest roads require careful driving and sometimes 4WD capabilities. "It was a very long, winding and narrow road to get there," reported one camper about access to Wishon Campground. Another visitor noted, "Nice quiet boondocking area downhill off the road. It's all dust roads so AWD would be best, but we did make it in our van."
Bear activity: Food storage precautions are essential throughout the region. At Dispersed Camp, a visitor cautioned, "Make sure you don't keep anything smelly in your tent or around your truck because there is a local bear that comes by in the middle of the night when everyone's sleeping." Some campgrounds provide bear lockers, but at others, campers must store food in vehicles or hang from trees.
Swimming options: Water features provide natural entertainment for children. At Sequoia National Forest Belknap Campground, one camper shared, "River runs through the camp and there's a little swimming hole. Camp Nelson trail is a short walk away and the river runs next to most of the trail so there's always a water source."
Playground equipment: Some developed campgrounds offer recreational facilities. "Good place for fishing and boating. Campground really close to the water. Lots of playground equipment. Good for tenors and RVs with no hook ups," noted a camper at COE Success Lake Tule Campground.
Dust management: Parents should prepare for dusty conditions at many forest campgrounds. One family at Balch Park Campground advised, "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!"
Size limitations: Most forest campgrounds cannot accommodate large RVs. "Tents only and reservations needed; this is a popular camping destination," explained a camper at Sequoia National Forest Belknap Campground, highlighting the vehicle limitations at many forest sites.
Hookup availability: Full-service sites are limited to specific campgrounds. A visitor to Nelson Falls RV Park reported, "Full hookups for our 5th wheel, spacious sites, flushing restrooms and showers if you wanted. Starlink worked perfect, though there was wifi available." This is one of the few locations offering comprehensive RV services.
Cell connectivity: Service is unpredictable throughout the region. "Zero Cell coverage (we took that as a good thing), but make sure to download your google map," advised an RVer at Nelson Falls RV Park. Most higher elevation campgrounds have limited to no connectivity, while some lower elevation sites offer spotty service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find camping near Springville, California?
Springville offers several excellent camping options in the surrounding Sequoia National Forest. Sequoia National Forest Coy Flat Campground is a beautiful, small, secluded campground just above Springville with a river running through it. Another option is Balch Park Campground, which provides drive-in access with reservable sites, water, and toilet facilities. For those seeking riverside camping, Leavis Flat Campground offers year-round sites tucked between a hillside and Deer Creek. Additional options include Camp or Glamp along the Tule River and Sequoia National Forest Belknap Campground, both offering beautiful forest settings within a short drive from Springville.
What activities and attractions are available in Springville, California?
Springville and its surrounding areas offer abundant outdoor recreation opportunities. At Kern River Campground, visitors can mountain bike adjacent foothills, road bike on dedicated paths, or enjoy river activities. The area is also known for its proximity to Sequoia National Forest Quaking Aspen Campground, which provides access to numerous hiking trails with knowledgeable staff offering maps and information about the area. Other activities include exploring giant sequoia groves, fishing in mountain streams, wildlife viewing, photography, and stargazing. For history buffs, Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park provides a glimpse into California's past. The region's natural beauty makes it perfect for nature appreciation and relaxation away from urban environments.
How do I get from Springville, CA to Sequoia National Park?
From Springville to Sequoia National Park, head north on Highway 190 toward Porterville, then take Highway 198 east through Three Rivers to the Ash Mountain entrance. The drive takes approximately 1.5-2 hours depending on traffic and road conditions. Once in the park, you can access popular campgrounds like Lodgepole Campground — Sequoia National Park, which is perfectly situated near the best trailheads and walking distance to amenities. Alternatively, Sunset Campground — Kings Canyon National Park is another excellent option when exploring the park. Check road conditions before traveling, especially in winter months when snow can affect access to higher elevations.
Keep Exploring
