260 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Three Rivers serves as a starting point for campers heading to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, with campgrounds ranging from developed RV parks with full hookups to basic tent sites in the backcountry. Camping near Three Rivers covers a wide spectrum, from drive-in campsites with flush toilets and running water to permit-required backcountry spots deep in the parks. Sequoia's campgrounds include Lodgepole and Potwisha, which fill quickly because they're close to giant sequoias and other natural features. Kings Canyon's Azalea Campground sits among tall trees and tends to be quieter than some Sequoia sites. Spring and fall bring better camping weather and fewer people than summer, when you'll definitely need advance reservations. If you want to camp in the backcountry, you'll need permits, and during dry months, fire bans often go into effect. Remember that parks enforce a 14-day maximum stay. Pack out your trash since garbage service is limited in many areas. Don't count on having phone service in most parts of the parks. RVers can find full hookups at Sequoia RV Ranch, though you should book well ahead during busy seasons. Before heading out, check the park websites for any trail or campground closures that might affect your trip.
"If you’re looking to camp in California, Sequoia National Park should be one of your top destinations. They have cabin and tent camping. I have stayed in both."
"Amazing views all around the campgrounds. If you want to get of away from the city this is the place to be...Love it."
from $32 / night
Check Availability"Far away from neighbors to feel privacy and great hikes in every direction that go up in the mountains. A lot of mule deer very close by as well."
"We were right next to the entrance of a hiking trail (#14) so there was a lot of foot traffic & cars early in the morning and throughout the day."
from $32 / night
Check Availability"We had a nice site and plenty of campside room. I felt like I was in my neighbors site when I had to dump my tanks. The sewage hookup was right in front of his steps."
"No real walking trails in the area but were able to go down to the river and there was a swimming hole,$40 for holiday weekend."
"This campground is our go to if we’re camping in Three Rivers."
"Three Rivers is the closest town— about 10 minutes to small grocery, brewery, froyo, coffee shop, gas station."
from $120 / night
Check Availability"The tap outside the building didn't work and neither did the water fountain. The host was not there for check-in."
"Two well located bathrooms with good showers at no additional cost. During the summer months the Rangers put on a Campfire program at the campground every Saturday evening."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"The sites themselves are nice, located in a grassy meadow around a reservoir This is the most grass we have seen in several months."
"Some of the sites (75, 76 etc..) look out on Lake Kaweah. It’s clean and well organized. Some highway noise."
from $20 - $40 / night
Check Availability"We took the shuttle into Sequoia NP and used the internal shuttles to get around up there. It was nice not to have to drive but still get to enjoy a good portion of the park. We stayed at site 24."
"Nice drive thru RV’s sites. Friendly Staff and good staff especially Jennifer. Very nice dog park, not a lot grass but good running area for dogs."
"The only thing negative I could say about this campground is that a lot of the campsites are very close to each other. But if you choose wisely, as my friend and I did, then I have no complaints."
"It was also very close proximity to pretty much everything. We did a lot of driving around."
from $32 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Easy walk to campstore, post office, restaurant, and visitor center. Many trails close by. Very busy in summer. No reservations. Tent only loops available."
"Very quiet but some sledding and hiking activity close by. Sites are a little close to each other, but being so quiet it's not a big deal."
from $32 / night
Check Availability"We also actually crossed paths with two tarantulas, one on the way to the site and one on the way out (different parts of the road)."
"Maybe it was the somewhat treacherous drive in (6 miles of steep winding one lane gravel/dirt road) don't look down if you have a fear heights! Maybe it was the cooler December temperatures."
TravelerGreat little spot just before Mt. Whitney portal. Clean bathrooms. One side of the campsite has good shaded campsites. Some sites are on the smaller end but over all will be coming back again.
LegendWe stayed here while on our way to southern CA. It was a pleasant experience and the restored and reconstructed buildings told the story of this community beautifully.
GuidePlan to stay the max 14 days if you can, this site is def worth it.
TravelerWe stayed in the lower campground, site 51 fit our 21' trailer and truck (Tundra crew cab). Most of the sites are shaded with old growth oak and pine trees. Independence Creek was flowing really good. Water was cool and there are rainbows. The only bathroom is at the entrance. There are several water spickets, with buckets to use on fire rings. Really enjoyed our stay and would come again. At $34 night wish the FS or ? would spend that on site improvements.
GuideNice campground. Bathrooms are outdated but generally clean. Some spots are not very great- such as 156, but I was able to get my van in sideways.
TravelerGood amenities and friendly staff! We took the shuttle into Sequoia NP and used the internal shuttles to get around up there. It was nice not to have to drive but still get to enjoy a good portion of the park. We stayed at site 24. It was nice because it was on the end and enjoyed our view in the mornings. We have group sites that are next to us but were unoccupied while we stayed.
GuideGreat spot to camp for the night! Private, safe
GuideLodgepole, Site 199. Late June. Nice warm days, cold nights. The river and scenery make this campground special. There are lots of birds and rodents (Squirrels and chipmunks of varying sizes and colors).
If you can get a site near the river, or on the outside if a loop, the views and sounds are wonderful. Great location for Sherman Tree Trails, Moro Rock.
The loop restrooms are old and not well cared for. There are only two small restrooms at the visitors center. So Dirty and too few for too many people. (The situation at Grant Grove VC is much better for restrooms, but no showers or laundry.) I used both showers and laundry. My shower was cold and dirty despite having just been cleaned (I waited 50 minutes). (Lowest Bidder). Laundry was adequate and I was thankful to have it.
GuideSites 100, 33, 41. Late June. A beautiful HILLY campground with dirty to very dirty flush bathrooms and no hosts. NPS does a terrible job with janitor service all over the country in my experience.
Site 100 parking pad has a 4 degree grade. It is a very lovely site for smaller tent camping with view of sunset. In a quiet hilly part of the campground, but I had few neighbors even though the sites showed up as completely booked on rec.gov.
Site 33 has a 3 degree grade and *abuts several sites* and the water spigot. Short pad could accommodate a van, but the pad adjacent is *very* close.
Site 41 is at the top of the hill and has a beautiful view and but little shade.
Big Stump trailhead can be reached by footpath from the campground. (Or you can drive back toward the gate and park there).
Visitor's Center with WiFi and a store and decent flush toilets near the restaurant is almost just across the street.
Beware of tiny chipmunks in the most crowded areas. At site 33 I saw two jump onto people's cars/campers. One was trying to get into an open car door.
Camping near Three Rivers, California offers access to multiple elevations from 1,500 feet to over 6,500 feet, creating diverse temperature zones throughout the year. The area sits at the junction of foothills and mountains, with the Kaweah River providing cooling opportunities during summer months when temperatures in lower elevations can reach 100°F. Campgrounds vary from riverside locations with swimming holes to higher elevation forest settings with greater privacy.
Hiking to waterfalls: Take the Tokopah Falls trail accessible from Lodgepole Campground, which follows the Marble Fork Kaweah River. "The marble creek river is gorgeous and people come, park and spend the day cooling off," notes Alma L.
Swimming in natural pools: Visit the swimming hole at Sequoia RV Ranch during hot weather. "There was a really nice swimming hole that we did not test out in March," mentions Jennifer O., while another camper notes the "natural spring-fed swimming hole in the North Fork of the Kaweah River, just a short walk from the campground."
Winter activities: When snow arrives at higher elevations, Azalea Campground remains open with sledding opportunities nearby. "We decided to come in the off season in February and we got lucky with weather. Low tonight is only supposed to be in the upper 30s. Very quiet but some sledding and hiking activity close by," reports Lydia H.
Stargazing: The foothills provide good dark sky viewing locations with limited light pollution. At Horse Creek Campground, "The stargazing is beautiful. There is some limited light pollution emanating from the other side of the foothills, but because you are surrounded by foothills you get some good, dark surroundings to really appreciate the stars," according to Brittney J.
River sounds: Many campers appreciate having water features nearby. At Three Rivers Hideaway, "Best part of the stay is the spot they have on the river my dog can swim in every day," says Ashley M. Similarly, a camper at South Fork Campground notes "The South Fork River could be heard from every campsite here."
Wildlife sightings: Multiple campgrounds offer opportunities to see local animals. "We were visited by deer and entertained by a family of quails as we sat around our fire," shares Diana G. about Dorst Creek Campground. Other campers report deer, turkeys, birds, and occasionally bears in the parks.
Uncrowded winter camping: Off-season camping provides a different experience with fewer people. "We went up on a Thursday and I am glad we did. If you go up on Friday you will be fighting for a spot and Good luck finding an opening on Saturday," advises Jimmy W. about Azalea Campground, while winter visitors note significantly reduced crowds.
Access to trails: Many campgrounds connect directly to hiking trails. "There were several trails that you could access from within the campground," notes a Dorst Creek camper, while another mentions "the Muir Grove is a hidden gem of a hike to a serene grove of sequoias, accessed at the end of the campground near the group sites."
Elevation affects temperature: Lower elevation campgrounds like Potwisha Campground can become extremely hot in summer. "A good campground from late fall to mid spring. In the summer this campground gets flooded from the rising lake waters of lake kaweah, which is fine because it is blazing hot in the summer," explains Matt B. about Horse Creek.
Road conditions: Some campgrounds require navigating challenging roads. At South Fork Campground, "The road to the campsite starts off paved then turns into a dirt road. The road is narrow and once you get closer to the site the road gets rocky and bumpy. I would highly recommend a car with 4WD and some clearance," cautions Amanda C.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain. "Spot #106. Unlevel, but most in this area are not level," notes Mark M. about Azalea Campground, while at Dorst Creek "we tent camped two nights here. Our site was roomy but not very level; turned out wonderfully though as it rained one entire day and no water pooled near our tent."
Seasonal closures: Water levels and weather affect campground availability. "This is a wonderful campground in late fall to mid spring. Too hot in the summer," shares Matt B. about South Fork Campground, and Horse Creek campground can be underwater during certain seasons.
Dog-friendly options: Several campgrounds welcome pets with designated areas. Lemon Cove Village "had a really nice dog park. Management was super helpful," according to Johnni G., while at Sequoia RV Ranch, "There is a really nice, large, and clean dog park!"
Kid-friendly activities: Some campgrounds offer additional activities for children. At Lodgepole, "Full amenities, general store, showers, washing machine's and Ranger station with activities for kids throughout the week," shares Erin M. Sequoia RV Ranch has campers reporting "kids under 5 years old... rode bikes, played in the river and ran around until they crashed every night."
Bear safety education: Use camping as an opportunity to teach wildlife safety. "We got to see two female bears walking at a distance from campground. Wildlife management team came and made sure bear stayed in its nature areas. Fun to watch and learn how they track bears and keep visitors informed on how to store our items with smells inside metal bear boxes," explains a Dorst Creek visitor.
Swimming areas: Look for campgrounds with safe water access. "It's nice and dark at night to see all the stars and everyone is very respectful on the site. A small part of the site is used by a kayaking company and they're also very respectful of the campers as well," notes Rachel M. about Three Rivers Hideaway.
Site selection: Research specific sites before booking. At Sequoia RV Ranch, "We ended up camping in a dry site as it had more space and was at the end of the park under some oaks (site 17). The RV sites were close together and the ones not on the river were on a gravel parking lot," explains Jennifer O.
Generator restrictions: Some campgrounds limit or prohibit generator use. At Lodgepole Campground, "Generator hours are thankfully enforced," according to one visitor, while other campgrounds have specific loops where generators are allowed during certain hours.
Dump station availability: Check for on-site dumping options. "The dump station is very nice and free to use," notes a Lodgepole visitor, while at Horse Creek "The RV Dump station was also unavailable (same reason). During peak season I'm sure this is a great spot, but at the time of our visit it was a bit out of sorts."
Power concerns: Some campgrounds have electrical issues. "We had issues with low voltage from the electric post on site 6 which caused our RV's electrical system to cycle on and off every minute or two. The onsite techs diagnosed an issue with the city-supplied power and mentioned sites 1 through 10 had issues with power, mostly on the weekends," warns a visitor to Sequoia RV Ranch.
Frequently Asked Questions
How close is Three Rivers camping to Sequoia National Park?
Three Rivers serves as the primary gateway to Sequoia National Park, with most campgrounds offering convenient access to the park entrance. Lodgepole Campground — Sequoia National Park is located within the park itself, offering the closest proximity to iconic attractions like the Giant Forest and General Sherman Tree. Potwisha Campground — Sequoia National Park is situated just inside the park boundary, a short drive from Three Rivers. For those staying at campgrounds in Three Rivers proper, the main entrance to Sequoia National Park is typically 10-15 minutes away by car. This strategic location allows campers to easily explore the park's magnificent sequoia groves while having access to the services and amenities of Three Rivers.
Where are the best campgrounds in Three Rivers, CA?
Three Rivers offers several excellent camping options. Sequoia RV Ranch stands out as a favorite base camp with creekside full hookup sites and easy access to town amenities. For those seeking a mountain experience, Cold Springs Campground — Sequoia National Park provides a beautiful setting in the Mineral King valley, though it requires navigating a winding 23-mile road from Three Rivers (about an hour drive). Other notable options include Potwisha Campground for its proximity to the park entrance and Three Rivers Hideaway for its convenient location. The area's campgrounds offer varying levels of amenities and natural settings, making Three Rivers an ideal gateway for exploring both the foothills and the magnificent Sequoia National Park.
Are there any camping options near Three Rivers for RVs?
Three Rivers offers several excellent options for RV camping. Sequoia RV Ranch is particularly well-suited for RVers, featuring full hookup pull-through sites, including premium riverside locations. The ranch provides adequate space for maneuvering larger rigs, though water pressure can be variable. Horse Creek Campground near Lemon Cove is another big-rig friendly option in the vicinity with hookups and accessible sites. Most RV parks in the area offer essential amenities like water, electric, and sewer connections, with some providing laundry facilities ($1.50 for washers, $1 for dryers at Sequoia RV Ranch). Three Rivers' RV campgrounds serve as convenient basecamps for exploring Sequoia National Park, typically located within a short drive to the park entrance while offering more amenities than the more primitive in-park camping options.
What amenities are available at Three Rivers campsites?
Campgrounds in Three Rivers offer a range of amenities to suit different camping preferences. Visalia-Sequoia National Park KOA provides family-friendly facilities with organized events and activities, making it particularly good for families with children. Three Rivers Hideaway offers basic necessities like water and toilets in a convenient location. Most campgrounds in the area provide potable water, restroom facilities, and fire rings or grills. Many riverside campsites feature the natural amenity of the Kaweah River, offering opportunities for swimming and fishing during warmer months. Campgrounds closer to town provide easier access to Three Rivers' restaurants, shops, and markets, while those within or nearer to Sequoia National Park offer more primitive settings with basic amenities but stunning natural surroundings.
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