Camping near Three Rivers, California allows direct access to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks with minimal crowds. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F, while spring brings significant snowmelt to local streams and rivers. Most campgrounds sit at elevations between 3,000-7,000 feet, creating noticeable temperature shifts between day and night that campers should prepare for.
What to do
Stargazing at high elevations: Horse Creek Campground offers exceptional night sky viewing opportunities. "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," notes Brittney J. The surrounding hills provide natural light blocking from nearby towns.
Giant sequoia exploration: Princess Campground sits among historic sequoia stumps and offers educational opportunities. One camper shares, "This is a fantastic, all-purpose campground with three large loops set in an old sequoia grove (sadly logged of all old growth from 1901-1908)." The adjacent meadow features interpretive signs explaining the area's logging history.
Swimming and water activities: During hot months, Sentinel Campground provides river access for cooling off. "We spend our days at the river swimming and lounging," writes Tanya T. The Kings River flows adjacent to several campsites, maintaining consistent water levels even during drought years.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Camping areas near Three Rivers offer plenty of room between sites. At Buckeye Flat Campground, Sam M. reports, "The sites are tent only, so no hookups or anything like that. Pretty nice sites though, a lot of space." Most tent sites include multiple flat areas suitable for different tent sizes.
Clean facilities: Despite the remote location, campgrounds maintain good standards. At Princess Campground, Laura A. was impressed: "Restrooms were well maintained, the camp host were friendly and informative." Vault toilets are typically serviced daily during peak season.
Natural features: The camping experience often includes wildlife viewing. At Quaking Aspen Campground, campers report, "It is a very peaceful and calm campground. The bathrooms were also kept very clean." Ground squirrels, mule deer, and various bird species are commonly spotted around campsites.
What you should know
Bear precautions: Food storage is strictly enforced throughout the area. "Each site also has storage lockers for your food, so be sure to lock it up in order to keep the bears from getting into it," advises Sam M. about Sunset Campground. Black bears actively patrol campgrounds, especially during summer and fall.
Road conditions: Access to many campgrounds requires navigating mountain roads. "Very steep and twisting road to enter the canyon. We had some damage to our van from rocks coming down to the road as we were driving on," reports Tanya T. Winter closures commonly affect higher elevation campgrounds between November and May.
Seasonal considerations: Facilities vary dramatically by season. At Horse Creek Campground, fabricio M. notes: "We visited this camp late July 2022, hot temperatures although nice breeze. Google map is not updated/accurate since it shows lake bend is closer to campsites which is not. The drought have made it too far to my liking." Many water features depend on snowmelt.
Tips for camping with families
Easy hiking options: Tenmile Campground offers accessible natural features. "There was a creek running behind our campground which was an easy (less than 10 minute) walk that had a natural rock slide into the water... perfect to cool off in," shares Emily T. These gentler terrain options work well for younger children.
Educational opportunities: The area provides natural learning experiences. At Princess Campground, Patrick H. mentions "a lovely paved trail near the adjacent meadow and sequoia grove" with interpretive signs about local ecology and history. Junior Ranger programs operate at park visitor centers during summer months.
Temperature planning: Pack for significant temperature swings. At Horse Creek Campground, Brittney J. advises: "For those looking to be fully removed from the world, you should know this campsite is RIGHT off the highway, so there is traffic and some headlights if drivers have their brights on." Summer days often exceed 100°F while nights can drop below 50°F.
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Many campgrounds have limited space for larger vehicles. At Buckeye Flat, tent camping is the only option as roads cannot accommodate RVs. "The sites are tent only, so no hookups or anything like that," confirms Sam M. Most RVs over 25 feet should target lower elevation campgrounds.
Limited hookups: Even RV-friendly campgrounds typically offer minimal services. Near Three Rivers, only the Visalia-Sequoia National Park KOA offers full hookups. "It's a place to stay. Friendly staff, well kept grounds, solid amenities. Many long term guests, a few of which were a bit noisy," notes Rexanne G.
Dump station access: Plan for waste management before arrival. At Princess Campground, "We were able to stop back by on our way home and use the RV sewer cleanout and water fill-up station for free! It is usually $10 but for this weekend (maybe longer?) it was comped," reports Kendra L. Most park campgrounds have no sewer hookups or dump stations.
