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Tent Camping near Three Rivers, CA
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Sequoia National Park offers multiple tent camping options near Three Rivers, California, including Cold Springs Campground, Buckeye Flat Campground, and Atwell Mill Campground. These primitive tent campgrounds are located within the park boundaries, providing access to giant sequoia groves and mountain wilderness. Sites are primarily designated for tent camping, with several locations prohibiting RVs due to narrow access roads and smaller campsite footprints.
Most tent campsites in the area feature dirt or natural surfaces with minimal improvements. Buckeye Flat offers standard amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and access to vault toilets, while Cold Springs provides bear boxes for food storage due to active wildlife. A review mentioned that "the water is COLD, even in summer" at riverside campsites. Seasonal access varies significantly, with higher-elevation tent sites typically open from late May through October. Fire restrictions may be implemented during dry periods, and all tent campgrounds require food storage in bear-resistant containers. Mineral King Road leading to Cold Springs Campground is particularly challenging, with one camper noting it's "about 45 minutes drive from SR-198 on Mineral King Rd (partially paved/dirt)."
Tent campers frequently use these areas as basecamp for day hikes or backpacking trips into the high country. Sites at Cold Springs and Atwell Mill provide a more secluded tent camping experience compared to more developed areas. One visitor observed that even at Cold Springs, "it is unlikely to fill up due to limited amenities." Areas farther from the main park entrance offer deeper wilderness immersion, with tent sites at Atwell Mill described as having "hardly any people" even during holiday weekends. Backcountry opportunities also exist at Weaver Lake and Twin Lakes, both accessible only by trail and requiring wilderness permits for overnight tent camping. These walk-in tent sites provide solitude and pristine surroundings for campers willing to hike several miles with their gear.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Three Rivers (54)
1. Cold Springs Campground — Sequoia National Park
"To access the campground, you drive across a bridge and locate the camp site that you want (first-come, first-served). Tent camping only."
"Recommend getting a site not directly by the bathrooms because they are vault toilets and the smell tends to drift."
from $32 / night
Check Availability2. Buckeye Flat Campground — Sequoia National Park
"This is a really cool little campground near the entrance of Sequoia National Park. The sites are tent only, so no hookups or anything like that. Pretty nice sites though, a lot of space."
"Great camping spot, dogs allowed on leash. Clean restrooms. Respectful neighbors. Would come back!"
from $22 / night
Check Availability3. Atwell Mill Campground — Sequoia National Park
"This primitive campground is amazing! There were hardly any people and some fellow campers told us it wasn’t even crowded on Memorial Day weekend."
"There are still a couple sequoias nearby that you can hike right up to, but even cooler are the giant stumps left over that you can right next to."
from $32 / night
Check Availability4. Weaver Lake Trail Campsites
"Maybe this is just a Southern Californian desert rat talking, but there is something very satisfying about hiking in and having a water source at your first night’s location."
"Easy 3-4 mile hike to beautiful weaver lake. Camp sites are spread out through out the side of the lake. Even spots with no amenities but an awesome lake."
5. Dunlap canyon retreat
"Just 25 minute drive to the entrance of National Park. But did enjoy staying in campground with nice walking trails around the property and peaceful pond to canoe. "
"He is super attentive and friendly without being in your face, he strikes the perfect balance between helpful and respectful of your privacy. Great place!"
from $40 - $150 / night
Check Availability6. Tulare County Balch Park Campground
"Plenty of beginner trails and historical trees that seem have been there forever and always will be"
7. Moses Gulch - State Forest
8. Twin Lakes Trail Campsites — Sequoia National Park
"6ish mostly uphil trek to the twin lakes campsite. Campsite sites are very nice with bear boxes and a locker toilet. Whole area is at about 9,000 ft elevation so it gets cold and the views are unreal"
9. Sequoia National Forest Belknap Campground
"Nice trails to explore. Husband caught a nice trout. There’s a decent swimming hole. Vault toilets. A few water spigots scattered throughout the campground."
"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."
from $36 - $38 / night
Check Availability10. Crystal Springs Campground — Kings Canyon National Park
"Camp ground was very easy to find, very spacious, picnic table, pit fire, restrooms are not too far & not too close to any site, flushing toilets and showers are not too far away located next to the"
"Great camp sites. we got in at 10pm and were still able to find a free site. it is so close to the General Grant so we didn’t have to get in the car, we just made it a long hike."
from $50 / night
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Drive Time
- 32 min from Visalia, CA
- 45 min from Hanford, CA
- 1 hr 8 min from Fresno, CA
- 1 hr 34 min from Bakersfield, CA
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Three Rivers, CA
44 Photos of 54 Three Rivers Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Buckeye Flat Campground — Sequoia National Park
Atwell Mill Campground — Sequoia National Park
Cold Springs Campground — Sequoia National ParkJ
Weaver Lake Trail Campsites
Crystal Springs Campground — Kings Canyon National Park
Dunlap canyon retreat
Belknap
Canyon View Group Sites — Kings Canyon National ParkM
Peppermint Campground
Dispersed Camp near Sequoia National Park
Pine Flat Campground
Limestone Campground
Tent Camping Reviews near Three Rivers, CA
947 Reviews of 54 Three Rivers Campgrounds
- JJennifer S.Scout
Visalia-Sequoia National Park KOA
Quiet and clean campground that’s well cared for. Restrooms and showers are very clean and kind staff on the property.
Jules D.
GuideAlabama Hills Dispersed Camping #2
My favorite spot at Alabama Hills. Very low traffic. There are only three campsites on this dead end road. It looks like 4 from Google Maps, but they are rehabbing one area. Most of the stuff people want to see at Alabama Hills is over a mile away. There Is a lot of broken glass and dog poo in the site. I stayed in site #2. It is huge. 3 has nice view; 4 is practically private-but very unlevel. The mountains are gorgeous. I will definitely camp here again.
- HHope H.Guide
Potwisha Campground — Sequoia National Park
Noisy Large Groups and Hot
I liked my site, which was just to the left of the entrance and was large and shaded. However, a large group had reserved several sites nearby which they treated as a group site, converging centrally in the evening and being pretty noisy with loud music until 11. They set up a very bright LED beacon on a pole which was obnoxious and thoughtless toward tenting neighbors and wildlife. I have stayed in other SEKI campgrounds many times without these issues. I won't be coming back to Potwisha.
Jake L.ScoutLodgepole Campground — Sequoia National Park
Not bad
Easy to access, sites are a little close together, but the drive is scenic and there’s lots of good stuff to go do close by.
Jen F.
TravelerAzalea Campground — Kings Canyon National Park
Bring your levelers
CONS: Most sites need some (or a lot) of level help. No RV dump. Pretty popular (so don’t expect privacy). PROS: sequoia is beautiful. You can find some amazing trails.
- ttom S.Guide
Horse Creek
Nice, but
Great location, awesome scenery and the sites are pretty nice. The reason for 3 stars is that the toilets are replaced with porta potties ( the machines n ones are locked) and the garbage is over flowing in the dumpster. There was no toilet paper in the women’s “restroom”. That was after the maintenance guy was here.
Beverley G.GuideAlabama Hills Dispersed Campsite
A really unique place with a great film history
I've camped here several times over the past 4 years, whenever headed north up the 395. I love to explore and photograph the rock structures, it is worth stopping by just to check them out! I grew up watching western films and the history of this area is amazing! So many westerns were filmed here - if you have time then I recommend stopping in at the Film Museum in the town, just a short drive away. It's fascinating! And there's plenty of cafes and restaurants along the main road too. It can get extremely windy, which may affect you if you're tent camping. But some of the camping areas have a certain amount of shelter. Many sites are not level, but I'm happy to sleep on a slant just to be in this magical place!
- HHeather Y.Scout
tuttle campground lone pine Ca.
Alabama Hills camping
Beautiful place to camp!
Guide to Three Rivers
Sequoia National Park's tent camping options span multiple elevations near Three Rivers, California, from 2,500 to over 9,000 feet. The area experiences dramatic seasonal temperature variations, with highs reaching 90°F in summer at lower elevations while mountain sites can drop below freezing even in June. Weather conditions can change rapidly throughout the day, making layered clothing essential even for summer camping trips.
What to do
Hike the Mineral King area: Cold Springs Campground serves as an excellent basecamp for accessing Mineral King trails. "Great hiking is connected to the camp and will leave you breathless," notes camper Cam C. The remote location means fewer crowds compared to main park areas.
Observe wildlife: The mountainous terrain hosts diverse wildlife encounters. At Belknap Campground, visitors report regular animal sightings. "Spent a very enjoyable 3 days at Belknap. Our site was between a creek and the river so we listened to water the whole time... There was a bear in the campground our last night there," reports Vicky D.
Backpacking access points: For overnight wilderness trips, several camps serve as starting points. "Easy 3-4 mile hike to beautiful weaver lake. Camp sites are spread out through out the side of the lake," explains a Wutang P. about Weaver Lake Trail Campsites. Wilderness permits are required for overnight backpacking.
What campers like
Riverside camping locations: Many sites offer water proximity. "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! There is a creek that runs along the grounds," notes Jordan K. about Belknap Campground.
Secluded camping experiences: Tent campers seeking solitude appreciate certain campgrounds. "This primitive campground is amazing! There were hardly any people and some fellow campers told us it wasn't even crowded on Memorial Day weekend," shares Emily U. about Atwell Mill Campground.
High-elevation sites: For those willing to climb, backcountry options provide unique experiences. "6ish mostly uphill trek to the twin lakes campsite. Campsite sites are very nice with bear boxes and a locker toilet. Whole area is at about 9,000 ft elevation so it gets cold and the views are unreal," explains Wutang P. about Twin Lakes Trail Campsites.
What you should know
Weather preparation: Mountain weather changes rapidly at different elevations. "At 4200' elevation expect cool evenings and cold mornings. Daytime temperatures are very pleasant but can get warm late in the season," advises Mark H. about Belknap Campground.
Road conditions: Several campgrounds require navigating challenging roads. "Getting to this campground takes a little patience. It is about 45 min drive from SR-198 on Mineral King Rd (partially paved/dirt), but with a couple small pull offs with water falls and Sequoias along the way," explains a camper about Cold Springs Campground.
Bear awareness: Active wildlife requires proper food storage. "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. Lots of bear/mountain lion activity but each campsite has a bear locker," notes Christi C. about Belknap Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming spots: Water features offer natural entertainment for kids. "River runs through the camp and there's a little swimming hole," mentions Christi C. about Belknap Campground, making it suitable for families seeking water activities.
Accessible trails: Several campgrounds connect directly to family-friendly hikes. "Go look at General Sherman and all the other Sequoia trees. They're so amazing and honestly it humbles you a little," recommends Sam M. about Buckeye Flat Campground.
Group accommodations: For larger family gatherings, dedicated group sites are available. "The group site we stayed at was extremely spacious we had more than enough room," shares Azizah T. about Crystal Springs Campground in Kings Canyon.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: RV campers should prepare for uneven terrain. "It would have been a good site for a tent but we are traveling with a roof tent. Our site was a bit uneven with no way to level it," cautions James W. about Buckeye Flat Campground.
Access limitations: Many of the best tent camping near Three Rivers, California restrict RV access. "Tents only and reservations needed; this is a popular camping destination," notes Mark H. about Belknap Campground, highlighting that many roads in the area are too narrow for larger vehicles.
Alternative locations: Some campgrounds outside park boundaries offer better RV accommodations. "We stayed at lower main camp with 30 ft RV, and had plenty of room. Spencer was very accommodating and made sure we had everything we need," reports Courtney F., describing an alternative camping option with easier RV access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Three Rivers, CA?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Three Rivers, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Three Rivers, CA is Cold Springs Campground — Sequoia National Park with a 4.9-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Three Rivers, CA?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Three Rivers, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 54 tent camping locations near Three Rivers, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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