Rustic camping near Reedley, California offers access to Sequoia National Forest at elevations ranging from 4,900 to 7,000 feet. The forest contains over 1 million acres of public land with numerous unmarked dispersed sites along forest service roads. Winter conditions often close higher elevation roads between November and April, making seasonal planning essential.
What to do
Visit Chicago Stump: Located near Cherry Gap OHV Staging Area, this historic landmark features what remains of a giant sequoia cut down for the 1893 World's Fair. "Very close to the Chicago stump! Lots of wood laying around also," notes one camper at Cherry Gap OHV Staging Area.
Explore OHV trails: The network of forest roads provides excellent terrain for off-highway vehicles. At Sequoia Forest Hunting Area, one visitor shared: "Stayed here in my 22ft RV after leaving kings canyon and sequoia checking out general Sherman and some other trees. Had my dual sport with me so after parking for first night I unloaded and the next day I road all over the trails."
Visit fire lookouts: Take a day trip to nearby observation towers. "The coolest thing was the fire tower called Delilah lookout. Highly recommend! Great place for a 2 night stay especially if you have a dirtbike/enduro," reports a camper from Sequoia Forest Hunting Area.
Hiking opportunities: The forest features numerous unmarked trails. A visitor at Forest Road 13S02 shared: "There's a stream and waterfall downhill that makes for great hikes."
What campers like
Privacy and seclusion: Many sites provide separation from other campers. At Road to Armenian Camp, a visitor noted: "I've camped here for 14 days on two different occasions. It's very private other than the manager for the Armenian Camp who comes up and down the road everyday, a few more campers on the weekend."
Cell service at select sites: Connectivity varies throughout the forest. One camper at Road to Armenian Camp reported: "We had 2 bars of Verizon and intermittent T-Mobile signal. The nearest dump station is at Sequoia RV Park in Dunlap, you just drop $20 in their box and use any available site they have."
Spacious campsites: Many areas provide ample room for setups. At Forest Road 14S11 North Camp, a visitor shared: "Very good spot to camp, there were plenty of spots and most had rings. There was also a bathroom so that was nice. Right off of the main road that goes throughout the whole park."
Night sky viewing: The area's minimal light pollution creates excellent stargazing conditions. A camper at Forest Road 14S11 noted: "We stayed here in October 2023 for two nights. There are many spaces alongside this forest road, there are lots of trees, so you feel private though there were quite many people camping alongside the road. Great view on the night sky."
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Higher elevation roads often close during winter months. A visitor to Forest Rd 14S29 reported: "We were stoked to try and camp here, but ended up realizing it was closed due to ice for the winter upon arrival. No way to check until you get there, I guess!"
Fire restrictions: Fire permits are required for all camping areas. At Sequoia National Forest 13S08 Site, a camper noted: "Permits needed for ALL fires (camp, and propane stoves). Pack in, pack out. No water, bathrooms, trash, etc. Very quiet and secluded."
Narrow road access: Many sites have challenging approaches. At Road to Armenian Camp, one visitor advised: "Curvy, narrow road. No great pull outs for larger vehicles."
Limited facilities: Most sites lack amenities. A camper at Cherry Gap OHV Staging Area stated: "Nice open spaces with tree cover near Hume Lake off the 180. This is a dispersed camping and OHV staging area that is first come first served for camping."
Tips for camping with families
Check site conditions: Weather can change quickly at higher elevations. A visitor to Forest Rd 14S29 advised: "Simple campground, but suitable for one night. Still some snow around in may."
Look for established sites: Areas with basic amenities make family camping easier. At Forest Road 14S11 North Camp, a camper reported: "You can park along the entire road. A lot of spots."
Pack for temperature swings: Mountain elevations mean significant day-to-night variations. A visitor at Sequoia National Forest 13S08 Site shared: "Great dispersed sites in between Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks... Very quiet and secluded."
Bring entertainment: Limited activities may require planning for children. At Forest Road 13S02, a camper noted: "Secluded with very little traffic. Especially good if you're traveling with dogs to let them roam around."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Many forest roads accommodate only smaller RVs. A visitor to Forest Rd 14S29 advised: "We actually didn't stay primarily because this spot absolutely did not have any cell coverage whatsoever. We couldn't find a suitable place for tent and some of it looked like private property and/or reserved camping areas. Definitely more suitable if you have a RV or a built out van."
Plan for uneven ground: Most sites lack leveling. At Forest Rd 14S29, one camper noted: "We arrived just before dark, it's quite a small site. Room for 4 vans max, ideal for 3. We used to chocks to level up as it's pretty uneven in parts."
Know vehicle restrictions: Some areas have unexpected camping limitations. A visitor to Forest Road 14S11 reported: "The paved area does have a couple of small stakes that say 'no camping', but in our past dispersed camping experiences, those were used to mark areas where tents and vehicles couldn't pull off-road to camp. Apparently those stakes refer to the paved area in this case?"
