RV parks near Woodlake, California offer convenient access to Sequoia National Park while providing necessary amenities for extended stays. The surrounding region sits at elevations between 400-1,200 feet with hot, dry summers reaching 95-100°F and mild winters. Most campgrounds in this area feature gravel pads rather than paved surfaces, with varying degrees of shade availability depending on location.
What to do
River recreation access: Three Rivers Hideaway provides direct access to the Kaweah River. "A bit of a tight fit. They also do rafting tours. Best part of the stay is the spot they have on the river my dog can swim in every day," notes a camper about the Three Rivers Hideaway.
Visit Kings Canyon National Park: While farther than Sequoia, Kings Canyon offers different wilderness experiences. "Location is perfect as a launch point for trips into Sequoia NP," shares a winter visitor at Sequoia RV Ranch.
Local exploration: Three Rivers has small-town amenities worth visiting. "The little town of Three Rivers is pretty cool to check out. Also there are a few places to fish and swim in the nearby Kaweah River," mentions a camper.
What campers like
Natural water features: Many campers appreciate river access at various campgrounds. "Beautiful and well kept campground. Also loved the fact that loud music is not allowed. The sites by the river are amazing," shares a visitor about Sequoia RV Ranch.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The area offers chances to observe local wildlife. "Saw deer in and around the campground almost daily," notes a camper at Nelson Falls RV Park.
Swimming holes: Natural swimming spots provide relief from summer heat. "There was a really nice swimming hole that we did not test out in March. Easy and quick to Sequoia and a coffee shop and brewery just down the road!" shares a camper.
What you should know
Seasonal water levels: Rivers and creeks fluctuate significantly throughout the year. "We stayed 4 nights the first two dry camping in spot 14 in the Oak Grove, nice and spacious with a little deck picnic table and fire pit. The last two nights in spot 26 which was spacious on the small river (probably larger later in spring)," reports a camper.
Varying cell service: Connectivity differs by location and carrier. "Zero Cell coverage (we took that as a good thing), but make sure to download your google map," advises a visitor at Nelson Falls RV Park.
Mountain driving required: Access to some RV parks involves navigating mountain roads. "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," notes a camper at Lemon Cove Village.
Tips for camping with families
Look for dedicated play areas: Some campgrounds offer facilities specifically for children. "My little family & I had a great experience tent camping here at Camp Nelson, Trudy showed lovely hospitality & we made some new friends, the campground is really clean & peaceful," shares a visitor.
Seek campgrounds with recreation options: Facilities with multiple activities keep children engaged. "We had 2 families with 4 kids under 5 years old. They rode bikes, played in the river and ran around until they crashed every night," notes a family who camped in the area.
Consider bathroom cleanliness: Clean facilities make family camping more comfortable. "The bathrooms had flush toilets and hot showers that were very CLEAN. That is usually very hard to find when you are camping!" explains a camper at Riverbend RV Park.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Be prepared with leveling blocks at many area campgrounds. "Extremely unlevel sites. You will need to use every leveling block you own," warns an RVer about some spots.
Check site configurations: Sites may have unusual utility placements. "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," notes an RVer at Three Rivers Hideaway.
Consider dry camping options: Some campgrounds offer more spacious non-hookup sites. "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," shares an RV camper at Sequoia RV Park.
