Christina R.
Guide
GuideSunset Campground — Kings Canyon National Park
Nice Area
Nice 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 Bathrooms are outdated but generally clean.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.
Camping near Sunland, CA
204 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
The foothills surrounding Sunland, California provide a gateway to diverse camping experiences within reach of Los Angeles County residents. Campers will find options ranging from established campgrounds at Success Lake to more primitive sites in Sequoia National Forest. The Tule River area offers several developed campgrounds including North and South Tule Campgrounds, which maintain year-round operations with basic amenities like drinking water and toilets. For those seeking a more immersive experience, dispersed camping near Sequoia National Park provides free sites with minimal facilities but maximum wilderness exposure. Glamping options along the Tule River adjacent to Giant Sequoia National Monument offer a more comfortable alternative with amenities like showers and picnic tables.
Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping conditions in the region. Summer temperatures often exceed 90°F in lower elevations, while higher altitude sites like Balch Park Campground (open mid-May through mid-October) offer cooler conditions. Fire restrictions frequently affect the area during dry months, with permits required for any open flame. As one camper noted, "Year round camping is possible at Leavis Flat Campground, provided you are ready for possible precipitation and dampness." Many sites require cash payment at self-check-in stations, and bear-resistant food storage is mandatory at forest campgrounds. Cell service varies dramatically, with most remote sites offering limited or no connectivity.
Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors to the area. Campgrounds situated along creeks and rivers provide natural cooling and recreational opportunities during hot summer months. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with deer, quail, and occasionally bears spotted near campsites. One reviewer mentioned, "We camped right at the riverfront so it was nice to wake up, step outside our tent and have morning tea while watching the river flow." Sites with shade are particularly valuable during summer, with several reviewers noting the importance of tree cover. Proximity to trails and natural features like the Trail of 100 Giants adds recreational value to many camping locations, allowing visitors to experience the region's famous sequoia groves without long drives between destinations.
Best Campgrounds near Sunland (204)
1. Tule - Success Lake
"in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park can fill up quickly, so if you arrive to the area in the afternoon, if the higher-elevation campsites are under snow, or if you’re looking for an option outside"
"We were here on the weekend and we're able to drive in and get a spot. There are bathrooms and showers available. There is a day use area. The lake is beautiful and you are very close to town."
from $20 - $30 / night
Check Availability2. COE Success Lake Tule Campground
"Nice lake views but too muddy for swimming. Some highway noise. Woken up by a group of roosters and had a nice chat with them."
"Campground really close to the water. Lots of playground equipment. Good for tenors and an RVs with no hook ups. Lots of space and good cell coverage. Bathrooms are flush with showers and OK."
3. Leavis Flat Campground
"This small roadside campground is a lovely spot, tucked between a hillside and Deer Creek running year round right at the edge of the campground."
"There is a market close by Incase you forgot something, when you go back on the road make a right and at the intersection make another fight and ir should take you to the market."
4. North Tule Campground
"We spent one night in this campground and found it to be quiet and far enough away from the freeway and trains that those noise makers did not bother us at all."
5. Deer Creek RV Park
6. Friends RV
from $45 - $450 / night
7. Balch Park Campground
"Wood at entrance to upper near the host. The museum is non existent and was about to collapse. When I was a kid it had cool stuff from the logging days of the area."
"The site donated the Balch family and operated by the Tulare County Parks, host camping among the Sequoias, fishing at two lakes that are stocked with trout, a self-guided hiking trail and more."
8. Camp or Glamp along the Tule River next to the Giant Sequoia National Monument
from $60 - $70 / night
Check Availability9. Holey Meadow Campground
"A small, quiet campground that’s good for groups of 2-4 people since the sites are close to each other."
"The campsites are close to each other and is the only reason I did not mark this as 5 stars. 1, 2, 3 and 4 are in the first section/small loop and are up a slight hill and have a smaller bathroom. 5 and"
from $34 - $36 / night
Check Availability10. Wishon Campground
"This is a primitive campground with several site locations. It was a very long, winding and narrow road to get there."
"About an hour away from the sequoia national park and a great option for cheap camping! There are several bathrooms, garbage and recycling bins, and a stream with an flat swim/ wading area!"
from $36 - $75 / night
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Drive Time
- 41 min from Visalia, CA
- 53 min from Hanford, CA
- 56 min from Bakersfield, CA
- 1 hr 15 min from Fresno, CA
Recent Camping Photos near Sunland, CA
296 Photos of 204 Sunland Campgrounds
SwitchbackKids
Tule - Success Lake
Eric B.
Leavis Flat Campground
Ryan B.
Holey Meadow Campground
Shea M.
Wishon Campground
Sarah A.
Sequoia National Forest Coy Flat Campground
Ashley S.
Redwood Meadow
richard Y.
Frazier Mill Campground
Vanessa C.
Dispersed Camp near Sequoia National Park
Jamie B.
Balch Park Campground
Vicky D.
Hedrick Pond Campground
Cristina H.
Nelson Falls RV Park
Jessica P.
Sequoia National Park Dispersed campground
Recent Reviews near Sunland, CA
911 Reviews of 204 Sunland Campgrounds
Jeff B.
TravelerLemon Cove Village
Great stop for Sequoia NP
Good 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.
- MMatthew P.Guide
Stine Cove Recreation Site
We got a tree!!
We were tent camping on a touring Harley. It’s easy to get to though the roads in the area are gravel but that’s literally when you turn into the camping area. It was windy and there were bugs but they didn’t bite so I’m cool. It was gonna rain so we left the rain cover off. It was in the high 80s at day and mid 50s at night in early July. Slept great but if you’re on a Harley leave early. So you get the road to yourself!!
- HHope H.Guide
Lodgepole Campground — Sequoia National Park
Excellent Location for Sequoia Sights, Busy
Lodgepole, 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.
- HHope H.Guide
Sunset Campground — Kings Canyon National Park
Location and Views Keep Me Coming Back
Sites 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.
- aalice N.Guide
Kennedy Meadows Campground
Mosquitoes, horse flys, flys & tree sap! Sites are otherwise nice🧐
Had a nice site under a tree that was dripping sap everywhere! We could only use one end of the site table & things were still sticky! Enjoyed walking about the area and could see the nice stream below. There were so many 🦟 & biting flys that our one dog didn’t want to come out of our van, he also had sap on the bottom of his paws. This area is free, but there is a volunteer camp host that occasionally comes around to check you are not parked on the dirt areas. It is beautiful country and there is a very narrow road pass going towards Troy Meadows/Bakersfield/Lake Isabella that we enjoyed. Need to stop in at General Store for a beer!
- KKevin P.Traveler
Deer Creek RV Park
2 night stay
Large site, it was worth the $50 per night. The majority of the people there are working on construction projects that require them to be on the road. Gate closes at night which makes it safe. Would stay again if I was in the area.
Genesis C.GuideSouth Fork Recreation Site
Windy lake retreat
Super windy but warm this time if the year! Got a spot all to ourselves for a night before another couple came
- NName
ScoutAzalea Campground — Kings Canyon National Park
Peaceful beautiful clean spot
Site 81 does not have a drive up spot to unload your things. There is a short 25 meter walk to your tent sight which is cleared and had a nice view of the sky. No giant pinecones overhead to worry about bonking your head.
Guide to Sunland
Campgrounds around Sunland, California include a variety of public and private camping areas spanning from Sequoia National Forest to the Success Lake region. Visitors can find established facilities like Tule - Success Lake and North Tule Campground offering both tent and RV sites with amenities including drinking water, toilets, and trash service. The region includes more rustic options such as Leavis Flat Campground along Deer Creek, as well as dispersed camping opportunities near Sequoia National Park. Several campgrounds in the area feature lake access, with both lakefront and inland sites available depending on preference and season.
Road conditions and campground access vary by elevation and time of year, with some areas requiring permits while others operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Many campgrounds in the Success Lake region remain open year-round, while higher elevation sites like Holey Meadow Campground typically operate from May through November. As one camper noted, "Very nice place to visit! Comfortable campgrounds & crowds." Cell reception can be limited at more remote locations, though sites closer to Porterville and Springville generally maintain better connectivity. Temperatures can fluctuate significantly between day and night, particularly in the higher elevations, requiring proper preparation for temperature shifts.
Waterfront camping receives consistently positive reviews, particularly at Success Lake where sunset views are frequently highlighted. A recent review mentioned, "We found sitting and watching the sunset over the lake perfect after a long day ride." Facilities vary widely across the region, with some campgrounds offering improved amenities like showers and electric hookups, while others provide a more primitive experience with vault toilets and no hookups. Public lands near Sequoia National Park offer free dispersed camping but require permits and proper fire management protocols. Several visitors mentioned the proximity to natural attractions as a key benefit, with easy access to Giant Sequoia National Monument and riverside locations providing opportunities for swimming, fishing, and hiking. Campgrounds at lower elevations can become quite hot during summer months, with limited shade at some locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Sunland, CA?
What camping is available near Sunland, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Sunland, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 204 campgrounds and RV parks near Sunland, CA and 44 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Sunland, CA?
Which is the most popular campground near Sunland, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Sunland, CA is Tule - Success Lake with a 4.3-star rating from 13 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Sunland, CA?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Sunland, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 44 free dispersed camping spots near Sunland, CA.
What parks are near Sunland, CA?
What parks are near Sunland, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 20 parks near Sunland, CA that allow camping, notably Sequoia National Forest and Kaweah Lake.
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