90% (2.7K)
Top-rated campgrounds near Camp Nelson
90% (2.7K)
Top-rated campgrounds near Camp Nelson
Public campgrounds near Camp Nelson
Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community
Z
Zachary
September 2025
Tent
Group trip
We hosted 18 people across the 3 campsites here and it was amazing! Great amenities and lots of space. Will be coming back!
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Zachary
September 2025
Tent
Group trip
Rented a couple of the campgrounds here and it was so peaceful and secluded. Amenities were great. Chris was very helpful!
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Gina
September 2025
37 ft travel trailer
We went back to Silver Spur Ranch for another rafting trip with Momentum Expeditions. The site is exactly the way it was with full hookups and well maintained. I was talking to John and learned that there are a couple of ther sites that looked maintained as well. I told John I’d name the sites for him. It seemed like he didn’t mind.
The RV sites are situated next to large trees that provide shade. We booked the same site that we stayed at in June 2025, which I named Cottonwood tree. The other RV site has an Elm tree. There’s a Yellow house that is used for lodging.
Overall, as I mentioned in my first review, Silver Spur Ranch is peaceful and quiet. There’s a creek that has clear water flowing through it that you can stare at and be mesmerized. We saw a mini rapid.
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Mark
August 2025
Tent
Group trip
Awesome private getaway just off the main road and 10 miles away from the Kings Canyon visitors center. We had a large group (9 adults and 10 kids) and we were situated right in front of the lake wheee the kids had a blast on the canoes and fished from the pier. We woke up to deer grazing in the field and turkeys later in the day. There were also some dairy cows from the ranch close by but they didn’t come back after the second night.
This site has real bathrooms and showers with electricity to recharge electronics. Thanks to Chris for keeping the grounds clean and cows at bay!
Highly recommend Hye Camp!
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D
Dan
August 2025
Tent
With pets
Camp Hye Sierra is a classic summer camp setting, usually used for long kids’ camps. Our spot was by one of the lakes, with paddle boats, a boathouse with running water and flush toilets, and an arbor that came in handy during an unseasonal rainstorm.
We were the only campers, so we had our choice of space. If it were busy, finding a flat tent spot could be harder.
The area is remote, quiet, and private — you can almost hear echoes of past camp life. The only downside was a large number of wasps.
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B
Ben
August 2025
21 ft travel trailer
With pets
John is a fantastic host. Our time on his ranch was amazing, truly a beautiful property! He accommodated an extra days stay at another space on the property which allowed us to fully enjoy our time at the river, even though it was a last minute request. The dogs were able to roam around unleashed and the kids rode their bikes and quad around until the batteries ran out. We had a great time in the Kern River Valley, thanks to John and his laid back, but welcoming and flexible style. I'd recommend a stay here anytime, and we'd definitely come back when we can!
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Arthur
August 2025
25 ft travel trailer
Great isolated site. Host was immediately available for help when needed to find the exact site. Good spot to get to great fishing, and dirtbiking.
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Cesar
July 2025
Tent
With pets
Silver Spur Ranch is a true oasis. John was extremely accommodating and friendly as he welcomed us in at the gate. The property is amazing and the bathroom was conveniently located near the tent site. We went there to escape the firework noise in the city for our pup, and it did not disappoint. We love how close the creek is to the campsite and appreciate how many picnic table are there for our use. We ended up having lunch down at the creek. Also! There's tons of tree to offer shade on property. We are excited to go back and hopefully check out the Airstream or cabin.
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Richard
July 2025
30 ft campervan
With pets
A little tricky to find but worth it. Beautiful site. I would definitely come back again.
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M
Marge
July 2025
Tent
With kids
Great place; Chris and Tony were helpful and friendly; drive in from the main road is safe but one should be extra careful; restrooms clean and complete with paper towels and hand soaps; kids and adults loved the lake and canoes; life vests available for sizes S to XXL; saw a deer and a fox
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S
Stephanie
July 2025
With pets
My pup and I spent a great weekend here exploring - accommodations were lovelier than I expected and really perfect for what I was looking for. I appreciated the tips on local attractions as it was my first time in this area. It felt really safe and peaceful overall :)
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C
Chris
July 2025
Tent
With kids
Tent camping lakeside was perfect. Location was great too. Very close to the General Grant entrance of Kings Canyon.
Plenty of amenities available. Went out in a canoe multiple times. Kids fished off the dock and had some pretty good luck. We all enjoyed swims in the lake.
Plenty of firewood at the communal fire pit.
Flushing toilets and running water was nice. The bathroom did have a lot of dead bugs, but were great once cleaned. Trash cans emptied regularly.
Chris was our on-property point of contact. He was super helpful and responsive.
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Gina
June 2025
19 ft travel trailer
John’s place is perfect for base camp. We went river rafting on the Forks of the Kern for 3 days with Momentum Expeditions located in Wofford Heights.
The RV site is exactly as described…full hookups and shade. John met us when we arrived and helped my husband back in to the site.
Overall, Silver Spur Ranch is peaceful and quiet. We felt comfortable leaving our trailer unattended. We’d definitely stay here again when we’re back in the area to go river rafting.
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S
Samantha
June 2025
Tent
With kids
Our family enjoyed camping here for 3 nights and 4 days. The property is off the main highway on the way to Sequoia National Park, and although the road is a little windy and mostly a one-lane, it is paved. Cell service is spotty and mostly places nonexistent. We called before to notify the property manager and he gave us directions on how to get there. Upon arrival we had little help from the manager but took it upon ourselves to just figure it out.
The photos on Hipcamp are a bit deceiving. The pavilion is right next to the lakeside camp area, the bathrooms and the basketball court, soccer field are walking distance.
The pond is catch and release (the fish like worms!) so bring your rods. It’s pretty murky and I wouldn’t swim in it though. But he did say it’s tested monthly.
Pros: hot water in bathrooms, water bottle filling station, wood provided for fire pit
Cons: bullfrogs are LOUD at night and kept us awake (bring ear plugs), minimal guidance from property management
Overall: we enjoyed our stay. It’s basically an Armenian Church Camp during the mid-summer months and they must rent out camp space the remaining weeks. The property manager is more like a groundskeeper but everything was easy to manage and figure out.
Other notes: we saw glow worms by the fire pit! They must get fireflies later in the season.
It seems like there is no designation between lakeside 1, 2 vista 1, 2. You just find a spot and camp there.
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T
Teresa
May 2025
Tent
With kids
Such a great experience. The lake was beautiful to wake up to and the kayaking was an amazing hit. Would definitely recommend this campsite.
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