The best waterside campgrounds near Tulare, California

Planning a camping trip near Tulare, California? Look no further than Hipcamp. With over 460 options available, you're sure to find the perfect campsite to suit your preferences. Whether you're into horseback riding, surfing, or wildlife watching, there's something for everyone. Plus, popular campsites like Cuyama Oaks Ranch (367 reviews), River Ridge Ranch - 722 acres (348 reviews), and Sequoia Mountain Farms (205 reviews) have got you covered. The average price per night is $50, but you can find options as low as $15. And with amenities like showers, pet-friendly sites, and cooking equipment, your camping experience will be top-notch. So pack your bags, grab your gear, and get ready for an unforgettable camping adventure.

90% (2.4K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Tulare

1. Sierra Ranch - Cabins & Tents

98%

(604)

30mi from Tulare · 14 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging

Swimming in North Fork Tule River, miles of hiking trails on ranch. River Ridge Ranch goes from 1,000' elev. to 3,000' elevation. Hike right on the ranch. We are between Sequoia National Park (about an hour) and the Giant Sequoia National Monument (16 miles to groves up Hwy 190 and no entrance fee). Choose from individual tent sites, group tent sites, tiny cabins. the 5-acre Compound or the Entire Ranch. We occasionally host small, thoughtful, low impact weddings. Please inquire. There are 33 giant sequoia groves in our Southern Region of the Giant Sequoia National Monument, some easily driven to, and some remote. Our ranch is a nature preserve and an education demonstration site, teaching sustainable and regenerative land use practices. River Ridge Institute, our non-profit, hosts a variety of events for the public. Please note: you are expected to leave the ranch and kitchen area as you found it, i.e., dishes washed thoroughly and dried and put away, recycling separated from trash, food scraps in compost buckets, sticky marshmallow removed from forks and surfaces (ick!). Thank you. Enjoy: The Kitchen has a 3-burner cooktop, large fridge, microwave, full dishes and utensils and pots and pans with a big washing area in the back. Propane barbecue grill.. There's a River Barn to use as a remote space and Turtle Cove for swimming. Saturday morning Farmer's Market in downtown at 9 AM - Noon. Ancestral land of the Foothill Yokuts tribe. Homesteaded in 1859, owned by the Negus family from 1909-2000. Barbara and I bought it to save it from subdivision and it's now protected by a Conservation Easement and acts as a community center for the arts, music, poetry, gatherings and outdoor education. We're both biologists, so, just ask us. Please see the Rules and Safety section to review our Waiver of Liability.

2. Sierra National Forest

92%

(176)

1360 sites · Big Creek, California

“Secret Yosemite” offers scenic beauty, rugged forests, and outdoor recreation with smaller crowds.

Pets

Electrical hookup

Toilets

Planning a camping trip near Tulare, California? Look no further than Hipcamp. With over 460 options available, you're sure to find the perfect campsite to suit your preferences. Whether you're into horseback riding, surfing, or wildlife watching, there's something for everyone. Plus, popular campsites like Cuyama Oaks Ranch (367 reviews), River Ridge Ranch - 722 acres (348 reviews), and Sequoia Mountain Farms (205 reviews) have got you covered. The average price per night is $50, but you can find options as low as $15. And with amenities like showers, pet-friendly sites, and cooking equipment, your camping experience will be top-notch. So pack your bags, grab your gear, and get ready for an unforgettable camping adventure.

90% (2.4K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Tulare

1. Sierra Ranch - Cabins & Tents

98%

(604)

30mi from Tulare · 14 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging

Swimming in North Fork Tule River, miles of hiking trails on ranch. River Ridge Ranch goes from 1,000' elev. to 3,000' elevation. Hike right on the ranch. We are between Sequoia National Park (about an hour) and the Giant Sequoia National Monument (16 miles to groves up Hwy 190 and no entrance fee). Choose from individual tent sites, group tent sites, tiny cabins. the 5-acre Compound or the Entire Ranch. We occasionally host small, thoughtful, low impact weddings. Please inquire. There are 33 giant sequoia groves in our Southern Region of the Giant Sequoia National Monument, some easily driven to, and some remote. Our ranch is a nature preserve and an education demonstration site, teaching sustainable and regenerative land use practices. River Ridge Institute, our non-profit, hosts a variety of events for the public. Please note: you are expected to leave the ranch and kitchen area as you found it, i.e., dishes washed thoroughly and dried and put away, recycling separated from trash, food scraps in compost buckets, sticky marshmallow removed from forks and surfaces (ick!). Thank you. Enjoy: The Kitchen has a 3-burner cooktop, large fridge, microwave, full dishes and utensils and pots and pans with a big washing area in the back. Propane barbecue grill.. There's a River Barn to use as a remote space and Turtle Cove for swimming. Saturday morning Farmer's Market in downtown at 9 AM - Noon. Ancestral land of the Foothill Yokuts tribe. Homesteaded in 1859, owned by the Negus family from 1909-2000. Barbara and I bought it to save it from subdivision and it's now protected by a Conservation Easement and acts as a community center for the arts, music, poetry, gatherings and outdoor education. We're both biologists, so, just ask us. Please see the Rules and Safety section to review our Waiver of Liability.

2. Sierra National Forest

92%

(176)

1360 sites · Big Creek, California

“Secret Yosemite” offers scenic beauty, rugged forests, and outdoor recreation with smaller crowds.

Pets

Electrical hookup

Toilets

Public campgrounds near Tulare

100%

(2)

Kirch Flat Campground

48mi from Tulare · 18 sites · Tents, RVs · in Sierra National Forest

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

Sandy

3 weeks ago

1 night at Sierra Ranch - Cabins & Tents

My girlfriend and I really enjoyed staying at the Cottonwood cabin! It was a nice cozy space and the scenery was sooo beautiful! I got to enjoy my breakfast on a big rock by the river and it was the perfect way to start my day. The restrooms were really nice and well kept! Overall it was a super comfortable lodging experience.

D

Daniel

November 2025

1 night at Sierra Ranch - Cabins & Tents

It was a great experience coming here! A lot to do around and a good price for what you get. While the two story cabin was just two beds, the best part was the grounds that you get.

J

Jennifer

November 2025

Group trip

1 night at Sierra Ranch - Cabins & Tents

Very beautiful land and so thankful for the kitchen only advice is to drive before dark to ensure you don’t get lost but instructions are clear

J

Jose

October 2025

2 nights at Sierra Ranch - Cabins & Tents

Beautiful place I will come back again I recommend this place

S

Sean

September 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Sierra Ranch - Cabins & Tents

Beautiful location. Incredible natural beauty from the river to the hills. Only area for improvement is some clean-up of the site—just needs some care, but overall great.

I

Iris

September 2025

With kids

2 nights at Sierra Ranch - Cabins & Tents

Gary literally has everything u may need for a great glamping experience! My little family and I had a very relaxing two days . Plan to return !

It cooled off in the evening making it perfect for a fire. Photo by Lisse Lundin.

D

Dan

June 2025

Weekend Trip to Sierra Ranch - Cabins & Tents

This was our group's 6th stay at Gary's ranch. It has always been a great place to stay, but Gary manages to improve it every year. Highly recommended.

K

Kamali

May 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Sierra Ranch - Cabins & Tents

We loved our time here! The turtle flat site had plenty of flat space for our 10 person tent and was close enough to the river to hear it at night and see it by day. The beach was easily accessible and a great spot for our 3.5 yr old to play. The fully equipped kitchen made meal prep pleasant and easy. And the communal cooking and campfire was a good way to meet and talk to other guests. It was easy to walk to all the amenities and parking was relatively close to our site as well. We would come back and recommend to friends.

L

Lynn

May 2025

Tent

Group trip

1 night at Sierra Ranch - Cabins & Tents

What a beautiful, thoughtfully planned place. Kitchen had toaster for bagels and electric kettle for coffee , ( also other coffee making options). Grills fridge, well stocked kitchen area. We relaxed at night lullabied by the river sounds. We enjoyed the swimming beach the next day, plenty of chairs for lounging. Gary has a fantastic property and will definatly book again. I highly recommend.

T

Tish

May 2025

Weekend Trip to Sierra Ranch - Cabins & Tents

A great little cabin experience. Everything was well organized and clean. Gary was super helpful. I loved that there were camp chairs down at the creek! I was glamping so I brought my own comforter and table cloth to cozy things up. A delightful stay! (Would be a great place for groups with campsites and cabins plus a large fire ring with seating and kitchen prep area with large refrigerator to store food.)

H

Hussain

April 2025

Tent

With kids

3 nights at Sierra Ranch - Cabins & Tents

Gary's place is awesome! It's got everything you need for a nature getaway, a perfect mix of camping and glamping. The kids loved it, and we're already planning another trip. Thanks, Gary! What a great time.

MAX

February 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Sierra Ranch - Cabins & Tents

"We recently visited a beautiful campground, and I’d love to share our experience! If you’d like to see more, be sure to check out our YouTube channel, AMERSIAN CAMPERS, where we captured the full adventure in stunning detail. The campground was huge, nestled in a peaceful valley covered in lush grass, right before reaching Sequoia National Park. A wild, shallow river flowed nearby, adding to the serenity of the place. It felt incredibly private and quiet, making it a perfect escape into nature. Beyond the stunning location, the campground offered plenty of great amenities, including a well-equipped kitchen, clean bathrooms, and access to firewood for cozy campfires. It truly provided both comfort and a deep connection with the outdoors. Overall, it was an amazing experience, and we’d definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a private and relaxing getaway!"

S

Steven

December 2024

Weekend Trip to Sierra Ranch - Cabins & Tents

I had an excellant experience at River Ridge Ranch. Quiet and cozy. Cabins are clean and well kept. outdoor showers with hot and cold water, large outhouse style toilets, plenty of lighting. Large pavillion and fire pit for group campers. Fully stocked kitchen area, pots, pans, dishes, utinsels, propane BBQs microwave, toaster oven, fridge and a large dishwashing area behind the kitchen. Plenty of places to hike and take in mother nature. Gary has done a excellant job in making sure you have everything you need for your stay, just bring your bedding, clothes, food and personal hygiene items.

S

Steven

December 2024

Weekend Trip to Sierra Ranch - Cabins & Tents

I had a great stay at River Ridge Ranch. It’s a nice quiet cozy place to get away for the weekend or a week. cabins are clean and well kept. Gary has done an excellent job in making sure that everything you need is provided for you so all you have to do is show up with your bedding, food and personal hygiene items. There’s plenty of places on the property to hike and enjoy mother nature. Highly recommend River Ridge Ranch to anyone that just wants to get away, but not travel too far. There’s a large pavilion area for groups. There’s a large fire pit for groups to sit around and the kitchen area is well stocked with everything you would need for cooking, pots, pans, dishes, utensils, propane grills, microwave, toaster oven, and a large refrigerator to store all your food items. There’s even a large sink area behind the kitchen for washing your dishes. Large outhouse style toilets and outdoor showers with hot and cold water.

Chelsea

December 2024

1 night at Sierra Ranch - Cabins & Tents

We loved it here! My partner, dog and I slept in the two story, which was lovely! The whole property is awesome. The kitchen area is the best I’ve ever utilized at a Hipcamp. We were just stopping by for a night on a road trip out to southern Utah from the Bay Area, but immediately started planning a big friends trip back down! It’s wonderful and we look forward to sharing it with people we love! The fall is exceptionally beautiful with the yellow leaves everywhere. Could not have asked for a better spot. And the lil heater cranks! We hung out up top before eventually opting on the bottom floor with the pup :)

Morgan

December 2024

Weekend Trip to Sierra Ranch - Cabins & Tents

Absolutely lovely experience staying on Gary’s land. The cabin had everything we needed - the heater was definitely a plus for the cold nights. We had the property to ourselves a lot of the day, and explored the river and different paths. The communal kitchen has everything you could possibly need, with a cleanup station behind it. I can’t wait to come back with my pup In the summer!

P

Pocahontas

December 2024

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Sierra Ranch - Cabins & Tents

The experience on Gary’s land was truly one for the books! Kids loved the scenery as well as the atmosphere. The kitchen/bar area were great, and the communal fire pit too! Outside side showers had an amazing view, and the water was hot! The site was easy to find and, it’s right next to the sandy beach by the river. The kids went swimming and they loved it!

The water is so refreshing on a warm day!

Becca

November 2024

2 nights at Sierra Ranch - Cabins & Tents

Amazing stay! Cabin was clean, cozy and even had a space heater. Kitchen was full and we had a great time grilling! Short drive to the redwoods. We will definitely be back! ❤️