Kirch Flat Campground, a free campground in California's Sierra National Forest, is less than two hours from Fresno. The campground is open all year round, and has 17 campsites located on a flat sandy area along the Kings River. The campsites come with vault toilets, tables, grills and a fire ring. The best time to camp here is during fall and spring, since summers tend to get very hot. The paved road allows easy access to the campground but only vehicles up to 30 feet long can be accommodated. Activities include whitewater rafting (the King's River is good for a 10-mile rafting run), trout fishing and picnicking. A maximum stay of 14 days is permitted and groups up to 50 people can be accommodated. Caution is needed because there are rattlesnakes in the forest as well as poison oak plants.
Kirch Flat Campground
Sierra National Forest
1600 Tollhouse Road
Clovis, CA 93611-0532
559-297-0706
fs.fed.us
Eldorado National Forest is less than a 4-hour drive from the San Francisco Bay area. The forest encompasses 596,724-acres, and has 297 public and private water reservoirs and lakes. Camping at no charge is available in all areas of the forest except where prohibited. Paved roads make maneuvering through the forest easy. If you find a spot you like and there is no ''camping prohibited'' sign, you can set up camp. Certain lakes, like Silver and Echo Lake, have a large amount of visitors, so dispersed camping is not allowed in those areas. Campers must provide their own water, create their own toilet area and pick up after themselves, since there are no facilities or amenities. Fishing is allowed in the waters, which are frequently stocked with trout.
Eldorado National Forest
100 Forni Road
Placerville, CA 95667
530-622-5061
fs.fed.us
The 20 free campsites located at Granite Creek Campground are open from June through October. The campsites come with fire rings, vault restrooms and tables, and are located among fir trees along Granite Creek. Campsites are on a first come-first serve basis and the maximum length of stay is 14 days. Each campsite can accommodate up to 6 people and has space for a 20-foot vehicle. Activities include hiking and horseback riding along the campground's upper loop. This campground is located in the 191 million-acre Sierra National Forest, which houses numerous free campgrounds.
Granite Creek Campground
Sierra National Forest
1600 Tollhouse Road
Clovis, CA 93611-0532
559-297-0706
fs.fed.us
