Horse Creek Campground

California's Best Camping

Lake Kaweah, California
Lake Kaweah, California

Horse Creek Campground

Lake Kaweah


Horse Creek Campground

Horse Creek Campground is in the Horse Creek Recreation Area on the shore of Lake Kaweah, 22 miles east of Visalia. Lake Kaweah is operated by the Army Corps of Engineers. Visitors to Lake Kaweah find excellent fishing for rainbow trout, largemouth bass, catfish, and others. The lake is popular for boating, jet skiing, sailing, and waterskiing. A marina provides boat rentals, boat slips, and fishing supplies.

Horse Creek Campground features 80 campsites. All the campsites can accommodate RVs, trailers, and tents. Nearly all of the sites lack shade. When Lake Kaweah is full the campground is close to the water, but as summer progresses water levels are drawn down and the shoreline recedes. An opposite problem occurs when water levels are high and portions of the campgrounds are flooded. At times of high water (April - July), the Army Corps of Engineers recommends calling the park office to confirm availability.

In addition to standard campsites, Horse Creek Campground has 4 Equestrian Campsites. One of the sites is a double.

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Horse Creek Campground Basics
Horse Creek Campground Location: Off Hwy. 198 at the southeast end of Lake Kaweah
Elevation: 720 feet
Mileage from gateway city: Visalia - 22 miles
Number of Sites: 80
Camping Season: Open year-round
Max. People per Site: 8 (including children)
Vehicles per Site: 2 vehicles per campsite, $4 per night for additional vehicles.
Pets: On leash, always attended
Operated by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Lake Kaweah Park Office: (559) 597-2301

Reservations for Horse Creek Campground
Reservations available Reservations are required for camping year-round, except . . .
"All campsites will be closed to reservations between mid-April and mid-July for seasonal flooding. Please contact the Lake Kaweah office at (559) 597-2301 for further information."
Booking Window: Reservations can be made from 24 hours up to 6 months in advance of arrival date.
Maximum RV/trailer Length: 30 feet
Wheelchair accessible sites: #73 - Also, some facilities are accessible
Fees: Standard sites - $20 - $30 per night
Reservations: Horse Creek Campground Reservations
Check-in, check-out: 2:30 PM, 2:00 PM;
After hours, the entrance gate is closed to inbound traffic.

Horse Creek Campground Amenities
Campsites: Picnic table, fire ring with grill; no hook-ups
Campground: Restrooms with flush toilets, tap water, amphitheater
Showers: Yes
Dump station: Yes
Attractions near Horse Creek Campground: Enjoy Lake Kaweah for boating, waterskiing, and fishing. Visit the marina for boat rentals and fishing supplies. Tour the Lemon Hill Visitor Center (open weekdays 10 AM to 4 PM). Attend summer campfire programs at the campground on Saturday evenings at 7 PM. Drive up the highway 12 miles to Sequoia National Park. The most popular features of Sequoia National Park are another 15-20 miles up the mountain.




Equestrian Campsites

Four equestrian campsites are found at Lake Kaweah. Three are standard campsites for 8 people each and 2 vehicles each. A fourth site can accommodate up to 16 people and 4 vehicles.
Fees: $20 and $40 per night
Reservations: Horse Creek Campground Reservations


Horse Creek Campground Map, Lake Kaweah, CA


Lake Kaweah Area
Attractions and Activities

Visitors to Lake Kaweah find most of their recreation out on the water. For a change of pace, they head up the highway into Sequoia National Park. Campers at Horse Creek Campground are close to the water and only a short drive from the marina.

  • Visit the Kaweah Marina for slip rentals, boat rentals, fishing supplies, and a convenience store.
  • Take advantage of nearby boat ramps. Head out on the water for fishing, water skiing, kayaking, and sailing.
  • Find nearby places for hiking and mountain biking.
  • Fishing is good for bass, rainbow trout, catfish, bluegill, catfish and crappie.
  • Attend weekly summer interpretive programs at the Horse Creek Campground Amphitheater.
  • Visit the Slick Rock Recreation Area in the spring and fall for wildlife viewing.
  • Drive northeast on the highway into Sequoia National Park. Check their website for vehicles size restrictions on some of their roads: Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks.
  • Take the kids to the Imagine U Children's Museum in Visalia. The museum has a wonderful variety of hands-on activities for children.
  • Spend hours of family fun at Adventure Park in Visalia. Enjoy 7 acres of attractions including bumper boats, Go Karts, Kritter Karts for little one, lazer maze and more.

Key Horse Creek Campground Regulations

  1. Quiet Hours are from 10 PM to 6 AM. No radios or generators may be operated during quiet hours.
  2. Dogs must be leashed and attended. Dogs must be confined to a vehicle or tent at night.
  3. Campfires are allowed in appropriate fire-rings and other containment depending on wind and weather conditions which may change anytime.

    Check U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Lake Kaweah for any campground updates.



General Camping Information for

Opening and closing dates of campgrounds are only estimates, usually dependent on snow conditions. Not all campsites can accommodate trailers or RVs of all lengths. If using a reservation website, check to be sure your vehicles will fit in the parking space for your campsite.

In order to prevent the spread of invasive insects, obtain firewood locally.