Dorabelle Campground

Star4.62
596 reviews
Family FriendlySwimmingSummer Destination

Quick Facts

5,500 ft

Price

$30 - $95/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

60 campsites

Season

Open for reservation...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Vista Recreation site

Official Website
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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Dorabelle Campground
$30.00 - $95.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Single sites cost $30 per night or $32 per night on holiday weekends; double sites are $60 per night or $64 per night on holiday weekends. Peak...
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Standard Site Fee$30.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Provider
559-841-3533vista@vista-rec.com
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What Campers Say

4.62

Top-Rated

Based on 596 reviews

211 Google reviews

Most mentioned

cleanspaciouslakestaff

Some mention

noise

"Overall, Dorabelle Campground is highly praised for its cleanliness, proximity to Shaver Lake, and friendly camp hosts. Common highlights include the well-kept vault toilets and the variety of recreational activities."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Dorabelle Campground

37.1117, -119.3123

Driving directionsFrom Clovis: Take Highway 168 north for 49 miles to the town of Shaver Lake. Turn right on Dorabelle Road and go .5 miles to the campground. Campground registration information is at the campground entry station.
The campground is accessible via paved roads, with a short dirt spur road leading to individual campsites. Seasonal closures may occur due to fire or weather conditions; contact the High Sierra Ranger District for current road conditions.
Nearby places
Clovis, CA (49 miles, approximately 1 hour drive).
Nearby supplies
The town of Shaver Lake offers restaurants, shopping, and essential supplies such as groceries and fuel, located approximately 0.5 miles from the campground.

Best Time to Camp at Dorabelle Campground

The High Sierra climate paints each season with its own distinct palette. Summer days bloom with perfect temperatures between 45°F and 80°F, creating ideal conditions for outdoor adventures while crisp mountain nights invite cozy campfire gatherings—don't forget that extra layer as the elevation brings surprisingly cool evenings. Winter transforms the landscape into a potential wonderland of snow and frost, offering a completely different camping experience for the hardy souls who venture forth during the colder months.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Prime season with perfect temps (45–80°F) and full access to lake and trails; can be crowded/noisy.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
3.5 / 5

Open into early fall (through Oct 12); generally quieter but season ends mid-October.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.5 / 5

Opens May 16; late-spring visits offer cooler temps and fewer crowds, but season is short.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Campground closed from Oct 12 to May 16; winter visits not available.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: May 16 to October 12; holiday weekends include Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, etc.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open for reservations from May 16 to October 12 annually. Out-of-season bookings are unavailable.
  • Current Alerts: Fire restrictions may be imposed during dry conditions. Occasional closures due to weather or maintenance are also possible.

About Dorabelle Campground

Nestled in the pristine High Sierra Ranger District, Dorabelle Campground offers an enchanting escape above the sparkling waters of Shaver Lake. Here, families gather beneath towering firs, cedars, and pines that create a natural cathedral of shade, while those seeking panoramic vistas can claim sites with sweeping lake views. The gentle whisper of wind through the evergreens accompanies your morning coffee, while the promise of crystal-clear waters beckons just a short stroll away. With meticulously maintained facilities including vault toilets and fresh drinking water, plus the warm hospitality of dedicated camp hosts who've earned a stellar reputation, Dorabelle strikes the perfect balance between wilderness adventure and comfortable camping.
Dorabelle Campground caters to both tent and RV campers, with options for single and double sites.
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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
Check-in time is noon.
Check-out
Check-out time is noon the following day.
Stay Limit
Maximum stay limits include 14 consecutive nights at the campground and 14 nights total within a rolling 30-day period.

Amenities available

Potable water
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Dorabelle Campground offers a wide array of recreational activities. Highlights include hiking on five nearby trails, fishing, various water sports on Shaver Lake, and wildlife viewing.
HikingFive trails are accessible from the campground: Dinkey Road (0.5 miles), Musick Meadow (0.75 miles), Peninsula Loop (1 mile), Burr Meadow (1.5 miles), and Osprey Cove (2 miles).
FishingFishing opportunities on Shaver Lake include kokanee salmon, rainbow trout, brown trout, smallmouth bass, catfish, and bluegill.
SwimmingSwimming is popular in Shaver Lake, with its clear and not-too-cold water, as noted by multiple campers.
BoatingThe lake supports motorized boating, canoeing, kayaking, water skiing, jet skiing, windsurfing, and sailing.
Wildlife viewingWildlife sightings include deer; one camper noted, "A deer walked through our camp, exciting all the kids and adults."
Winter Activities
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include wildlife encounters (such as bears) and falling pine cones. Visitors are advised to keep campsites clean and avoid hanging ropes on trees to prevent damage.
Active AlertsFire restrictions may be imposed during dry conditions. Occasional closures due to weather or maintenance are also possible.

Weather at Dorabelle Campground

Reviews

4.6
596 reviews
Top-Rated
Top-Rated
Dorabelle Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews
Overall, Dorabelle Campground is highly praised for its cleanliness, proximity to Shaver Lake, and friendly camp hosts. Common highlights include the well-kept vault toilets and the variety of recreational activities.
Review Summaries
Based on 596 reviews

What Campers Love

Clean bathrooms, friendly staff, proximity to the lake, spacious campsites, and numerous recreational activities were frequently praised by users.
Based on 596 reviews

Common Concerns

Occasional overcrowding, noise from nearby campers, and maintenance issues such as overfilled trash receptacles and buggy vault toilets were noted by users.
Based on 596 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend booking well in advance, bringing bug spray for the vault toilets, and choosing shaded sites to avoid direct sun exposure.
Based on 596 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground is busiest during summer, with occasional complaints about noise and overfilled trash bins. Off-peak seasons see quieter stays.
Based on 596 reviews

Camper Quotes

"The camp hosts are always lovely, and the campgrounds clean." - Angelica R. "Bathrooms were nice and clean. Close to the lake." - Raymond H. "Very clean campground; the camp host was very friendly...
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Based on 596 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Many users provided specific site reviews, noting that Site 7 was spacious, Site 15 lacked shade, and Site 50 was a short two-minute walk to Shaver Lake.
Based on 596 reviews

Accessibility Features

No specific accessibility-related reviews were mentioned in the source materials.
Based on 596 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

The campground is described as pet-friendly, with one user noting, "We were able to bring our two dogs, and they loved the water."
Based on 596 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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