Is South Tule Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

South Tule Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

What is the best time to visit South Tule Campground?

South Tule Campground is open Season opens January 1, 2025 and closes December 31, 2025.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at South Tule Campground?

Yes, South Tule Campground has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

How many campsites does South Tule Campground have?

South Tule Campground has 103 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at South Tule Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at South Tule Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at South Tule Campground?

South Tule Campground offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station, Electrical Hookups, Water Hookups, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

South Tule Campground

4.17

348 reviews

Top 10% in CASpring

Summer Destination

Featured in:Mountain Camping California

First-come, first-served

This campground doesn't take reservations — sites are claimed in person on arrival, so there's no availability to check online. Plan to arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays.

Quick Facts

686 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

103 campsites

Season

Season opens January...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Partial HookupsShowers

Book on .Official Website

Get Directions

First-come, first-served

This campground doesn't take reservations — sites are claimed in person on arrival, so there's no availability to check online. Plan to arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays.

Quick Facts

686 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

103 campsites

Season

Season opens January...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Partial HookupsShowers

Book on .Official Website

Get Directions

South Tule Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

559-784-0215.

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to South Tule Campground

Compare with similar sites, watch availability, and build a packing list — Camp Sage handles all of it.

Campground Map

South Tule Campground

Nearby places

Porterville: 8 miles.

Weather at South Tule Campground

Best Time to Camp at South Tule Campground

Best season: spring. Spring offers the best combination of comfortable temperatures (daytime highs typically 60–75°F, nights 40–50°F), abundant wildflower displays across the foothills, and full lake levels for fishing, boating, and swimming. Trails and roads are generally accessible after winter rains, making hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing particularly rewarding. Expect moderate crowds on weekends around peak bloom (April–May), but weekday visits are often peaceful. Peak months: April, May, March Avoid: July, August

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.5 / 5

Top 10% in CA

Spring is best: wildflower blooms, full lake for boating and comfortable 60–75°F days.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Season opens January 1, 2025 and closes December 31, 2025.

About South Tule Campground

South Tule Campground sits at low elevation on Success Lake near Porterville in California's Sierra Nevada foothills. This large campground offers electric and water hookups, hot showers, and a dump station for tent and RV campers. Visitors fish, boat, and swim in the lake during spring when wildflowers blanket the surrounding hills and temperatures stay mild.

The campground accommodates tent camping, RVs, and group camping. Sites are available with and without electrical hookups, and there are pull-through options for RVs.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: spring. Spring offers the best combination of comfortable temperatures (daytime highs typically 60–75°F, nights 40–50°F), abundant wildflower displays across the foothills, and full lake levels for fishing, boating, and swimming. Trails and roads are generally accessible after winter rains, making hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing particularly rewarding. Expect moderate crowds on weekends around peak bloom (April–May), but weekday visits are often peaceful. Peak months: April, May, March Avoid: July, August

Elevation686 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies sun-exposed foothills at 686 feet elevation, where scattered oaks and occasional pines dot rolling granite terrain. Spring rains wake the decomposed granite soils, and wildflowers blanket the hillsides in purple, yellow, and orange through April and May. The sparse tree cover opens views across Success Lake and the golden hills beyond. This transition zone between the Central Valley and the Sierra Nevada lacks dense forest. What shade exists comes from isolated trees rather than canopy.

Programs & ActivitiesCampfire programs are held at the amphitheater during Memorial Day to Labor Day weekends.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

You may stay up to 14 nights during a visit.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Up to 8 people per site.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made via Recreation.gov.

AccessibilityAccessible campsites, drinking water, flush toilets, grills, parking, picnic areas, and showers are available. Reviews highlighted helpful staff in assisting disabled campers with site selection.

Site SizeSites are described as spacious, but some are not level. Pull-through sites are available but close to roads.

PrivacyPrivacy varies. Some sites are noted as more private, especially in the north ground, while others lack shade.

Total Campsites103 campsites

Recommended SitesConsider sites with close access to water spigots, especially if camping during hot weather. Site #76 is recommended for its privacy and views.

Best CampsitesSite 76 gets mentioned for lake views and distance from neighboring campers. The north ground reportedly has more private sites. Pull-throughs exist but sit close to roads. Some sites aren't level.

Amenities available

South Tule Campground, part of Success Lake Recreation Area, offers a variety of amenities. Available facilities include flush toilets, showers, potable water, a dump station, and electric hookups at select sites. Campers have access to picnic tables, fire rings, and a playground for children. There is a boat ramp and an amphitheater hosting campfire programs during Memorial Day to Labor Day weekends. "Accessible drinking water and flush toilets are provided," and reviews note that some sites have their own water spigot, though quality or drinkability was questioned by a user. Cell reception is spotty, with Verizon having intermittent service.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Flush toilets

Dump station

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Tule Campground offers a wide range of recreational activities, including kayaking, fishing, hiking, biking, and swimming. Success Lake's coves are perfect for kayaking, while anglers target bass, crappie, catfish, bluegill, and trout. On-site amenities include a boat ramp and marina.

Cultural and Educational Programs

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

Rate South Tule Campground

Been here? Tap a star to start. Takes about a minute.

Sign-in required only if you want your name on it.

From Booking Sources

4.2

348 reviews

Satisfactory

South Tule Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

South Tule Campground has mixed reviews, with sentiments ranging from 'fantastic campground' to 'disgusting toilet blocks.' Cleanliness, staff friendliness, and amenities are frequent themes.

Review Summaries

Based on 348 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive reviews highlight spacious sites, clean restrooms (in some instances), hot showers, and a variety of activities. The campground is also praised for its accessibility features and...

Based on 348 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include inconsistent cleanliness of facilities, lack of shade, overgrown grass with thorny weeds, and poor management. Several users mentioned black widows and other insects as a...

Based on 348 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site 76 is noted for its great lake view and end-of-row privacy. Sites 83 and 85 are close to restrooms but lack shade.

Based on 348 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring stakes for tents due to windy conditions. Carry pliers to operate water spigots. Avoid walking barefoot due to stickers and thorns. Check site features (e.g., proximity to water spigots) before...

Based on 348 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Spring and fall are noted for moderate weather, while summer can be extremely hot with limited shade. Winter sees lower lake levels but fewer crowds.

Based on 348 reviews

Camper Quotes

"The showers are awesome and the restrooms are good, just bring wipes & soap!" - Armando Marin. "Bring a broom and give it a good sweep. For whatever reason it was really windy that weekend." - Sal...

Based on 348 reviews

Accessibility Features

Disabled campers appreciated staff assistance in site selection and the availability of accessible facilities.

Based on 348 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Users advised caution due to thorny weeds that can harm pets' paws. Dogs must be on a 6-foot leash at all times.

Based on 348 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

Every adventure creates another. Share what you learned so the next camper feels a little more prepared heading out.

Go if

You want lakeside camping with electric hookups and boat access in a family-friendly setting.

Skip if

You need shade or pristine facilities during peak season.

Nearby Campgrounds

BOX 1072, PORTERVILLE, CA 93258-1072, USA

Tule Campground sits at Success Lake near Porterville in California's Sierra Nevada foothills, operated by the Army Corps of Engineers. This large campground offers electric and water hookups, showers, and a dump station alongside primitive walk-in options, serving as a base for lake recreation and day trips to Sequoia National Park. Campers fish, swim, boat, and explore foothill trails under open skies with limited shade.

$20.00 - $30.00 / night

4.2

(348)

North Tule Campground

BOX 1072, PORTERVILLE, CA 93258-1072, USA

North Tule Campground sits on the shores of Success Lake near Porterville in California's Central Valley foothills. Operated by Tulare County Parks, this large campground offers tent sites, RV hookups with electric and water, and primitive options for groups and overflow. Campers fish, boat, and swim in the reservoir, with spacious sites that trade shade for open views of the surrounding golden hills.

Sequoia National Forest

Wishon Cabin sits in the Sequoia National Forest foothills near Springville, operated by Rocky Mountain Recreation Company. This small campground offers tent sites, RV hookups, primitive options, and rental cabins along the Middle Fork Tule River corridor. Spring brings peak wildflower displays, active hummingbirds, and strong river flows for fishing and wildlife viewing.

$203.00 - $203.00 / night

Sequoia National Forest

Wishon sits in mid-elevation Sequoia National Forest, operated by Rocky Mountain Recreation Company with tent, RV, primitive, and group camping options. The campground offers river access and a quiet, wooded setting with spacious sites, though maintenance issues and restroom cleanliness are recurring concerns. Visitors come for fishing and hiking, with a friendly camp host and natural surroundings that shine brightest in fall when crowds thin and trails dry out.

$36.00 - $75.00 / night

Sequoia National Forest

Coy Flat sits in mid-elevation forest within Sequoia National Forest near Springville, operated by Rocky Mountain Recreation Company. The small campground offers tent, RV, and primitive sites with vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. Hikers and anglers use it as a base for exploring sequoia groves and nearby trails, though reviewers note mosquitoes can be heavy and facilities sometimes fall short of expectations.

$36.00 - $73.00 / night

49629 Blue Ridge Dr., Springville, CA 93265, USA

Grouse Valley Cabins sits in mid-elevation Sequoia National Forest near Springville, offering a handful of well-appointed cabins and RV sites with electric hookups, flush toilets, and hot showers. Operated by the Forest Service, this small retreat provides access to hiking, fishing, and boating in a quiet forested setting. Guests appreciate the spacious cabin layouts and serene surroundings, though maintenance issues including rodent problems and deferred repairs have been reported.

$175.00 - $250.00 / night

Sequoia National Forest

Belknap sits in mid-elevation forest within Sequoia National Forest, a small campground operated by Rocky Mountain Recreation Company near Porterville. Giant sequoias tower over sites along a creek, offering direct water access at select spots and proximity to Tule River fishing and trail access. Reviewers praise the clean facilities, helpful camp host, and natural beauty, though bear activity requires proper food storage and cell service is nonexistent.

$36.00 - $38.00 / night

Sequoia National Forest

Holey Meadow is a very small primitive campground in Sequoia National Forest operated by Rocky Mountain Recreation Company. Set at mid-elevation, it offers tent and primitive sites with vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. Reviewers praise the meadow setting, proximity to the Trail of a Hundred Giants, and exceptional stargazing with minimal light pollution.

$34.00 - $36.00 / night

4.4

(62)

Leavis Flat Campground

Sequoia National Forest

Leavis Flat Campground sits in the Sequoia National Forest foothills, a very small site with fewer than 10 spots for tent and RV camping. Managed within the national forest, it offers vault toilets and a primitive experience surrounded by forest and granite outcrops. Campers come here for seclusion, stargazing, and access to foothill trails.

Sequoia National Forest

Redwood Meadow is a small mid-elevation campground in Sequoia National Forest operated by ExplorUS, offering tent and primitive sites among giant sequoias and mixed conifers. Campers appreciate the secluded, scenic sites and access to Salmon Creek Falls and Grizzly Falls, though the campground lacks running water and has limited bear-proof storage. The camp hosts are frequently praised for their helpfulness and local knowledge.

$36.00 - $116.00 / night

Sequoia National Forest

Long Meadow Group sits in mid-elevation forest within Sequoia National Forest, operated by Rocky Mountain Recreation Company for group reservations only. This primitive campground offers vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables in a remote, shaded setting near the Trail of a Hundred Giants. Visitors come for back-to-basics group camping and access to sequoia groves during the summer season.

$171.00 - $171.00 / night

Quaking Aspen Cabin sits high in Sequoia National Forest near Springville, offering a small-scale alpine retreat managed by Recreation.gov. The high-elevation location provides access to sequoia groves, fishing streams, and mountain biking routes, though surrounding fire damage is visible. Summer brings warm days and cool nights ideal for hiking and wildlife viewing, with a friendly camp host and spacious, quiet sites.

1 campsites

Reservable

32.605 km

$203.00 - $203.00 / night

Campgrounds you may also like

4.2

(348)

North Tule Campground

BOX 1072, PORTERVILLE, CA 93258-1072, USA

BOX 1072, PORTERVILLE, CA 93258-1072, USA

$20.00 - $30.00 / night

Less Visited

3.5

(274)

Tuttle Creek Campground

null

Tuttle Creek Campground sits at the base of the Alabama Hills near Lone Pine, offering direct access to Mount Whitney views and sculpted granite formations. Managed by the BLM Bishop Field Office, this large campground accommodates tent, RV, primitive, and group camping with basic amenities including vault toilets, potable water, and a dump station. Visitors hike the Alabama Hills trails, photograph the Sierra Nevada backdrop, and stargaze under some of California's darkest skies.

$10.00 - $10.00 / night

Frequently Visited

3.9

(84)

Tinnemaha Creek Campground

1360 N. Main St., BISHOP, California, 93514, United States

Tinnemaha Creek Campground has 30 sites along a shaded creek at 4,308 feet in Big Pine country. Sites cost $14 per night and accommodate RVs up to 50 feet. The Sierra Nevada rises to the west. It's a solid basecamp for fishing, hiking, and ATV access to surrounding public lands, though there's no potable water and sites sit close together.

$14.00 - $14.00 / night

Campgrounds

Success Lake

South Tule Campground

About Success Lake

Context for the broader area surrounding South Tule Campground, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

At the southern end of the Central Valley, this scenic setting with the Sierra Nevada in the background provides great fishing and boating pleasure for the visitor. From Porterville, 5 mi E on CA 190

Directions

From Porterville, 8 miles east on CA 190.