Nelson Falls RV Park Introduce
Welcome to Nelson Falls RV Park, your ideal secluded retreat for exploring the magnificent natural landscapes of Central California. Nestled in the mountains just above the rustic community of Springville, this RV park and campground offers a tranquil base camp for adventurers, nature lovers, and California residents seeking a genuine escape from the hustle of the Central Valley.
The park is uniquely situated within the Sequoia National Forest and the Giant Sequoia National Monument, positioning you minutes away from some of the largest trees on Earth and endless opportunities for outdoor exploration. It's renowned for its rustic charm and quiet atmosphere, a welcome relief from crowded tourist spots. Visitors consistently praise the experience for being peaceful, relaxing, and away from the typical crowds. With approximately 15 RV sites and some tent sites available, the park maintains a small, intimate feel, allowing you to truly immerse yourself in the mountain environment.
Nelson Falls RV Park is dedicated to providing a comfortable and convenient camping experience in a naturally beautiful setting. Here, you can expect clean facilities, easy-to-access hookups, and a friendly atmosphere, making it a highly recommended spot for a memorable mountain getaway in California.
### Location and Accessibility
Nelson Falls RV Park is officially located at 1801 Nelson Dr, Springville, CA 93265, USA. It is important for California travelers to note that while the mailing address is Springville, the physical location is higher in the mountains near the small, secluded community of Camp Nelson.
The campground is accessed approximately 35 miles east of Porterville off State Highway 190. This route is known to be a long, winding, and narrow mountain road, which is standard for accessing the higher elevations of the Southern Sierra Nevada. Travelers should be prepared for this scenic but challenging drive.
Due to its remote mountain setting, accessibility details are crucial:
- Seclusion: The RV park is located far from city light pollution, making it an incredible destination for stargazing.
- Connectivity: Visitors should be aware that there is almost zero cell service in the immediate area. It is highly recommended to download maps and necessary information before beginning the final drive. However, the park may offer Wi-Fi access (sometimes for a nominal fee) to help guests stay connected when necessary.
- Proximity to Nature: The park serves as a fantastic launch point for day trips to the numerous Sequoia groves, including the famous Trail of 100 Giants, which is about a 90-minute drive away, and the wider Sequoia National Forest.
- Local Amenities: While deeply rustic, the immediate area provides a "cool little town" experience with enjoyable local amenities like a general store, gas station, and tavern, offering basic necessities and a friendly, local vibe away from major tourist crowds.
- Parking: The facility offers convenient On-site parking for both RVs and accompanying vehicles.
### Services Offered
As a dedicated RV camping destination, Nelson Falls RV Park focuses on providing essential services that ensure a comfortable and hassle-free stay for travelers exploring the Sequoia area.
- RV Camping (Full Hookups): The core offering is RV camping on one of its approximately 15 available sites. Sites feature full hookups, including easy-to-access water, electric (including 30 Amp hookups), and sewer connections.
- Big-Rig Friendly: The park accommodates a variety of RV sizes, with some reported capacity for large rigs (up to 80 feet max length) and convenient pull-through sites available.
- Tent Sites: The campground also accommodates tent campers with a number of dedicated tent sites for those seeking a more traditional experience under the sequoia canopy.
- Clean Bathhouses: Visitors consistently highlight the cleanliness of the facilities, which include flush toilets and hot showers, a luxury in many remote mountain campgrounds.
- Onsite Services: The park provides necessary services like trash pickup and a reliable source of drinking water.
- Friendly Management: The staff, often including a dedicated, accommodating host or manager, are known for their hospitality and commitment to guest needs.
- On-site Parking: Designated parking spaces are provided for vehicles on the property.
- Pet-Friendly: Nelson Falls RV Park is welcoming to pets, allowing guests to bring their beloved animals along on their mountain adventures.
### Features / Highlights
The true value of Nelson Falls RV Park lies in its unique natural features and rustic highlights, which capture the essence of a tranquil mountain getaway in California's Sierra Nevada.
- Nelson Falls and Water Features: The park is named for a key highlight: a nice waterfall nearby (Mist Falls is also 17 miles away) and a small creek and pond on-site. This running water creates a peaceful spot to unwind, read a book, or simply enjoy the sounds of nature.
- Immersive Forest Setting: The campground is surrounded by towering sequoia trees, providing shade, privacy, and the unmistakable grandeur of the Giant Sequoia National Monument. The park embraces a truly rustic, forested terrain.
- Wildlife Viewing: It is common to spot local wildlife, with visitors frequently reporting catching sight of deer hanging and grazing close to the campground, creating incredible photographic and viewing opportunities.
- Sequoia National Park Access: It is ideally located for visitors wanting to explore the iconic features of the nearby National Parks, including the General Sherman Tree and the Trail of 100 Giants.
- Spacious and Quiet Sites: Despite having a manageable number of sites (approximately 15), the spaces are often described as spacious and the atmosphere is consistently noted as quiet and relaxing, perfect for a peaceful evening after a day of hiking.
- On-site Fishing: Fishing opportunities are available nearby in the mountain streams, and the local lakes like Success Lake (16 miles away) offer year-round lake fishing and boating activities.
- Rustic and Non-Touristy Vibe: The location is celebrated for its rustic appeal and for having "almost no tourists," offering an authentic small-town mountain experience far from the commercialized areas often found near National Park entrances.
### Contact Information
For current rates, seasonal operation schedules (as the park may close due to heavy snow), and to make a reservation for your RV or tent site, please reach out to the park management directly.
Address: 1801 Nelson Dr, Springville, CA 93265, USA
Phone: (559) 542-2471
Note that communications may sometimes be handled by the affiliated John M. Nelson Conservancy, which reinvests park income into local community projects, adding a valuable community commitment to your stay. Visitors are also encouraged to contact the park directly regarding current conditions and to confirm specific amenities before their visit, particularly concerning the clean state of the facilities.
### What is Worth Choosing
Choosing Nelson Falls RV Park is an investment in a genuine, quiet, and beautiful Sequoia National Forest experience. For California users accustomed to crowded campgrounds or commercial resorts, Nelson Falls offers a refreshing difference.
- It is the ultimate choice for the nature enthusiast who wants to be fully immersed in the mountain environment, surrounded by sequoia trees, and where seeing deer and enjoying a waterfall is part of the daily routine.
- It is highly recommended for stargazers. Its remote location and lack of light pollution ensure some of the best night sky views in Central California.
- It suits travelers who prefer a small, intimate, and comfortable camp setting. With only 15 RV sites, you get personalized attention from the staff and a sense of community that is often lost in massive RV resorts. The manager is frequently described as very accommodating.
- It is a perfect rustic base camp for the Southern Sierras. You are within striking distance of major attractions like the Giant Sequoias and are near other beautiful locations for hiking and fishing, yet you return each evening to a peaceful, non-touristy location.
- For those who value clean, maintained facilities even in a rustic location, the park is known for its exceptionally clean bathrooms and hot showers, a welcome comfort after a long day of exploring the national forest.
If you are looking to disconnect from the city (literally, due to the limited cell service) and reconnect with the majestic beauty of the Sequoia National Forest, Nelson Falls RV Park provides the perfect blend of essential comfort and unparalleled wilderness access.
Nelson Falls RV Park Details
Service options
- Onsite services
Offerings
- RV camping
Parking
- On-site parking
Nelson Falls RV Park Photos










Nelson Falls RV Park Location
Nelson Falls RV Park
1801 Nelson Dr, Springville, CA 93265, USA
Nelson Falls RV Park Reviews
trailsduckscabingembarwaterfallatmospheresequoiaspeacefulbook
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1My husband and I stayed at Nelson Falls RV Park Easter weekend 2025 near the Sequoias, and it was a great experience. The park has 15 sites that are fairly close together, but it’s still comfortable. The facilities were clean, though the ladies’ restroom had a minor plumbing issue that I hope will be fixed soon. The hookups were easy to access, and the atmosphere was quiet and relaxing. There’s even a nice waterfall nearby for a peaceful spot to unwind and read a book. The manager, Trudy, was very accommodating. We caught deer hanging grazing close to the campground. Stargazing was a must. Overall, I’d definitely return!.
April 21 · Fidy CisnerosGreat rustic location. Almost no tourists. Friendly staff. Cool little town. General store, gas station and tavern were enjoyable up and away from the crowds.
June 10 · Jerry GrosenickMy little family & I had a great experience tent camping at Nelson Falls, hospitality was great, beautiful atmosphere and we made some new amazing camping friends, we will definitely be returning.
May 24 · Cris HWe had a lovely stay at this gem of a campground. Trudie her self is a super kind and welcoming person. The camping has al lovely stream you look up and hear from some spots. The toilets and shower work perfectly. There is a laundromat just between the general store and saloon so you can wash your clothes there.You can enjoy stargazing and we saw some Elk on the camping at night 😍
August 16 · K & JTrudie is the sweetest owner, so helpful and kind, she made our stay feel like a warm family visit. A bit secluded peaceful and blissful campground with several moderate level trails around. Night sky is breathtaking and a 3min-walk bar is a great evening entertainment spot after a hot day on a trail.
June 09 · Maria Nowacka
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