Crystal Springs Campground (CA)

We originally booked site #27 just to arrive to a construction cone, a large portion of the parking pad missing, and an incredibly steep incline. There was no way we risking damaging our 31-foot Class C so we canceled the reservation. We hopped, skipped, and jumped to other sites so we could still stay there. So many of the campsites are far shorter than what they're rated for and very unlevel. The recycling containers were jammed full the entire four days we were there.

Location was great

This is a beautiful campground. Most campers obeyed the rules, kept their kids under control, and were nice campers.

However at 7 a.m. on my last day there, a huge group of people in TWO SUVs pulled into the site behind me, disregarding the fact that check in is at NOON. They made an immense amount of noise and cut right through my site on the way to the bathroom.

I thought maybe they had two sites but no. They set up camp with way more people than should be in a SINGLE camp site. Isn't there a limit of 6 people in a single site? They had more than double that between the adults and kids. They gathered twigs and pine cones and actually started a fire despite all the signs coming into the park and the campground stating there is a total fire ban. I told them to put it out quickly before a ranger came by to fine them. They didn't seem to understand what "fire ban" means and I had to repeat myself multiple times that NOBODY is allowed a campfire at this time.

Then they started setting up a hammock and tent in the back of MY campsite because there wasn't enough room for four tents in their own site. The kids then started playing on MY picnic table and around MY unused fire pit. I had to explain that they needed to respect my campsite boundaries. I may be a solo camper but I paid the same for my site and don't appreciate my space being invaded. I know that makes me sound like a Karen but I worded my request to respect boundaries as politely as possible even suggested the kids could play there when I'm gone touring as long as they stay back when I'm on site.

I don't know why the park didn't have a camp host or ranger come around to enforce the rules in this campground. Aside from that it was a beautiful place to camp and I was happy to see a deer grazing (before the big family came) and no bears bothered the campground as far as I know.

Some campsites were too close to each other, but other than that I have no complaints.

Stunning gorgeous campground nestled in the woods and close to the Grant Grove center.

Very clean, and easy to navigate trails next to your campsite!

This was perfect location with nice restrooms with water. Grant grove road is just across from campground. Visitor center, restaurant within close vicinity.

This is a decent campground in the west side of King's Canyon. It features flush toilets and plenty of water spouts (a member of our group complained of the taste, but I found it fine). It is a short drive from the general store and visitor's center, as well as the lookout point and the General Grant Grove (the major groves and popular points get very crowded; arrive early). Some driving is required to other major points of interest in the park, though the drive is very scenic. Our site was much closer to the neighboring site than I prefer, but the neighbors were polite.

Had a good time