Camping Area

Thunderbird Group Campground campground

California, USA Tulare-Buena Vista Lakes watershed 35.812°, -118.456°
Today high
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Tonight low
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Reservations
No
Nearby campsites
6
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Thunderbird Group Campground -- California campground
Thunderbird Group Campground California · Tulare-Buena Vista Lakes watershed
About this campground

Thunderbird Group Campground

The Thunderbird Group Campground is situated in the Sierra National Forest of California, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and the nearby Shaver Lake. Visitors can partake in a range of outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, water sports, and bird watching. The area is home to several iconic landmarks, including the China Peak Mountain Resort, Dinkey Creek, and the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway.

The campground features several amenities, including picnic tables, fire rings, flush toilets, and potable water. However, there are no electrical hookups or showers available on-site. The campground is available on a first-come-first-served basis and can accommodate up to 50 people. It has eight campsites that are ideal for large groups and families.

An interesting fact about the area is that it was once home to the Mono Indian tribe, who lived in the region for over 2,000 years. The tribe used the area for hunting, fishing, and gathering food.

The best time to visit the Thunderbird Group Campground is during the summer months from May to September, with average temperatures ranging from 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit. The weather is perfect for outdoor activities, and visitors can enjoy the scenic beauty of the area without being affected by the cold.
StateCalifornia
WatershedTulare-Buena Vista Lakes
Latitude35.8121°
Longitude-118.4559°
Amenities

What's on-site at Thunderbird Group Campground

Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.

📅
Reservations
First-come, first-served
🚽
Toilets
Not listed
🚿
Showers
Not listed
🔥
Fire rings
Check rules
Detailed forecast

Plan your trip down to the hour

Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.

Hourly detail

Next 5 days, hour by hour

Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.

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Deep dive

5-day forecast table

Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.

Time Condition Temp (°F) Snow (in) Rain (in) Humidity (%) Wind (mps) Wind dir
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Long-term outlook

15-day temperature & precipitation

Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.

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Nearby campgrounds

Other campgrounds in the area

Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Thunderbird Group Campground, with reservations status.

Campground Reservations Toilets View
Camp 3 Campground
Halfway Campground
Chico Flat
Chico Flat Dispersed Camping
Headquarters
Live water

Nearby streamflow

USGS streamgauges within reach of Thunderbird Group Campground -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.

Snowpack

Nearby snow depths

NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Thunderbird Group Campground -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.

SNOTEL station Snowpack 24h Snowfall View
Beach Meadows 0.0 in 0.0 in
Nohrsc Casa Vieja Meadows 169.8 in 0.0 in
Inyokern 9.4 Wsw 0.0 in 0.0 in
Cottonwood Lakes 0.0 in 0.0 in

Camping essentials & Leave No Trace

Pack it in, pack it out
Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
Respect wildlife
Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
Know before you go
Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
Minimize campfire impact
Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
Leave what you find
Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.

Set push alerts in the Snoflo app

Save Thunderbird Group Campground as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.

FAQ

About Thunderbird Group Campground

Can I make reservations at Thunderbird Group Campground?

This campground does not appear to accept reservations -- it's typically first-come, first-served. Arrive early on summer weekends.

How fresh is the weather data on this page?

The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.

What's the best time of year to visit?

Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.

How do I get to Thunderbird Group Campground?

Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.

Can I get alerts when conditions change?

Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.

More camping

Other campgrounds near here

Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Thunderbird Group Campground.