SUMMER SALE 50% off The Dyrt PRO — just $2.49/moGet now
SALE: PRO just $2.49/mo

Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site

Within Sierra National Forest, Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site provides free camping just minutes from Yosemite's south entrance. This US Forest Service area sits at approximately 5,200 feet elevation in a sugar pine forest, where campers access sites via a dirt road that branches right from the paved Snow Play parking lot.

The dispersed sites spread across flat terrain separated by large cut logs, creating natural boundaries between camping areas. Kevin C. describes the setting as a "Beautiful forested Sugar Pine Forest" where "the sigh of the breeze in the trees" creates a distinctive atmosphere. Most sites accommodate big rigs, though the bumpy access road requires careful navigation to find level ground. Cell service reaches two to three bars for Verizon users.

Established fire rings dot many sites, with abundant firewood available from fallen trees throughout the area. The forest supports active wildlife, including coyotes and bears that regularly move through campsites. Ground bee nests present a seasonal hazard for pets and children during warmer months. A trash service operates from bins located in the main parking area.

Crowds fluctuate dramatically by season and day of the week. Winter brings snow that forces some campers into the paved parking lot when dispersed sites become inaccessible. Memorial Day weekend and summer evenings see heavy traffic as day-users arrive for sledding and recreation. "This place gets CROWDED," reports Katelin M., noting that holiday weekends create traffic backups extending from the nearby park entrance.

The Summerdale Campground - Sierra National Forest offers developed facilities less than half a mile west for campers preferring reservable sites with amenities. Fish Camp's general store sits just two miles away for resupply needs.

Suggest an Edit

RV Road Trip Guides

SPONSORED BYT-Mobile

Map & DirectionsGoat Meadow is located in California near Fish Camp

Detail location of campground
Dispersed Camping

Coordinates

37.49166919 N
119.624964 W

Open in Google Maps

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
    Verified by 8 users
    Last on 6/24/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 83 users
    Last on 6/24/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    Possible Coverage
    Verified by 48 users
    Last on 6/24/26

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
    Verified by 8 users
    Last on 6/24/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 83 users
    Last on 6/24/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    Possible Coverage
    Verified by 48 users
    Last on 6/24/26

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Dispersed
  • Group
  • Equestrian

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Phone Service
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Big Rig Friendly

DISPERSED CAMPING

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.


PERMIT might be REQUIRED

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site needs a permit.

Contact

General Info

Drive Time


2026 Explorer Giveaway

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Reviews49 Camper Reviews - Goat Meadow

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

59%
35%
4%
2%
0%

4.5

out of 5

49 Reviews

Campers regularly cited this free dispersed site's prime location minutes from Yosemite's south entrance with spacious, private spots. Feedback commonly touched on basic amenities and bumpy access roads, while wildlife encounters may concern pet owners.

Reviewed Jun. 15, 2026

Cant get any closer to the park for free

We had a great time here! It’s definitely not super quiet or secluded here. There were a few families with young children visiting at the same time as us. If you tolerate kids you’ll be fine, they go to bed early enough, it was nice to hear them having fun:) There’s also not a lot of privacy between sites depending on what site you get which makes using the bathroom difficult if you’re using a tent. There was also an impressive amount of glass spread out around our site. I have no idea who had a rage room here but I was picking up glass all weekend, it became a hobby. Most of it was pretty dull but I’d wear shoes and watch out for your pets and kids feet.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site by Catherine H., June 15, 2026
  • Review photo of Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site by Catherine H., June 15, 2026
Reviewed Jun. 12, 2026

Great spot!

About 30 minutes from the park entrance, there were tons of spots. We got there mid day on a Monday and easily found a great spot for the tent, hammock and fire ring. 10/10 would go again

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site by Grace V., June 12, 2026
  • Review photo of Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site by Grace V., June 12, 2026
  • Review photo of Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site by Grace V., June 12, 2026
  • (10) View All
Reviewed May. 24, 2026

Very convenient !

Nice area very close to Yosetime entrance. Pines all around. Some kids running around having a good time. Even on a public holiday there was plenty of space. Potholes on the road coming in but easily accessible. Also really close to the visitor information center down the road for bathrooms.

Month of VisitMay
Reviewed May. 22, 2026

Great spot. Close to the park and town

I stayed here for five days at two different spots in May. Beautiful and quiet spot that is only half a mile from the park entrance and about 20 minutes into town. Lots of sunny clearings and shady areas. Plenty of firewood to scavenge and established rock fire pits. No cell service but there’s a pull off about 2 miles towards town that gets service if you needed it.

Definitely enjoyed the spot and will return!

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site by David B., May 22, 2026
  • Review photo of Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site by David B., May 22, 2026
  • Review photo of Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site by David B., May 22, 2026
  • (6) View All
Reviewed May. 19, 2026

Close to Yosemite

Big parking lot with plenty of space for RVs depending on how people park. Road is narrow with potholes but we easily made it with our 25 ft travel trailer. See video. Lots of tent camping in the woods. Some rv spots in the woods. See video. 2 min from the south entrance. We were there from Sunday afternoon til Friday morning. Lots of one night car/van campers.

Month of VisitMay
  • The large parking lot.
    Play button icon
  • Options for Travel trailers, RVs.
    Play button icon
  • The large parking lot.
    Play button icon
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Mar. 25, 2026

Solid dispersed

Easy camping a short drive from the Yosemite entrance. Watch for potholes as you head up the hill. We camped in the grassy area right behind the parking lot. Quiet and beautiful. We stayed two nights and had no issues.

Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site by Kayla T., March 25, 2026
Reviewed Dec. 19, 2025

Boondocking Paradise

Beautiful forested Sugar Pine Forest. The sigh of the breeze in the trees is enough to make this a paradise. Two to three bars verizon, no other services, though there is a trash can in the parking lot. Fish Camp is only a couple miles away with its General store. Plenty of relatively level sites, fire rings, easy in and easy out. The road is paved up to the parking lot and the Boondock sites on the dirt access road are to the right of the parking lot and meadow. There's nothing negative to say about these sites.

SiteVan1
Month of VisitDecember
  • Review photo of Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site by Kevin C., December 19, 2025
  • Review photo of Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site by Kevin C., December 19, 2025
  • Review photo of Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site by Kevin C., December 19, 2025
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Oct. 19, 2025

Goat Meadow

Plenty of spots. Some noise from people playing music. Some trash around the campsites

Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site by Vinny A., October 19, 2025
Reviewed Sep. 30, 2025

Great Campsite

This site is just about four minutes away from Yosemite entrance. We stayed here two nights. The sites are really spread out, which is super nice!

Unfortunately, we did find a lot of toilet paper and human waste.

There were also a lot of ground bee nests. Our dogs pretty much all got stung when they were running around the campsite.

The road around the campground is super bumpy and it was a little challenging to find a level spot. But there were enough areas to find something level to sleep on.

We really enjoyed our stay here, though! The spots are nestled in the trees with a lot of privacy and separation from other campers. We were able to let our dogs off and run around, which was a huge plus. Great place to camp!

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site by Jordan B., September 30, 2025
  • Review photo of Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site by Jordan B., September 30, 2025
Reviewed Aug. 5, 2025

Great Spot

Great spot about 5 minutes away from Yosemite entrance. Only a few other campers nearby but plenty of space to where they were only seen from a distance. A couple nights there were louder campers on the paved side of the area but nothing crazy. Will most definitely stay there again

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site by Mayra R., August 5, 2025
Reviewed Aug. 3, 2025

Great shot

About 20 spots it was quiet only about 8 in use a little dusty in the sites from being used at&t didn’t work got one bar every hour

SiteThe far back right side
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jul. 27, 2025

Basic and great!

So close to the park! Right in the forest, I’m surprised it’s free! The road getting there has tons of potholes and the road in the site is super super bumpy

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed May. 25, 2025

Close to yosemite

Close to Yosemite entrance, which was great. Stayed about a week which also crossed over Memorial Day weekend. Arrived the Tuesday before. This place gets CROWDED. At 5:30 it’s like everyone got off work and headed home, it’s nuts. Everyone picks up after themselves which is nice. Some spots are secluded, most are not. Trash cans at the sno park - no bathrooms. I will say if it’s a holiday weekend and you leave camp headed into town be prepared for at least an hour in traffic due to backup from the park entrance

Month of VisitMay
  • Play button icon
Reviewed May. 11, 2025

Foresty escape in Yosemite

It’s a great spot to camp when you’re in Yosemite but want a more peaceful place to stay for the night.

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site by Ala B., May 11, 2025
Reviewed May. 6, 2025

Gem of a Campsite

I've camped at Goat Meadow twice- once in 2022 and more recently in March of 2025. Both times were fantastic. 

When you drive up to the snowplay area, continue straight off of the paved road (don't make the left) and you'll find a plethora of places to park and set up shop.  

The elevation at the site is appx 5200, meaning it will get snow in the winter(ish) months. When I was there recently, some of the 'campsites' had 0-3", whereas other spots were about 6-8".  Consequently, there were about 6-8 cars/vans that ended up camping in the parking lot of the snowplay area. I was the only one in the actual snow, which was great! I'm glad I didn't set up in the parking lot though, as around 7am, the place filled up with people sledding (as the area is intended to be used). 

Couldn't recommend this place more.  Coyotes and bears are active in the area- coyotes raided a bag I had hanging from a tree and stole my food!

Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site by Alexander Mark C., May 6, 2025
  • Review photo of Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site by Alexander Mark C., May 6, 2025
  • Review photo of Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site by Alexander Mark C., May 6, 2025
  • (5) View All
Reviewed May. 2, 2025

Great Spot, Easy to Reach

Beautiful scenery, clean, close to Yosemite, and easy to reach.

As others have said, follow Mount Raymond Rd up until you see the sign for the snow play area, and look to the right. There’s an open area with fire pits. There’s also a few more spots further down the road it seems.

Month of VisitApril
  • Play button icon
  • Review photo of Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site by Derrick H., May 2, 2025
Reviewed Apr. 11, 2025

Perfect Disperse Site

This site had loads of space. When we camped 1 car 2 tents on 4/11/25 there were a number of other people and plenty of spots to check out. The area felt safe and easy to access. It’s about 1 hour from the valley visitor center. Had great cell service through Verizon.

Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site by Jonathan , April 11, 2025
  • Review photo of Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site by Jonathan , April 11, 2025
  • Review photo of Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site by Jonathan , April 11, 2025
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Mar. 12, 2025

Solid Spot

Plenty of space for all vehicle sizes. Roads are very accessible. Nice and wooded.

Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site by Ty P., March 12, 2025
Reviewed Nov. 30, 2024

Ideal

Quite a large level area, though it was November and not peak season so there were loads of space. We pulled in and there were a couple of trailers with horses and a couple of other vehicles and we parked with loads of space between. When we left early in the morning a handful more of vehicles had joined.

Month of VisitNovember
Reviewed Jul. 3, 2024

Close, free, and beautiful

We got there at 5pm on a Sunday. Went all the way to the back and In my opinion got the best spot. We had plenty of trees around us for privacy and shade. Highly recommend if you’re trying to camp close to Yosemite without a reservation. Only downside were the mosquitoes were on another level. They turned off once it got dark though.

SiteWay back.
Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Jun. 14, 2024

Free

A quiet, large space for setting up.

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site by JJ D., June 14, 2024
  • Review photo of Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site by JJ D., June 14, 2024
  • Review photo of Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site by JJ D., June 14, 2024
Reviewed Jun. 11, 2024

Great spot

Got there late at night, around midnight. Had to find a spot but very quiet. Will stay there again!

Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Jun. 2, 2024

Decent spot

This is a good location right near the south entrance of the park, but still about an hour from the valley. It was a little crowded and pretty bumpy road to get into the sites. But it worked well for staying for the night.

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site by Aidan D., June 2, 2024
Reviewed May. 4, 2024

Great free camp at the exit of Yosemite park

Great location, close to Yosemite Park which allows you to sleep for free. the spot was clean, impressive camper vans were present and they were parked on the tarmac. lots of pitches, vans can be placed under the trees with the tents.

Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site by Caroline D., May 4, 2024
Reviewed Dec. 24, 2023

Great quiet campsite

We stayed here when visiting Yosemite and it was a great location, easy to find in the dark, and quiet. Part of the road was closed due to the season but we were still able to find a spot and had the place to ourselves. No cell service, bathrooms, or clear fire pits but it didn’t bother us!

Month of VisitDecember
  • Review photo of Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site by Zoe J., December 24, 2023
  • Review photo of Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site by Zoe J., December 24, 2023
Reviewed Nov. 9, 2023

Perfect place to stop

Was a great place to stop so we could get an early start towards Yosemite. The stars were beautiful as there is almost no light pollution. There were a few others parked around the edge of the big lot and people were friendly. Easy to find. Will keep this spot saved. It was very cold, a bit icy in the morning the second week of November.

Month of VisitNovember
  • Review photo of Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site by Amanda H., November 9, 2023

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Goat Meadow dispersed camping located near Yosemite?

Goat Meadow dispersed camping is located just outside Yosemite National Park, at the end of Mt Raymond Road at the Goat Meadow Trailhead & Snow Play area. It serves as an excellent base camp for park visitors, being approximately 50 minutes from the tunnel view outlook at Yosemite Valley. The site is situated in a wooded setting near Fish Camp, making it a convenient free camping option for those wanting to explore Yosemite without staying inside the park boundaries.

What are the rules for dispersed camping at Goat Meadow Trailhead?

Goat Meadow Trailhead offers free dispersed camping with minimal regulations. There are no formal reservation requirements or designated site assignments. A dumpster is provided for trash disposal, and occasional porta-potties may be available (though their presence isn't guaranteed). Practice standard Leave No Trace principles. The area has multiple camping options - either in the parking lot or along dirt paths leading to more secluded tent sites in the woods. Fires are permitted when conditions allow, with plenty of firewood available nearby.

Can you camp at Goat Meadow Snow Park during winter?

Yes, winter camping is available at Goat Meadow Snow Park. The area functions as both a snow play area during the day and a camping location. In winter, the camping area becomes primarily a large parking lot suitable for car camping, as snow may limit access to the dispersed wooded sites. Morning visitors come for sledding activities, so expect some daytime traffic. Be prepared for cold temperatures and possibly significant snow accumulation.

Is Goat Meadow suitable for RVs or only tent camping?

Goat Meadow accommodates both RVs and tent camping. The large paved parking lot to the left is suitable for RVs, vans, and car camping, with enough space for approximately 30 vehicles. For tent campers, there are dirt paths leading to dispersed woodland sites (about 6-10 spots) that offer more privacy and a traditional camping experience. The access road can be challenging at night but is navigable for most vehicles. Be aware that generator noise can be an issue in the RV area, as there are no formal quiet hours enforcement.