Cherry Valley, near Groveland, California, is a scenic campground that offers a peaceful escape surrounded by nature. With spacious, wooded sites, it’s a great spot for those looking to unwind and enjoy the great outdoors.

Visitors rave about the beautiful, crystal-clear lake nearby, perfect for a refreshing dip or a leisurely day by the water. The campground is known for its well-maintained facilities, including clean bathrooms and ample trash disposal, making it a comfortable place to stay. One camper noted, “The bathrooms and trash were maintained regularly,” which speaks to the care taken in keeping the area tidy.

For those who enjoy a bit of adventure, the steep trail to the lake provides a bit of a workout, while a short drive will take you to a boat launch with a beach area for easier access. Just remember to pack all your essentials, as the nearest store is quite a distance away. 

Cherry Valley is a family favorite, with many campers returning year after year to enjoy the serene environment and recreational opportunities. Whether you’re fishing, hiking, or simply soaking in the natural beauty, this campground offers a memorable experience for all.

## Overview

 Situated in the central Sierra Nevada, camping at Cherry Valley campground offers many beautiful sights. It is located in a forest of mixed conifers about 1.5 miles northeast of Cherry Valley Dam, 1 hour east of Tuolumne City, 1 hour northeast of Groveland, and 2.5 hours from the northwestern border of Yosemite National Park. Lake access is available via a hiking trail. The road to the campground is a winding mountain road and must be taken slowly.
## Recreation

 There are unlimited opportunities for fishing on lakes and rivers and for exploring hiking trails in the area. Cherry Lake has a boat ramp near the dam, conveniently located off Cherry Lake Road. Visitors to Cherry Valley can enjoy a quiet lake experience great for water sports, swimming, and fishing.
## Facilities

 Cherry Valley has 41 single and five double family sites with paved roads and spurs. Each site has a table and campfire pit with a grill. Drinking water and vault toilets are available. The opening and closing dates are somewhat weather dependent, but the campground is generally open for the first day of fishing season, the last Friday in April. Pets are welcome, but must be compliant with Tuolumne County leash laws.
## Natural Features

 Visitors to Cherry Valley campground can enjoy easy access to nearby Cherry Lake, the largest lake in the Stanislaus National Forest. Anglers flock to Cherry Lake every year, plotting their next catch of eastern brook trout, German brown trout, kokanee salmon, and rainbow trout.

Cherry Valley - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

Searching for the best camping near Mather, CA? Mather is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Find the best campgrounds near Mather, CA. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.

Mather

The Best Camping Near Mather, California

We’ve been coming here for over 25 years.  It’s about an hour from Sonora or Groveland, although the latter is generally a steep no trailer road.   Paved roads and site parking. Water taps every few sites.  Fire rings and bear boxes.  Large vault outhouses.  Fishing and recreation on lake with some boat in areas to camp.  Water levels vary.  Forested but large fires have ravaged much of the adjacent area in the past few years.  Campground host,fees.  We’ve only had a bear in camp a couple of times.  Sometimes we’ve been the only ones in camp, but it’s often full on holidays and some weekends.  Only open May-Sept.

Family favorite 

Great campground. Came here July 2020 and it was amazing. Each campsite is pretty secluded and spaced out. Crystal clear lake, with waterfall and a rope swing. Definitely one of my favorite spots. Only drawback is you either have to hike down to the lake via a steep trail or drive 5 mins away to the boat launch where there’s a beach area.

Beautiful Crystal Clear Lake

Very gorgeous wooded and secluded campsites. The campground host was really nice and directed us to a different site than we reserved so we had a nicer site and a flatter place to park our bus. Bathrooms were really well maintained also. No service for Verizon. 

Beautiful campsite

This is a beautiful campground with nice large sites. The bathrooms and trash were maintained regularly. There was no water at the campground when we were there (it seems like it might be a long term issue) -  we were warned about this in advance so it wasn’t much trouble.

The lake is walkable but the path is very steep and there aren’t many places to sit. We ended up driving 5mins to the boat launch and hung out near there instead. 

There is nothing else for miles around so come prepared with all your food and essentials. It’s a long long drive if you forget something. 

Photos of Cherry Valley - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

Real photos from real campers