RV sites near Big Creek, California sit within the Sierra National Forest at elevations between 3,000-7,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F during daytime, dropping into the 40s at night. Most campgrounds in this region operate seasonally from late April through October, with mountain roads often closing during winter months due to snow accumulation.
What to do
Fishing at nearby lakes: Bass Lake offers year-round fishing opportunities just a short drive from Big Creek. "At approximately 3500 ft elevation. Cool summer nights near Bass Lake Recreational area so fishing and boating are a main attraction," notes one visitor to Bass Lake at Yosemite RV Resort.
Hiking in Sierra National Forest: Multiple trails accessible from campsites in the area range from easy to challenging. "We spent the weekend in site 126 it was a level site with limited shade and full hookups. Bingo night was awesome and the staff was very friendly. Would highly recommend," writes a camper about their stay while exploring the surrounding forest.
Visit Yosemite National Park: Many RV parks serve as convenient bases for day trips. A camper at Outdoorsy Yosemite reported, "The campsite is close enough to Yosemite National Park for a day trip, which we did and enjoyed so much."
What campers like
Proximity to water features: Many campsites offer direct access to rivers, creeks, or lakes. At High Sierra RV Park, "The creek, waterfalls & rope swing over the swimming hole was unbelievable!! The kids enjoyed the rope swing while the mom enjoyed the walk back to the falls & thru the shallow waters."
Family-friendly amenities: Several RV parks provide recreational facilities beyond basic camping. According to one review, "They have a pool, game room very run down, bathrooms and showers decent, sites a bit to close together for our liking but being close to the lake and Yosemite was a bonus."
Full hookup options: RV campers appreciate comprehensive utility connections at established parks. "We are in spot 116 a bit unlevel but we managed. Check in was quick and easy. Hook ups were easy. Kinda tight we are a Odessey 26D with a jeep gladiator. Verizon is three bars and WiFi works great," reports one camper.
What you should know
Site spacing and privacy concerns: Many campgrounds near Big Creek have closely spaced sites. "This park is tight for big rigs, but can fit if careful. Pads are gravel and almost level. FHU's with good water pressure," notes a camper at Bass Lake at Yosemite RV Resort.
Varied cellular connectivity: Signal strength differs dramatically between carriers and specific locations. At Yosemite RV Resort, "Site WiFi is legit as is T-Mobile and AT&T service. Staff is great and accommodating. Propane available onsite at 3.50/gallon."
Off-season limitations: Many facilities reduce operations during shoulder seasons. "The office & camp store are closed on Tuesdays & Wednesdays - and this is peak season!! We won't be coming here again," reports one frustrated camper during their stay.
Tips for camping with families
Look for parks with kid-specific activities: Some campgrounds offer dedicated facilities for children. "Amenities include a pool, day room with tons of things to do, a separate day room for kids, a large fire pit, showers, store at the office, horseshoe and 2 shuffleboard courts. While we were there, they played movies at sunset next to the pool."
Choose sites away from water hazards: Flowing water requires constant supervision. A visitor at Riverbend RV Park cautions, "The creek is lovely and rushes by with the nice sounds of a creek. Be aware that the water is fast and cold. There are not a lot of spots for kids to play so unless they're older (and maybe even then) you'd want to watch them."
Consider seasonal temperature fluctuations: Higher elevations experience significant day-to-night temperature drops. "We weren't here for long, only one night on our way back home to Oregon but it was long enough to see a bear cross the road. This is definitely a spot where they aren't kidding about locking up your food. We didn't have any issues but good to note. It was also pretty chilly for what we thought was still the fall season, only 30 degrees when we arrived and 22 when we woke up in our tent the next morning."
Tips from RVers
Verify site dimensions before booking: Space constraints affect larger rigs throughout the area. "Fairly big campground, with some spots having a good amount of privacy in a forest. Our site (#162) was large enough, although not very level. The sewer connection was almost level with our dump pipe, so it made dumping a challenge."
Check road conditions when planning routes: Mountain roads present challenges for larger vehicles. A guest at Mammoth Mountain RV Park & Campground advises, "Upon leaving, the access road is totally blocked by vehicles lined up for the dump station. If you want to avoid this, leave early. Not really sure if there will be a third visit."
Consider alternate hookup arrangements: Some sites have unusual utility configurations. "We had a Great spot in september and its close to Yosemite," but another camper notes, "Why these boxes are so far back almost into the next site is puzzling."