Campgrounds near Cedar Ridge, California range from developed sites with amenities to more remote options along rivers and lakes. The area includes established campgrounds like North Grove Campground at Calaveras Big Trees State Park, which accommodates tents, RVs, and cabins with amenities including drinking water, fire rings, and picnic tables. Several campgrounds in the region, such as Pinecrest Campground and River Ranch Campground, provide access to water recreation while offering varying levels of facilities. Many locations feature tent sites alongside RV hookups, with some offering cabin rentals for those seeking more comfort.
Reservations are strongly recommended for most developed campgrounds, particularly during summer months when sites fill quickly. "The sites were well maintained. We went early in the season (April) so the dust was not bad. I think later in the spring/summer you might find yourself faced with dust and foxtails," noted one camper about McCabe Flat Campground. Seasonal considerations affect both accessibility and comfort, with many campgrounds operating only from spring through fall. Water levels at reservoirs like New Hogan Lake can fluctuate dramatically throughout the year, potentially leaving waterfront sites far from the actual shoreline during drought conditions. Cell service is limited or non-existent at many locations, particularly those in more remote settings or at higher elevations.
Campers consistently highlight the natural surroundings and wildlife viewing opportunities throughout the region. Proximity to water features prominently in positive reviews, with the Stanislaus River and various lakes serving as focal points for recreation. As one visitor to Acorn Campground observed, "The wildlife was 'people friendly' to say the least. I had a family of deer pretty much monitoring my whole trip plus they couldn't seem to wait until I went to bed to come check out my camping gear." Campgrounds closer to Yosemite National Park tend to be more crowded but offer convenient access to popular attractions. Those seeking more solitude might prefer locations like Sand Bar Flat Campground, described as "remote and quiet, if you want to get away from the crowds," though reaching such sites often requires navigating unpaved roads that may challenge standard passenger vehicles.
$25 - $70 / night
"I think this is my favorite California State Park. It is situated in the Calaveras Big Trees Giant Sequoia Grove."
"Pros - you are in the middle of the Sequoias, near hiking, kayaking, etc. Beautiful river nearby; pretty easy in and out for small-ish RVs. Hard to beat the location."
$24 - $439 / night
"If you plan to go into Yosemite NP, it's a long drive so plan accordingly. Our family really enjoys Rainbow Pools and Yosemite Pine's proximity to Rainbow Pools is part of why we stay here."
"Not located in the Yosemite Park (we made that mistake). 20-30min drive to Yosemite Park. Very cute and quiet spot.
Trails around camp grounds, petting zoo for kids."
$40 / night
"The campsites are a very short walk from the lake. the sites are spacious, well spaced and shady. Amenities are quite good with flush toilets, showers, a general store and more."
"This is a nice campground on Pinecrest Lake near Sonora Pass in Stanislaus National Forest."
"Watering holes on campgrounds and around the area like Cherry Lake, Rainbow Pools and Gods Bath! California is full of beautiful wonders and this little gem in Stanislaus Forest is one of them!"
"The site has several trails and is secluded in a great little canyon."
"Whip out your wallet and empty on it on the check-in desk of this thousand trails (or whatever) park."
"Our tent site was #311 and it was perfectly tucked in the trees with a stream alongside."
$150 / night
"Cute small campsites, kind of close to your neighbor. Not a lot of bugs which is always a plus when your near water, we went mid October and the weather wasn’t too hot or too cold."
"New Melones was not a top destination but it was close to a very special place for us, Natural Bridges."
$30 - $89 / night
"You feel like you're in the middle of nowhere but you're so close to things. Directions are easy to follow, leveling is required but there were pretty good lots."
"It was a bit hard to find in the dark, but the camping area is fenced in under an oak grove so eventually we found the stump with our name on it next to the tent."
"At the junction of Hwy49 the “Chain of Gold” and 108 outside Yosemite National Park. Daily/weekly rates. Short walk to downtown in this 1850’s mining town."
"Surrounded by trees, typical pretty campsite. Campgrounds is next to the water for close fishing. Less than 10 minutes to Pinecrest Lake. First come First serve. Dog friendly."
"Very nice , loved camping right next to the river. Bathrooms were very clean."
$18 - $22 / night
"Showers and bathrooms aren't working but otherwise a great place to camp. been going to the nearby Tuttletown camp for showers and working bathrooms while they work on Gloryhole."
"The lake's water was too low for a swim though :( sad"
GuideStayed in this Campground for 2 days. They don't have a dog park and there's really nowhere for dogs to go the bathroom. Every time I went to go to the office there was a sign they'd be back in 15 minutes... The dump site I believe was an old camping spot with hose access. It's about 30 minutes from town if you need groceries and 30 minutes from the park depending on traffic. I personally would not stay in this park again.
ScoutTent camped, basic site , senior discount, about 20 per night.
TravelerEasy access parking site, great family lodge to spend cold days playing or watching videos. Great hiking trails to explore the area.
TravelerThe Road (CA 120) from Oakdale to the campground is steep, narrow and has a lot of close quarter turns for a 40 foot motorhome pulling a 20 foot dual axle open car trailer with a Jeep on board. Occasionally the wheels of the trailer would cross into the center line on tight turns. Really didn't have any problems pulling the uphill grade with 400 hp. After you get to the top I do wish that they would mark the down hill grades when you come to them as there are a lot of ups and downs with curves once you are up on top. Definitely plan on using your engine brake. The weather was not hot when we made the trip but there are signs at the bottom of the mountain advising to turn off the air conditioning of your vehicle before making the ascent. Once there the RV park map that they gave us at check in showed us our site location but they did ot escort us. Some others did get an escort. The sewer pipe connection was recessed too far down in the concrete protective block/pad that I was not able screw my angled adapter into the provided threads. Ended up utilizing a large rock to retain the angled adapter into the poop chute. As others have said. Absolutely no cell signal from any carrier is available. Our neighboring camper advised that they were trying to use the park wi-fi but weren't getting very good reception. I let them use our starlink wi-fi as a common courtesy. Site 164 was level and a mix of sparse short grass and dirt. So guessing that when it rains, if it does we won't have to worry about the RV sinking into the grass as it is somewhat firm.
GuideStaying here April 17-20 and it’s quite a good spot. Reservations are required but usually aren’t hard to get. $22 per night with a $8 reservation fee. Potable water available and bathrooms with a couple of them having showers. Weather is great with the lowest only getting to 48 degrees at night. Right by New Melones allowing for ease of water activities and taking a stroll around the park. Towns are 20-30 minute drive away so supplies and in-town activities also not hard to come by.
Only gripe is large groups nearby were noisy way past quiet hours. Besides that, great place to be.
TravelerSimple self registration. Fairgrounds campground is clean, we'll kept and is convenient to Mariposa city and Yosemite National Park.
LegendThree miles up a good dirt road. Campground is not maintained highly. I think the Forest service rarely comes here. Trees are encroaching on the roadways and campsites. Don't come in here with a trailer longer than a little teardrop type. Take turns and narrow driveways in the campground. There are a few nice fairly level turnouts on the way up here along the road or possible dispersed camping. There is one nice large turnout area right across from the campground on the other side of the road.
TravelerWe recently camped at Vivian Cove and had a mixed experience.
The positives:
The natural setting is beautiful — right by the water with lots of ducks, and the campsite layout is quite nice. The stone seating areas are a great feature, and overall the location itself is very enjoyable. It feels more secluded compared to the main campground areas.
Important notes about facilities:
Be aware that facilities here are very basic. While the site may be listed as having amenities, in reality:
This may be expected for some campers, but it can be very different from what people assume if they see “restrooms” or “hookups” mentioned.
The main issue:
Our experience was heavily affected by a few groups who did not follow campground etiquette.
While many campers were respectful and quiet, it only took one or two inconsiderate groups to significantly impact the experience.
Enforcement:
There does appear to be enforcement — staff/patrol came through in the morning and disruptive groups were eventually asked to leave. However, quiet hours were not effectively enforced overnight.
Tips for future visitors:
Overall:
The location is great, but the experience depends heavily on neighboring campers and expectations regarding facilit
GuideBeautiful. Not crowded. All the RVs are on one shaded hillside. Nice to park in the trees. Electric, water, sewage hook up all easy access. Each site comes with fire ring and picnic table, all also in the shade.
Campgrounds near Cedar Ridge, California offer diverse options from the high-elevation pine forests of Stanislaus National Forest to the oak woodlands closer to Highway 108. Most area campgrounds operate seasonally, typically April through October, with limited availability during winter months due to snow conditions. Water access is a significant feature throughout the region, with river sites along the Stanislaus and numerous reservoir-based options for recreation.
Fishing spots: Fraser Flat Campground provides easy river access for anglers. "Campground is next to the water for close fishing. Less than 10 minutes to Pinecrest Lake," notes one visitor. The campground includes wheelchair-accessible fishing areas with an "improved fishing deck" according to another camper.
Hiking trails: The area surrounding Pinecrest Campground offers several hiking options. "There is a great hike around the lake close by," mentions one camper. Another adds that "The hike around the lake was beautiful too, roughly 2-3 hr hike with some great views."
Water recreation: Summer activities center around lakes and rivers throughout the region. At River Ranch Campground, visitors enjoy "watering holes on campgrounds and around the area like Cherry Lake, Rainbow Pools and Gods Bath." Many campgrounds feature swimming areas, and as one visitor notes, "The lake is amazing and gets a lot of day trippers. You can walk around the lake, fish, rent kayaks or boats, paddleboards etc."
River sounds: Camping near water features prominently in positive reviews. At Diamond Gulch, one camper recalls, "We loved waking up to cows and turkeys, and an incredible sunrise view. There were such sweet little birds grazing nearby at sunset."
Night skies: Star visibility ranks high among visitor experiences. At Tuttletown Recreation Area, one visitor mentioned, "It was so dark that I was able to do some great astrophotography." Diamond Gulch similarly offers "Stars and Cows" according to a reviewer who added, "The stars were so so beautiful, you can see the milky-way."
Wildlife encounters: Many campsites offer opportunities to observe local fauna. One visitor to Yosemite Pines RV Resort enjoyed the "petting zoo animals were adorable," while others frequently spot deer, birds, and occasionally bears throughout the region.
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies widely between campgrounds. At Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes, one camper noted it has "no wi-fi" while at Diamond Gulch, visitors report "cell service (ATT) and WiFi if you don't want to unplug completely."
Campsite selection timing: Most popular sites fill quickly, especially during summer months. At North Grove Campground, a visitor advises, "You need to make reservations. Enjoy these majestic trees!"
Road conditions: Access to remote campgrounds can be challenging. One visitor to Sand Bar Flat Campground warns, "The drive starting off 108 is bad and then gets horrendous," though adds that "A basic truck or SUV would have an easy time driving down."
Weather variations: Significant elevation changes mean temperature differences between campgrounds. As one camper at Sand Bar Flat noted, "We didn't realize how low in elevation this campground is and man was it HOT."
Entertainment options: Several campgrounds offer organized activities for children. At Yosemite Pines RV Resort, one visitor appreciated that "With a pool, petting zoo, a corral where they have a fire and s'mores followed by a movie, this is a great place to camp with the kids."
Educational opportunities: Three Links Camp provides diverse recreation facilities for families. "The campground was beautiful and my kids had a blast walking around all the buildings (hall, chapel, cabins/dorms) and on baseball field, disc golf course, and basketball court!"
Movie nights: Several campgrounds feature outdoor film screenings. At Pinecrest Campground, "There is also an ampitheatre and they had movies at night - families 'reserve' their seating early by putting blankets on the seats."
Beach access: Swimming areas with gradual entry points work well for younger children. "The kids can jump and swim there and that's all they really want to do anyway so being close to that is key for us," shared one visitor regarding Rainbow Pools near Yosemite Pines.
Hookup availability: Full-service RV sites are limited in the region. At Yosemite Lakes, "There are only a handful of 50amp spots and people move to them quickly after someone leaves, lots of 30amp though so you might want to bring an adapter."
Site limitations: Many campgrounds have space restrictions for larger vehicles. One visitor to Tuttletown Recreation Area noted, "Def geared for tent camping although I was lucky enough to be here when it was dead empty and picked a good site for my 27' toy hauler."
Dump stations: Several campgrounds offer sanitary facilities. North Grove Campground has a dump station that "is included in the space rent," according to one reviewer, making extended stays more convenient for RVers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Cedar Ridge, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Cedar Ridge, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 280 campgrounds and RV parks near Cedar Ridge, CA and 23 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Cedar Ridge, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Cedar Ridge, CA is North Grove Campground — Calaveras Big Trees State Park with a 4.7-star rating from 23 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Cedar Ridge, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 23 free dispersed camping spots near Cedar Ridge, CA.
What parks are near Cedar Ridge, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 23 parks near Cedar Ridge, CA that allow camping, notably Fall River Lake and New Melones Lake.
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