286 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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.
"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."
from $25 - $70 / night
Check Availability"Only 5 minutes away from a small town for groceries. It is quite a drive to get to the actual locations in the Yosemite park from the campground."
"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."
from $24 - $439 / night
Check Availability"There is no visual of the river there, but it is a very short walk to get to the picnic area where you have full view."
"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 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."
from $40 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
from $150 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $30 - $89 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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"
from $18 - $22 / night
Check Availability"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."
ScoutNeeded a place to camp after driving 12 hours from Washington . Wanted to stay as close to Yosemite . This place did the trick . No one was there . Quiet and serene . Lots of scorched trees . But all in all was great . There is also cell service ! 7-23-26
LegendGeneral: 76-site campground in two sections. No utility hookups. Some sites are designated for tents only while others allow vans and small trailers or RVs. 27-foot max for RVs; 24-foot max for trailers.
Site Quality: Paved camper pad; not all are level. No designated tent pads. Site amenities include a wood picnic table, fire ring, bear box, and shelves for pots/pans and other supplies.
Bath/Shower: Basic but clean. There is a shelf above the sinks, but be careful when you are brushing your teeth or washing your face, as you can easily bump your head. Like most other California state parks, you need tokens to operate the shower (there is a token machine nearby), but I did not use the shower.
Activities/Amenities: Several hiking trails. We hiked to Hot Springs Creek Waterfall. Depending on where you start your hike, it is around 3-3.5 miles round-trip. It is easy to lose the trail as you get close to the waterfall, but it appeared there were several ways to get back to the trail. Hot springs/pool; summer schedule Wednesday– Monday with 1.5-hour sessions for $10 pp. Unfortunately, I read the pool would be closed when we planned to be here, so we didn’t arrive in time on a Monday to take advantage of it. There are two large utility sinks for laundry, but not for dishwashing.
This is a beautiful area despite damage from the most recent fire. We were there on a Monday the week before Memorial Day, and the campground was only about 10% occupied, but we were told it would be completely full the following week.
GuideLook up this site’s history, it’s quite fascinating.
While there’s a no trespassing sign, this is indeed a Forest Service-managed site and confirmed as a dispersed location.
I pulled in just as this older gentleman was walking the area, and he started telling me all about the owner back in the 60s-70s (“a mean guy”) and what a cool ski resort it once was.
GuideVery warm weekend (as to be expected in July) bathrooms and showers were satisfactory. It’s a public campsite with lots of families and most are there for the lake. Sites were large enough but No hookups for RV. We just stayed at night and spent the days with family in the area. Met our needs.
TravelerA few cons about this spot. There is NO drinking water. There are spigots but they all say non-potable. Most of the toilets were locked and the open ones were disgusting. There is no natural water to cool off in. The map looks like there is but there was none. There are so many mosquitoes that you have to hide in the tent during sunrise and sunset. Also, it’s right on the highway and the cars are loud! Finally, the road from Carson City going up Ebbets pass is a corkscrew of the death defying nail biting vomit inducing variety. With all of that in mind, it is the most beautiful spot I have ever visited.
ScoutI have stayed at Bear River Group Campground twice and plann to make it an annual trip. It is near a reservoir, but necessary to drive to get to the water. There is no road noise at all. It is fairly remote and very well set up for groups. Highly recommend it.
GuideTop tier campsite. Very clean, well maintained, sites spaced out well (compared to campsites in the valley) and in a very pretty area of the park. You can reserve a site 14 days in advance on recreation.gov - I highly recommend doing that. It’s a 45 min drive to the valley, which is the only downside if you’re looking to be close to the popular valley destinations like El Cap. There’s a lovely stream that goes through the campground and plenty of fire wood.
GuideNice trees, very quiet.
TravelerYou don’t exactly need to go all the way to the pinpoint, I pulled off to the side about a mile before pinpoint. Amazing spot, several areas to pick from, safe and quiet with amazing views. Few other people but that also made me feel safe. I would definitely come back.
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 286 campgrounds and RV parks near Cedar Ridge, CA and 27 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 27 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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