Camping opportunities near El Portal, California range from established campgrounds within Yosemite National Park to dispersed sites on surrounding forest lands. Indian Flat RV Park, located in El Portal itself, serves as a convenient gateway to Yosemite with full hookups, tent sites, and cabin options. The area includes several Yosemite National Park campgrounds within driving distance, such as Hodgdon Meadow Campground to the northwest and the popular Pines Campgrounds in Yosemite Valley. These developed campgrounds provide varying levels of amenities while maintaining proximity to park attractions.
Access to camping areas varies seasonally, with most Yosemite campgrounds operating on limited schedules. Upper Pines remains open from February to December, while North Pines typically operates April through November. Reservations are essential for most developed sites, particularly during peak summer months when demand significantly exceeds capacity. Winter camping options are limited, with many campgrounds closing due to snow and freezing temperatures. Visitors should check road conditions before arrival, especially during winter and spring when weather can affect accessibility. According to one camper who stayed at Indian Flat RV Park, "After a long day of hiking in Yosemite it was nice to relax at the pool next door."
Proximity to Yosemite National Park represents the primary draw for most camping areas in this region. Indian Flat RV Park receives consistently positive reviews for its location, described by one visitor as being "ten minutes from Yosemite." Several campgrounds provide access to the Merced River, offering opportunities for fishing, swimming, and riverside relaxation during warmer months. Campers frequently mention appreciating the shade provided by large trees at many sites, which offers relief from summer heat. While developed campgrounds provide amenities like restrooms and potable water, they often fill quickly during peak season. Visitors seeking more solitude might consider dispersed camping options like Goat Meadow, though these areas lack facilities and require proper preparation for primitive conditions.
$36 / night
"Close to Happy Isles and Mirror Lake/Meadow, this campground is convenient for day hikers. it's one of the better spots in Yosemite Valley, somewhat off the beaten path, so to speak."
"FYI, they are not joking about wildlife here, bear lockers are there for a reason and the animals are so comfortable and used to people they get close to camp."
$36 - $75 / night
"The river and swimming holes are close by and accessible to all, sites have ample space between each other, there are clean restrooms, and all sites have their own bear box."
"I didn’t go swimming but the family next to my site seemed like they were enjoying the river, especially the little ones."
"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."
$60 / night
"These are walk-in sites for tents only and are on a per person basis ( It fills up really fast ) parking is available adjacent to the campground, you will need a parking permit."
"This iconic campground, situated in the middle of Yosemite Valley, was once home to many of America's early rock climbing pioneers. "
"After accidentally driving to this location following the directions of another reviewer for the “Yosemite Boondocks” campground across 41 (which we never found) we were very happy with this location."
"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."
$30 - $289 / night
"This park is located along the 140 right before El Portal."
"Fantastic WiFi, extremely clean bathrooms and shower rooms, excellent pool at cedar Lodge next door, short walkable distance to the YART bus stop into Yosemite, great price for a campground 8 miles from"
$36 - $75 / night
"From the East entrance of the park off the 120 the campsite is less than a mile from the entrance gate."
"Campsite was nice, close to the entrance. Gives you access to the valley and the northern part of the park. Facilities were decent."
"Being so close to the entrance to Yosemite and yet deep in the peace of the forest is a golden treat. This road has both the Hardin Flat and the hardin Dispersed sites."
"Just a 10 minute drive from the entrance to Yosemite! The spots along the creek were very buggy. We found one away from the water and not at all buggy."
$48 / night
"There is a shuttle stop right outside the campground. You are also in easy walking distance to the path to Mirror Lake and the ever popular Mist Trail."
"Within walking distance is the edge of the Merced river, from there you have views of Yosemite Falls."
$36 - $60 / night
"Bathrooms were clean, access to drinking water was easy. Park shuttle is nearby and easy to get around."
"There is only a small area next to the paved parkway that is flat for our 6-person tent. But this is a Yosemite campground, we would take whatever campsite available. Restroom is clean."
ScoutStayed here for six days from May 26, and it was neat and clean. Great sites, no dirt, mostly grass. Just a wonderful stay. Will come again. The only downside is they take no credit cards, only cash and checks, so you have to send a check 14 days ahead of time. They had quite a few vacancies, we called in the day before we arrived, and had no issue, and luckily had my checkbook with me, which is a rarity
ScoutWe have spent summers here on the water for the last 3 years. The site has a convenience store and a restaurant that serves up a really great burger. Also a very short drive into town.
ScoutWe stayed at SKP Park of the Sierras for two months during April and May and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. To use the park, you'll need an Escapees membership(about$50), which we found well worth the cost given the quality of the facilities and amenities.
Originally, we were only able to reserve one month at a time, but when our circumstances changed, the office staff were incredibly understanding and worked with us to extend our stay. The staff throughout the park were welcoming, friendly, and helpful.
Our site was spacious, shaded by mature trees, and included full hookups and a concrete patio area that was perfect for setting up chairs and relaxing outdoors. The grounds were well maintained, and the park was surprisingly quiet during our stay. The amenities were excellent. The clubhouse hosted daily activities, and there was a library, games, fitness area, coffee station, and a donation-based thrift shop section. The laundry facilities were clean and well maintained, and quarters were available for purchase in the office during business hours.
Traveling with dogs, we especially appreciated the dog park. It featured separate fenced areas for large and small dogs, water spigots, covered areas for rainy weather, and even a heater for chilly mornings.
The shower facilities were clean and comfortable. They sold propane onsite. Fuel was conveniently located just down the road at the casino, often at reasonable prices. For our longer stay we would drive into Oakhurst or Fresno for groceries, so it's worth planning ahead for larger grocery runs.
One of the biggest advantages of this park is its location. It served as an excellent home base for exploring Yosemite National Park, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Monterey Bay, San Francisco, and Pinnacles National Park,(we don’t mind a long drive!).
We used Starlink throughout our stay and were pleased by how well it worked. Even with a tree-filled site, it was able to find enough open sky to maintain a reliable connection.
A few things future guests should know: some of the roads have tighter curves, but the staff are very knowledgeable about matching RVs to appropriate sites. Our 25-foot trailer had no issues. Mail and package delivery can also require some planning. As guests, we had mail sent to General Delivery at the Coarsegold Post Office. However, we later learned that FedEx would not deliver there, so packages shipped by different carriers may require different delivery addresses. It's worth confirming shipping methods before ordering anything important.
Overall, SKP Park of the Sierras exceeded our expectations. The spacious sites, excellent amenities, quiet atmosphere, friendly staff, and central location made it one of our favorite long-term stays. We would gladly return and highly recommend it to other RV travelers.
ScoutThis campsite was well kept, in a beautiful area not toooo far from stores if you forget anything and a really beautiful creek and river around it. The camp hosts are nice and seem to really care about the property, which I love seeing. There is no electric hookups at least at some of the sites which is fine, just be aware to plan for that if you need any medical devices etc. The mosquitoes are rabid. So come prepared with the best repellent you can get. They keep the potties clean but like of spiders in them that have clearer been left there, one had a small wasps nest that I took care of since it was right by our head in the toilet. I also wouldn’t plan to swim, if it gets warm enough I guess, but the water is literally ice cold. I got in to my ankles and they were red and stinging after about 10 seconds.
While I understand most of their rules the one rule that is THE MOST insisted and on literally all points of booking and checking in is that they don’t allow any music of and level on any speakers. I understand quiet times and having a sound limit but absolutely no music seems extreme to me. Especially for families, my kids love music and it’s a daily part of our lives, and as a place they used to hold literal music festivals it seems a little saddening to me.
But overall it was a nice time.
ScoutIt's been some years since I've been here but just downloaded this app. I wouldn't take my children now because of the river, but if it's just adults I think it's a great spot! Small and quiet!
TravelerThe morning view and the sunset light through the trees were wonderful, and the starry sky at night was a highlight. I also liked the grill area, but the campsite was quite challenging for the tent since the ground wasn't even.
We booked two nights but left after one because of the cold weather and lack of internet connection. Service was only available about 10 minutes away by car, which became inconvenient for us. Since the area is publicly managed, getting help was difficult, and we couldn’t easily cancel the second night because nobody was available. Two volunteers were very kind and tried to help though.
The place would also benefit from adding showers, especially considering how many people stay there.
Overall, the location itself was beautiful, but the inconveniences made it harder to fully enjoy the experience.
ScoutWawona Campground is good if all you’re needing is somewhere to camp inside the park. The sites are fairly close together with little to no foliage blocking your view to each site. Some of the sites are not very level so if you have a roof tent like myself keep this in mind. It is about a 30-40 minute drive to the valley and the whole campground just feels busy and not much privacy. If you’re needing a place to stay I would recommend trying for a campground inside the Valley it will make your time in Yosemite much better spent
ScoutWe are having a great time at Hodgdon Meadow Campground! The camp hosts have been terrific! Helped us out when we got locked out of our trailer. This campground has lots of tent camping and a handful of rv and trailers. The hardest thing is to get consecutive nights at the same site. We had to move from site 104 to site 85 after 1 night. We are at site 85 (very nice ) for 3 nights. Have 1 more move to site 75.
TravelerI went up for Memorial Day weekend and it was a wonderful experience! I stayed in site M1. 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.
The site was very close to the bathrooms and showers which was very convenient. The only downside is that you are right next to the entrance so you see a lot of cars go by, however it never caused an issue during our stay. We also didn’t see much wildlife, but again I think that was because of the proximity to the entrance.
Because you are close to the entrance though, we did have full access to wifi throughout the entire trip! If course we didn’t use it much because the goal was to disconnect, however if having connection is important to you, this is a great site!
Camping sites near El Portal, California provide access to Yosemite National Park at elevations ranging from 1,800 to 4,000 feet. The region experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F and mild winters with occasional snow at higher elevations. Most dispersed camping areas require visitors to pack out all trash and follow strict fire regulations during the high fire danger season from May through October.
Hike to Mirror Lake: North Pines Campground offers convenient access to this popular trail. "Our site was near to everything but also secluded from big crowds, we walked to Mirror Lake from our site. Free shuttles are easy to access," notes Vianney M., who appreciated the location's balance of convenience and privacy.
Visit the Tuolumne Sequoia Grove: Located near Hodgdon Meadow Campground, this less-crowded alternative to Mariposa Grove offers magnificent ancient trees. "40 minutes from Yosemite Valley. Near Tuolumne Sequoia Grove," notes one visitor who appreciated the proximity to this natural wonder.
Swimming in local waterways: Wawona Campground offers excellent water access according to campers. "Camped for three nights and didn't want to leave," shares David A., while another camper points out the recreational opportunities: "Swimming holes all up and down those creeks. In high tourist season it is worth stopping at Wawona hotel and having a drink and listening to the Piano player in the eve."
Experience nighttime sequoia walks: The Mariposa Grove offers a unique after-dark experience. "It's near the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias; there's a free shuttle during the day, and you can take a car there at night - walking among the sequoias alone at night is absolutely amazing," reports one Wawona visitor.
River access for cooling off: Upper Pines Campground features nearby water access. "Site: small with little or no privacy. Some tree cover and a stream near," notes Benjamin C. This proves invaluable during summer months when temperatures frequently reach 90-100°F in the valley.
Quiet locations away from valley crowds: Many campers appreciate the less congested options outside Yosemite Valley. "Wawona is different. The sites are large, well-spaced, and idyllic. Many of them are situated along the South Fork of the Merced River. It's quiet there - and peaceful," reports a visitor comparing valley campgrounds to alternatives.
Proximity to wildlife viewing: Camp 4 and surrounding areas offer frequent wildlife encounters. "We saw a little bit of wildlife and had a great time," reports one camper, while another warns, "This place has bear proof food storage containers for a reason. Use them. I had my backpack ravaged by a racoon, because of a handful of trailmix that I forgot to take out."
Free dispersed camping options: Goat Meadow provides cost-free camping with convenient park access. "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," advises Derrick H.
Seasonal campground operations: Most developed campgrounds have specific operating seasons. "We stayed in May last year. Campground was very empty when we camped. Nice location along the Merced River," reports Eric H. about Wawona, highlighting the benefit of visiting during shoulder seasons.
Early arrival necessary for first-come sites: Popular dispersed and walk-in areas fill quickly. "We got there at 6:00 in the morning and there was already a line. Campers were lined up outside with their chairs and blankets. The rangers come out around 8:30 and hand out numbers," explains one Camp 4 visitor.
Limited services outside the valley: Hardin Flat Road and similar dispersed sites lack facilities. "No bear boxes or bathrooms but very safe and easy to access," reports Martin A. Campers must be self-sufficient with water and waste management.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies throughout the region. "There is no cell service and the 'pay WIFI' did not work for us...but there is complimentary WiFi at the laundry to check in on things that works just fine," notes Erin A. about Yosemite Lakes RV Resort, while other sites have no connectivity at all.
Book riverside sites for natural entertainment: Look for waterside campsites where children can safely explore. "#37 awesome creekside. Water spigot close. Bathrooms slight walk. Slight slant. Bring bug spray!" recommends Allen W. about Wawona Campground.
Utilize ranger programs: Many campgrounds offer educational activities. "There is an amphitheater in the campground with ranger talks also," mentions a Lower Pines visitor, while another camper notes, "Rangers come during the weekend mornings to bring coffee and info which was nice."
Consider lodges with pools near campsites: Indian Flat RV Park offers additional amenities through nearby facilities. "The Cedar Lodge next door has an indoor and outdoor pool available for the RV campers to use. The outdoor pool was closed for the season, but the indoor pool was heated to at least 100 degrees so it made our morning swimming delightful," shares one family traveler.
Plan for wildlife encounters: Prepare children for wildlife interactions with proper precautions. "During the evening the air is filled with smoke from the fire. I recommend bringing your own firewood because most of the wood is all collected by other campers. At night you can't sleep because of the brightness. The stars are really pretty," notes a Camp 4 visitor.
Limited full hookup options: Few campgrounds near El Portal offer complete RV services. "We were members of Thousand Trails so our review may be a little different than someone who is a non-member. The majority of the campground (the nicer parts next to the river) is for members only. The smaller, tighter section is for non-members," explains an RVer about Yosemite Lakes.
Consider size limitations: Many Yosemite campgrounds have restrictions on RV length. "Sites are tight would not recommend a rig over 30. Good access to shuttle system," advises Rick L. about Upper Pines Campground.
Prepare for no cellular connectivity: Many RV parks in the area have limited or no service. "There is no cell service in the area. The campground does offer 24 hours of WiFi for $9.99," notes one RVer staying at Indian Flat.
Use shuttle services when available: Several campgrounds offer transportation into Yosemite Valley. "The YART bus (that shuttles you into the park) stops at the hotel next door. It doesn't run frequently, and we had to catch it really early (7 am), but it was $20 for a family of four (round trip), and that included admission to the park," shares a visitor to Indian Flat RV Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find camping options near El Portal, CA?
El Portal offers several nearby camping options for visitors. Indian Flat RV Park is located right in El Portal, providing convenient access for RVs and tent campers. For those seeking campgrounds within Yosemite National Park, Crane Flat Campground — Yosemite National Park is a good option relatively close to El Portal. Additional camping can be found along Highway 140 leading into Yosemite and in the surrounding Sierra National Forest. These options range from developed campgrounds with amenities to more rustic sites for those seeking a wilderness experience.
How close is El Portal to Yosemite National Park?
El Portal sits right at the western entrance of Yosemite National Park, approximately 12 miles from Yosemite Valley. This makes it an excellent basecamp for park exploration without staying inside the often crowded valley. Lower Pines Campground — Yosemite National Park and North Pines Campground — Yosemite National Park are located in the valley itself, about 30-40 minutes drive from El Portal. The proximity to Yosemite makes El Portal a strategic location for visitors wanting easy park access while avoiding the higher demand for accommodations inside the park boundaries.
What amenities are available at El Portal campgrounds?
Campgrounds near El Portal offer varying amenities depending on the location and type. High Sierra RV Park provides bathroom facilities, though privacy in shower areas can be limited, and sites accommodate larger RVs and travel trailers. More rustic options like Texas Flats offer a wilderness feel with large fire pits and ample space for groups. Most developed campgrounds in the area provide basic amenities like potable water, restrooms, and fire rings. Some locations offer additional features like proximity to creeks, convenient access to trails, and cell service, though amenities decrease as you move toward more remote or dispersed camping areas.
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