Glamping options near Shaver Lake range from geodesic domes to luxury tents, all situated between 5,000 and 7,000 feet elevation. Winter temperatures average 20-40°F while summer brings 70-85°F days with cool evenings around 50-55°F. The area contains several microhabitats with mixed conifer forests transitioning to oak woodlands at lower elevations.
What to do
Waterfront activities at Pine Flat Lake: Campers at Pine Flat Campground can enjoy swimming, fishing, and boating. "This campground is situated by a lake. Love this spot! You'll hear all the frogs by night and birds in the morning, great place for fly fishing or cat fishing," notes one visitor.
Winter recreation at China Peak: Just 45 minutes from Yosemite RV Resort, winter visitors can enjoy skiing and snowboarding. "We stayed here for 3 nights not could've stayed here a week easy," shares a camper who used the resort as a base camp for winter activities.
Wilderness hiking trails: The Dinkey Creek Wilderness area offers numerous trails within 38 minutes of glamping sites. A visitor remarks, "Complete and utter bliss at this Hipcamp gem. Nowhere else in Sierra Nevada can you get access like this."
What campers like
Refreshing swimming holes: Dinkey Creek Campground features natural pools perfect for cooling off. "This was my best camping experience ever. It's location had perfect weather, warm during the day and cool, but not cold, at night. You surrounded by gorgeous tall trees and have access to swimming holes about a mile away," one reviewer shares.
Historical sequoia stumps: Princess Campground preserves massive sequoia stumps from logging operations between 1901-1908. "Pitch your tent in a beautiful grove of sequoias - including the massive stumps left over from fallen giants - on the edge of a meadow filled with lupine, aspen, and a sweet little creek," explains a camper.
Stargazing opportunities: The higher elevation glamping close to Elk, California offers exceptional night sky viewing. "Moon rock sits in a meadow and soaks up sun all day, making it a nice warm space to star gaze at night while listening to the horses in the stable nextdoor," notes a Camp Edison visitor.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Peak season bookings for glamping sites fill months in advance, especially at popular locations like Sunset Campground. "We were in campsite 101, which had a spectacular sunset. It was on the edge of camp and very convenient to be able to walk to Azalea Campground, Grant Grove and the General Grant Tree," explains a visitor who planned ahead.
Weather preparedness: The area experiences significant temperature swings between day and night, even in summer months. A camper advises, "The first time I camped here was the first week of October in 2016. It was a whole lot colder than I had thought, but luckily we just put some stones around our fire and wrapped it up in wool to keep at our feet."
Limited cell service: Most glamping areas have spotty or no cellular reception. "No cell service with Verizon. No hook-ups. Firewood for sale (8 pieces for $8 - don't bother and just gather)," advises a Dinkey Creek visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water features: Many glamping locations offer shallow water access perfect for children. "The pool and playground was a lot of fun of the kids. The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful," notes a visitor at Yosemite RV Resort.
Playground amenities: Several glamping sites maintain dedicated play areas. One camper at Hidden View Campground reports, "Clean Campground and site. The site we stayed at had a nice fire ring, was flat, had a picnic table and it was close to running water."
Educational opportunities: Lindy's Landing and Campground offers nature exploration for children. "We had a wonderful time. We had camped here about 10-15 years ago and found the park to be a bit dusty, dry, and run down. This time it was very green, very shady, and well kept," explains a returning family.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Luxury glamping sites often offer complete RV hookups. "Some sites have full hook ups, but most have just electricity and cable TV, with water faucets nearby to fill your RV or use as needed if dry camping," explains a Camp Edison visitor.
Leveling requirements: Some sites require extra preparation. "The paved lots were so far from level that we didn't have enough leveling blocks. I am confident that these unlevel spots, G80 and G81, are the exception and not the norm," advises an RVer at Dinkey Creek Campground.
Parking logistics: RVs require additional consideration at certain glamping locations. "We have a 35 foot 5th wheel and they put us on the far end where it was hard to turn. It took a lot of turning and backing up to get into this spot," cautions a visitor at Lindy's Landing and Campground.
