Camping sites near Groveland, California range from dispersed locations to established campgrounds, with elevation varying from 2,500 to 3,000 feet in the Sierra foothills. Summer temperatures often reach 90°F during daytime hours while dropping to the 50s at night. Portable toilets and hot showers are available at smaller campgrounds like Diamond Gulch, while larger facilities offer full hookups and cabin accommodations.
What to do
Visit Rainbow Pools: Located near Yosemite Pines RV Resort & Family Lodging, this natural swimming hole lets kids jump and swim. "Our family really enjoys Rainbow Pools and Yosemite Pine's proximity to Rainbow Pools is part of why we stay here. The kids can jump and swim there and that's all they really want to do anyway," notes a camper.
Explore river trails: The creeks and rivers around Groveland provide hiking opportunities with views. At River Ranch Campground, campers report: "The site has several trails and is secluded in a great little canyon," with creekside sites offering the soothing sounds of running water.
Go stargazing: Minimal light pollution makes the area ideal for viewing night skies. "We couldn't believe how perfect this location was for our Yosemite trip," wrote one Diamond Gulch visitor who enjoyed seeing "the stars were so so beautiful, you can see the milky-way."
Visit Cherry Lake: This reservoir offers additional water recreation options within a short drive. "Few minutes from Black Oak Casino, river fishing & Cherry lake. Cool & Shady In the summer. Can't wait to go back & camp right by the little creek," shares a River Ranch camper.
What campers like
Quiet camping locations: Many dispersed sites along Hardin Flat Road offer privacy and seclusion. "Lots of available spots along Hardin Flat Road, most with good shade. Passed 10-15 pull out spots for car campers, and at least 10 more easily accessible spots for tents," reports one camper.
Hot showers at primitive sites: Some smaller campgrounds still offer unexpected amenities. At Diamond Gulch, campers appreciate "excellent outdoor showers" despite the primitive setting. "Free firewood and hot showers were next level. The sites were clean," notes a reviewer.
Wildlife viewing: Morning animal sightings add to the camping experience. "We loved waking up to cows and turkeys, and an incredible sunrise view. There were such sweet little birds grazing nearby at sunset," writes a Diamond Gulch visitor.
Convenient camp hosts: Assistance is available at most established campgrounds. "Cito was very helpful and friendly. We were registered at site 2B. Cito recommended that we move to 1M because a large family reunion group was coming in and our new sight was much more secluded," explains a River Ranch camper.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly between campgrounds. At Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes, "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."
True distance to Yosemite Valley: While many sites advertise proximity to Yosemite, actual driving times to main attractions vary. Pines Campground Stanislaus offers accessibility "Close to Yosemite, 45ish minutes to Yosemite Village. Campsites are super accessible for all vehicles."
Fire regulations: Fire rules change seasonally due to drought and wildfire risk. At Hardin Flat Road, "I believe fires are allowed as long as you have a permit," while Diamond Gulch provides wood: "The campground has nice fire pits with fire wood provided for each site."
Bug conditions: Water proximity affects mosquito activity. "The spots along the creek were very buggy. We found one away from the water and not at all buggy," shares a Hardin Flat Road visitor, while another notes, "Lots of ticks! be prepared."
Tips for camping with families
Sites with swim features: Locations with built-in water activities keep children entertained. "Fleming Meadows Don Pedro Recreation Area has a lagoon for the kids with picnic tables, bbq pits and a large grass area," which one visitor describes as "perfect to go boating. Not too crowded plus there is also a swimming lagoon, perfect to go for a quick swim or relax by the shore."
Campgrounds with organized activities: Some sites offer structured entertainment for children. Yosemite Pines RV Resort provides "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."
Watch for uneven terrain: Some sites present challenges for families with young children. At Fleming Meadows, "We stayed at the full hookup spots H84,88 area. These spots were NOT good for little ones learning to walk. It was very uneven and rocky but spacious with trees and a view of the lake."
Weekend noise levels: Campground atmospheres change dramatically from weekdays to weekends. "We stayed Thursday to Sunday. Saturday is crazy at the boat launch—hundreds of boats," reports a Fleming Meadows visitor.
Tips from RVers
Limited level sites: Large RVs face challenges at many Groveland-area campgrounds. At Hodgdon Meadow Campground, "The sites are a little tight so not much privacy," and "the sites have an incline," making leveling difficult.
Site selection timing: For non-reservation campgrounds, arrive early. "It is First come first serve (after a reservation) so get there early. We lucked out with a pretty big and shaded riverfront spot (site 73)," recommends a Thousand Trails visitor.
Electrical connections: Adapter needs vary between campgrounds. At Thousand Trails 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."
Dust conditions: Unpaved roads affect RV cleanliness during dry months. At Yosemite Pines, "most of the campground is clay dirt, so it's quite dusty and the RV spots are not paved," making exterior cleaning necessary after your stay.
