Cabin accommodations near Groveland provide access to the Sierra Nevada region at elevations ranging from 2,500 to 5,000 feet. Located 25 miles from Yosemite's west entrance, these camping cabins typically operate from May through October, with some properties maintaining year-round availability. Weather conditions fluctuate significantly, with summer temperatures reaching 90°F during the day and dropping to the 50s at night.
What to do
Swimming at Rainbow Pools: Located near Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes, this natural swimming area provides a refreshing alternative to crowded park destinations. "Plus a short drive to Rainbow Pool and Cherry Lake if you want to avoid park crowds," notes one visitor about the location's proximity to swimming holes.
Disc golf course: Three Links Camp offers recreational activities beyond standard camping, including disc golf. "My kids had a blast walking around all the buildings and on baseball field, disc golf course, and basketball court," reports a family who appreciated the diverse activities.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple properties near Groveland provide lake access for fishing. At Lake McSwain Recreation Area, anglers find good conditions. "It's also a nice place to fish and the on-site store is a plus," mentions a reviewer who enjoyed the combination of fishing and convenience.
What campers like
Wildlife encounters: Deer sightings are common at several properties. A camper at Lake Tulloch RV Campground shared: "At night there were several deer walking thru the site. The lake is gorgeous and at night there were several deer walking thru the site."
On-site entertainment: Some campgrounds provide organized activities that enhance the camping experience. "They had a high volume of campers and it seemed they struggled a bit to keep up with the bathrooms but place more blame on people's poor manners in cleaning up after themselves," noted one visitor to Yosemite Pines about the campground's busy atmosphere.
Proximity to attractions: Location relative to Yosemite remains a key factor for many cabins. "About 1.5 hrs from Yosemite however," mentions one reviewer regarding actual travel time, providing more accurate expectations for visitors planning day trips to the park.
What you should know
Varying water conditions: Water availability and quality can differ between properties. At Yosemite Ridge, some campers experienced utility issues: "The lot is pretty level and separated from Hwy 120 by a wooden fence. There are some picnic tables and fire pits, but not enough for each spot. We didn't end up having to use our generator like others did."
Bathroom maintenance: Cleanliness standards vary widely between properties. "The bathrooms weren't so awesome but the campground did offer showers by the store and those were very awesome," reports a Lake Tulloch camper, highlighting the importance of checking facility conditions.
Connectivity limitations: Cell service and WiFi access are inconsistent 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," explains a visitor to Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Several cabin properties offer swimming pools as alternatives to natural water features. At Indian Flat RV Park, guests receive added benefits: "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."
Organized activities: Some campgrounds provide structured entertainment for younger visitors. "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," shares a Yosemite Pines guest about the family-focused amenities.
Alternative attractions: When Yosemite proves too crowded or distant, local recreation areas offer family-friendly alternatives. "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."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: For those with larger rigs, choosing the right location within a campground matters. At Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes, an experienced camper advises: "Those by the river are packed close together and more shaded. We didn't care to be packed like sardines, so we opted for one of the middle sites. Hardly anyone was in these sites so it was quiet and spacious."
Power considerations: Electrical hookups vary between properties. "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," recommends a visitor regarding adaptability at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes.
Access challenges: Not all cabin and RV sites accommodate larger vehicles. At Yosemite Ridge, a camper warned about lot differences: "Coyote Lot looks like a newly, semi-leveled gravel parking lot with full hook-ups… no trees or shade. There were some longer spots, but there was no way our trailer would fit in the one we reserved."
