Camping near Hathaway Pines offers diverse options at elevations between 3,000 and 5,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada foothills. The region experiences warm summers with temperatures often reaching 85-95°F during July and August, while spring and fall provide milder conditions with cooler nights. Tent and RV sites throughout the area typically feature oak and pine tree coverage with varying levels of shade protection.
What to do
Lake activities: 2-3 hour scenic hikes: Pinecrest Campground provides excellent access to Pinecrest Lake, where a moderately challenging trail circles the water. As camper Ruben N. notes, "The hike around the lake was beautiful, roughly 2-3 hr hike with some great views. Amazing place to camp."
Fishing opportunities: early morning catches: At Acorn Campground, anglers can launch kayaks directly from certain campsites. "We can launch our kayaks from our campground down to the lake. Fishing is awesome!" reports Ed E., who found winter camping particularly productive for fishing.
Evening entertainment: family movies: Many area campgrounds offer evening entertainment options beyond typical campfire activities. At Yosemite Pines RV Resort & Family Lodging, "a corral where they have a fire and s'mores followed by a movie" makes this "a great place to camp with the kids," according to Jeanette D.
Wildlife viewing: dawn and dusk opportunities: Morning and evening hours provide prime wildlife viewing times. Campers at Diamond Gulch often spot local wildlife. "We loved waking up to cows and turkeys, and an incredible sunrise view. There were such sweet little birds grazing nearby at sunset," shares Megan A.
What campers like
Unique accommodations: yurt camping near Hathaway Pines: For those seeking alternatives to standard tents or RVs, the region offers several yurt camping options. Emily Grace M. enjoyed her stay at Yosemite Pines, noting, "We stayed in a Yurt and it was absolutely amazing. We ended up coming in really late but they left our key for us. They were super accommodating."
Riverside sites: premium camping locations: Water-adjacent camping sites rank among the most coveted locations. At Lake Tulloch RV Campground and Marina, Clara T. reports, "We spent one night right in front of the water, amazing view for the sunset. We went swimming in the lake: what a pleasure."
Clean facilities: well-maintained campgrounds: While bathroom quality varies across campgrounds, clean facilities make a significant difference in camping comfort. At Tuttletown Recreation Area, Mon M. found "facilities including toilets and showers were very nice and clean. Water was available at campground."
Spacious sites: room between neighbors: Site spacing affects privacy and comfort levels. Martha H. at Lake Tulloch South Shore appreciated the "nice spacious spots" though noted limitations like "no power or water hookups. Water spigots close by."
What you should know
Limited cell coverage: plan accordingly: Many campgrounds in the region have spotty cell service. At Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes, Erin A. found "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."
Seasonal water levels: impact on activities: Lake levels fluctuate significantly throughout the year, affecting shoreline access. Larry W. explains at Lake Camanche: "When the lake is down (like now) it's a bit of a haul to the water — cart/wagon recommended, as well as a shade pop-up AT water's edge."
Reservation timing: plan months ahead: Popular sites fill quickly, especially for summer weekends. According to Christy K. at Pinecrest Campground, "Don't let the fact that this campsite has over 300 sites fool you - it books fast! We managed to secure one of the last spots one weekend."
Heat preparation: limited shade at some sites: Summer temperatures can reach uncomfortable levels, particularly at sites with minimal tree cover. Trisha L. from Lake Camanche noted, "I was here in July of 2019, and it was hot! But the lake is fantastic and the campsites are big which provides plenty of room for shade structures."
Tips for camping with families
Petting zoos: animal interactions: Yosemite Pines RV Resort features a petting zoo that children particularly enjoy. According to Jen U., "Petting zoo animals were adorable. Nice location to Yosemite. Friendly interactions with staff."
Swimming areas: designated family beaches: Multiple campgrounds offer dedicated swimming areas for safer water play. Elisabeth at Lake Tulloch RV Campground reports that "the kids had fun playing at the playground, jet skiing, and making sand castles at the beach."
Playground amenities: energy outlets: Several campgrounds include playground facilities, important for families with young children. John G. found Angels Camp Campground offered "lots of activities for kids (pool, horseshoes, playground). East side of CG seems to accommodate more for families with kids."
Cabin options: easier family setup: For families seeking yurt camping near Hathaway Pines without tent setup hassles, cabin rentals provide convenience. Amanda V. shares about Golden Pines RV Resort: "Stayed in the cabin that sleeps 6. Super nice, close to the bathrooms. There's a community outdoors kitchen with stove and sink."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: location considerations: When booking RV sites, location within the campground significantly impacts experience. At Angels Camp Campground, John G. observed that the "east side of CG seems to accommodate more for families with kids while west side is better for RVs. Most RV sites have full hookups and are pull throughs."
Hookup limitations: water access points: Water availability varies across campgrounds, with some offering full hookups while others provide shared spigots. William V. at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes notes, "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."
Parking logistics: overflow considerations: Some campgrounds have strict vehicle limits per site. Gregory R. at Lake Camanche found: "This is a large campground with sites generally well spaced apart, you don't feel right on top of your neighbors. Lots of site variation, so do your homework or be flexible."
Off-season advantages: quieter experience: For RVers seeking more solitude, camping during off-peak times offers significant benefits. The School for Y. reported about Lake Camanche: "We stayed at the lake for one night, mid-week, off season. We were only one of a few handful of RVs in the RV section of the campground. I could imagine it being a loud party-scene in the summer."
