1 campground with availability this weekend
Tent campsites near Hensley Lake, California, offer rustic accommodations in the Sierra foothills with varied terrain and facilities. Buck Ridge provides lake view tent sites with vault toilets and water pumps available, while San Joaquin River Gorge campground offers more primitive tent camping opportunities managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Several tent-specific areas like Ya-gub-weh-tuh Campground provide additional options within driving distance of Hensley Lake.
Sites throughout the area typically feature fire rings where permitted, though fire restrictions may apply seasonally. Most tent campgrounds have limited amenities with varying levels of development. Ya-gub-weh-tuh offers walk-in tent sites with a paved parking area and short paths to camping areas. The $10 nightly fee includes access to pit toilets and water (seasonally available). Buck Ridge operates on a first-come, first-served basis with donation-based camping. According to one visitor, "Sites look pretty clean, I am across from lake, train noise." Pack out all trash as facilities are minimal at most locations.
The San Joaquin River Gorge area provides tent campers with dramatic views and riverside camping. Tent sites often include picnic tables and designated fire pits, though amenities are basic. A camper noted that "The view is amazing if you like looking up at mountains." Walk-in tent locations are common throughout the region, providing a more secluded experience away from vehicle traffic. Little Yosemite Valley Campground, while requiring more hiking effort to access, rewards tent campers with proximity to the Merced River and well-maintained backcountry sites. Tent campers should prepare for variable weather conditions, particularly in spring and fall when temperatures can fluctuate dramatically. Most primitive tent areas have stay limits and require proper food storage due to wildlife activity.
"Bass lake is the perfect campground for young family camping. There are plenty of facilities and even a restaurant."
"We hiked the waterfall trail, which is breathtaking, but full of a lot of people! Once you get passed the 2nd huge waterfall, the crowds start to die down and its just you and the mountains."
"One of the nicest backpacking campgrounds. Nice bathrooms and right next to a clean blue river perfect for swimming in! Surrounded by granite rocks in one of the most wonderful place Yosemite"
"It's a nice place real nice open large camp area pretty cool nice trail to a bridge overlooking the San Joaquin River gorge I really enjoyed it it's much more fun if you have horses to ride"
"These are group sites, but they are the best sites on the whole lake in my opinion. My family has been camping here for 78 years and it’s part of all my family memories."
"2 miles from all the Tahoe action in the city and the lake is right across the street."
Available this weekend
from $131 - $397 / night
from $40 - $50 / night
"There’s enough space for you to distance yourself from others. No bear boxes or bathrooms but very safe and easy to access."
"We had a lot of space, good amount of tree cover when I rained. There’s a bunch of different spots to choose from, the one by the creek would have been nice."
GuideBeautiful spot on the side of Bass Lake. Goat Mtn trail can be accessed right from the campground. Friendly camp host. There are definitely bears, raccoons and lots of ticks - we saw all of them. We expect that when camping in the woods but some might not. Food can’t be left out at all.
GuideThe campground is very accessible and therefore can feel busy at times (visited in October). It has flushable toilets and the general store is less than 10 min away by car. The campsites are rather close to each other, so don’t expect a lot of privacy. Our site (88C) was right in front of the restrooms, which have floodlights on all night and would not recommend. Overall, it’s a pretty good campground!
Scout$50 a night for full hookups, and WiFi
TravelerThe campground is going to be starting to do their cleanup of the over growth to make campsites better. But it is a gorgeous place to camp. Veterans free, seniors get discounts and regular camping is very reasonable. Fishing in the river. Day use side and campground side. Camp host is awesome. I've been several times and we love it. Great telephone reception, potable water spigots and restrooms (either portable outhouse or regular flush bathroom). 👍
GuideLoads of space! Not many people here in October. Park lot had two trailers and the trail to the right is wide open with numerous pullouts. Lots of great trails around for the dogs.
GuideThis is actually a really nice free dispersed camping site. Once you get to the Goat Meadows sign if you go left you will find a large parking lot with bathrooms. There were probably ten rigs or so jst camping up on the parking lot. If you go right down the hill you will find multiple dispersed camping sites. They are a little obscure, but some have nice fire rings that let you know it’s a site. They are very well spaced so even when you have neighbors you will hardly see or hear them. At the top of the hill where you go left or right was a camp host looking site but not sure if it is actually, but there was a camper there with a bumper pull trailer who uses a very loud shop type cheap generator that you can literally hear all over the area. Luckily, he turned it off about 10pm but started it up around 8am. If it weren’t for him probably would have given this site five stars. Also, T-Mobile and ATT both had zero cell service our phones were both on SOS but that really wasn’t a problem for us.
RangerNot even sure i found the exact place. Go through a little neighborhood an come to a gravel road. Found a little turn around an spent the night. Didnt see anyone. Cell coverage enough to get texts.
TravelerBeautiful. Would definitely come back.
GuideWe came here in October and had no issues finding a spot. We stayed in the parking lot but there are also more remote spots if you continue to the right that are suitable for vans, truck campers, and tents. This area is only minutes from the west entrance to Yosemite and Mariposa Grove and 40 minutes from the valley. The parking lot is big-rig friendly but could fill up quick during the summer. There are on-site vault toilets and dumpsters.
Tent camping near Hensley Lake takes place in the Sierra foothills at approximately 500 feet elevation, where oak woodlands transition to pine forest. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 95°F, while winter nights can drop below freezing. The area's terrain varies from gently rolling hills to steeper gorges carved by the San Joaquin River, creating diverse camping environments that attract both beginners and experienced backcountry visitors.
Swimming access: Campers at Recreation Point Group Campground enjoy direct lake access. "These are group sites, but they are the best sites on the whole lake in my opinion. There is great beachfront access on the lake and being at the beginning of the lake, making a trip to Oakhust doesn't feel so daunting," notes Amy E.
Backcountry hiking: For more challenging adventures, Little Yosemite Valley Campground serves as a gateway to wilderness trails. "We hiked the waterfall trail, which is breathtaking, but full of a lot of people! Once you get passed the 2nd huge waterfall, the crowds start to die down and its just you and the mountains," reports Nyssa L.
Creek sliding: Texas Flat area offers unique water recreation beyond standard swimming. Adam L. explains, "Make sure to check out the falls that are a little below Greys Mountain campground. Tons of fun sliding on the rocks and jumping into the pools."
River proximity: The Merced River provides refreshing swimming opportunities for tent campers during hot summer months. A visitor at Texas Flat Group Campground shares, "There are plenty of solid camping spots along the creek between Grey's Mountain and Texas Flats. No toilets or running water, but the creek does flow year round."
Solitude options: Less-developed sites away from main campgrounds offer quieter tent camping experiences. "Several sites with picnic tables and fire rings but all are walk in sites for tenters. Fee is 10$/night," notes Aliza N. about Ya-gub-weh-tuh Campground.
Sunrise viewing: Early risers appreciate backcountry tent sites that provide special morning experiences. Kate W. from Little Yosemite Valley suggests, "If you are attempting Half Dome you could exhaust yourself and hike up from base, or you could extend the trip and hike here first, stay a night, wake up early, and be the first on the Dome to watch the sunrise."
Tree removal impacts: Recent forestry management has significantly altered the shade conditions at several campgrounds. Amy E. reports about Bass Lake Recreation Area: "Like most of the lake, the majority of the pine trees have been removed, so the shade situation isn't as great as it used to be - bring all the EZ ups you can!"
Permit requirements: Reservations for backcountry tent camping require advance planning. "It's not easy to organize the proper permits, but it's worth it!" advises Kate W. about Little Yosemite Valley.
Parking limitations: Some tent camping areas have restricted vehicle access. Aliza N. observes about Ya-gub-weh-tuh, "If you are an RV'r/vanlife this place isn't the best. Although it's a beautiful area, camping here in is a parking lot."
Infant-friendly options: Contrary to common assumptions, tent camping with very young children works well at certain sites. Warren K. explains, "Don't let anyone tell you that you can't camp with an infant. It's actually one of the best activities that you can do with them, and it's a great break for the parents. Bass Lake is the perfect campground for young family camping."
Hammock camping: Many sites have suitable trees for hammock setup, providing comfortable alternatives to tent sleeping. Nyssa L. recommends, "When you finally get to Little Yose Valley, you're probably super tired (we were!), and the campground invites you in like a warm cup of coffee. We passed out immediately in our hammock to the sound of the river next to the site."
4x4 activity awareness: Families seeking quiet tent camping should note high off-road vehicle traffic in certain areas. "There are usually a lot of 4x4 folks camping in the area, so if you don't want to be harassed you'll need to find space away from the main trails (which isn't hard to do)," advises Adam L.
Limited hookup availability: The Hensley Lake region offers minimal developed RV facilities, with most campgrounds prioritizing tent camping. Corinna B. notes about Forks Campground: "Forks Campground on Bass Lake has 28 sites on a fairly steep hill, a bathroom, and includes sites anywhere from tent only up to a 40-foot RV. It's on the opposite side of the road from the lake."
Advanced booking essential: RV sites fill quickly during peak seasons. "We were told some spots book up 6 months in advance via the online recreation.gov website, especially on weekends," warns Corinna B.
Seasonal alternatives: When tent camping at San Joaquin River Gorge, Aaron M. suggests, "It's a nice place real nice open large camp area pretty cool nice trail to a bridge overlooking the San Joaquin River gorge I really enjoyed it it's much more fun if you have horses to ride."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Hensley Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Hensley Lake is Bass Lake Recreation Area Rudy with a 4-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Hensley Lake?
TheDyrt.com has all 43 tent camping locations near Hensley Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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