Looking to get away and reconnect with nature? Cabin camping near La Grange is the perfect choice. Finding a cozy cabin in California has never been easier. You're sure to find the perfect cabin rental for your California camping adventure.
Yosemite Pines RV Resort & Family Lodging offers some of the best lodging near Yosemite National Park, with many types of cabins, plus yurts and RV and tent sites. While here, enjoy our large swimming pool, volleyball court, deli and Petting Farm! Spend your days at Yosemite and the surrounding Gold Country towns and return to stay with us, where peace and quiet is plentiful! Relax and recharge in a family-friendly setting, ready for your next day’s adventure!
Yosemite Lakes RV Resort is located 80 miles east of Modesto, and just 5 miles west of Yosemite National Park’s Big Oak Flat entrance station. This large, year-round resort offers nearly 400 sites for RV and tent campers along the banks of the South Fork Tuolumne River. RV campers can choose from open, grassy spaces, or shady, wooded spaces with full hookups; tent campers can set up under mostly shady pine woods. Sites are equipped with picnic tables and fire pits, and restrooms and shower facilities are conveniently located throughout the resort. The resort also offers a variety of cottages, cabins, yurts and bunkhouses. Onsite amenities include a country store, laundry room, Wifi and satellite TV service, trash receptacles, gas station, and propane depot. Dogs are permitted. Reservations are recommended, however many tent sites are first-come, first-served. Seasonal campsite rates are $41–$75/night; other accommodations range from $86–$305/night. For campers looking for a little rest and relaxation time outside of the busy national park, the resort offers a variety of amenities and activities. There’s a playground for the kids, and mini golf, shuffleboard, horseshoes, and basketball for kids of all ages. Swimming, floating, fishing, and gold panning can be enjoyed on the South Fork Tuolumne River, which flows right through the resort area. The resort also hosts group activities, movies and weekend events. Nearby activities include swimming, fishing, boating and water skiing on Don Pedro Reservoir and New Melones Lake, as well as touring the old mining towns of Sonora, Angels Camp and Murphys. When it’s time to visit Yosemite National Park: Hetch Hetchy Reservoir is 45 minutes away; Yosemite Valley is 1 hour away; Tuolumne Meadows is 80 minutes away; and Mariposa Grove is 90 minutes away. In the busy summer season, it’s good to allow extra time to get to these destinations, and have patience looking for parking. Yosemite National Park, located in the heart of California’s spectacular Sierra Nevada Mountains, is, justifiably, one of America’s most popular national parks. Visitors flock to Yosemite every summer to marvel at its towering granite walls, domes and pinnacles, as well as its spectacular meadows, waterfalls and wildlife. No trip to Yosemite is complete without taking at least a short walk or hike to soak in the majesty of this glacier-carved landscape, away from the park’s busy roads and villages. Yet, with its limited camping and lodging options, it can be challenging to visit the park during its busy summer season. Fortunately, there are several campgrounds and resorts located just short distances outside of the park that make suitable alternatives to the often congested and overcrowded park facilities, while still allowing easy access to the park’s sights, attractions, and trails.
$30 - $40 / night
At Lake Tulloch RV Campground and Marina you can enjoy your choice of 110 sites on over ten acres including shoreline for Lake Tulloch camping. These include lakefront hookups with space to keep your boat right at your site, lakefront cabins with your own dock and full hookup sites with 50 amp service, water and sewer. Many tent sites with water, picnic table and firepits are also available. Our General Store, Restaurant, 21 slip marina and gas dock, boat rentals at Lake Tulloch Boat Rentals, modern restrooms, hot showers and laundromat all contribute to making Lake Tulloch RV Campground and Marina one of the best spots for family camping, boating and fishing in California!
$30 - $40 / night
North Grove (sites 27-59)
$25 - $70 / night
$30 - $289 / night
Pinecrest features a large campground by Pinecrest Lake, just 30 miles east of Sonora, at an elevation of 5600 feet. The area includes a day-use beach and a marina, a small shopping center and recreation cabins. The campground caters to all ages and is within walking distance of the lake, an amphitheater, visitor center, swimming beach and spectacular hiking trails. Pets are welcome, but must be compliant with Tuolumne County leash laws.
The Pinecrest Lake National Recreation Trail takes hikers on an easy 4-mile stroll around Pinecrest Lake. Rainbow trout is a common catch in the lake and swimming is enjoyed at the sandy beach. Educational programs are also a highlight of the recreation area. Bike rentals are on hand so campers can bike around the area. Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort is open for summer operations offering mountain bike trails, hiking, disc golf, indoor and outdoor games and more!
Many campsites are shaded by trees and sit near the southwest side of the 300-acre Pinecrest Lake in Stanislaus National Forest. In this beautiful mountain landscape, wildlife viewing opportunities include marmots, squirrels, coyotes and deer. Stanislaus National Forest is situated in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains, between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite. The area boasts gorgeous views of snow-capped mountain peaks and California's Great Central Valley.
Located in the nearby area are several activities. There are ample hiking trails, horseback riding, fishing, mountain bike riding, and water activities. Pinecrest lake is a boating and swimming recreation area with restaurants, stores, boat rentals, and an outdoor movie theater. Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort is a ski area in the winter and in the summer is a basecamp for mountain biking, hiking, and a great indoor/outdoor BBQ. Aspen Meadow Pack Station is three miles from Pinecrest Lake and offers horseback rides and trail head for hiking. Kennedy Meadows is 30 miles east of Pinecrest and offers great river access for fishing, horse bike rides, hiking, and restaurants. Sonora Pass, a scenic winding highway that has guided people across the Sierra Nevada since 1852, is located nearby.
$40 / night
North Pines campground will be utilizing a one-time Early Access Lottery which will allow successful applicants to make a reservation within the entire 2025 season. See information and instructions below. Additional information may be found on Yosemites website. Any remaining availability will be released during normal on-sale dates beginning with the February 15 on-sale. When not on a lottery, campsites at North Pines are available up to five months in advance on the 15th of each month at 7:00 a.m. (PT). For example, on February 15, arrival dates for the time period June 15 to July 14 become available to reserve, and therefore, the full arrival date window would be from season opening to July 14. North Pines Campground is located in breathtaking Yosemite National Park in Central California's rugged Sierra Nevada Mountain Range at an elevation of 4000 feet. The site is situated in the heart of Yosemite Valley, an awe-inspiring landscape containing many of the famous features for which Yosemite National Park is known. Within Yosemite, visitors can gaze upon waterfalls, sheer granite cliffs, deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, vast wilderness areas and so much more. Reservation tips! Campsites in Yosemite are extremely popular and typically sell out in minutes on the regular on-sale dates. Login to your account or create a new account before the 7:00 a.m. (PST) release time. You may only add reservations to your cart and proceed with your reservation if you are logged into your account. The recreation.gov call center does NOT have access to additional sites or additional information beyond what is published on recreation.gov.Yosemite National Park Campground Reservation Dates
Yosemite's trails, cliffs, roads and rivers provide endless recreational activities for any kind of visitor. Hiking, biking, rock climbing, fishing, horseback riding, rafting, auto touring, and photography are all very popular activities within the park. Hiking trails range from the easy paved, two-mile roundtrip walk to Mirror Lake/Meadow, to the grueling but rewarding 14- to 16-mile trek to Half Dome (permit required). Both of these trails begin near the Pines Campgrounds, and many additional trailheads are within Yosemite Valley. Rafting the Merced River is a fun way to cool down on a summer day when water levels are sufficient. Yosemite Valley also offers numerous guided bus tours, educational programs, museums, ranger-led activities,and an art center with workshops.
Yosemite Valley is forested with a diverse mix of California black oak, Ponderosa pine, Incense-cedar, White fir, and Whiteleaf Manzanita, which offers a pleasant combination of sun and shade. Through the trees, Yosemite's telltale granite cliff faces are visible, and the gentle, refreshing Merced River flows nearby.
Within one to two hours, visitors can drive or ride a shuttle bus to some of Yosemite's most grand viewpoints and historic sites. Glacier Point offers sweeping views of Yosemite Valley, Little Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Vernal and Nevada Falls, and Clouds Rest, among other notable landmarks. A visit to Wawona and the Pioneer Yosemite History Center is like stepping back in time. The Tioga Road offers a 39-mile scenic drive past forests, meadows, lakes, and granite domes. Tuolumne Meadows embodies the high-country of the Sierra Nevada, with its broad sub-alpine meadows and granite domes and peaks. Beautiful Hetch Hetchy Reservoir is home to spectacular scenery and numerous wilderness trailheads.
Cancellations more than 48 hours in advance of arrival date only incur a $10 transaction fee. Within 48 hours, $10 and the first night's fee are charged (Exception: 1 night reservations do not incur an additional $10 fee, but do not receive a refund). No-shows will be assessed a $20 service fee along with the loss of the first night's fee.
$48 / night
Traveler
This Campground is 5 miles from West gate entrance to "Yosemite National Park". Only 35 miles west of " Lake Don Pedro, take out your boat, go jet skiing or fishing. Don't forget to go to " Moaning Cavern!" Tuolumne River runs through campground. There are 254 Full Hookups, 130 Tent sites, Hostel, Cabin & Yurts. They have WiFi, Satellite TV,Clubhouse, Billiard's, Game room, Shuffleboard, Store, Hiking Trails,Nature, Playground, Mini Golf, Tennis, Picnic/BBQ,Volleyball, Basketball & in the Summer-Bus runs to Yosemite, for an additional fee. Summer Swimming,Seasonal Fishing,Wheelchair Accessible, Restroom/Shower Facilities & Laundry. Yosemite Lakes Resort 31191 Hardin Flat Rd. Groveland,CA 95321 Reservations Member- 1-800-368-7788 Non-Member 1-888-481-6348 Welcome Center (209)962-0103 Rental Check In- 4PM Rental Check Out - 11AM Front Desk- Sun-Sat 8AM-8PM
Guide
There are 4 cabins that can be rented from the Park Service however, they are not actually in the park. They are across the highway and up in the hills. We drove to the park but it's only short distance.
The cabins are great but expensive, $170 per night, so I deducted a star. They are rustic. No TV, no air conditioning (just ceiling fans), no bedding or towels. You bring your own.
Guide
Overall, the proximity to being in The Valley outweighed the negatives of our stay.
While pricey for what it is, it IS at the far east end of Yosemite Valley with easy access to the Mist Trail. The tent-cabins are close to each other (3-8 feet), and we were woken by our neighbors our first morning (they were checking out early, and while quiet hours were 'officially' over, it was still 0730...and since it was during the heat wave, we hadn't gotten to sleep til well after midnight).
That said...we were expecting foam rubber mattresses on wooden plywood shelves for beds, but the bed frame, mattresses, pillows and Rumpl blankets were a nice surprise (the website stated there would be wool blankets). The towels and sheets were in need of some fabric softener though.
It was HOT. Having camped in tent-cabins before (not Curry Village), we brought fans with us that helped cool things down in the evenings, but having fans [battery operated/ rechargeable (we had Ryobi rechargeable fans)] helped us out.
We couldn't figure out how to make the tent-cabin canvas window 'shades' to stay open- which was necessary because we needed the ventilation - we had brought along some binder clips that we were able to jury-rig to keep the canvas flaps over the screens open, though.
Showers and restrooms were adequately clean, and showers were hot…but nothing to write home about.
We were surprised by the trash on the grounds near the cabins (where our nearest showerhouse was)- in fact, a zip-lock baggie sat on the ground in the same spot for the three days we were there, before I picked it up on our way out. Additionally, on the grounds of the tent-cabins, we found several nails and other hardware on the ground.
We were also surprised by the size of Curry Village, which isn't really discussed on the website. We were in tent-cabin 749 on the far east end, which was great until we had to walk to Camp Curry and/or the parking lot. We brought a wagon to carry our gear from the car to the tent-cabin, but once again, we've done this before, and we felt really bad for the folks lugging all their stuff without the benefit of a cart. Next time we'd bring bikes to help with the longish walk (400 meters? Maybe longer?)
The food options were great! The pizza is fantastic, and it was nice having the ability to grab pizza/tacos/burgers as an option at the end of the day (cooking is not allowed in the camp, but we 'tailgated' with backpacking stoves and meals a couple of the days).
Scout
FHU and Electric/water sites. Also has cabins, yurts, covered wagons you can rent. Has pool, playground and petting zoo. Well kept and easy to work with
Traveler2 adults and 1 kid in the basic cabin over Easter weekend a few years ago. We really enjoyed our stay and the property. Petting zoo animals were adorable. Nice location to Yosemite. Friendly interactions with staff.
Rangeraka Curry Village
My daughters and I have now stayed in both the canvas tent/cabin and a hard-sided cabin. Both provide comfortable beds with sheets and a warm blanket on each. (If you like fluffy pillows, bring one from home.)
We stayed in the heated tent/cabin during a major snowfall and stayed toasty-warm. I’d give this place an extra star if we were able to boil water in the tents, so we could make our own warm food and coffee, but it’s not allowed. There are bear boxes to lock up any food you do bring. There are places in the valley to buy warm meals, but they really weren’t very good, especially for the price.
The showers are warm and have good water pressure. They always had clean towels available, too.
However, Curry Village is packed with wall-to-wall people. Despite quiet hours, there seems to always be That One Guy who gets drunk, loud and obnoxious. On our last trip, That One Guy decided to yell obscenities in my daughters’ faces when they asked him politely to keep the noise down. It was 15min before quiet hours and it was obvious that most of the other guests (many with small kids) had gone to bed. Other than calling the front desk, there really wasn’t another option for “crowd control.”
When I camp, I do prefer remote, quiet places away from crowds, but I did appreciate the convenience of Curry Village’s location. We really were in the heart of the valley with great access to the best hikes. All in all, we enjoyed our stays.
Guide
First time up and it's so nice and peaceful. Stayed in the cabin that sleeps 6. Super nice, close to the bathrooms. There's a community outdoors kitchen with stove and sink. Small hiking trail that had some horse nearby that cam and said hi to us. Will definitely be coming back. Love that this place is open all year long
Scout
Stayed here back in 2016 but havent been able to since. I loved this site! had pretty big bathrooms, there was a nice stream nearby where we saw a huge buck, there was a small cafe that served breakfast and a tiny window store that sold some essentials. Also had a few cabins you could rent that i’d like to look into. Overall great spot, I just wish they would reopen. I’ll definitely be back when they do!
Guide
This Campground has lots of potential. We expected a cleaner site for $40 a night. Really just a cleaner campground in general. Our site had lots of trash at it. Like Chewing Tobacco, old empanadas, cereal, etc. But it had some positives. Like the store, Lake and splash n dash. But it seems like the money you pay goes to there cabins not the campground. Cell service was spotty. Rangers were nice but they didn’t know what they were doing even though the clearly had experience. Overall the campground just needs some TLC
GuideStayed two nights here in a 2 bed tent cabin. Slept 3 of us perfectly and was somewhat heated. Meaning the heater likes to turn it self off at times cooling the tent back down before kicking back in. The bathroom and showers were great for camping showers. The is a nice lodge style place to hang out plus great pizza place on site as well. This is a perfect place for those who like to camp but not fans of tent camping in cold snowy conditions. I will definitely return!
GuideThe location is perfect for all the Valley trails. There is a shuttle right outside. There are several campgrounds here. There is a space for tents and also a village of canvas tents for those who prefer glamping. For food there is a convenience store nearby, a restaurant and a pizza place.
TIPS:
Tent cabins are close together, you will hear your neighbors, bring ear plugs
Leave early, the trails get crowded very quickly
Lots of tourists so parking will be tight
Driving into Yosemite is horrible lately, especially into the Valley, CARPOOL!
RangerThis place is good for giving non-campers a little taste of living in a canvas tent. It's not great if you are into camping and want to spend time in nature. The tent cabins are really close together so you def hear your neighbors domestic disputes, snoring etc. Walking around the area in the evening it is pretty magical feeling. +1 to whoever said to bring earplugs. Overall it does feel like a special place, and if I didn't love camping this would seem pretty sweet. Pizza place is always slammed do good for people watching. Support your local dirtbags and offer the climbers your leftovers :)
GuideIt wasn’t as nice as the photos depicted. Water shortage? The grasses were long and dried up, there appears to have been a wooden bridge as a shortcut to the pool/restroom/laundry room/Deli, but no longer. The restrooms were barely tolerable and the woman’s had a bad odor. There’s a dishwashing station that is no longer serviceable, just a stainless sink set in a covered table with no water or even plumbing to include drains. You have to pay for WiFi and sometimes the signal drops. For the cost of the campground the WiFi should be free! Lesser known campgrounds even have free WiFi. There are Conestoga Wagons, Cabins and Yurts. None were occupied. Reason?
GuideWe stayed here March 2022. We booked a heated tent cabin for 4 nights. It had 1 double bed and 2 singles, a storage tower, 1 central electric light, and 1 electrical outlet - this is not advertised, but if you tell them you have a CPAP or other medical device needing an outlet, they will let you know that there is one in the heated cabins. It was enough to power a power strip, charge our phones, and run said CPAP (LOL). The beds were comfy and the linens were great. We requested additional blankets as the comforter on the bed was nylon on both sides and kept sliding off the beds. We were given old school wool blankets and they were great! We did adjust the heat often as it would actually get too warm.
As we visited in the off season, not all of the amenities were available (pool, restaurants), but it didn't bother us at all. The guest lounge was often crowded and we only spent one evening in there. Showers and toilets were very clean. It was still fully booked when we went, but the grounds are quiet are people were very respectful of the park rules.
This was a great central location to do Yosemite. We woke up under Half Dome every morning, did the Mist Trail, Vernal Falls trail, and Lower Yosemite Falls trail. Doing it in the off season was awesome as the number of additional people not actually staying in the park was very small.
Reservations are hard to come by...we reserved in January for March of the same year and got lucky. Book through the NPS as other sites charge additional, unnecessary fees. We also recommend packing in food. There are bear lockers to store it. Dining in the park is provided by Aramark and is average at best. We took a trip outside the park to dine in a nearby city and had a wonderful dinner.
Overall, we would definitely stay here again and again! It was very peaceful and comfortable.
Guide
Three Links Camp is a private campground just below Stanislaus National Forest on 108. The campground has dorms for families/groups (a building with bunk beds and a bathroom) and tent and full-hookup RV sites. The campground was beautiful and my kids had a blast walking around all the buildings (hall, chapel, cabins/dorms) and on baseball field, disc golf course, and basketball court! There’s also a pool, but it was closed for the season. They’re open year-round, so we might return for a snow visit! The hosts were nice, the rates are affordable, and there is cell service (ATT) and WiFi if you don’t want to unplug completely.
I feel like I should note the owners are new and not the ones who were there for the review below mine. They’ve done a lot of work to better the campsite!
GuideYosemite Valley is pure magic and Half Dome Village is no exception. It’s definitely more “glamping” than camping and the tents feel like cabins and are very close together. Bathrooms are nice and there’s a store, bar, cafeteria, coffee shop and pizza place to take care of your needs. It does have a bit of a party atmosphere at night as folks from other campgrounds gather at the bar/pizza spot but the tent area was pretty quiet (save for me hearing someone peeing outside my tent one night...). Dark at night, bring a headlamp or flashlight.
Biggest complaint is the price. Location can’t be beat but it’s so expensive for canvas tents that aren’t super clean and are smushed together. I love Half Dome Village but next time will probably camp elsewhere and shuttle in for pizza and beer.
GuideWith 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.
The showers are free and usually clean although on Saturday evening the campground was full and the bathrooms were dirty and out of TP.
There are tent sites, RV sites and cabins so something for everyone.
There were A LOT of stray cats on the property which kind of drove our dog crazy. But at least the campground is pet friendly.
If you plan to go into Yosemite NP, it's a long drive so plan accordingly. 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 so being close to that is key for us. So many of the places in the park where we used to get in the water do not allow swimming anymore.
Traveler
Pinecrest was an amazing place at the edge of the Stanislaus national forest. The community is great, the campground and bathrooms were very well maintained. It was a 10min walk to the lake. If you’re into fishing, there are trout in the area with some nice fishing spots labeled on the paper map. Even boat rentals to get into the open water. The hike around the lake was beautiful too, roughly 2-3 hr hike with some great views. Amazing place to camp.
GuideYou come into Yosemite Lakes by a little Thousand Trails convenience store and gas station. It's kind of handy since there's really nothing nearby other than Groveland. Make sure to come in at this entrance though. When coming from the west GPS likes to take you through Hardin Flat Road... don't go that way with an RV. Check-in was quick and easy. Don't forget it's first come first serve like most Thousand Trails campgrounds. Staff were all very friendly. There's complimentary wifi at the main office if you need it. There's NO phone signal of any kind for miles. There is Jabba Communications wifi throughout that campground that you can pay for but it's pricey and very shoddy and unpredictable here. Unless you're staying for a long time it's not worth it.
Every spot pretty much has full hookups but only a few with 50 amp. The rest have 30 amp. Again, as I've said with other Thousand Trails, that just seems like laziness to me. These campgrounds have been around long enough to see the need for upgrades.
We parked at the far east end past the cabins in a pull-through group spot. They are the biggest spots and didn't seem like people really use that area much. It was pretty quiet for the two weeks we were there. It's off season as well though. Power went out to the entire campground two days in a row. Not the campground's fault as high winds knocked out power to the entire area. They were nice and let us use our generator even though they are not allowed any other time.
There's a little river that runs along the campground that looks like it would be beautiful in the spring and summer when there's more water. It still had quite a bit flowing through over by the main office. Yosemite National Forest is just a short distance away. Some great hikes and sights to see!
I'd say with a few more updates this one could easily be a 5-star!
Legend
Yosemite is absolutely amazing! If you ever get a chance to explore Yosemite, take it! I got to go on a spur of the moment thing. My husband was working on the clean-up for the wildfires that ravaged California and he had been gone a while, so we decided I would fly out and meet him and we would take a camping trip together. Be aware, it was December... it was freezing! The days were great! We did about 14 miles in hikes every, because unlike Texas it was cool and refreshing. Then at night we froze...but I wouldn't change it for the world.
So I ended up flying into Sacramento and then we drove about 4 hours to get to Yosemite National Park. Not a bad drive, of course everything in California is beautiful compared to the flat lands of Texas. Please make sure if you are going in the off season to bring chains for your tires and to check for road closure into Yosemite Valley. Thankfully we did not run into any ice or closure on the way in, but believe me we were nervous! The roads can get a little nerve racking going up the mountains with such steep drops off the side. I think i stopped breathing a few times!
I reserved our campsite online, there weren't many options since it was winter, but we stayed at the Upper Pines campground that is open all year long. Surprisingly there were quite a few people there, but mostly hiking/camping enthusiast like us that kept to themselves and were quiet, friendly neighbors! Since it was off season the restaurant at Half Dome village was closed, but the store they have was open if you are in need of groceries, firewood, first aid...etc. It seems Yosemite is still a hopping place even when it is freezing which was reassuring for us Texans!
The trails were amazing and well marked even though the place is HUGE! Some of the more extreme hikes were closed off for safety because of ice but we still had a lot of options. Lots of variety and diversity in trails. We stayed 5 days and did between 8-14 miles each day without seeing the same thing twice! We visited in December, so yes it was cold, and the waterfalls were not flowing but it was still the most beautiful place.
Campgrounds are tightly packed, but that is just nit picky. We had a fire pit, a 'bear box', a picnic table, and a parking spot next to our site. They have sites to accommodate everyone, it is just a matter of reserving early, spots fill up fast. There are also cabins and yurts you can stay in, which might be a good idea if you go in the winter. Park rangers are very helpful and the place is well kept. There are bugs and animals, so make sure your being safe and watching your surroundings, especially out in the trails. Trekking poles are also a good idea if you don't have great ankles, knees,or back. The trails can be difficult at times with lots of rocks and uneven terrain. Just be safe and take your time.
Definitely one for the books!
ScoutThis campground is located at 5000 ft elevation in the Sierra Nevada mountains. It is about 2 1/2 housa from the San Francisco bay area. The campsites are a very short walk from the lake. the sites are spacious, well spaced and shady. Amenities are quite good with flush toilets, showers, a general store and more. There is a beautiful trail around the lake. It is very picturesque with the lake being surrounded by granite mountains.Reservations can be had through the USFS and if the main campground is filled there is a first come first served overflow about a half mile by trail or road to the lake.Tthe lake has swimming fishing and pleasure boating with rentals available. It is located along highway 108 east of Sonora Ca.
Guide
I love Yosemite. I love camping. But this campground is not my favorite. We stayed here, just for the convenience of being close to the trailhead for Half Dome, which was the purpose of our visit. It is also a convenient place to see much of the park and the Valley. However, it is far too crowded for my tastes. And full of touristy people (read: RVs).
Pros: Nice facilities, convenient access to Yosemite Valley via the free shuttle system, convenient access to Half Dome trailhead and other hiking trails, nearby amenities. If you need food or a shower, it's just a short shuttle or car ride over to Half Dome Village to get what you need, including restaurants and a bar. You can even hop on shuttles to Glacier Point and other popular destinations. It is all well shaded and you have access to potable water and flush toilet restrooms. It is also centrally located in the park and you can get to most of the sites with just an hour or so drive.
Cons: TOO MANY PEOPLE. When I camp, I like to get away from people and get away from civilization. If you do too, think about looking into campgrounds outside of Yosemite Valley. When I do camp around other people, it is usually with the understanding that they are also "camping people". The folks you are likely to find in the Valley are not these people. They are tourists. Tourists just don't have the same "campers' code" that you find among camping people. There is an unspoken rule that is honored among campers. And up at the top of that is respecting other campers' campsite and property. We had people walking right through our site as a shortcut to the restrooms and I even had someone steal my hammock in the middle of the night from right next to my tent. The next time I stay in Yosemite, I will avoid staying in this area.
Conclusion: Convenient, but loud and crowded. Beware of thieves.
LegendThe Yosemite Valley campgrounds are large and busy - it's an extremely popular park, and Lower Pines is right in the heart of things. Don't expect silence and solitude if you are staying here. That being said, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Lower Pines. We camped for 3 nights in a camper van (switched to Upper Pines for a 4th night). Reservations are hard to come by; we got very lucky and reserved our spot only a couple of weeks before our trip (traveling in the Fall helped some).
Site was large with a bear box to store food - be sure to use this and store food safely! The rangers will warn you about the destruction bears can cause, and there are pictures posted all over to prove it. Our site had a large level parking pad (perfect for the campervan), picnic table, and fire ring. Awesome views of El Cap towering above us, at night you could see the lights from climbers up on the wall.
Bathrooms were clean, access to drinking water was easy. Park shuttle is nearby and easy to get around. Half Dome Village was a short walk/shuttle ride with access to food, stores (got some tenacious tape to repair a hole in a hydration bladder, saving our hiking!) and showers (for a fee). They had rental bikes which we used for a day to explore the path around the Valley. Trails were very close, we did a lot of hiking/trail running and were able to get a permit for Half Dome as well which was awesome! We were there in late September/early October - Yosemite Falls was dry and the other waterfalls are much lower that time of year, something to keep in mind if seeing the waterfalls roaring is in your itinerary.
All of our nearby campers were very polite and friendly. Yes, this is a "tourist" type campground, not a backcountry or dispersed site in the middle of nowhere. Everyone is there to experience Yosemite Valley in their own way. We found it to be fairly quiet and enjoyed checking out other people's camping setups and chatting with them while walking around, etc. We didn't find that to be a negative experience at all.
http://adventuresneaker.com/2017/01/23/california-road-trip-days-1-2-san-francisco-to-yosemite/
http://adventuresneaker.com/2017/02/06/california-road-trip-day-4-half-dome/
RangerCalaveras is, hands down, my favorite park in CA. It’s beauty and trees are unmatched anywhere in California. It is perfect for hiking, exploring, and nearby fishing. If you do any park besides the more well known ones in CA, do not pass this one up!
Legend
How do you snag a reservation in one of the most popular campgrounds in the entire NPS with just a few days notice? Easy! Set up a Dyrt Alert with your Dyrt PRO subscription. We did this and turned 1 night in the valley into 10. Here's to shoulder season camping! But come prepared as you might need your kayaking gear and your snowshoes on the same trip.
This is a great campground in valley, with many sites right by the Merced River, a view of Half Dome in the background, and a little forestry action means that you even get some sunshine down through those big pines and can recharge with solar in a few key sites. We were also able to run our Starlink to get some work done. You can walk to many trails, bike to others, and even stroll over to Curry Village for a meal, shower, or an ice cream.
What you have in these campsites is very similar throughout this park, paved spot with not a lot of room for big rigs, small area for tents, a spot for your car, picnic table, fire ring, and a food/ cooler/ cooking equipment storage locker. Seriously y’all, they will ticket your butt for not storing food properly– they do not mess around here in this park with feeding wildlife, either on accident or on purpose. And you will quickly learn why because the ground squirrels do not give a#$%^ about you except that you are a quick source of Cheetos-- and they’ll even climb up your leg to get some. Don’t even get me started about the Ravens, they are smart and they have a taste for potato chips! Bears make regular visits to these campgrounds, too.
The “Comfort Stations” as the NPS calls them means a couple of toilets that flush, a sink with cold running water, and a hand dryer. Bring your own soap. They can stay on top of cleaning them, but do your part too. Showers can be purchased at the Yosemite Curry Village area and they are just fine, but there is a high demand for them so plan ahead.
Unlike most parks, Yosemite has its own grocery store, gas station, bike rentals, restaurants, visitor’s center, park film theater, gift shop– and if you come at the right time of year, you can see “Shakespeare in the Park’s” live theater.
You can bike, hike, paddle, float, climb, sightsee, stargaze, climber stalk, waterfall gawk and walk. But parking is a bitch. So just leave everything at the campsite and hop on the bus to get around the park and the different hiking areas. The buses also have bike racks so you can bike as much as you want, then hop on the bus if you’re not feeling it anymore.
There are so many beautiful hikes, but please don’t go to the popular ones in the middle of the day, or maybe do, that way I can enjoy the less popular ones on my own time at my leisure. Understand that the valley is one of the most “touristed” destinations outside of Disney World, and get your head around it, settle in and make nice-nice with all the other folks who have been dying to come. But please don’t feed those squirrels, ravens, or bears!
Depending on which way you come into the park, the closest town with reasonable grocery store prices can be up to an hour away. So, it’s worth the price of admission to stock up on your way into the park.
TravelerI think this is my favorite California State Park. It is situated in the Calaveras Big Trees Giant Sequoia Grove.
The campsites are spacious with lots of room between you and other campers, hot showers, great Visitors Center, campfire programs, puppet shows, self guided hikes, Stanislaus River, Beaver Creek, lots of wildlife, astronomy programs (we even got to see the International Space Station go overhead) and so much more.
We saw a yearling doe with the longest eyelashes I have ever seen on a deer, a fledgling osprey with a little hick-up in his first flight, lots of squirrels, chipmunks, and other critters, birds of all different colors. Just delightful.
Big Trees is close to explore the many little charming Gold Country Towns in the area and if you want to go out to dinner every kind of cuisine you can imagine.
You will have an awesome time at Calaveras Big Trees.
LegendYosemite Creek Campground is a cute little campground on the north-ish end of the park. All the sites are rented out on a first come first serve basis, so it's really a matter of luck if you can find a spot. The campground is strictly for tent campers, no RV sites. The sites are pretty nice! The one I had was not the largest, but it was flat and secluded which I loved. They all seemed to have picnic tables and a bear box for your food.
I think the sites also close down during the fall and winter seasons, so be sure to check on that if you're planning a trip.
In terms of the park, you'll never run out of cool things to do. Yosemite is one of my favorite places to rock climb. The routes are interesting and you gotta love that California granite. If you can hike half dome, DO IT. Also check out Yosemite Falls and Mono Pass.
Everyone needs to visit yosemite at some point in their life. It's amazing!
Cabin camping near La Grange, California, offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and cozy accommodations, perfect for families and nature lovers alike.
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Which is the most popular cabin campsite near La Grange, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near La Grange, CA is Yosemite Pines RV Resort & Family Lodging with a 3.9-star rating from 23 reviews.
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