Dispersed camping options near Long Barn, California accommodate a range of camping needs in the Sierra Nevada mountain region. Long Barn sits at 5,025 feet elevation, with surrounding campgrounds spanning from 2,200 feet in the Gold Country foothills to over 6,000 feet in the high country. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing at higher elevations while summer brings daytime temperatures between 75-90°F depending on location.
What to do
Swimming holes: 10-minute drive from McCabe Flat Campground to excellent river access. "There's a great little swimming hole just up the path. I was in spot 29. It had its own little path down to the river, and it was mostly away from everyone else," notes Julian R.
Fishing for trout: Year-round opportunities in the Merced River watershed. "On Friday my reel broke so my fishing weekend was over but what a thrill! I caught a 12" rainbow almost right away, just feet from the campsite," reports a camper at McCabe Flat.
Hiking the old railroad route: The historic rail corridor to Yosemite offers moderate trails. A visitor at Railroad Flat Campground explains, "There is a nice walk just beyond the campground that continues to follow the old rail road. Approx 2.5 miles is the confluence with the N Fork Merced River."
Wildlife viewing: Spring and fall offer peak wildlife spotting seasons. "Lots of wildlife: wildflowers, newts, and river otters. Watch out for rattlesnakes!" warns a camper at Railroad Flat.
What campers like
Riverside camping spots: Many sites provide direct water access. At Willow Placer Campground, "We absolutely loved camping here. So peaceful listening to the river all night. Not much car traffic either," says Sara S.
Clean facilities: Maintained outhouses even at primitive sites. "The bathrooms are cleaned 2 times a day. There are trash cans for each of the 3 campsites," reports Julian R. about McCabe Flat.
Proximity to wine country: RV sites near Long Barn provide access to foothill vineyards. A guest at 49er Village RV Resort noted, "This is not our usual type of camping experience, but since we met friends at a nearby winery, this worked for us since we did not want to drive far."
Family-friendly amenities: Many campgrounds offer recreational options. "The kids loved the stocked fishing ponds, and even better was the immaculate 2 swimming pools and playground! Everyone was busy having fun the whole time," shares Syd D. about 49er Village.
What you should know
Bridge limitations: Vehicle size restrictions apply on access roads. "We're towing a 10-ft trailer and barely made the turn for the suspension bridge. It's almost a 90 degree turn on a narrow bridge," cautions a Willow Placer camper.
Seasonal availability: Many smaller campgrounds operate on limited schedules. "We stayed at the second of the three sites here, and while it was nice, it was pretty small and the camp sites were all on top of each other, which made it very crowded when Friday rolled around," notes Lily S. about McCabe Flat.
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly by location. 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," reports Erin A.
Animal encounters: Bears and smaller wildlife require proper food storage. "The squirrels are a little too friendly, clearly they rely on the humans in the area for food. And watch out for food laying around because they will get in there and try to eat your stuff," warns Ben R. at McCabe Flat.
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with activities: Sites with built-in recreation reduce planning. At Yosemite Pines RV Resort, "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," suggests Jeanette D.
Book early for summer weekends: Reservation windows open 5-6 months ahead for peak season. "We enjoyed our stay here while on a three week trip from our home in PA to the West Coast. There was a high volume of campers," notes Tony Z. about Yosemite Pines.
Consider alternative accommodations: Many campgrounds offer cabins and yurts. "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. The Llamas were an absolute plus as well," shares Emily Grace M. about their Yosemite Pines stay.
Plan for bathroom availability: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. "There is a really clean privy at the site and a water spiket at the bottom of the road after the bridge," notes a visitor to Willow Placer.
Tips from RVers
Site positioning matters: Terrain variations affect leveling and access. A visitor at Jackson Rancheria RV Park shares, "We specifically stayed in spot 24, but any of the spots along the back have a beautiful view of the canyon."
Power supply considerations: Electrical requirements vary by location. 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," advises William V.
Scheduled campground activities: Many RV parks offer organized recreation. "With a pool, petting zoo, a corral where they have a fire and s'mores followed by a movie, this is a great place," notes a Yosemite Pines visitor.
WiFi reliability: Internet access varies significantly. "We used the free WiFi to homeschool as well. This is a great place to visit," reports Chesney S. about their Jackson Rancheria experience.
