Best Glamping near Madera, CA

We had booked a pull thru site and they asked to change our spot because they were having a party that day in that area. I was okay with it until we got there and tried to pull into the spot. We have a 35 foot 5th wheel and they put us on the far end where it was hard to turn. It took a lot of turning and backing up to get into this spot. The spot had a huge concrete barrier so people wouldn't drive up on the sand area. If that wasn't there it would have been easier to get into the spot bit we couldn't go forward anymore. There was also a chain link fence in the way. We camped with others that had smaller 25 foot travel trailers and they got into their spots okay. If you have a big trailer, don't get these spots at the end (L-28). The lady that said we would fit no problem obviously has never tried to park a big trailer there. Bring your own fire pit too. They don't have any.

We have been coming to Camp Edison annually for the past 15 years and have never been disappointed. Each site has plenty of room and includes a picnic table and fire pit. It’s a short walk to Shaver Lake from virtually any of the sites, and several have a nice view of the lake. Fishing, boating, swimming or just picnicking on one of the many beaches surrounding the lake is a great way to spend your time. Some sites have full hook ups, but most have just electricity and cable TV, with water faucets nearby to fill your RV or use as needed if dry camping. There is a dump station on site and also a “honey wagon” that will come to your site and pump out your waste water, if you desire. Restrooms are clean and plentiful and each has a shower (25 cents for 2 minutes). The laundromat has come in handy several times, too. Camp Edison has great activities during the summer season including guided educational nature walks, both day and evening, as well as kids’ movies in the amphitheater. There is also a museum on site that offers activities and fun events like an ice cream social.

My family and I stayed at Lake McSwain Campgrounds for a weekend during a mountain bike race at Exchequer. We showed up with our 24' trailer on Friday, and even though it was February, they brought on staff to get us all checked in since it was so busy because of the race. There was a short line to get in to the campground, but we didn't wait long and the staff was helpful and friendly. The site was a good size for two trucks and the trailer. The site was not too close to the water, not too far. The bathrooms had showers which we used since our site didn't have a sewer hookup. The site did have water and power though. The marina isn't normally open in February, but they opened due to the volume of campers that weekend. They stocked up on the basics and even had hot coffee and breakfast burritos in the morning and sandwiches at lunch. On Sunday, we moved over to a full hookup site and it was level and felt private. We camped next to some friends and stayed up around the campfire and made smores. The kids rode their bikes around the campgrounds alllll day. They had a blast! Thanks, MID!

The drive up can be difficult (especially at night) with dirt roads making tight turns; plus the signs get scarce after a certain point. The grounds are pretty well kept. The bathrooms could be a little cleaner. The firepit and grill were all par for the course. My only real complaint was that there were no bear food lockers for nighttime storage. There's signs warning people about bears at night, but you are advised to store food in cars. That kinda sucks since bears don't care at all about scratching your car to get to that food. That said, we never ran into any serious wildlife. BRING BUG SPRAY as the ladybugs and other insects are busy doing their thing, we're just visiting. The creek is gorgeous, and hey, there's some light fishing to be done in the creek as well!