Mariposa camping areas sit at elevations between 1,500-3,500 feet in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Summer temperatures regularly reach 90-100°F during July and August, while winter nights can drop below freezing. Most dispersed camping locations near Mariposa require high-clearance vehicles to access, and campers should prepare for limited cell service throughout the region.
What to do
River swimming: 2 miles from McCabe Flat Campground, a popular swimming hole offers deeper water for jumping. "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," notes a Railroad Flat Campground visitor.
Fishing the Merced: Catch rainbow trout near the campgrounds along the Merced River. "I managed to catch a 12" rainbow almost right away, just feet from the campsite. Later on hooked another one but lost it," reports a McCabe Flat camper.
Morning wildlife viewing: Start early before temperatures rise. "Lots of wildlife: wildflowers, newts, and river otters. Watch out for rattlesnakes!" warns a Railroad Flat visitor. At Yosemite Pines RV Resort, the small petting zoo provides animal encounters suitable for younger children.
Bass Lake water sports: Rent boats or jet skis 30 miles east of Mariposa. "Close to the lake and plenty of activities in the area. Boats, jet ski rental, fishing etc," notes a reviewer at Bass Lake RV Resort.
What campers like
Natural swimming holes: Rainbow Pool offers a popular local alternative to more crowded Yosemite swimming areas. "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," a visitor explains.
Riverside camping: Sites along the Merced River provide natural white noise for sleeping. "So peaceful listening to the river all night. Not much car traffic either," says a Willow Placer Campground reviewer. Many sites include fire rings, picnic tables, and bear boxes.
Affordable alternatives: BLM campgrounds cost only $10/night with no reservation required. "No reservations in advance, an hour outside the park, and only $10 a night. There are two pit toilets that are well kept and something like 10-15 sites," notes a McCabe Flat visitor.
Amenities for extended stays: Full hookup sites with pools help during hot summer days. "Great place and experience. Bathrooms are the best I've seen by far. Large dog run which was amazing," says a visitor to Yosemite RV Resort.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Prepare offline maps for navigating to more remote camping areas. "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," notes a visitor at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes.
Summer heat: Temperatures regularly reach 90-100°F during July and August. "Much warmer than the high elevation of the park. Otherwise in cooler weather this place is well designed and amazing pool," explains a Yosemite RV Resort reviewer.
River conditions: The Merced River can be dangerous during spring runoff. "The water was cold, high and fast but I managed to catch a 12" rainbow almost right away," reports a camper at McCabe Flat, adding that by late summer the water levels typically drop significantly.
Insect preparation: Pack insect repellent for riverside camping. "All are extremely close to the river so prepare for mosquitoes at night but the sounds of the river are amazing!" warns a Railroad Flat visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife encounters: Bring binoculars and visit early morning or evening for best viewing. "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," notes a visitor to Yosemite Pines.
Food storage: Use provided bear boxes and clean up immediately after meals. "ANTS WILL GET IN THERE. We had ants all over our dishes in the morning, but not our stuff in tubs, so make sure your things are ant proof," cautions a McCabe Flat reviewer.
Evening activities: Pack board games and cards for entertainment after dark. "One in the mens exits to the urinal and the other into the entrance door. The only few positive things are that they are friendly and you have shade from the trees on the property," notes a visitor to High Sierra RV Park.
Weekend planning: Arrive Thursday to secure better sites at first-come campgrounds. "I arrived on a Thursday morning around 10:30 and I was lucky to snag a prime spot (#25) at the Railroad Flat campground. By Saturday morning all sites were full," reports a McCabe Flat camper.
Tips from RVers
Bridge clearance: Check vehicle length limits on narrow access roads. "We were told that during COVID they were keeping sites in between those rented open for social distancing, however this did not apply to premium sites. Spaces were VERY close!" warns a High Sierra RV Park visitor.
Leveling challenges: Bring additional leveling blocks for uneven sites. "Our spot was also very hard to try and level our trailer. We never did quite get it leveled the way we would've liked," reports one RVer at High Sierra RV Park.
Water access: Fill tanks before arrival at more remote sites. "There are no hookups or water supply offered. However, for those that are self-sufficient, this is a really nice place," explains a Railroad Flat visitor who added there's "a water spiket at the bottom of the road after the bridge."
Site selection: Request specific sites when making reservations. "Site is small little to no space for vehicle at the site we are at some sites have a lot more room than ours," notes an RVer at Yosemite RV Resort.
