Best Campgrounds near Mather, CA

The Sierra Nevada foothills surrounding Mather, California provide gateway access to Yosemite National Park with a range of camping experiences from developed campgrounds to primitive sites. Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes in nearby Groveland offers year-round RV, tent, and cabin accommodations with full hookups. Within Yosemite itself, Upper Pines, Lower Pines, and North Pines campgrounds in Yosemite Valley provide centralized access to iconic park features, while Hodgdon Meadow and Wawona campgrounds offer slightly less crowded alternatives. Dispersed camping options exist along Hardin Flat Road for those seeking more solitude and a primitive experience.

Reservations for Yosemite Valley campgrounds are notoriously competitive, with sites often booking months in advance, especially during summer. As one camper noted, "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)." Bear activity is prevalent throughout the region, requiring proper food storage in provided bear boxes. Many campgrounds operate seasonally, typically April through October, with higher elevation sites having shorter seasons. Fire restrictions are common during dry months, with one visitor reporting, "When we road tripped through California in October there were fire bans at every campground so bring your stoves!"

Campers consistently mention the trade-off between convenience and crowds in Yosemite Valley campgrounds. One reviewer observed, "Even though you are practically on top of each other at this campground, it's totally worth it in my opinion just to sleep in Yosemite Valley." For those seeking quieter alternatives, campgrounds outside the valley like Hodgdon Meadow provide better access to Hetch Hetchy, Tuolumne Grove, and Tioga Road attractions. Wildlife encounters are common, with bears and coyotes frequently spotted near campsites. Amenities vary widely, with most Yosemite Valley campgrounds offering flush toilets and drinking water but no showers. Campgrounds outside the park boundaries often provide more amenities including shower facilities and hookups for RVs.

Best Camping Sites Near Mather, California (341)

    1. Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes

    41 Reviews
    Eastman Lake, CA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "Whip out your wallet and empty on it on the check-in desk of this thousand trails (or whatever) park."

    "Our tent site was #311 and it was perfectly tucked in the trees with a stream alongside."

    2. Upper Pines Campground — Yosemite National Park

    65 Reviews
    Yosemite Valley, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 372-8502

    $36 / night

    "Close to Happy Isles and Mirror Lake/Meadow, this campground is convenient for day hikers. it's one of the better spots in Yosemite Valley, somewhat off the beaten path, so to speak."

    "FYI, they are not joking about wildlife here, bear lockers are there for a reason and the animals are so comfortable and used to people they get close to camp."

    3. Hodgdon Meadow Campground — Yosemite National Park

    22 Reviews
    Mather, CA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 379-2123

    $36 - $75 / night

    "From the East entrance of the park off the 120 the campsite is less than a mile from the entrance gate."

    "Campsite was nice, close to the entrance. Gives you access to the valley and the northern part of the park. Facilities were decent."

    4. Camp 4 — Yosemite National Park

    42 Reviews
    Yosemite Valley, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 372-8502

    $60 / night

    "These are walk-in sites for tents only and are on a per person basis ( It fills up really fast ) parking is available adjacent to the campground, you will need a parking permit."

    "This iconic campground, situated in the middle of Yosemite Valley, was once home to many of America's early rock climbing pioneers. "

    5. Hardin Flat Road

    15 Reviews
    Eastman Lake, CA
    5 miles

    "Just a 10 minute drive from the entrance to Yosemite! The spots along the creek were very buggy. We found one away from the water and not at all buggy."

    "Was ideal for the one night and a ten minute drive from the park entrance. Quite and tranquil setting"

    6. Dimond O Campground

    12 Reviews
    Mather, CA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 379-2258

    $38 - $76 / night

    "Clean and nice camp with river, firewood and awesome starts; Close to Yosemite park, however outside of the border, so visitors will require pass"

    "This is a great campground right outside of the north entrance to Yosemite. Super clean and there is a nice creek to hang out at within walking distance"

    7. Yosemite Creek — Yosemite National Park

    16 Reviews
    Yosemite Valley, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 379-2123

    $24 / night

    "Not a bad drive, of course everything in California is beautiful compared to the flat lands of Texas."

    "The campground was easy to find, conveniently located within the park, spacious and very clean. I was a little nervous about bears, but there is a bear locker for every site."

    8. North Pines Campground — Yosemite National Park

    23 Reviews
    Yosemite Valley, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 372-8502

    $48 / night

    "There is a shuttle stop right outside the campground. You are also in easy walking distance to the path to Mirror Lake and the ever popular Mist Trail."

    "Within walking distance is the edge of the Merced river, from there you have views of Yosemite Falls."

    9. Indian Flat RV Park

    14 Reviews
    El Portal, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 379-2339

    $30 - $289 / night

    "At least when we visited the RV Park and the adjacent Cedar Lodge was functioning as one, meaning we could also use their pool, arcade, ping pong etc. Good places with tables, BBQ included."

    "Location is very good for access to Yosemite."

    10. Wawona Campground — Yosemite National Park

    41 Reviews
    Wawona, CA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 375-9535

    $36 - $75 / night

    "The river and swimming holes are close by and accessible to all, sites have ample space between each other, there are clean restrooms, and all sites have their own bear box."

    "I didn’t go swimming but the family next to my site seemed like they were enjoying the river, especially the little ones."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 341 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Mather, CA

1464 Reviews of 341 Mather Campgrounds


  • Erik H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 25, 2025

    Obsidian Creek on Little Walker Road

    Small Forest Service CG in a nice area

    All other CG were closed coming from Markleeville and I wanted to stop. A couple mile drive up a narrow gravel washboard road ticked in amongst aa mix of Aspen and Ponderosa (?) Pines. It was vacant but showed signs of heavy use.

  • A
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Indian Flat RV Park

    Great site

    If Traveling with kids make use of their fire pit and roast marshmallows

  • Connie H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Bridgeport Travertine Hot Springs Dispersed

    Quiet Spot Near Hot Springs

    There are No Camping signs posted at the road and farther up toward the hot springs. We did end up staying here one night with our pop-up camper, because it was late when we finally arrived. There was a little pull out loop that had a camper van and another truck camper already parked and camping when we got there. There was plenty of room to be able to pull in and park in that area as well. It’s very dusty/sandy in this area. The hot springs were a 5 min drive from this spot. There are really no facilities here! There is one vault toilet down by the hot springs, but it was pretty rough. There are no trash cans around, it is a pack it in, pack it out area, please be prepared to clean up after yourselves and remove your trash. I did clean up some remnants of others trash, but for the most part it was pretty well kept. Although it says no camping, this was a decent overnight spot with beautiful views and it was pretty awesome to be able to wake up and soak in the hot springs on a chilly morning!

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Evergreen Rd Dispersed camping

    Great little spot to boondock

    Firstly, the spots aren’t actually on Evergreen; they’re on an easily missed dirt road near Aspen Valley Rd. There are two spots at the end of the very short road - each with a fire pit and ample space. There’s tons of dead/dry wood around for fires. It’s close to the road but there isn’t much traffic and it’s very close to the Yosemite entrance.

  • Raymond M.
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Top of Arnold - FR 5N56 Dispersed

    This place is real camping

    This campground was the best campground that I’ve been to in a long time take note that this is real camping so there is no bathrooms. There is no running water. There is no showers not for the week but for the real man not recommended for women in small kids, but absolutely amazing and beautiful place. Be sure to obtain a fire permit from Cal fire and check fire restrictions in the area have a bucket full of water and a shovel next to your fire at all times again this place was amazing

  • April B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Glass Creek

    Crabby Host

    The campground itself is very nice and clean.

    The host basically demanded that we pay the ten dollar donation (which we had planned to do), so it's not a free place to camp. Then he complained because we were in a double site. There wasn't any indication that it was a double site, and the campground was basically empty, so we weren't keeping anyone from the site. We gladly would have moved if someone wanted it!

  • Laura The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Mill Creek National Forest

    Beautiful and quiet spot close to Mono Lake

    Not gonna lie, I was skeptical at first. GPS took me to the wrong (dirt) road, it was getting dark and stormy... Eventually stormed passed and I got a clear moonlight and could hear the gurgle of the river a few meters away. Best reward was in the morning... Wow! ♥️ A nice spot for those just leaving Yosemite or about to go into it.

    The road is not great, drive slowly

    PS: I found a tote bag (see pic) where I was, if it's yours hit me up!!


Guide to Mather

Dispersed camping options near Mather, California extend beyond the well-known Yosemite Valley campgrounds. The area sits at elevations ranging from 4,000 to 7,000 feet, creating diverse microclimates that affect camping seasons and conditions. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing in higher elevations, while summer days can reach 90°F with afternoon thunderstorms common in July and August.

What to do

Swimming opportunities: Rainbow Pool, located near Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes, offers natural swimming areas popular with locals. "Plus a short drive to Rainbow Pool and Cherry Lake if you want to avoid park crowds," notes one camper about Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes.

Hetch Hetchy exploration: This less-visited section of Yosemite provides spectacular waterfalls without valley crowds. A camper from Dimond O Campground shares: "We also appreciated being only three miles away from Hetch Hetchy, too. It is a part of Yosemite that does not receive many visitors and to take in what used to be there (It was John Muir's favorite valley), is a trip in itself."

Night sky viewing: The Mather area offers excellent stargazing due to minimal light pollution. "At night you can't sleep because of the brightness. The stars are really pretty," reports a visitor to Camp 4, highlighting the exceptional night sky visibility throughout the region.

What campers like

Riverside sites: Many campgrounds in the area offer sites directly adjacent to water. At Wawona Campground, "Love the site we had, close to water and surrounded by trees. Close to amenities and a local store for supplies. Prepare for a 45-60 min drive to the Yosemite Park and the valley."

Wider spacing than valley sites: Campgrounds outside Yosemite Valley typically offer more space between sites. "The sites are large, well-spaced, and idyllic. Many of them are situated along the South Fork of the Merced River. It's quiet there - and peaceful," explains a camper about Wawona Campground.

Wildlife encounters: The area provides regular opportunities for wildlife observation. At Hardin Flat Road, one visitor observed "Lots of ticks! be prepared. other than that, our camp was wonderful. there were many other groups camping in this area which provided a sense of comfort." Another camper at Dimond O mentioned: "I even woke one morning to cows in our campsite!"

What you should know

Fire permit requirements: Dispersed camping areas require California campfire permits, even for stoves. A Hardin Flat Road visitor notes: "I believe fires are allowed as long as you have a permit."

Limited cellular connectivity: Most camping areas have minimal or no cell service. At Yosemite Creek Campground, visitors warn there's no connectivity, while a camper at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes reports: "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."

Tree hazards: Dead or drought-damaged trees pose risks during wind events. "I'd think twice about staying here if it's going to be windy—several trees came down the second night we were here, which was pretty scary. Many of the trees (just outside the campsites) are fire and drought damaged, and hence weak," warns a camper about Dimond O Campground.

Supply planning: Limited shopping options exist in the immediate area. A visitor to Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes advises: "No nearby grocery so have what you need. The Yosemite village store has quite a selection but it is an hour away."

Tips for camping with families

Ranger programs: Several campgrounds offer educational programs. "Rangers come during the weekend mornings to bring coffee and info which was nice," reports a visitor to Hodgdon Meadow Campground.

Swimming holes: Look for safe, natural water features for kids. "There is a good amount of tree coverage and a beautiful river running through the campground," notes a camper at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes.

Spacing considerations: Some areas offer better isolation for families. "There are spots here that are fairly shaded. It's first come first serve!" explains a camper at Camp 4, while another visitor to Hardin Flat Road adds: "This was a really nice stay close to Yosemite with really spread out spots. Couldn't even see your neighbor."

Morning wildlife viewing: Dawn offers prime wildlife observation opportunities. A visitor to Hodgdon Meadow shares: "Our site backed up to the meadow and we would stroll there in the morning light and it was beautiful! I slept in the hammock one night and just as the light broke through a small group of deer meandered by. It was a small, quiet, magical moment."

Tips from RVers

Road access limitations: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger vehicles. A North Pines Campground visitor warns: "Sites are tight would not recommend a rig over 30. Good access to shuttle system."

Generator restrictions: Be aware of when generator use is permitted. A North Pines camper notes: "The only downside to the spot was everyone else had a RV and had there generators on at 6am. We are not RV people so we don't know why they need to run them."

RV site selection: Research specific site dimensions before booking. "Pay attention to the site map as most spots are for just 1 vehicle if you want to camp in a group, and short if you have an RV or trailer," advises a visitor to Upper Pines Campground.

Hookup availability: Limited full-hookup sites exist in the area. 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."

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I make reservations for Mather Campground?

Make reservations for Mather Campground as far in advance as possible - up to 6 months before your planned stay, especially for summer visits (May-September). Like Lower Pines Campground — Yosemite National Park, sites at Mather fill extremely quickly during peak season. Reservations open on the 15th of each month for dates 6 months in advance and can be made online at Recreation.gov. Holiday weekends and summer months often book within minutes of becoming available. For spring and fall visits, booking 3-4 months ahead is recommended. Winter camping (November-March) typically has better availability with some first-come, first-served options during the slower season.

What amenities are available at Mather Campground?

Mather Campground offers basic but sufficient amenities including potable water spigots throughout the campground, flush toilets, coin-operated shower facilities at the nearby Camper Services building, and a general store within walking distance. Similar to North Pines Campground — Yosemite National Park, each site comes equipped with a fire ring, picnic table, and parking for up to two vehicles. There are no electrical hookups or sewer connections, making it primarily tent-focused but suitable for small RVs and trailers. The campground provides access to a dump station nearby, trash and recycling facilities, and is conveniently located near the free Grand Canyon shuttle bus route that connects to key destinations throughout the South Rim.

Where is Mather Campground located in Grand Canyon National Park?

Mather Campground is located in the South Rim area of Grand Canyon National Park, about a quarter-mile from the Grand Canyon Village and approximately one mile from the canyon rim. The campground is situated in a ponderosa pine forest at an elevation of around 7,000 feet. Similar to Crane Flat Campground — Yosemite National Park, Mather Campground serves as a central base for exploring the park with convenient access to visitor centers, restaurants, and trailheads. The South Entrance to Grand Canyon National Park is the closest entrance to reach Mather Campground, located about 7 miles north of the town of Tusayan.

How much does it cost to stay at Mather Campground?

Mather Campground typically charges $18-25 per night for standard sites, with an additional vehicle fee of $9 if you bring more than one car. Similar to Tioga Lake Campground, rates may vary slightly by season. There's also a park entrance fee ($35 per vehicle for a 7-day pass) unless you have an America the Beautiful annual pass. Group sites cost approximately $50-90 per night depending on capacity. The campground requires full payment at the time of reservation, with a $10 non-refundable reservation fee. Cancellations made at least 48 hours in advance may qualify for a partial refund minus the reservation fee.