Campgrounds within an hour's drive of Mather, California offer diverse options beyond the established RV parks. Many smaller sites feature riverside camping along the Merced River while providing varying levels of amenities. Winter temperatures in the region can drop below freezing, and summer temperatures often exceed 90°F in the lower elevation sites.
What to do
River activities at McCabe Flat: Located along the Merced River, McCabe Flat Campground provides access to swimming and fishing when water levels permit. "The river was cold, high and fast but I managed to catch a 12" rainbow almost right away, just feet from the campsite," notes one visitor at Railroad Flat Campground.
Explore historic sites: Columbia State Historic Park is accessible from nearby rv parks. "The town of Columbia is very cute. Would return, but only as a last option," comments a camper who stayed at Marble Quarry RV Resort.
Gold panning lessons: Some campgrounds offer mining-themed activities. "Free gold-panning lessons on the site. The office has a good-sized bookshelf with plenty of good books and magazines," reports a visitor to 49er RV Ranch.
What campers like
Riverside camping: Several campgrounds along the Merced River provide natural water features. "Beautiful campground with water right next to the campground which is very pretty and very cold. As of us being here, it's roaring and unsafe to do anything in," writes a camper at McCabe Flat Campground.
Amenities at resort-style parks: Many RV parks near Mather offer additional facilities beyond basic camping. "The Cedar Lodge next door has an indoor and outdoor pool available for the RV campers to use. The outdoor pool was closed for the season, but the indoor pool was heated to at least 100 degrees," reports a visitor to Indian Flat RV Park.
Access to Yosemite: Proximity to park entrances remains a key advantage. "This campground is a 45 minute bus ride from Yosemite Village. The YART bus stops at the hotel next door. It was $20 for a family of four (round trip), and that included admission to the park," notes an Indian Flat RV Park camper.
What you should know
Narrow access roads: Several campgrounds have limited access for larger vehicles. "It's kind of nice though because it keeps class A RVs out and keeps it fairly quiet and off the grid," explains a camper at Willow Placer Campground.
Limited connectivity: Most campgrounds outside major RV parks have no cell service. "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 a visitor at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes.
Cash only policies: Some privately owned rv parks near Mather, California require cash payment. "Paid for 1 night with electric and water hookup 52 $. Only Cash," notes a camper at Mono Vista RV Park.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Some rv parks offer activities specifically designed for children. "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," shares a visitor to Yosemite Pines RV Resort.
Swimming spots: Natural swimming areas provide recreation for children. "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," explains a Yosemite Pines visitor about nearby Rainbow Pools.
Entertainment options: Campgrounds with organized activities help keep families engaged. "The campground has a campfire circle (s'mores and stories every evening!), an activities/dining hall, and full bathroom/shower," reports a camper at 49er RV Ranch.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds present difficulties for leveling RVs. "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," notes a visitor at High Sierra RV Park.
Electrical capacity considerations: While many parks advertise electrical hookups, amperage varies. "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 a Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes visitor.
Maneuverability issues: Campground layouts can present challenges for larger rigs. "To leave with a 26' travel trailer I had to pull out and back down another road just to exit the park," explains a High Sierra RV Park camper about navigating tight spaces.
