j
jeanne A.
Guide
GuideMerced River Resort
Good for the night
$61 a night for full hookups. Showers available but not ADA compliant so my husband couldn't use it. Large dog park but a person in there had an aggressive dog so we couldn't use it
Dog-Friendly Camping near Mendota, CA
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Tumey Hills Box Canyon provides dispersed camping on BLM land where pets are welcome without additional fees. Located about 15 minutes from Interstate 5, this primitive camping area features level spots suitable for tents and RVs with no hookups available. Pet owners should note there are no designated pet facilities, but the open terrain allows space for dog exercise. The area has a vault toilet but no running water, so campers need to bring sufficient water for themselves and their pets. Several campgrounds near Mendota accommodate pets with varying amenities, including The Lakes RV & Golf Resort in Chowchilla which offers full hookups, showers, and grassy areas for dogs. Another pet-friendly location near Mendota is closed due to environmental concerns regarding the decrease in population of a lizard.
Los Banos Creek Campground in San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area welcomes pets and provides a peaceful, quiet environment for camping with dogs. The campground features tent and RV sites with picnic tables where leashed pets can accompany their owners. Dogs must be kept on leashes no longer than six feet throughout the recreation area, including trails. Pack extra water for pets as summer temperatures in this region can exceed 100°F, creating risk of heat stress and burned paws on hot surfaces. During spring, the surrounding hills turn green, creating scenic areas for pet-friendly walks. The area has minimal facilities specifically for pets, so owners should bring waste bags and other pet supplies. Madera and Fresno, both within an hour's drive, offer veterinary services and pet supply stores for any emergency needs.
Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Mendota (40)
1. Tumey Hills Box Canyon
"Close by amenities gas stations, mcdonald’s & freeway about 10 mins out"
"Took us about 15 min to drive to where we camped. There is no water or bathrooms so bring a jug from Lowe’s with a spicket!"
2. Pinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park
"The campground loop we were in was full and the sites are fairly close to your neighbor but it wasn't bad. The main reason being absolutely NO generators allowed so it was peaceful."
"Per my rating system, this is very close to being 5 stars, meaning it's worth planning a trip from out of state just to visit this park and surrounding national/state forest for 3 days or more The only"
from $44 - $164 / night
Check Availability3. Madera District Fair RV Campgrounds
4. The Lakes RV & Golf Resort
"There is a high fence surrounding the property and it is secured by electronic hand held devices that you receive when you check in. The lake and swimming pool are beautiful and restful."
"Surrounded by a pond. Cable & wifi. Decent laundry room. Perfect place if you're a golfer. We stayed here multiple nights. My kids loved the pool."
from $42 - $1500 / night
Check Availability5. Laguna Mountain Campground
"It is difficult to find BLM camping in California and this is a gem! The road is in prone to mudslides and looked like is was recently cleared of mud in multiple spots."
"It's a long drive down a dirt road to get to Sweetwater Campground where we stay. They seem to keep up with the holes in the road though. There are plenty of places to hike and bike."
6. Millerton Lake State Recreation Area Campground
"Enjoyed hiking around the area. Our dogs loved the water. Would definitely stay again. Camp hosts were very friendly and helpful."
"Bathrooms were so-so with regard to cleanliness but most sites had its own access to water which was awesome!"
from $30 - $200 / night
Check Availability7. Hidden View Campground — Hensley Lake
"Even with all the rain, the lake isn’t very full. The campground, including the bathroom, was clean."
"The site we stayed at had a nice fire ring, was flat, had a picnic table and it was close to running water. We tent camped, but it looked like there were plenty of RV spots too. Nice and quiet too."
from $20 - $100 / night
Check Availability8. Arena RV Park
"Close to hwy but far enough that road noise isn't onerous. Train passes through once at night time, bring earplugs. Clean, tidy, well kept campground."
9. Upper Sweetwater Laguna Mountain Campground
"Fresh Air (despite being surrounded by bad air on all sides) + Nature (deer, quails, turkeys, coyotes in one night) + Dark New Moon Skies means Bright Stars with Clear View of the Milky Way + Safe (Popular"
"It's a somewhat long drive, but you're rewarded with decent solitude. There are only a few sites, so we got lucky. I was surprised how nice the campground was, especially since it was free."
10. Almond Tree Oasis RV Park
"We stopped at this park for one night, twice as a halfway point between southern and northern California. Right off the I-5 freeway next to a Shell and Valero gas station."
"This is a great location halfway between northern and southern California along I5. Clean and not too busy so we were nicely spaced out."
from $53 - $63 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 36 min from Fresno, CA
- 50 min from Merced, CA
- 1 hr 6 min from Visalia, CA
- 1 hr 7 min from Hanford, CA
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Mendota, CA
11 Photos of 40 Mendota Campgrounds
Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Mendota, CA
285 Reviews of 40 Mendota Campgrounds
- Nicole R.Guide
Almond Tree Oasis RV Park
It was ok!
Passing through for a night with discount was $32. Pull through full hookup gravel sites that are very tight and couldn’t put slide out as there was car parked in way. Dog park isn’t fenced off and running out of bags. Not many trees for shade and very close to noisy truck stop. Pool closed also. It was okay but nothing special.
Carly B.GuideAlmond Tree Oasis RV Park
Ok for a quick stop
We stopped here for one night. Cute place, clean and well maintained but very tight spots. We got a large pull through and barely fit in with our 37’ class A. Only about 6ft to the next “yard”.
Only 1 working shower and toilet.
Dog park was basically a mud run… definitely not what I would call a dog run.
Not far off the hwy and quiet. Gas station/convenience store beside it.
Mr. And Mrs. M.
TravelerMerced River Resort
Shady spot
We stayed here for 5 weeks. Quiet park with lots of shady trees, a dog park and kids play area. River access is limited though because of the steep incline. No swimming spots but good fishing areas. Full hookups were much appreciated! The restrooms did not have working showers at the time hopefully that has been fixed.
Laura M.
LegendLaguna Mountain Campground
Hard to Believe This Place is FREE!
This place is so great! It is difficult to find BLM camping in California and this is a gem!
The road is in prone to mudslides and looked like is was recently cleared of mud in multiple spots. Warning though this is the kind of mud that is like clay and has to be scraped off of wheel wells and undercarriage. We collected quite a bit and the underneath of our RV looks like hundreds of stalactites grew and THAT was on the recently cleared spots! The road itself is paved but very potholed, patched and narrow. Be aware of blind corners on weekends when the traffic increases and people fly up the narrow road!
The campground has big flat parking areas for RVs, vans or tents. The individual spots are spaced out nicely and all seemed to have some shade. Also there are covered picnic tables, fire pits and a bathroom which consists of a clean pit toilet. There is NO water, hook ups, or garbage available so don't forget to bring extra water to extinguish your fire as this is a high risk fire zone. Pack in and pack out!
The days and nights are quiet and very relaxing! Bird and wildlife viewing abundant and hiking trails nearby.
There is absolutely NO cell reception at the campground or the road in, NO AT&T, NO Verizon, and NO T-Mobile!
Will definitely come here again!
Angela Jerel G.
ScoutPark of the Sierras - Escapee Park
SKP Park of the Sierras exceeded our expectations
We stayed at SKP Park of the Sierras for two months during April and May and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. To use the park, you'll need an Escapees membership(about$50), which we found well worth the cost given the quality of the facilities and amenities.
Originally, we were only able to reserve one month at a time, but when our circumstances changed, the office staff were incredibly understanding and worked with us to extend our stay. The staff throughout the park were welcoming, friendly, and helpful.
Our site was spacious, shaded by mature trees, and included full hookups and a concrete patio area that was perfect for setting up chairs and relaxing outdoors. The grounds were well maintained, and the park was surprisingly quiet during our stay. The amenities were excellent. The clubhouse hosted daily activities, and there was a library, games, fitness area, coffee station, and a donation-based thrift shop section. The laundry facilities were clean and well maintained, and quarters were available for purchase in the office during business hours.
Traveling with dogs, we especially appreciated the dog park. It featured separate fenced areas for large and small dogs, water spigots, covered areas for rainy weather, and even a heater for chilly mornings.
The shower facilities were clean and comfortable. They sold propane onsite. Fuel was conveniently located just down the road at the casino, often at reasonable prices. For our longer stay we would drive into Oakhurst or Fresno for groceries, so it's worth planning ahead for larger grocery runs.
One of the biggest advantages of this park is its location. It served as an excellent home base for exploring Yosemite National Park, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Monterey Bay, San Francisco, and Pinnacles National Park,(we don’t mind a long drive!).
We used Starlink throughout our stay and were pleased by how well it worked. Even with a tree-filled site, it was able to find enough open sky to maintain a reliable connection.
A few things future guests should know: some of the roads have tighter curves, but the staff are very knowledgeable about matching RVs to appropriate sites. Our 25-foot trailer had no issues. Mail and package delivery can also require some planning. As guests, we had mail sent to General Delivery at the Coarsegold Post Office. However, we later learned that FedEx would not deliver there, so packages shipped by different carriers may require different delivery addresses. It's worth confirming shipping methods before ordering anything important.
Overall, SKP Park of the Sierras exceeded our expectations. The spacious sites, excellent amenities, quiet atmosphere, friendly staff, and central location made it one of our favorite long-term stays. We would gladly return and highly recommend it to other RV travelers.
Nicole S.GuideOasis West RV Park
los banos
We reserved this site because we were driving down to Big Sur and wanted to reserve a site for the nights we would be down there. We drove 13 hours and arrived on the first day late at night and set up. The ground was so hard and we were unable to secure our tent. The wind was very high, so the next day we asked for a way to help secure the tent, so it did not blow away while we were in Big Sur for the day. They gave us heavy nails and a hammer. Their customer service and accommodations were great except for one incident.
There were a lot of stray cats running around and we had an issue with one stray dog. Our dogs were required to be on leashes and a stray dog that the grounds crew had seen on the grounds, came up to our dogs and before I could get to them had attacked and bit my dog. My wife was able to get them apart before they were seriously hurt. We told the KOA and they tried to call animal control. They would not come out so it was held in the dog area for the day and then let out in the morning or someone came and got it at 6 am. We were told the owner wanted to talk to us but was never approached again or offered a refund.
I was happy with the facility but disappointed with how they handled the problem. This could have been a serious situation and wish the communication between all staff would have been better to keep us safe.
- Laura M.Legend
Pinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park
Crowded But Not Awful
The park is amazing and there are so many great hikes, wildlife viewing and picturesque landscapes!
The campground loop we were in was full and the sites are fairly close to your neighbor but it wasn't bad. The main reason being absolutely NO generators allowed so it was peaceful. The sites were semi private as the brush and trees have grown around most sites offering a little privacy. Other campers were friendly and considerate. Note that the RV side with the hook up does not offer any privacy and is near the main road. RVs are not confined to that area though.
The spots are flat and include fire pit, picnic table and food locker. Raccoons apparently are a big problem here so keep your food locked up. There is a small general store/visitor center with a variety of food items, stove fuel, firewood, general camping supplies and souvenirs. WiFi also available for $10 for 7days per device. We paid, but our T-Mobile hotspot with Weboost won out in the end because the WiFi did not reach our spot. There is better reception for the WiFI in other spots. No cell reception with AT&T or Verizon.
The hiking is great! and during the week pleasantly absent of tons of other hikers. Masks are required even on trails when 6 ft distance cannot be maintained, and people were very respectful of that on the trails. There is a lot of wildlife to see though sadly we did not see any condors on this trip. The caves are currently closed due to Covid.
Other amenities:
Tent cabins
RV only loop with 30amp hook up only (no sewer or water hook up)
Showers
Bathrooms
Garbage and Recycling
RV dump station (flush water only)
Fresh water filler up (near RV camping area)
Group camping
Pool (currently closed)
Pets allowed but NOT allowed on any trails
Overall a great experience for a lesser known National Park, would come here again!
Nathaniel S.GuidePinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park
Visually Stunning Rock Formations in the Central California Countryside
Per my rating system, this is very close to being 5 stars, meaning it's worth planning a trip from out of state just to visit this park and surrounding national/state forest for 3 days or more The only reason it's 4 stars instead of 5 is that Pinnacles isn't quite big enough to explore exclusively for a minimum of 3 days. You've got a solid and long day of hiking through the park (6 miles, but very intense and exposed). Then a half day of exploring the parts of the park you didn't get to on the hike And then. . well, by then you've probably seen most of what is worth seeing in the park. So hop in the car and drive to Monterey. Go to the aquarium, eat some seafood, and then drive back to Pinnacles (about 3 hours round trip, but worth it if you spend the whole day in Monterey). This is the definition of 4 stars by my system: a park definitely worth visiting if its part of a larger trip to a region. And for locals, this is a must-visit spot, a place that will be on the regular camping rotation.
The park, which is located in a tight valley in San Benito county, is a geologically unique spot nestled in oak studded rolling California coastal mountains. There are two entrances into the park, but the campground is only accessible from the Gilroy/Hollister side. If you're coming from the Bay Area, take Hwy 101 through Gilroy and then get on Hwy 25 South. As you wind your way on Hwy 25, you pass ranch land and within 10 miles of getting off the freeway, you feel like you're pretty far away from it all. That's the thing about California. Get off the main thoroughfares and out of the population centers, and things get rugged fast. In the days of trillion-dollar market caps for Silicon Valley technology companies, people often forget that California has a rich agricultural history. I've lived in California for going on 3 decades, and I sometimes wonder what the more quintessentially central California experience is: Shopping at the Apple Store in San Francisco and then dining at a fine restaurant as the fog rolls in, or buying produce from a farm stand in a valley bordered by rolling hills. It's probably both. San Benito county is a great place to experience the latter.
What makes Pinnacles geologically unique is that the park is formed from bulbous rock formations. These are somewhat reminiscent of what one would find in southern Utah, at a place like Arches. The main hike, which is a loop that begins and ends at the parking lot, takes you up the ridge line and then across the rock faces. It's an intense and fun hike. It's just under 6 miles, but it will take the entire day. Pack a lunch and plenty of water. There are no water sources on the trail. If you're lucky, you'll see condors floating in the thermal currents.
Speaking of thermal currents, Pinnacles is extremely hot in the summer. I've never come here past April. The winter is ideal for Pinnacles. But if you are in the Bay Area in the summer, it's worth checking out. But be prepared for heat.
There are two campgrounds loops: one is for RV's and the other is for tents and RV "dry camping" (i.e. no hookups). I was in the tent section, dry camping my Airstream. The RV loop is easy to get in and out of. The loop I was in was a bit trickier - "blue square" difficulty level for a 28' trailer. I had a back-in spot, but the angle of the spot made it easy to back in. The tricky part was that it was kind of narrow, with railroad ties on either side. It was a good spot, and I'd definitely take that one again. But, if you want full hookups on the RV loop, spots 50 and 51 are the ones to get. Many of the spots on the RV loop were really exposed, and it can get hot in Pinnacles, even in the winter during the day.
As I mentioned in the introduction of this post, there is a lot to do within a 2-3 hour (round trip) drive of Pinnacles. You could go up to the southern Bay Area. You can go to Monterey. You could go wine tasting in Paso Robles. This is a great place to plan a 3-4 night trip. It's always on my short list of places to go.
Guide to Mendota
Tumey Hills Box Canyon offers dispersed camping with easy highway access 15 minutes from Interstate 5. The area features dry, rugged terrain reaching elevations of 1,300-2,600 feet with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 100°F. The BLM land provides several level spots suitable for both tent camping and smaller RVs, though facilities are minimal with just a vault toilet available.
What to do
Target shooting practice: Tumey Hills has become a popular shooting destination, though this can affect camping conditions. According to James D., "I always like a free spot and I was like a spot that's quiet. And there's no one else here during the week. To be honest, there are gun shell casings everywhere but I think that's probably a weekend thing."
Visit Pinnacles National Park: Pinnacles Campground offers a convenient base for exploring the national park's unique rock formations. As Christopher V. notes, "The campground is split by a creek which has a lot of critters, rabbits, chipmunks(?), quail, mice, and raccoon... It's for their safety and ours!"
Fishing at nearby reservoirs: Los Banos Creek Campground provides waterfront camping with immediate fishing access. "I loved being able to camp right on the lake and fish just steps from my car," reports LILI P., adding a practical warning: "The water crossing is no joke!!!! When I arrived it was about 7" but when I crossed the next day to go into town it was 9-10" high and flowing fast."
What campers like
Easy access from highway: Some campers appreciate finding convenient pet-friendly camping near Mendota when traveling Interstate 5. At Almond Tree Oasis RV Park, Theo A. notes, "This is a great location halfway between northern and southern California along I5. Clean and not too busy so we were nicely spaced out."
Free camping options: Budget-conscious travelers appreciate the no-cost BLM sites. Genesis C. says of Tumey Hills Box Canyon, "Took us about 15 min to drive to where we camped. There is no water or bathrooms so bring a jug from Lowe's with a spicket!"
Swimming opportunities: Millerton Lake State Recreation Area offers water recreation beyond just pet walking. "Great places to hike, bike, fish, boat," says Rod. Another camper noted, "Had a fun time with the family, had accessible restroom and showers... and we were able to go swimming in the lake."
What you should know
Tumey Hills cleanliness concerns: Many reviewers mention trash issues at this otherwise pet-friendly location. Nicholas V. observed, "Another beautiful spot ruined by people who can't pickup after themselves," while Natalie T. warned, "Problem is the ground is covered, literally, with all the casings, glass, human trash everywhere."
Water levels vary seasonally: At Los Banos Creek, conditions change dramatically with rainfall. One reviewer explained, "I don't know what it's like now after this year's rain, but there was a sandy beach front leading into shallow water. It was perfect for our young kids to play in safely."
Wildlife encounters: Upper Sweetwater Laguna Mountain Campground offers abundant wildlife viewing but requires vigilance. One camper shared, "This place is great. If you love hiking this place has awesome views and lots of wildlife. Be careful while hiking we came across a rattle snake. Specially during hot summers they are definitely out more."
Tips for camping with families
Consider reservoir beach areas: Los Banos Creek offers child-friendly shorelines during certain seasons. Haley M. explains, "Sites #5-9 are the flattest and beach front... It was perfect for our young kids to play in safely (with life vests of course) and we could still be at the campsite and keep eyes on them."
Check campground cleanliness reports: Recent reviews help identify sites best suited for families with pets. At Tumey Hills, conditions vary drastically by timing. Stephanie F. shared her experience: "As a solo camper didn't look safe with the people that were there hanging around... Look dirty too and people shooting in the area leaving trash."
Bring plenty of water: With no potable water at many sites near Mendota, family camping requires extensive planning. A camper at Laguna Mountain Campground advised, "This place is so great! It is difficult to find BLM camping in California and this is a gem!... There is NO water, hook ups, or garbage available so don't forget to bring extra water to extinguish your fire."
Tips from RVers
Electrical hookup availability: For pet-friendly camping near Mendota with power, The Lakes RV & Golf Resort provides full connections. Kelly G. noted, "Nice break from those dusty dirty camp grounds. Paved spots with full hookups. Patio & grass area kinda small but the pool area is very nice."
Level sites are scarce: Many campgrounds in the area have uneven terrain. At Los Banos Creek Campground, Weston W. advised, "If RV... bring leveling blocks... lots. This use to be First Come First Served but apparently it's reservable now."
Watch for wildlife damage: Ground squirrels can damage vehicles at some locations. One RVer at Millerton Lake reported, "We would not stay here again until the park gets control of the ground squirrels. We heard stories of cars and RV's being towed out because they chewed through wiring."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly
campsite near Mendota, CA?
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Mendota, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Mendota, CA is Tumey Hills Box Canyon with a 3.4-star rating from 11 reviews.
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dog-friendly camping near
Mendota, CA?
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Mendota, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 40 dog-friendly camping locations near Mendota, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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