Looking for the best Mendota tent camping? Find the best information on tent campgrounds near Mendota, including sites, reviews, and tips. From remote to easy-to-reach, these Mendota campsites are perfect for tent campers.
This recreation area is part of Eastman Lake
This is Bass Lake Complex in the Sierra National Forest, California.It is 20 miles south of Yosemite National Park, off Hwy. 41, near Oakhurst, California.
For details and reservations in the Bass Lake Complex please select any of the following campgrounds:
Buck Ridge Park is a group day-use area located at Hensley Lake in the foothills of central California, 50 miles north of Fresno. The lake area offers many recreational opportunities, such as swimming, water skiing, fishing and hiking, and attracts a growing number of visitors per year. It is within a short drive to Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, as well as Sierra National Forest. The 1,500-acre lake was created by the construction of Hidden Dam on the Fresno River. With over 20 miles of shoreline, it is a popular vacation spot for families because of its playground, swimming areas and water activities.
The area is packed with opportunities for outdoor fun. The lake area has a swim beach, a disc golf course and a hiking, mountain biking and equestrian trail. On the water, visitors can ski, swim and fish.
This facility has boat ramps, picnic areas, a group picnic shelter and a playground. Drinking water is provided, and there is a grocery store within a short driving distance.
Buck Ridge is located directly on the shore of Hensley Lake and surrounded by the oak woodlands of the Sierra Nevada foothills, offering a mixture of sun and shade.
Yosemite National Park is about one hour north, and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are about 1.5 hours southeast of the facility. Yosemite National Park Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
$30 / night
$40 - $50 / night
Guide
Camping spot was clean and a tall fire pit a good distance from the water and bathroom at site 22. Was hot af was the only issue for us, 103 and the sun just hurt. There were plenty of fish and fishing folks on the shore and boats all were catching.
Legend
This place always comes through for us when we need a quiet place to stay when traveling in the area. It's $20/night, there seems to always be room, and it's always been nice and quiet when we stay here.
Sites are hit or miss, so drive around until you find one that suits you. One of these days we'll nab one of the sites to the right of the fork when you enter the campground, but they always seem to be taken.
Good cell reception, pit toilets, trash dumpster (no recycling).
Scout
Plenty of sites, we arrived after 8 pm and were able to find a spot and book it on Recreation.gov easily.
Guide
This is an awesome spot, the hike out was absolutely gorgeous. We accessed it from the Palomarin trailhead. Beware, the costal weather can be volatile and you could get flash rain. Also, I highly recommend planning your visit with the sunny weather because it’s easy to pick a day that has endless overcast here, and it’s just not quite as much fun.
Also be careful what campsite you reserve. Some are absolute gems off on the ocean bluff. Others are more inland and packed in
ScoutLoud music playing at this hour clearly says quite time is at 10 pm and it’s so loud
Traveler
I didn’t enjoy this campground for years — I’d always drive home, to my cooler coastal home. It is WICKED hot in the summer. But one time, I joined my daughter, who did have a summer reservation, and I changed my mind! They have a pool! The kids are thrilled! There are beautiful tucked away campsites in the shade, by a creek. Really enjoyed cooking in the evenings outside and settling in. By day, of course, the trails are wild, like a moonscape. In spring, it’s a wildflower fantasia.
I was selfishly a little sad when Pinnacles became a national monument, instead of a regional secret. But I’m so glad they got the money, they deserve it! Note: I discovered it because my kids were in rock climbing classes in town, and “this” was the field trip. So exciting to see their first climbing and bouldering outside.
Scout
Park is closed for few months according to security officer at the entrance/toll booth.
Traveler
Great spot. takes like a whole hour to get there. you’ll lose reception about half way getting there (at least with Verizon you will). i went early August and there was only one other camper van. very quiet. AMAZING sunset view. one of the best i’ve seen. just wished there was signal , for safety reasons.
TravelerCampground is fine. Very hot and very dry after June. No camp fires after June bear gulch caves are also closed after June. Seen a ton of wildlife and over all wasn’t very crowded. Great for star gazing.
Scout
I enjoyed my stay on the most part. Sadly there was some trash scattered all over the place because of previous visitors. It was quite and have several trails to walk on. Their is a nice that runs by the campgrounds and further down and pass the station where pay the toll to the stake park. Their is a few playgrounds in the middle of the campgrounds and option to play an activity or two. It was also not to far from the town or it’s dam. I would only suggest to bring your own wood with you because California made it illegal to pick up any wood for a fire and it would be very and to find and wood for a fire. Overall it’s was a pleasant visit for this place for a camping trip .
Guide
No wifi, bathrooms did not have hot water.
Cool park with extremely friendly and helpful staff. Cannot say enough about the great park rangers and camp hosts.
There were people close by to us with several tents and campers in one spot, not sure how this is monitored.
Spotty T Mobile Service $32 per night
Traveler
I Van Camped at Mercey Hot Springs for 5 days. When I arrived the nights were hot so I decided to take an AC Cabin #10 where I could park right next to the cabin and slept comfortably. I moved to a RV camp site #5 when the temps at night were a more comfortable mid 60s. I love that the hot tubs are available all night long. It allows for long soaks while star gazing. The therapeutic water is magical some of the best I have found. As soon as you enter the pool or hot tubs you feel the smooth water on your skin. The hot tubs are all oversized privet bath tubs that you fill with mineral water of your desired temperature. This is a completely off the grid resorts that has good energy and tranquil atmosphere. It is very clean with clean bath rooms and showers. When I was there in June 2024 they did not have the restaurant open yet but one looks like it is in the near future. They do have snacks, cold drinks, coffee, ice cream and Ice in the front office for purchase. I took the short hike up the hill to see the solar array, while up there I discovered a most amazing triple Labyrinth circle walk that was very mindful experience. I have never seen such a neat labyrinth as this. Truly an amazing stay, I will be back.
GuideThis is a nice place to stay a couple of nights. It’s close to the road yet quiet. The only problem are the mosquitoes and other insects. Carry repellent all the time.
Traveler
Got there around noontime on the Friday of Memorial Day and grabbed the last designated lot. Really awesome area. Beautiful sunset over the mountains. Hiked Laguna Mountain and the Falls. Highly recommended. Toilet was also nice.
Scout
WARNING: This park does NOT have accessible ways to pay for parking. They fail to have credit or debit card machines to buy a parking ticket and they fail to have any scan to pay. You can not pay the parking unless you brought cash. This was my first time here and did not know this, Im a disabled veteran and there was NO parking spaces in the parking lot near the lake so I had to park far away on a gravel and dirt area, that was red flag number one. Once my family saw the parking fee of only 12 dollars we looked and looked for a credit or debit card pay area to buy a ticket. Never found one! We searched for scan to pay signs so we could pay on our phone and there were NONE! So I was forced to walk all the way back to my car NOT parked in the parking lot, up a hill, on the dirt and gravel, and they gave me a fine. This place purposely makes it impossible for to pay and then fines you for not carrying cash. This was my first time here and it will be my LAST!
TravelerNice Campsites. Only 5 sites. Bathrooms. Free. First come first serve
TravelerFree and well maintained campsite. I only saw 5 marked campsites. There's a small parking lot and bathroom. Some spots are more convenient for travel trailers, others are not
Guide
Campsites are mostly at the water’s edge of the small-ish reservoir that’s main attraction (at least this time of year) appears to be fishing. Porta pottys are clean, no potable water but I loved being able to camp right on the lake and fish just steps from my car. I was in site 12 and I’m glad I did. My dog was mostly not leashed and no one seemed to care. Super chill and cozy but not much to do if you like activity and adventure. 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. I was legit scared (I have a Hyundai Kona) but I made it across. The people at the booth said it can get even higher and there’s no way to know when or why.
RangerThey have had some flood damage, so repairs are going on. Beautiful spot, great trails, showers, general store. Didn't get to see any condors. I'll stay here again. AT&T was acceptable coverage.
Only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because of the maintenance going on, once that is complete it's a 5 Star.
GuideThere are few gems along the Hwy 99 route between Sacramento and Bakersfield but this is definitely one of them! Located a short 20 miles east of 99, just north of Fresno, this Army Corps of Engineers campground is stunning. Situated among rolling hills that are luscious green in the spring, this campsite is quiet and packed full of things to do. Whether you want to bike, hike, fish, boat or just sit and enjoy the peace and quiet, this is the site for you!
We're dry camping at the Wildcat site which the ranger said is rarely used. There is no one else in the whole campground!
Coyotes howled in the distance last night and it was dead quiet. Going to take the road bike out today and explore some of the roads around the Lake. Lake is full after the 2023 season.
GuideJust driving here was worth the visit, but get out on the trails to really appreciate the diversity.
TravelerBathrooms were a bit of a distance apart. Great views. Very dark at night which is great for star gazing. Good distance from any other stores and the camp store closes promptly at 5.
TravelerGreat for a quick getaway from Fresno metro area. Clean and maintained facilities (camping standards not hotel) water access is not the easiest from the sites and the area does get loud due to proximity geology and acoustics. Closest store is about 7 minutes drive away and the lake is more of a boating than Beach lake.
ScoutGood quiet stop for a one night stay and cheap but not much to do. However camping is super limited off interstate 5 this is probably the best camping directly in this area. Staff is super nice. The town 5 minutes away has an in and out, panda,and various taco trucks. There is also a gas station where you can take a shower. Really good pitstop camp to refuel and get supplies if need be.
LegendNot a bad campground, very open. Dry desert area, would not want to come here in July, though it was basically full on a Wednesday.
They have a pool, but it's small. No way am I getting into it with all the potential people. You are in middle of nowhere so they had a decent camp store.
I had a bar of reception but you can also purchase internet if needed.
Spot was not level, so definitely needed blocks. Did see two deer hanging out.
Only a couple of showers but glad they had them. Only two per gender.
ScoutGenerators or vehicles are not allowed to be running anytime any day to recharge phones or any other electrical devices or doing anything without paying for a hookup and too many flies to stay outside enjoying things!
GuideIt’s a quiet campground on a hill. You are at least 30 minutes from any stores. The lake is beautiful but the campsites with power and water do not give a view of the lake at all with the exception of 42. AT&T cell signal from 45 was non existent but T-mobile worked well enough to stream Netflix. I enjoyed my stay. Clean and the camp hosts were great.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Mendota, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Mendota, CA is Wildcat Campground — Point Reyes National Seashore with a 4.8-star rating from 14 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Mendota, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 tent camping locations near Mendota, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
