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Best Campgrounds & Camping Areas near Merced, California

685 Reviews

Campgrounds in the Merced region provide a mix of recreational options within California's Central Valley. Lake McSwain Recreation Area offers developed sites for tent camping, RVs, and cabins along with boat-in access. McConnell State Recreation Area Campground features tent and RV sites along the Merced River with picnic tables, showers, and toilets. Castle Air Museum RV Park in nearby Atwater caters primarily to RV travelers with electric hookups and water connections. Most established sites in the area are situated near water features, offering opportunities for fishing, swimming, and other water-based activities.

Reservations are strongly recommended for most campgrounds, particularly during summer months and holiday weekends. Many campgrounds maintain year-round operations due to the moderate Central Valley climate, though summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F. Facilities vary considerably, with some locations like The Lakes RV & Golf Resort providing full hookups, showers, and recreational amenities, while others offer more basic services. Road access is generally good throughout the region with most campgrounds accessible via paved roads. According to one visitor at McConnell State Recreation Area, "Sites are large. Showers are terrible, standing water and hot water is limited. Staff are great though."

Several campgrounds in the region receive positive reviews for their waterfront locations and natural settings. The Merced River runs along numerous camping areas, providing scenic views and recreational opportunities. Tent campers often prefer McConnell State Recreation Area for its shaded sites and river access, though some report maintenance issues with facilities. RV travelers typically gravitate toward more developed options like Elks RV Park or The Lakes RV & Golf Resort, which one visitor described as having "Paved spots with full hookups. Patio & grass area kinda small but the pool area is very nice." Train noise affects several campgrounds in the region, particularly those closer to the city of Merced. When searching for campgrounds near Merced, visitors should consider their preferred camping style and amenities, as options range from basic tent sites to full-service RV parks. Wildlife viewing opportunities exist at many locations, with riverside campgrounds offering the best chances to observe local fauna.

Best Camping Sites Near Merced, California (135)

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Recent Camping Photos near Merced, CA

212 Photos of 135 Merced Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Merced, CA

685 Reviews of 135 Merced Campgrounds

  • Peter D.
    May. 28, 2026

    Hodgdon Meadow Campground — Yosemite National Park

    Beautiful Views, Frustrating Experience

    The morning view and the sunset light through the trees were wonderful, and the starry sky at night was a highlight. I also liked the grill area, but the campsite was quite challenging for the tent since the ground wasn't even.

    We booked two nights but left after one because of the cold weather and lack of internet connection. Service was only available about 10 minutes away by car, which became inconvenient for us. Since the area is publicly managed, getting help was difficult, and we couldn’t easily cancel the second night because nobody was available. Two volunteers were very kind and tried to help though.

    The place would also benefit from adding showers, especially considering how many people stay there.

    Overall, the location itself was beautiful, but the inconveniences made it harder to fully enjoy the experience.

  • Elijah W.
    May. 28, 2026

    Wawona Campground — Yosemite National Park

    Just Okay

    Wawona Campground is good if all you’re needing is somewhere to camp inside the park. The sites are fairly close together with little to no foliage blocking your view to each site. Some of the sites are not very level so if you have a roof tent like myself keep this in mind. It is about a 30-40 minute drive to the valley and the whole campground just feels busy and not much privacy. If you’re needing a place to stay I would recommend trying for a campground inside the Valley it will make your time in Yosemite much better spent

  • Joan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 27, 2026

    Hodgdon Meadow Campground — Yosemite National Park

    Hodgdon Meadow Campground

    We are having a great time at Hodgdon Meadow Campground! The camp hosts have been terrific! Helped us out when we got locked out of our trailer. This campground has lots of tent camping and a handful of rv and trailers. The hardest thing is to get consecutive nights at the same site. We had to move from site 104 to site 85 after 1 night. We are at site 85 (very nice ) for 3 nights. Have 1 more move to site 75.

  • M
    May. 26, 2026

    Modesto Reservoir

    Worst Camping Ever!

    We stayed here in B loop site 25 over Memorial Day weekend. The site was FHU with a level concrete pad for the RV. Each site has a concrete picnic table and very large concrete fire pit. That’s where all the good things about this campground end.

    There are burrs, goose poop and spiders everywhere. Tent campers are allowed to reserve FHU RV sites, and many do. Because the 6 people per site rule is NOT enforced, the tent campers easily infringe on others’ campsites and are constantly walking through others’ campsites. When asked about the tents in RV sites, the staff at the campground entrance shack stated “We do not discriminate”, which clearly contributes to the chaos of the campground. The staff at the entrance shack are rude and incompetent.

    There is absolutely NO enforcement of quiet hours. Other campers keep their music loud and the party going all night, every night. They literally never turned it down and were blasting it like they were at the club… 12am, 2am, 4am, 6am… ALL NIGHT. My kids and I couldn’t get a good night sleep because of it. This is not a true family campground. It invites all the wrong elements, because they don’t enforce the rules. Drunken, loud, yelling campers are everywhere at all times.

    This is not relaxing camping. It’s just non-stop loud music and partying. I would NEVER recommend this campground to people I actually like, and will never be returning.

  • Vahste (.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 26, 2026

    Hardin Flat Road

    Plenty of sites, busy-ish road traffic

    It's a gorgeous service road, fully paved, with plenty of pull-offs alongside it. Depending on the spot you set up in your phone service is either going to be spotty or non-existent. My only complaint is the number of vehicles pulling through in the middle of the night, pulling right up to where I was at with their high beams and sitting there for a while before eventually leaving.

  • Jerry S.
    May. 25, 2026

    Indian Flat RV Park

    Great but tight

    I will start with the good. Fantastic WiFi, extremely clean bathrooms and shower rooms, excellent pool at cedar Lodge next door, short walkable distance to the YART bus stop into Yosemite, great price for a campground 8 miles from a national park entrance and easy access to a beautiful little river park across the highway. The only negative is, out of the several hundred campgrounds I have camped in over the last six years, none have even come close to how packed this place is. I was fortunate to get the best campsite in the park but across from me are 4 campers in an area no larger than some single campsites I have stayed at. The spaces don't allow for parking both your camper and your towing vehicle so you need to use the overflow parking which is outside the campground parallel to the highway. The Jupe Tents, tent cabins, and cottages are also packed just as tight as are the tent sites. I would still recommend this campground to anyone wanting to go to Yosemite though. It's definitely the closest and most convenient campground

  • Leslie M.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 25, 2026

    Van Haven Dispersed Site Yosemite

    Amazing view for sunrise

    Amazing spot love it, it’s a bit of a drive for a car but amazing view and very peaceful

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 24, 2026

    Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site

    Very convenient !

    Nice area very close to Yosetime entrance. Pines all around. Some kids running around having a good time. Even on a public holiday there was plenty of space. Potholes on the road coming in but easily accessible. Also really close to the visitor information center down the road for bathrooms.

  • David B.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 22, 2026

    Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site

    Great spot. Close to the park and town

    I stayed here for five days at two different spots in May. Beautiful and quiet spot that is only half a mile from the park entrance and about 20 minutes into town. Lots of sunny clearings and shady areas. Plenty of firewood to scavenge and established rock fire pits. No cell service but there’s a pull off about 2 miles towards town that gets service if you needed it.

    Definitely enjoyed the spot and will return!

Guide to Merced

Camping spots near Merced, California occupy the Central Valley, positioned at elevations around 200 feet above sea level with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 100°F. The area's campgrounds cluster around water features including the Merced River, Lake McSwain, and Lake McClure, creating cooler microclimates during hot seasons. These destinations serve as key recreation points for both local residents and travelers along Highway 99.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Lake McSwain Recreation Area offers excellent year-round fishing with consistent water levels. "We love McSwain. It is our go to camp ground in the area. It's close, clean and friendly. It's our thanksgiving weekend every year," notes Richard W. Trout fishing remains popular regardless of season.

Wildlife viewing: McClure Point Recreation Area provides excellent opportunities to observe local fauna. "We did see a couple tarantulas (one across the road and one on the way down from the entrance). They're harmless and kinda fun to watch. We also saw a couple deer and select of birds: turkey vultures, bluebirds, acorn woodpeckers, finches, Canadian geese and various ducks," writes Michael C.

Water recreation: COE Eastman Lake Codorniz Campground offers swimming and boating options when water levels permit. According to Haley M., "We drove to a beach area found about a mile up the road. There is also a day-use area across the lake with some good swimming sites." Water levels fluctuate seasonally due to irrigation demands.

What campers like

Quiet off-season camping: McConnell State Recreation Area Campground attracts visitors seeking peaceful riverside sites during shoulder seasons. Bradley A. explains, "I love this park and specially love the off season. I usually haul in just day hours and stay worry and bother free!"

Shaded sites: Turlock Lake State Recreation Area Campground receives praise for its tree cover. As one camper notes, "The campgrounds are nicely positioned with plenty of space for individuals or families. Best feature are the sites the run along the river. We hung out in the river all day located about 60ft from our campsite."

Security features: The Lakes RV & Golf Resort offers enhanced security that appeals to many visitors. "There is a high fence surrounding the property and it is secured by electronic hand held devices that you receive when you check in," reports Bill B., highlighting the resort's focus on safety.

What you should know

Shower conditions: McConnell State Recreation Area Campground has mixed reviews regarding shower facilities. A recent visitor reported, "The shower is of if you throw in quarters and close your eyes. It could use some TLC but was a quite place to stop for the night."

Noise considerations: Merced River Resort experiences significant noise issues according to some visitors. Eric G. warns, "Loud with highway noise, factory next door and train goes through many times a night. Most camper are there full time and are very sketchy."

Limited services: COE Eastman Lake Codorniz Campground requires advance planning due to remote location. "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," notes Candy H.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Arena RV Park provides basic amenities with convenient highway access. "Nice campground for a night. A bit outdated, but clean shower and toilets. There is also a laundryroom. Good spaces and shade," reports Chantal K., making it suitable for overnight family stays.

Swimming options: Turlock Lake State Recreation Area Campground combines river access with camping convenience. One visitor shared, "My favorite time is during the late hours of the evening when things quiet down and falling asleep to the sounds of crickets and the river flowing by."

Kid-friendly activities: COE Eastman Lake Codorniz Campground offers designated play areas. "The campground was very clean and had rangers and a sheriff patrolling regularly (but not bothersome). There is a nice playground for the kids too," according to Haley M.

Tips from RVers

Site selection: McClure Point Recreation Area requires attention to spot choice and setup. Robin P. advises, "One interesting thing about the camp is that most of the spots you'd want to place your trailer in are on the 'other' side of the electric/water connections. This was fine, but make sure your hoses/cords are long enough to get around to the other side of your rig."

Hookup quality: Lake McSwain Recreation Area provides good utility connections for RVs. Ron R. confirms with a simple review: "Full hookups, close to the lake," making it a practical choice for RVers seeking convenience.

Campsite layout: McConnell State Recreation Area Campground offers spacious sites but with some maintenance concerns. Rich A. observed, "Good tent camping. The Merced river runs along the east side of the Park. 21 tent sites, showers, bathrooms, lost of tables and water for the sights to share."

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best camping sites in Merced with lake access?

The Merced area offers several excellent camping options with water access. McCabe Flat Campground provides beautiful sites right next to the Merced River, perfect for cooling off during hot weather with clean facilities and occasional ranger presence. For a lake experience, Lake McSwain Recreation Area offers developed camping with convenient water access. While not directly in Merced, these nearby options provide the refreshing lake and river experiences campers seek. The campgrounds along the Merced River are especially beautiful during spring wildflower season and fall, though summer temperatures can get quite hot.

What fishing opportunities are available at Merced campgrounds?

Fishing enthusiasts will find excellent opportunities in the Merced area. Wawona Campground offers prime fishing spots along the Merced River within Yosemite National Park. The river is known for trout fishing, especially when the water warms up in late spring and summer. McConnell State Recreation Area Campground also provides access to the Merced River for fishing opportunities. For those willing to venture slightly further, McClure Point Recreation Area near Snelling offers additional fishing options. Remember that California fishing regulations apply, and you'll need a valid fishing license unless fishing within Yosemite National Park on June's free fishing days.

Is tent camping available year-round in Merced?

Tent camping availability in the Merced area varies seasonally. Railroad Flat Campground along the Merced River is particularly beautiful during spring wildflower season and fall, but summer can be extremely hot. Most campgrounds in the immediate Merced area operate seasonally, with peak availability from spring through fall. High Sierra RV Park offers year-round accommodations, though primarily for RVs. Winter camping options are limited due to colder temperatures and occasional rainy conditions. For year-round tent camping, consider the lower elevation sites or look for campgrounds with weather-appropriate facilities. Always check current seasonal closures before planning a winter camping trip, as conditions can change.

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