Goat Meadow Dispersed Camp Site offers free camping at 5,200 feet elevation near Yosemite's south entrance. Located in Sierra National Forest, this primitive area features established fire pits with parking and tent spaces among tall pines. Seasonal snowfall impacts accessibility from November through spring months, with snow depths varying from 3-8 inches during winter camping season.
What to do
Forest exploration: The area surrounding Goat Meadow Dispersed Camp Site provides excellent terrain for wilderness exploration. "Beautiful scenery, clean, close to Yosemite, and easy to reach. As others have said, follow Mount Raymond Rd up until you see the sign for the snow play area, and look to the right," notes Derrick H.
Swimming at Rainbow Pools: A popular swimming spot located 5 minutes down Highway 120 from Sweetwater Campground. "Nice drinking water, bathroom, and trash can," shares Toni K. about facilities at this natural water feature.
Horseback riding: Yosemite Ridge provides access to equestrian trails along Highway 120 corridor. The location is "about 12 Mi. to Yosemite Park entrance" according to Ioan P., making it convenient for day rides into less crowded sections of the park.
What campers like
Convenience to Yosemite: Sweetwater Campground provides quick park access without reservations. "Driving from the West toward Yosemite this location is one which will allow you to find a camping option before getting into the big crowds," reports Crystal C., who appreciates its location as "the last non-reservation campground before Yosemite."
Natural water features: Big Sandy Campground offers creekside camping with refreshing water access. According to Leon G., it "has a very nice stream that runs right down the middle of campground that basically every site is next to the water," providing natural cooling during summer months.
Winter recreation options: North Pines Campground offers unique seasonal experiences. "Being late October, I was expecting very cold conditions. But the weather was great! 70s during the day and 40s at night. Clear skies. Absolutely beautiful," reports Erin S., highlighting shoulder-season opportunities.
What you should know
Wildlife awareness: Multiple campgrounds report active wildlife. At Goat Meadow, Alexander notes, "Coyotes and bears are active in the area—coyotes raided a bag I had hanging from a tree and stole my food!" Proper food storage is essential throughout the region.
Seasonal considerations: Bridalveil Creek Campground has limited seasonal availability. Peter B. mentions "Its a great place to camp too bad its hardly open i have only got the chance to go there once," highlighting the importance of checking operational status.
Fire restrictions: Various campgrounds implement different fire policies. Sweetwater allows fires but doesn't provide wood, while some dispersed sites require portable fire containers during high-risk seasons.
Tips for camping with families
Playground amenities: Several developed campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. COE Eastman Lake Codorniz Campground provides organized recreation. Haley M. notes, "There is also a nice playground for the kids too," making it suitable for younger campers.
Avoid holiday weekends: Yosemite Valley Backpacker's Campground can get extremely crowded during peak times. "Came on 4th of July so the crowd is a lil rowdy but I found a spot farther away which is nice!" reports Taryn R., suggesting midweek visits for quieter experiences.
Plan for dirt and dust: At Goat Meadow, Katelin M. warns, "This place gets CROWDED. At 5:30 it's like everyone got off work and headed home, it's nuts." However, she appreciates that "Everyone picks up after themselves which is nice."
Tips from RVers
Road conditions: Access roads to several campgrounds present challenges for larger rigs. For Goat Meadow, multiple reviewers mention difficult roads. "The road getting there has tons of potholes and the road in the site is super super bumpy," notes Paige.
Generator restrictions: North Pines Campground limits generator use. Erin S. explains, "Generators are allowed during limited hours, but the noise wasn't overwhelming, since they were few and far between," creating a quieter environment for tent campers.
Backup plans required: Matt K. warns about fallen tree issues affecting Sierra National Forest: "Don't bother trying this spot. It will take many many months for the road to be cleared. Have a feeling most roads in the area have downed trees." Always check current conditions before attempting access with larger vehicles.
