Yurt camping near Prather, California sits at elevations between 1,000-3,500 feet in the Sierra Nevada foothills, offering moderate temperatures that range from 80s in summer to 40s in winter. The area encompasses portions of Sierra National Forest with diverse terrain including pine forests, granite formations, and multiple lake environments. Most campgrounds in this region operate on a reservation system with sites filling quickly during summer months.
What to do
Lake activities at Shaver Lake: Visitors can fish for trout, kokanee salmon, and bass at Shaver Lake near Camp Edison. "We try to get a campsite next to the water. We also reserve a boat so we can explore the lake," notes one camper who makes Camp Edison an annual destination.
Waterfall exploration: Hike to multiple waterfalls in the area, including Whisky Falls, a 1-mile hike from Whisky Falls Campground. "The waterfall is a short hike away, and there are plenty of trails to hike during the day, as well as dirt roads to explore," states a regular visitor who describes this as their family's "happy place."
Off-road adventures: Test your 4x4 skills on the trails near Whisky Falls. According to a reviewer, "We loved everything from the isolated campgrounds, the off-road trails to test our 4x4 trucks and how our dogs were free to explore with us." The area provides multiple difficulty levels from beginner to advanced routes.
What campers like
Private swimming holes: The Dinkey Creek area offers secluded swimming spots away from crowds. A visitor to Dinkey Creek Campground shared: "This was my best camping experience ever. It's location had perfect weather, warm during the day and cool, but not cold, at night. You surrounded by gorgeous tall trees and have access to swimming holes about a mile away."
Yurt camping options: For those interested in yurt camping near Prather, California, Yosemite RV Resort offers comfortable yurt accommodations. "Many options to stay! RV, bring your own tent, yurts, safari tents, cabins. RV spaces have many different location styles, secluded, views, groups etc.," explains one visitor who appreciated the versatility.
Year-round camping access: Unlike seasonal campgrounds, several locations operate throughout the year. "Camp Edison is extremely beautiful! I love camping here either every year or every other year," mentions a camper who first visited in October and returned in April, noting significant temperature differences between seasons.
What you should know
Bear activity: Wildlife encounters require proper food storage. "We had a beautiful cinnamon colored bear wander into our site a couple of times. While we were very careful to follow food storage protocols, not all campers were," reports a visitor at Lupine/Cedar Bluff Campground.
Space limitations: Many campgrounds feature tight quarters, especially during peak season. A guest at High Sierra RV Park noted: "Sites are very crowded. You gotta love your neighbor. Lots of amenities. Very friendly staff. So helpful and accommodating."
Water level fluctuations: Lake levels vary significantly throughout the year. "The lake was really low so the beach felt gross," commented one camper in late summer. Winter and spring typically offer higher water levels for better shoreline activities.
Yellow jacket season: Late summer brings increased insect activity. One Dinkey Creek camper warned: "The yellow jackets. The hosts said it was quite unusual so I tried not to let it color the overall review, but damn! You would be sitting down trying to read and a few would fly around your head or land on your hands."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature designated play areas for children. At Bass Lake at Yosemite RV Resort, "The resort has a great pool and playground for the kids. We stayed here 3 nights not could've stayed here a week easy." The playground includes climbing structures and open spaces for games.
Evening entertainment: Check for scheduled activities during summer months. "During our stay, they played movies at sunset next to the pool," mentioned a visitor at Bass Lake at Yosemite RV Resort, which also offers bingo nights and organized events for children.
Proximity to bathrooms: Strategic site selection matters with children. At High Sierra RV Park, site numbering helps with planning: "The campsite was 39 and it was right next to the bathroom," noted a visitor, making middle-of-the-night trips more manageable with younger campers.
Alternative accommodations: When tent camping proves challenging with small children, consider the yurt camping options near Prather. California's Yosemite RV Resort offers safari-style tents and yurts with sturdy floors and proper beds, making the transition to camping easier for families.
Tips from RVers
Unlevel sites: Many campgrounds require additional leveling equipment. At Dinkey Creek Campground, one RVer reported: "Let me start off by saying there was a fairly big issue with 2 of the 3 spots we reserved. The paved lots were so far from level that we didn't have enough leveling blocks." Bringing extra leveling blocks is recommended.
Navigation challenges: Tight roads require planning 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," explained a visitor at High Sierra RV Park, highlighting the importance of researching site access before arrival.
Limited hook-up availability: Full hookup sites book months in advance. "We were in spot 126 it was a level site with limited shade and full hookups," noted one RVer who secured a prime location at Bass Lake at Yosemite RV Resort, recommending reservations 3-6 months ahead for summer weekends.
