Dispersed camping areas near Mi-Wuk Village in Stanislaus National Forest sit at elevations between 4,500 and 5,500 feet, creating cooler summer temperatures than surrounding lowlands. The region experiences seasonal closures from November to May on many forest roads. Nighttime temperatures can vary significantly between locations, with higher elevation sites often 10-15 degrees colder than lower areas.
What to do
Hiking opportunities: Forest Route 5N56 near the Top of Arnold offers access to numerous hiking trails through pine forests. "Super fun spot went in September. Dirt road to get to spot is pretty rough but my Taurus wagon did just fine. There are a few people on dirt bikes ripping around trails so not fully secluded but still a good spot," notes a visitor to Top of Arnold.
Stargazing: The higher elevation sites away from town lights provide exceptional night sky viewing. At Goat Meadow, campers report "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."
Mountain biking: The Bear Valley area offers extensive trail networks suitable for various skill levels. "Lots of trails to ride your bike and walk," mentions a camper at Bear Valley Dispersed Camping. The area features both technical single-track and wider forest roads for casual riders.
What campers like
Proximity to Yosemite: Sites near Evergreen Road provide quick access to park entrances. "Great little spot within 10 minutes of one Yosemite's entrance. Spaces for a few different campsites," reports a camper at Evergreen Rd Dispersed camping.
Privacy between sites: Many locations offer good separation between camping spots. At Hardin Flat Road, one camper mentioned "This was a really nice stay close to Yosemite with really spread out spots. Couldn't even see your neighbor and the vicinity to the park made it perfect."
Reliability of cell service: Several areas maintain usable connectivity for those who need to stay connected. At Top of Arnold, a camper notes "It's suitable enough of a campground, Verizon works. There is sun for solar panels and enough shade to be fine mostly, I have a canopy so it helps make it more than fine."
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Forest routes require different vehicle capabilities depending on location and recent weather. At Forest Route 4N39, campers advise "Drive to the back area for tree shade and level grounds. Side of road camping. Camping on Ridgeline."
Fire regulations change seasonally: Most areas require fire permits when allowed, but total bans are common in summer and fall. At Goat Meadow, one visitor notes "We camped 1 car 2 tents on 4/11/25 there were a number of other people and plenty of spots to check out. The area felt safe and easy to access."
Temperature differences between sites: Lower elevation campsites near Yosemite can be significantly warmer than higher spots. At Hardin Flat Road, campers report temperatures staying above 50 degrees at night while nearby higher elevation areas drop into the 40s.
Tips for camping with families
Snow play areas: Winter camping near designated snow recreation zones provides built-in activities. At Goat Meadow, "When I was there recently, some of the 'campsites' had 0-3", whereas other spots were about 6-8". Consequently, there were about 6-8 cars/vans that ended up camping in the parking lot of the snowplay area."
Wildlife awareness: Several areas report active wildlife that can attract curious children but require proper precautions. "Coyotes and bears are active in the area - coyotes raided a bag I had hanging from a tree and stole my food!" warns a camper at Goat Meadow.
Arrive early for ideal spots: Many free camping areas fill quickly, especially during peak seasons and weekends. "We got in a lil late and was a little tricky finding a spot. But once we did, it was perfect. Took us about 9 min to get to the park entrance," advises a visitor to Evergreen Road.
Tips from RVers
Level parking considerations: Many forest roads have uneven terrain requiring careful positioning. "The ground is very flat and many areas are paved with gravel. At 7500 feet above sea level, the view is wide and the scenery is beautiful, especially the sunset view," reports an RVer at Iron MT. Dispersed.
Access road clearance: RVers should research current road conditions before attempting forest routes. "Great spot a little farther up Hardin Flat Rd. I am parked across from a private drive so I can turn around with my RV if needed," notes a camper at Hardin Flat Road.
Dust mitigation: Many free camping sites near Mi-Wuk Village have dusty conditions during dry months. One camper mentions "Only downside is the ground is basically dust dirt. My dogs love it, my bedding doesn't!" This makes interior dust management important for longer stays.
