Camping near Stanislaus National Forest

Camping near Stanislaus National Forest, California, offers a mix of stunning scenery and outdoor fun. Whether you're pitching a tent or parking an RV, there's something for everyone in this beautiful area.

What to do:

• Hiking: Explore the many trails in the area. Campers have enjoyed the "beautiful river nearby; pretty easy in and out for small-ish RVs" at North Grove Campground — Calaveras Big Trees State Park. The trails are great for families and offer a chance to see local wildlife.
• Fishing: Many campers have had success fishing in the nearby lakes. One visitor at Buckeye Campground mentioned, "We chose campsite 63 it was next to a stream," making it easy to catch some fish for dinner.
• Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for deer and turkeys. A camper at Indian Grinding Rock State Historical Park Campground noted, "Plenty of wildlife to see in the day use area as well."

What campers like:

• Scenic Views: Campers rave about the beautiful surroundings. One visitor at Yosemite Creek — Yosemite National Park said, "Very beautiful place to be... Words cannot describe!"
• Clean Facilities: Many campgrounds, like Grover Hot Springs State Park Campground, have well-maintained bathrooms. A camper mentioned, "Toilets were well maintained and didn’t have an awful smell like most others."
• Friendly Staff: Campers appreciate helpful hosts. At Yosemite Pines RV Resort & Family Lodging, one visitor said, "The camp host this season was really pleasant as well."

What you should know:

• Crowded Campsites: Some campgrounds can get busy, especially on weekends. A camper at Hodgdon Meadow Campground — Yosemite National Park noted, "Quite busy and noisy, with generators going quite late."
• Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have showers or electric hookups. For example, Yosemite Creek has no drinking water or showers, so plan accordingly.
• Road Conditions: Some access roads can be rough. A visitor at Buckeye Campground mentioned, "The road in is dirt, depending on the winter season it can be a little rough."

Tips for camping with families:

• Choose Campgrounds with Activities: Look for places with nearby lakes or trails. Campers at Pinecrest Campground enjoyed "the proximity to the lake and had a great hike around it."
• Bring Entertainment: Some campgrounds have outdoor movie nights. A visitor at Pinecrest Campground mentioned, "Saturday nights they play outdoor movies at the Amphitheater."
• Plan for Meals: Make sure to pack enough food, as some campgrounds lack markets. A camper at Yosemite Pines RV Resort noted, "There was a high volume of campers and it seemed they struggled a bit to keep up with the bathrooms."

Tips from RVers:

• Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the campsite. A visitor at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes mentioned, "We are in a 45 ft toy hauler and taking 120 up here was an ok drive."
• Be Prepared for Limited Services: Some campgrounds may not have Wi-Fi or cell service. A camper at Yosemite Pines RV Resort said, "Cell service was non-existent - but such is life in the mountains."
• Bring Extra Supplies: Stock up on essentials before arriving. A visitor at Hodgdon Meadow Campground noted, "Decent location, medium even camp spot, decent toilets, no shower."

Camping near Stanislaus National Forest, California, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors. With beautiful campgrounds and plenty of activities, it’s a perfect spot for families and RVers alike.