Looking for the best campgrounds near Waterford, CA? Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Waterford. Find the best campgrounds near Waterford, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.
"We were lucky to have a spot at the dead center of the top of the mountain looking out at the lake (site 13) with a big shade tree."
"There are sites on the lake with shade provided over the tables. It was mid week and was not crowded at all. The lake is gorgeous and at night there were several deer walking thru the site."
$30 - $40 / night
"The lake was beautiful and refreshing. Would come back again but maybe early spring. Our campsite was set up a little backwards."
"My family and I stayed at Lake McSwain Campgrounds for a weekend during a mountain bike race at Exchequer."
"With a pool, petting zoo, a corral where they have a fire and s'mores followed by a movie, this is a great place to camp with the kids."
"What a great place to stay and enjoy this magnificent National Park."
$30 - $40 / night
"Perhaps also for fishing and other activities, but that's outside my scope of interest.
On my first return visit I went to the same spot as the first visit."
"Very friendly at our arrival and in the evening while performing their drive-by checks.
This time I actually tried the showers and I was not disappointed."
"This Campground is 5 miles from West gate entrance to "Yosemite National Park". Only 35 miles west of " Lake Don Pedro, take out your boat, go jet skiing or fishing."
"Fairly clean, a few of the dishes needed rewashed, but it‘s required that the previous occupants wash and put away their dishes."
"Stayed in the cabin that sleeps 6. Super nice, close to the bathrooms. There's a community outdoors kitchen with stove and sink."
"Lots of activities for kids (pool, horseshoes, playground). East side of CG seems to accommodate more for families with kids while west side is better for RVs."
"great campsite near Yosemite! The host was super nice and helpful and gave us some insight on what to see locally!"
$30 - $289 / night
"The lodge next door is a pick up spot for shuttles into the park. They have a bar/restaurant and a store which is convenient. The park was nice & shaded, with fire pits at each site."
"In winter check-in/drive up bookings are in the lodge reception in the main village which is great as they're open all through the night. Power was good, showers were okay - hot but lacked pressure."
$25 - $45 / night
"The campsites are mostly level with a shared water source every site or two. Restrooms are basic and clean, no shower."
"The park is a mix of old RV’s that folks have long term stays and open spots for visitors. Some nice spots and some tight spots. We stayed in site 62 with 41 foot MH."
$40 - $80 / night
"You are aboute 12 Mi. to Yosemite Park entrance. It is family business , very clean and you feel country! They provide everything for you. There are few fool hock ups and they provide also fire wood."
TravelerThis Campground is 5 miles from West gate entrance to "Yosemite National Park". Only 35 miles west of " Lake Don Pedro, take out your boat, go jet skiing or fishing. Don't forget to go to " Moaning Cavern!" Tuolumne River runs through campground. There are 254 Full Hookups, 130 Tent sites, Hostel, Cabin & Yurts. They have WiFi, Satellite TV,Clubhouse, Billiard's, Game room, Shuffleboard, Store, Hiking Trails,Nature, Playground, Mini Golf, Tennis, Picnic/BBQ,Volleyball, Basketball & in the Summer-Bus runs to Yosemite, for an additional fee. Summer Swimming,Seasonal Fishing,Wheelchair Accessible, Restroom/Shower Facilities & Laundry. Yosemite Lakes Resort 31191 Hardin Flat Rd. Groveland,CA 95321 Reservations Member- 1-800-368-7788 Non-Member 1-888-481-6348 Welcome Center (209)962-0103 Rental Check In- 4PM Rental Check Out - 11AM Front Desk- Sun-Sat 8AM-8PM
GuideWith a pool, petting zoo, a corral where they have a fire and s'mores followed by a movie, this is a great place to camp with the kids.
The showers are free and usually clean although on Saturday evening the campground was full and the bathrooms were dirty and out of TP.
There are tent sites, RV sites and cabins so something for everyone.
There were A LOT of stray cats on the property which kind of drove our dog crazy. But at least the campground is pet friendly.
If you plan to go into Yosemite NP, it's a long drive so plan accordingly. Our family really enjoys Rainbow Pools and Yosemite Pine's proximity to Rainbow Pools is part of why we stay here. The kids can jump and swim there and that's all they really want to do anyway so being close to that is key for us. So many of the places in the park where we used to get in the water do not allow swimming anymore.
RangerCabin had bunk beds. Small refrigerator
GuideSummary as of late June 2020:
-Super nice, helpful manager -Great location for Yosemite/Hetch Hetchy -Large, clean restrooms -Inconsistent electricity -Bear Lot is right next to Hwy 120 -Coyote Lot is literally a new gravel parking lot, 4x4 required -No wi-fi in Bear Lot or Coyote Lot
First of all, I have to say that the manager (owner? I never caught his name) was very kind and tried his best to accommodate everyone there. The location is great for trips to Yosemite, and if you’re lucky enough to reserve a spot in the ‘main loop’ (I don’t see this ability online), you’ll probably love it. The bathrooms are large and clean and there is laundry, a small playground, a small pool (closed during our stay), and a privately run store on-site.
We brought our 28’ toy hauler here at the end of June 2020. We had reserved a spot in Coyote Lot, which we were told over the phone would be no problem. Upon arrival, the manager had his doubts but told us to “put the truck in 4x4 and give it a go!” Coyote Lot looks like a newly, semi-leveled gravel parking lot with full hook-ups… no trees or shade. There were some longer spots, but there was no way our trailer would fit in the one we reserved. The lot also exits through a run-down residential grouping of trailers, some occupied and some abandoned.
The manager put us in Bear Lot, no question, after it was determined Coyote Lot would not work. This lot is a little more established than Coyote, but still a gravel parking lot with electricity (inconsistently for many) and water hook-ups. The lot is pretty level and separated from Hwy 120 by a wooden fence. There are some picnic tables and fire pits, but not enough for each spot. We didn’t end up having to use our generator like others did. There were tent campers and rv/trailers in this lot.
Side note: the Rainbow Pools swimming hole that is recommended on the website was WAY overcrowded and I do not suggest going unless maybe you go in the early morning. There were tons of people, tons of litter, and no respect for nature… very sad to see.
Photo are of Bear Lot
TravelerFairly clean, a few of the dishes needed rewashed, but it‘s required that the previous occupants wash and put away their dishes. Quiet, the neighbors were all pretty quiet, occasioanlly a car would drive past the road that backs up to the yurts. Comfortable bed, gas stove heater and AC worked well. I didn’t use the propane grill that was on the balcony, it was very dirty, and one of the grates were broken. Nothing spectacular about my 2 night stay. About an hour drive all the way to Yosemite Village.
GuideThree Links Camp is a private campground just below Stanislaus National Forest on 108. The campground has dorms for families/groups (a building with bunk beds and a bathroom) and tent and full-hookup RV sites. The campground was beautiful and my kids had a blast walking around all the buildings (hall, chapel, cabins/dorms) and on baseball field, disc golf course, and basketball court! There’s also a pool, but it was closed for the season. They’re open year-round, so we might return for a snow visit! The hosts were nice, the rates are affordable, and there is cell service (ATT) and WiFi if you don’t want to unplug completely.
I feel like I should note the owners are new and not the ones who were there for the review below mine. They’ve done a lot of work to better the campsite!
GuideIt wasn’t as nice as the photos depicted. Water shortage? The grasses were long and dried up, there appears to have been a wooden bridge as a shortcut to the pool/restroom/laundry room/Deli, but no longer. The restrooms were barely tolerable and the woman’s had a bad odor. There’s a dishwashing station that is no longer serviceable, just a stainless sink set in a covered table with no water or even plumbing to include drains. You have to pay for WiFi and sometimes the signal drops. For the cost of the campground the WiFi should be free! Lesser known campgrounds even have free WiFi. There are Conestoga Wagons, Cabins and Yurts. None were occupied. Reason?
RangerWhat a great place to stay and enjoy this magnificent National Park. Reservation fill up quickly and you can see why, as the (closest town) [Mariposa, CA](http://Mariposa, CA https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mariposa,+CA+95338/@37.6138031,-119.9096238,11z/data=!4m21!1m15!4m14!1m6!1m2!1s0x8096b0aac3ff60c5:0xb0ab002eb339644e!2sMariposa,+CA!2m2!1d-119.9662843!2d37.4849377!1m6!1m2!1s0x8096f24a1bc3a93d:0xbda9e022a9515b5a!2sUpper+Pines+Campground,+Yosemite+National+Park,+9024+Southside+Dr,+YOSEMITE+NATIONAL+PARK,+CA+95389!2m2!1d-119.56555!2d37.7391319!3m4!1s0x8096b0aac3ff60c5:0xb0ab002eb339644e!8m2!3d37.4849377!4d-119.9662843) is about an 1.5 hours away. You can reserve camping up to 5 months in advance for $26. This camp ground is close to the (general store) Yosemite Village, Half dome trail head and a river runs along side. The sites are small with 2 parking spaces, the bathroom were well maintained.
I really enjoyed staying here. The view you wake up to is priceless. If you get a chance to dine in the park the [The Majestic Yosemite Hotel Dining Room](http://The Majestic Yosemite Hotelhttp://www.travelyosemite.com/lodging/the-majestic-yosemite-hotel/ Dining Room) has delicious but $$ food.
[Valley Camp ground Map](http://Valley Camp ground Maphttps://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/upload/pinescombined.pdf)
Each campsite contains a fire ring, picnic table, and a food locker and is near a bathroom with drinking water and flushing toilets.
ScoutFHU and Electric/water sites. Also has cabins, yurts, covered wagons you can rent. Has pool, playground and petting zoo. Well kept and easy to work with
Cabin camping near Waterford, California, offers a perfect blend of nature and comfort, allowing you to enjoy the great outdoors without sacrificing the comforts of home.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Waterford, CA is Lake Tulloch RV Campground and Marina with a 3.7-star rating from 10 reviews.
TheDyrt.com has all 19 cabin camping locations near Waterford, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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