Best RV Parks & Resorts near Waterford, CA

Several RV parks operate near Waterford, California with full hookup options for travelers. Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes in Groveland provides year-round RV camping with electric, water, and sewer connections on level sites. Lake Tulloch RV Campground and Marina features waterfront sites with 50-amp electrical service and accommodates larger motorhomes. "We were given an RV slab camping site. The water that was coming out of all the faucets was red and brown," noted one visitor about Lake Tulloch, though more recent reviews indicate improvements. Flag City RV Resort in Lodi maintains 180 sites with big rig access and full hookups for extended stays.

From spring through fall, reservations are strongly recommended as lakeside RV sites fill quickly. Kit Fox RV Park provides easy interstate access and level sites, making it popular for overnight travelers. "Great experience! Pulled in around 9:00pm and was able to hook-up the utilities, eat supper, and hit the hay," according to one RVer. Most parks allow pets with standard leash restrictions, though additional fees may apply. Dump stations are available at most locations, with sanitary dump facilities at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes, Kit Fox RV Park, and Lake Tulloch. Cell service remains consistent throughout the region, with WiFi available at most developed RV parks.

Best RV Sites Near Waterford, California (104)

    1. Yosemite Pines RV Resort & Family Lodging

    23 Reviews
    Groveland, CA
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 962-7690

    "Beautiful trees, paved roads for biking or scootering, hooting owls in the trees, huge unusual pine cones, a nature trail that goes to an old gold mine. Really special place."

    "No Verizon or T-Mobile coverage. Wifi available for purchase."

    2. Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes

    41 Reviews
    Eastman Lake, CA
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "You come into Yosemite Lakes by a little Thousand Trails convenience store and gas station. It's kind of handy since there's really nothing nearby other than Groveland."

    "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."

    3. Kit Fox RV Park

    4 Reviews
    Patterson, CA
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 892-2638

    "I stayed here for one night in a 22’ RV at one of the back-in sites for the shorter term stays on a drive from Death Valley back towards the San Francisco Bay area."

    "The park is CLEAN, Quiet, the sites level, The Park staff are helpful.  I received a military discount, The park is next to a good sized interchange with food, fuel and etc available."

    4. Thousand Trails Turtle Beach

    5 Reviews
    Lathrop, CA
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "The grounds are kept up, every site has a fire ring with picnic tables. The bathrooms are decent and dump Station is clean. This is definitely a favorite spot of ours."

    "Stayed on large grass site next to the water. Very nice. Few amenities and staff was scarce but more than adequate. Lots of room to roam for people & pets."

    5. Flag City RV Resort

    11 Reviews
    Lodi, CA
    48 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 339-8300

    $95 - $990 / night

    "Check-in was quick and easy, and we proceeded unescorted to pull through site 32 with FHUs. The cement pad was plenty long enough for our 40’ fifth wheel and unhooked F450."

    "Nice pool and hot tub, nice laundry facilities (more than one!), moderately sized paved and level sites, nice store with a few local wines, AND HUGE fenced area to walk your dog OFF LEASH."

    6. Marble Quarry RV Resort

    2 Reviews
    Columbia, CA
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 532-9539

    7. 49er RV Ranch

    2 Reviews
    Columbia, CA
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 532-4978

    "49er was quiet and well-maintained. The staff was very friendly! They met us at the office when we pulled up and helped us get to the site (#45), and back in."

    8. McCabe Flat Campground

    11 Reviews
    Midpines, CA
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 966-3192

    $10 / night

    "It is not advisable for trailers over 18 feet in length. We had a great stay. The campgrounds were very clean, and pit toilets were available."

    "The restrooms are cleaned 2 times a day. There is trash cans for each of the 3 campsites that go with this one. there a great little swimming hole just up the path."

    9. Lake Tulloch RV Campground and Marina

    10 Reviews
    Fall River Lake, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 881-0107

    "The kids had fun playing at the playground, jet skiing, and making sand castles at the beach."

    "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."

    10. Castle Air Museum RV Park

    1 Review
    Atwater, CA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 723-2178
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RV Park Reviews near Waterford, CA

460 Reviews of 104 Waterford Campgrounds


  • p
    Aug. 27, 2024

    Acorn Campground

    Extended stays

    A good clean campground, popular in central California. Reasonably priced $20 per night. They do accept golden age passes which reduces your nightly expense to $10 per night maximum 15 days for the month. Geared mostly for small trailers and tents, however, they do have some sites for larger RVs drive-through 40 foot max and roadside, slide outs might cause a problem. Park managers are very professional, courteous and pleasant. Bathrooms are a problem for cleanliness dump station is available for RVs. If you have a portable black tank, it would work out better for you on extended stays when dumping your black tank. If you are self-contained, you won’t have any difficulties at all.

  • Paul  N.
    May. 22, 2019

    Three Links Camp

    Sierra Campground

    Sierra Campground off the beatin path. Full hook ups in summer. Closed in winter. Tall pines block satellite feeds. Spotty Cell service. Daily, weekly, monthly rates. Lots of trees dropped due to bark beetle. Pool, group camping, ball fields, disc golf

  • G
    Aug. 27, 2020

    Mother Lode Fairgrounds

    Very nice management and quiet

    Full hook-up. 50 amp 30 amp. Fresh water at each site. Free WiFi. Large grassy area with picnic table. Lots of trees and shade. Sewage at each site. Management is very helpful and works hard maintaining grounds. They are in their own RV at the back of the campground.

  • Derek & Alex W.
    Oct. 26, 2021

    Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes

    Great place near Yosemite

    You come into Yosemite Lakes by a little Thousand Trails convenience store and gas station. It's kind of handy since there's really nothing nearby other than Groveland. Make sure to come in at this entrance though. When coming from the west GPS likes to take you through Hardin Flat Road... don't go that way with an RV. Check-in was quick and easy. Don't forget it's first come first serve like most Thousand Trails campgrounds. Staff were all very friendly. There's complimentary wifi at the main office if you need it. There's NO phone signal of any kind for miles. There is Jabba Communications wifi throughout that campground that you can pay for but it's pricey and very shoddy and unpredictable here. Unless you're staying for a long time it's not worth it.

    Every spot pretty much has full hookups but only a few with 50 amp. The rest have 30 amp. Again, as I've said with other Thousand Trails, that just seems like laziness to me. These campgrounds have been around long enough to see the need for upgrades.

    We parked at the far east end past the cabins in a pull-through group spot. They are the biggest spots and didn't seem like people really use that area much. It was pretty quiet for the two weeks we were there. It's off season as well though. Power went out to the entire campground two days in a row. Not the campground's fault as high winds knocked out power to the entire area. They were nice and let us use our generator even though they are not allowed any other time.

    There's a little river that runs along the campground that looks like it would be beautiful in the spring and summer when there's more water. It still had quite a bit flowing through over by the main office. Yosemite National Forest is just a short distance away. Some great hikes and sights to see!

    I'd say with a few more updates this one could easily be a 5-star!

  • Mike P.
    Mar. 2, 2023

    Miner's Camp RV Park

    Lake Comanche South sure

    Nice place quiet lots of places for big RVs pull through spots and back in spots they have spots for family reunions have showers store boat ramp nice place to camp North Shore is not for RVs it's for tent camping the South Shore has hookups 30 50 amp service full hookups all around a good place good people quiet time is 9:00 p.m. till 7:00 a.m. I believe doesn't mean you can't be up just no loud music no carrying on to disturb the other people lake is almost full

  • Sarah M.
    Feb. 7, 2021

    Kit Fox RV Park

    Nice camp between stops

    I stayed here for one night in a 22’ RV at one of the back-in sites for the shorter term stays on a drive from Death Valley back towards the San Francisco Bay area. I believe the office is currently closed due to Covid, but they have a box of maps and envelopes plus a drop box for payment right outside the office.

    It looks like most of the spots here are for pretty long term stays. There was plenty for space for short term, overnight campers. Spot comes with WiFi code, but there’s plenty of cell service too. You’re close to the I5 and can hear the soft lull of some traffic, but it’s still fairly quiet.

  • B
    Mar. 18, 2023

    Yosemite Pines RV Resort & Family Lodging

    Large Sites & Great Staff

    We stayed at Yosemite Pines while my husband worked a job from Jan - Mar in Groveland. Was amazing to have this HUGE campground all to ourselves! The sites are really big. Beautiful trees, paved roads for biking or scootering, hooting owls in the trees, huge unusual pine cones, a nature trail that goes to an old gold mine. Really special place. We had to relocate to a hotel every 28 days due to the max 28 day rules in CA (if campgeound is not zoned for long term campers, visitors can only stay 28 days at a time). There are laundry facilities on site. My only complaint is the rotting picinic tables. I also wish there was a rec room or something where we could all hang out during heavy rain or snow storms.

  • Heather D.
    Jul. 1, 2020

    Yosemite Ridge

    Nice main loop, but...

    Summary 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

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 10, 2023

    Tuttletown Recreation Area

    Nice Area When Empty

    Sites are packed in tight. Def geared for tent camping although I was lucky enough to be here when it was dead empty and picked a good site for my 27’ toy hauler. Fire pits and picnic tables at every site. No idea where the water is at but didn’t really look. There is a nice dump station ($8 fee recommended.. pay station is at park entrance). Lots of deer and raccoons. Gas station with firewood not too far away (Lakeridge Inn Gas), and they have diesel. Boat launch and day use area only a short drive away. Just would not want to be here if it was busy.


Guide to Waterford

Many RV parks and campgrounds surround Waterford, California, situated in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada range at approximately 190 feet elevation. The region experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F from June through September, while winter brings mild 50-60°F days with occasional valley fog. Most campgrounds offer year-round access, though mountain locations may close during winter months.

What to Do

Swim at Rainbow Pools: Located near Yosemite Pines RV Resort, this natural swimming area provides relief during hot summers. "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," notes Jeanette D.

Gold panning lessons: The 49er RV Ranch offers free gold panning instruction right at the campground. "Free gold-panning lessons on the site. The office has a good-sized bookshelf with plenty of good books and magazines," according to Michael C., highlighting the authentic mining theme maintained throughout this Columbia-area park.

River activities: When water levels permit at McCabe Flat Campground, fishing opportunities abound. "I managed to catch a 12" rainbow almost right away, just feet from the campsite," reports Lili P. When flows decrease later in summer, the Merced River becomes suitable for tubing and swimming.

What Campers Like

Petting zoos: Yosemite Pines RV Resort maintains a small animal area popular with families. "Petting zoo animals were adorable. Nice location to Yosemite. Friendly interactions with staff," writes Jen U. This feature provides entertainment between trips to Yosemite National Park.

Lakeside camping: Sites at Lake Tulloch offer direct water access. "We spent one night right in front of the water, amazing view for the sunset... We went swimming in the lake: what a pleasure. We saw some squirrels and dears, they didn't bothered us," shares Clara T. about her experience at Lake Tulloch RV Campground.

Clean facilities: Flag City RV Resort in Lodi maintains well-kept grounds. "Squeaky clean and organized. Nice pool and hot tub, nice laundry facilities (more than one!), moderately sized paved and level sites, nice store with a few local wines, AND HUGE fenced area to walk your dog OFF LEASH," describes mary F., emphasizing the attention to cleanliness.

What You Should Know

Cell coverage limitations: Connectivity varies significantly by location. At Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes, "There is no cell service... the 'pay WIFI' did not work for us...but there is complimentary WiFi at the laundry to check in on things that works just fine," reports Erin A.

Distance to Yosemite: Despite proximity to park boundaries, driving times can be longer than expected. "If you plan to go into Yosemite NP, it's a long drive so plan accordingly," cautions one camper about Yosemite Pines, which sits about 22 miles from the park entrance and roughly 1.5 hours from Yosemite Valley.

Water quality concerns: Test water before using it at some campgrounds. While recent reviews indicate improvements at Lake Tulloch, campers should bring drinking water as a backup or check with management about current conditions.

Tips for Camping with Families

Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated activities. "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," writes Jeanette D. about Yosemite Pines, highlighting features specifically designed for younger campers.

Playground access: Several campgrounds provide play structures. At Lake Tulloch RV Campground and Marina, "The kids had fun playing at the playground, jet skiing, and making sand castles at the beach," says Elisabeth, describing the family-friendly amenities available.

Budget options: For families seeking more affordable alternatives to RV parks near Waterford, California, consider BLM camping at McCabe Flat. "There are two pit toilets that are well kept and something like 10-15 sites. Definitely come early to snag a spot, and even earlier if you want a good one," advises Ben R.

Tips from RVers

Arrival timing: For RV parks Waterford, California travelers rely on, early arrival ensures better site selection. "It is First come first serve (after a reservation) so get there early. We lucked out with a pretty big and shaded riverfront spot (site 73)," recommends Erin A. about Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes.

Electrical service: Be prepared for varying hookup options. "There are only a handful of 50amp spots and people move to them quickly after someone leaves. Lots of 30amp though so you might want to bring an adapter," suggests William V. about staying at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes.

Supply inventory: Stock up before arrival at remote campgrounds. "No nearby grocery so have what you need. The Yosemite village store has quite a selection but it is an hour away," notes andrew about planning supplies when staying at RV parks near Waterford, California and surrounding foothills.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular RV campsite near Waterford, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular RV campground near Waterford, CA is Yosemite Pines RV Resort & Family Lodging with a 3.9-star rating from 23 reviews.

What is the best site to find RV camping near Waterford, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 104 RV camping locations near Waterford, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.