Campsites near Wawona, California range from 4,000 to 6,000 feet in elevation, providing significantly cooler temperatures than the Central Valley during summer months. The region experiences distinct seasons with snow possible from November through April at higher elevations. Nearby Goat Meadow serves as an important overflow option during peak season when established campgrounds reach capacity.
What to do
Swimming in creeks: Several campgrounds in the Wawona area feature access to the Merced River and its tributaries. At North Pines Campground, "Camp sites have tree cover but aren't super private. Provides good access to Yosemite Valley and Glacier Point. Use bear boxes, bears were active in the area while we visited."
Exploring historic sites: The Pioneer History Center near Indian Flat RV Park offers insights into early settlement. "After a long day of hiking in Yosemite it was nice to relax at the pool next door. We will definitely come back in the future," notes one camper about the convenience of this location.
Night sky viewing: The area's elevation and distance from major cities creates exceptional stargazing opportunities. At Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site, 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. There's an open area with fire pits."
Wildlife observation: The forests around Wawona support diverse wildlife including black bears, deer, and numerous bird species. A visitor to Shooting Star Sanctuary noted, "We loved our stay here. The surroundings are beautiful and peaceful. The animals are a great bonus. Perfectly family friendly with plenty of room to hang out by the fire."
What campers like
Proximity to park attractions: Upper Pines Campground offers central access to Yosemite Valley features. According to one camper, "Being able to sleep under the stars in Yosemite Valley is a dream come true. The campground is crowded but the scenery makes up for it. Everywhere you look is an Ansel Adams portrait. Lots of trails leave from the surrounding area."
River access for recreation: Many sites feature proximity to water for cooling off during hot days. A Camp 4 visitor mentioned, "Camp 4 is literally in the middle of the trail to upper Yosemite Falls so the view of Yosemite Falls is better than in any other campground."
Less crowded alternatives: Areas outside the park boundaries offer quieter experiences with easier booking. At Summerdale Campground, "The sites are well spaced and private, unlike what you will find in the park. Fishing can be GREAT! But at times, has been really bad. We've often caught our limit each day (trout) and snagged some crawfish to boot."
Natural swimming holes: Campers frequently mention the refreshing swimming opportunities. One North Pines visitor shared, "This campground is right near the creek which people float down in late spring and early summer. Curry Village is a five minute walk away, while Yosemite Village is a ten minute shuttle ride away."
What you should know
Bear safety requirements: All campgrounds strictly enforce food storage rules. As noted at Lower Pines Campground, "The main one is food storage, we've seen some rangers go berserk on some people who refused to keep their sites clean. Bear sightings in this campground are very common."
Reservation timing strategies: Most established campgrounds fill months in advance. One visitor to Camp 4 advised, "Since it's a no reservation spot, it's a bit of a struggle to actually get a site (early wake up and wait in line situation), but it's definitely worth it. Protip: get there on a weekday to avoid the weekend crowds."
Weather variability: Temperatures can change dramatically between seasons and even day to night. A visitor at Goat Meadow noted, "The elevation at the site is appx 5200, meaning it will get snow in the winter(ish) months. When I was there recently, some of the 'campsites' had 0-3", whereas other spots were about 6-8"."
Noise considerations: Campgrounds within Yosemite Valley experience more traffic and visitor noise. A camper at North Pines observed, "North Pines is the busiest traditional campground in Yosemite Valley. Aside from Curry Village, Housekeeping Camp, or Camp 4, this is the loudest place you can stay."
Tips for camping with families
Animal encounters: Shooting Star Sanctuary offers unique opportunities for children to interact with farm animals. One visitor reported, "We had the pleasure of staying with Jason and his family at the Shooting Star Sanctuary. The kids loved playing with the animals and it was a convenient location to access Yosemite."
Swimming safety: The Merced River features varying currents throughout the season. A visitor to North Pines noted, "The creek that runs by Upper Pines is very popular for swimming and rafting. You can bring dogs to Upper Pines but they must be on a leash and cannot enter fresh water."
Alternative activities: When hiking proves too strenuous for younger children, consider the Pioneer History Center near Wawona. One camper at Indian Flat mentioned, "We stayed here so we could shuttle to Yosemite. 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."
Bathroom facilities: Campground restroom quality varies significantly. At Summerdale, a visitor noted, "Pit toilets, trash service and piped water. All good quality and well maintained. The campground is CLEAN. I've never seen a cleaner campground."
Tips from RVers
Access challenges: Some dispersed camping areas have rough roads. At Goat Meadow, one RVer advised, "The road getting there has tons of potholes and the road in the site is super super bumpy."
Hookup availability: Most sites in the region lack full hookups. Indian Flat RV Park stands out with more amenities: "The campground is in a great spot. Ten minutes from Yosemite. We have a 20' trailer and fit fine, but no one was in the site behind us. It might have been a tight fit if there were."
Generator restrictions: Yosemite National Park limits generator hours. A Lower Pines visitor noted, "RVs are allowed but there are no hookups. Generators are allowed certain hours, check with camp host. Dump station is located at the entrance."
Alternative parking: During peak season, finding adequate RV parking can be challenging. One visitor to Yosemite "Boondock National" shared, "When you drive up to the snowplay area, continue straight off of the paved road (don't make the left) and you'll find a plethora of places to park and set up shop."
