Dispersed camping options near Wishon, California range from primitive sites to full-service RV parks with cabins. The Sierra National Forest surrounds this mountain community, with Goat Meadow offering free dispersed camping approximately 25 miles south of Wishon Village. Wishon Village RV Resort provides developed campground facilities with full hookups for RVs, along with tent sites on platforms or directly on the ground. Several campgrounds in the area feature mixed-use accommodations including tent camping, RV sites, and cabin rentals, particularly around Bass Lake and along Highway 41 toward Yosemite National Park.
Road conditions and seasonal access significantly impact camping opportunities in this high-elevation region. The drive to Wishon involves a long climb past Shaver Lake followed by winding mountain roads, with most campgrounds situated above 6,600 feet elevation. Winter snow typically limits access to summer and early fall months, while fallen trees occasionally block forest roads even during the open season. Campgrounds near Wishon Reservoir typically operate from May through September, though exact dates vary based on weather conditions. Cell service is limited throughout the area, with some campgrounds offering paid WiFi as an alternative. One camper noted, "The drive to Wishon starts with a long climb to Shaver Lake. Past Shaver Lake the road becomes windy for the remainder of the drive. Expect at least a 40+ minute drive from the Shaver lake turn off."
Campers consistently highlight the natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities available near Wishon. The area provides access to both Wishon and Courtright Reservoirs for fishing, with rainbow and German brown trout being common catches. Hiking trails, mountain biking routes, and Jeep trails like the Dusy-Ershim Trail offer additional activities. Sites at Wishon Village accommodate larger RVs, with several visitors recommending specific spots for bigger rigs. A recent review mentioned, "We have a 35 foot 5th wheel and the spots we like here are 37, 50-52, 38-41." For those seeking more solitude, dispersed camping options on national forest land provide alternatives to the more developed campground settings. The surrounding Giant Sequoia groves offer additional natural attractions, with several pull-outs available for day-use exploration.
"After accidentally driving to this location following the directions of another reviewer for the “Yosemite Boondocks” campground across 41 (which we never found) we were very happy with this location."
"Great spot about 5 minutes away from Yosemite entrance. Only a few other campers nearby but plenty of space to where they were only seen from a distance."
$52 - $54 / night
"Some of them are secluded and separated from others by distance and foliage (including a few with lake views!)"
"Clean drinking water very close walking distance from any site. Water is very close so you can just walk your paddle board or kayak. Clean bathrooms! With real toilets that actually flush."
$36 - $75 / night
"The river and swimming holes are close by and accessible to all, sites have ample space between each other, there are clean restrooms, and all sites have their own bear box."
"I didn’t go swimming but the family next to my site seemed like they were enjoying the river, especially the little ones."
$13 - $50 / night
"The campsite was 39 and it was right next to the bathroom. To leave with a 26’ travel trailer I had to pull out and back down another road just to exit the park."
"Good access to Yosemite. We prefer less neighbors but overall it was nice."
"We booked this last minute over the phone, we were very impressed with the spot, next to the pool, clubhouse, fire pit."
"While we were there, they played movies at sunset next to the pool. Close to Yosemite, the Sugarpine railroad and a decent-sized town. Temps were in the 80's."
$42 - $288 / night
"Stopped by to get out of the California valley heat. Haven’t been to Bass Lake for years. Missed out on this little piece of heaven. Will be back."
"A great location at the South entrance of Yosemite NP. The Staff were so friendly and helpful. Prices are very reasonable for laundry. The sites are well spaced."
"RV spaces have many different location styles, secluded, views, groups etc.
Large clean pool with a shallow lounging section. Playground. Bathrooms/showers were freshly renovated and clean.""You’re 25 miles from the park entrance, on a straight path. The sites were a great space and the pool and playground was a lot of fun of the kids. The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful."
$40 - $105 / night
"Great campsite if you want to camp around Shaver Lake in the Sierras of California. Beautify lake, plenty of water sports. The small town has great rustic mountain vibe."
"Easy walk to lakeside and boat ramp. Nice picnic area near lake. Camped with full hookups. Nice store and hospitality center with food, drinks and stock of camp supplies."
$52 - $106 / night
"Lovely view of the lake. Close by for easy access. Clean bathrooms!"
"I love that it's walking distance to the resort and the burgers there are soooo good! Lake is beautiful and campground is very nice, bathrooms have sinks and flush toilets too."
"It’s close to both Yosemite entrances ! Close to town . Love it ."
"He kept in touch with us all throughout our drive there and helped us get set up upon arrival."
ScoutWe have spent summers here on the water for the last 3 years. The site has a convenience store and a restaurant that serves up a really great burger. Also a very short drive into town.
ScoutWe stayed at SKP Park of the Sierras for two months during April and May and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. To use the park, you'll need an Escapees membership(about$50), which we found well worth the cost given the quality of the facilities and amenities.
Originally, we were only able to reserve one month at a time, but when our circumstances changed, the office staff were incredibly understanding and worked with us to extend our stay. The staff throughout the park were welcoming, friendly, and helpful.
Our site was spacious, shaded by mature trees, and included full hookups and a concrete patio area that was perfect for setting up chairs and relaxing outdoors. The grounds were well maintained, and the park was surprisingly quiet during our stay. The amenities were excellent. The clubhouse hosted daily activities, and there was a library, games, fitness area, coffee station, and a donation-based thrift shop section. The laundry facilities were clean and well maintained, and quarters were available for purchase in the office during business hours.
Traveling with dogs, we especially appreciated the dog park. It featured separate fenced areas for large and small dogs, water spigots, covered areas for rainy weather, and even a heater for chilly mornings.
The shower facilities were clean and comfortable. They sold propane onsite. Fuel was conveniently located just down the road at the casino, often at reasonable prices. For our longer stay we would drive into Oakhurst or Fresno for groceries, so it's worth planning ahead for larger grocery runs.
One of the biggest advantages of this park is its location. It served as an excellent home base for exploring Yosemite National Park, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Monterey Bay, San Francisco, and Pinnacles National Park,(we don’t mind a long drive!).
We used Starlink throughout our stay and were pleased by how well it worked. Even with a tree-filled site, it was able to find enough open sky to maintain a reliable connection.
A few things future guests should know: some of the roads have tighter curves, but the staff are very knowledgeable about matching RVs to appropriate sites. Our 25-foot trailer had no issues. Mail and package delivery can also require some planning. As guests, we had mail sent to General Delivery at the Coarsegold Post Office. However, we later learned that FedEx would not deliver there, so packages shipped by different carriers may require different delivery addresses. It's worth confirming shipping methods before ordering anything important.
Overall, SKP Park of the Sierras exceeded our expectations. The spacious sites, excellent amenities, quiet atmosphere, friendly staff, and central location made it one of our favorite long-term stays. We would gladly return and highly recommend it to other RV travelers.
TravelerThe morning view and the sunset light through the trees were wonderful, and the starry sky at night was a highlight. I also liked the grill area, but the campsite was quite challenging for the tent since the ground wasn't even.
We booked two nights but left after one because of the cold weather and lack of internet connection. Service was only available about 10 minutes away by car, which became inconvenient for us. Since the area is publicly managed, getting help was difficult, and we couldn’t easily cancel the second night because nobody was available. Two volunteers were very kind and tried to help though.
The place would also benefit from adding showers, especially considering how many people stay there.
Overall, the location itself was beautiful, but the inconveniences made it harder to fully enjoy the experience.
ScoutWawona Campground is good if all you’re needing is somewhere to camp inside the park. The sites are fairly close together with little to no foliage blocking your view to each site. Some of the sites are not very level so if you have a roof tent like myself keep this in mind. It is about a 30-40 minute drive to the valley and the whole campground just feels busy and not much privacy. If you’re needing a place to stay I would recommend trying for a campground inside the Valley it will make your time in Yosemite much better spent
ScoutWe are having a great time at Hodgdon Meadow Campground! The camp hosts have been terrific! Helped us out when we got locked out of our trailer. This campground has lots of tent camping and a handful of rv and trailers. The hardest thing is to get consecutive nights at the same site. We had to move from site 104 to site 85 after 1 night. We are at site 85 (very nice ) for 3 nights. Have 1 more move to site 75.
GuideI cant say enuf about our stay. After choosing a perfect spot. We setteled into relax and enjoy to quiet country vibes. Pool. Was great for a cool down. Very great since of community very welcomed by everyone. Matt Tracy and chad made us feel like we were at home The animals were great and friendly. Also The shower was over a granite bolder surrounded with grapevines. We boondocked and had a great time .
GuideIt's a gorgeous service road, fully paved, with plenty of pull-offs alongside it. Depending on the spot you set up in your phone service is either going to be spotty or non-existent. My only complaint is the number of vehicles pulling through in the middle of the night, pulling right up to where I was at with their high beams and sitting there for a while before eventually leaving.
TravelerI will start with the good. Fantastic WiFi, extremely clean bathrooms and shower rooms, excellent pool at cedar Lodge next door, short walkable distance to the YART bus stop into Yosemite, great price for a campground 8 miles from a national park entrance and easy access to a beautiful little river park across the highway. The only negative is, out of the several hundred campgrounds I have camped in over the last six years, none have even come close to how packed this place is. I was fortunate to get the best campsite in the park but across from me are 4 campers in an area no larger than some single campsites I have stayed at. The spaces don't allow for parking both your camper and your towing vehicle so you need to use the overflow parking which is outside the campground parallel to the highway. The Jupe Tents, tent cabins, and cottages are also packed just as tight as are the tent sites. I would still recommend this campground to anyone wanting to go to Yosemite though. It's definitely the closest and most convenient campground
ScoutAmazing spot love it, it’s a bit of a drive for a car but amazing view and very peaceful
Dispersed camping near Wishon, California offers diverse backcountry experiences across elevations ranging from 3,500 to 7,000 feet. The area's proximity to multiple watersheds, including both Wishon and Courtright Reservoirs, creates varied camping conditions depending on seasonal water levels. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-85°F during the day with nighttime lows in the 50s, while spring and fall camping requires preparation for wider temperature fluctuations.
Waterfall exploration: Whisky Falls Campground offers access to impressive cascades just a short hike from camp. "The waterfall is a short hike away, and there are plenty of trails to hike during the day, as well as dirt roads to explore," writes Kelli L. Families can extend their adventure beyond the main falls for even more scenery, as Alex L. notes: "Hike past it for an even more beautiful sight to behold."
Lake activities: Bass Lake at Yosemite RV Resort provides convenient water access for boating enthusiasts. "Has a pool, game room very run down, bathrooms and showers decent, sites a bit to close together for our liking but being close to the lake and Yosemite was a bonus," reports Denise C. The lake offers multiple recreation options within walking distance of many campsites.
Stargazing: The high elevation and minimal light pollution create ideal night sky viewing conditions. At Camp Edison near Shaver Lake, campers report exceptional stargazing opportunities. "Moon rock sits in a meadow and soaks up sun all day, making it a nice warm space to star gaze at night while listening to the horses in the stable nextdoor," shares Liz, highlighting natural features that enhance the experience.
Privacy at dispersed sites: Goat Meadow provides secluded camping with minimal facilities. "When I was there recently, some of the 'campsites' had 0-3" [of snow], 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. I was the only one in the actual snow, which was great!" writes Alexander Mark C.
Wildlife encounters: The Sierra forests host diverse wildlife, adding to the camping experience. "Coyotes and bears are active in the area- coyotes raided a bag I had hanging from a tree and stole my food!" shares Alexander Mark C. from Goat Meadow. Proper food storage is essential but offers the chance to observe local fauna from a safe distance.
Swimming spots: Whisky Falls Campground provides refreshing water access beyond the main falls. "Bass lake is close by as well so you can take a dip to rinse off all the dust you kick up," mentions Alex L. The combination of waterfall areas and lake proximity creates multiple swimming options during hot summer months.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly throughout the region. At Forks Campground near Bass Lake, one camper notes: "Will note that Verizon cell service was almost none existent despite showing 1 or 2 bars occasionally. Starlink is recommend if need internet or other services."
Weekend congestion: Popular areas can become crowded, particularly during holidays. At Goat Meadow, Katelin M. warns: "Stayed about a week which also crossed over Memorial Day weekend. Arrived the Tuesday before. This place gets CROWDED. At 5:30 it's like everyone got off work and headed home, it's nuts."
Road conditions: Many campgrounds require traveling on rough forest roads. For Goat Meadow, Paige mentions: "The road getting there has tons of potholes and the road in the site is super super bumpy." High clearance vehicles may be needed for accessing certain dispersed camping areas, especially after rain or early in the season.
Playground access: High Sierra RV Park offers dedicated children's play areas near Oakhurst. "Amenities include a pool, day room with tons of things to do, a separate day room for kids, a large fire pit, showers, store at the office, horseshoe and 2 shuffleboard courts," says Michael C., highlighting the family-friendly facilities.
Educational activities: Some campgrounds provide organized nature programs. At Camp Edison, Angela D. shares: "Camp Edison has great activities during the summer season including guided educational nature walks, both day and evening, as well as kids' movies in the amphitheater. There is also a museum on site that offers activities and fun events like an ice cream social."
Site selection strategy: Choose locations based on bathroom proximity and noise levels. At Wawona Campground, allen W. advises: "#37 awesome creekside. water spigot close. bathrooms slight walk. slight slant. bring bug spray!" Selecting sites near amenities but away from high-traffic areas creates better experiences for families with young children.
Leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven terrain at many campgrounds. At Yosemite RV Resort, Aban J. notes: "Site is small little to no space for vehicle at the site we are at some sites have a lot more room than ours." Bringing additional leveling blocks is recommended for most camping areas near Wishon.
Hookup variations: Water and electric availability differs significantly between campgrounds. At Spring Cove Campground, Troy L. advises: "Our spot was small, but worked fine for us. Site 20 was so close it was basically part of our site." Researching specific site dimensions before booking ensures appropriate space for your equipment.
Site access limitations: Several campgrounds have tight turning radiuses. At High Sierra RV Park, Michael G. shares: "To leave with a 26' travel trailer I had to pull out and back down another road just to exit the park." Larger rigs should research site-specific access conditions before arrival, as turnaround space is limited in many forest campgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Wishon Campground located in Sequoia National Forest?
Wishon Village RV Resort is located in the Sierra National Forest, not Sequoia National Forest. It's situated at a higher elevation after a long climb up a winding mountain road. The campground is about a 20-minute drive from Courtright Reservoir. The area offers beautiful mountain surroundings with access to nearby natural attractions and waterways.
What amenities are available at Wishon Campground in Sequoia?
Wishon Village RV Resort offers numerous amenities for campers. The campground features both RV sites and tent camping options, including platform and ground sites. There's a village store on-site for supplies, bathroom facilities with showers, and some tent sites are positioned next to a small stream. For RVers, the campground can accommodate larger vehicles, including Class A motorhomes up to 43 feet in length with tow vehicles.
When is the best time to visit Wishon Campground in Sequoia?
The best time to visit Wishon is during late spring through early fall when the weather is most favorable for camping in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Similar to other mountain destinations like Upper Billy Creek Campground, which is noted for its beauty in late June and early July, Wishon offers pleasant conditions during summer months. Given its mountain location, the campground likely experiences snow and potential closures during winter months, making summer the optimal time for visits.
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