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."
$28 - $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."
"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."
$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."
$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."
$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."
"Close to the lake plenty of activities in the area Boats jet ski rental fishing etc"
"Let me start by saying it was worth driving six and a half hours to get here."
"The lakes are stunning, and there are a LOT of campsites to choose from. I also appreciated the space they provide at campsites to store food that are bear proof."
GuideStayed here the first week of January. A bit of snow on the ground but temps in the 30's were manageable with proper gear. Firepits at each campsite, no camp host in the evening if you arrive late. Bathrooms did not have soap. No showers.
GuideIt was hard to tell the size od the sites booking online. What looked like it would be a rather big site needed up being one of the smaller ones in person. Dont trust the description or pictures on the reserve site. Spots are very close together and people just walk through your site.
RangerWent April of 2025, Used my free Thousand trails membership and it was okay the site are a little close together but the facility was GRADE A!! River was great, and plenty of hiking to keep me busy and the Yosemite park was very close, summer time looks like it would be an absoulute Sh!t show, and never want to see that. Cut old towen nearby and a over priced resort as well.
LegendI have camped here twice. It is a beautiful area and has a cool little trail through a meadow in the campground. It’s less crowded than the more popular campgrounds like Lodgepole. I love it because you can get to the Sequoia Park attractions easily and it’s also on the road to Kings Canyon and Hume lake.
TravelerMost of Hardin Road goes through a burn area so there is little tree cover and the scenery is not so good. The east end is still forested and there are nice sites along Rush Creek. Forest Sevices vehicles drove by nearly every half hour and you can hear some road traffic from Hwy 120 so don’t expect real seclusion.
GuideWe decided to come back to this spot for a second night because we loved it so much and loved the convenience of the hot springs. Stayed at this specific spot due to the snow and weight of our rig and did t want to get stuck. Camping with our truck and truck bed camper, have the generator going and no one can hear it. We plan to make this our regular spot every winter
GuideWe parked it there over night and for the better part of the next day to walk in and enjoy Crab Cooker hot springs. We were in a truck bed camper. Super quiet. Didn’t want to drive into the parking area by the hot spring due to the snow being too soft and getting stuck.
RangerBeing so close to the entrance to Yosemite and yet deep in the peace of the forest is a golden treat. This road has both the Hardin Flat and the hardin Dispersed sites. In reality, it's all along this road - there's really no distinction and there are loads of isolated sites. A few at the East end are very near the creek so there's water as well if you filter. No other services. Verizon is 1 to 3 bars. And, it's not really that far from Groveland and the services in town. I came into Yosemite via Oakhurst (Fish Camp - Goat Meadow dispersed) and an exiting at this dispersed site. You really can see and experience it all on a truly minimal budget.
ScoutThe view is amazing and beautiful but the road coming in the park is a bit to small its a 2 way road but it only fits one big rig, Very quiet but no wifi/service
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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