RV sites near Yosemite National Park range in elevation from approximately 3,000 feet in Oakhurst to over 7,500 feet near the park's entrance, affecting both temperature and seasonal accessibility. The eastern entrance along Highway 120 typically closes with winter snowfall, while lower-elevation campgrounds west of the park remain accessible year-round. Cell service decreases significantly as you approach the park boundary, with most RV parks outside offering internet connectivity.
What to do
River swimming at McCabe Flat: Located along the Merced River, this campground offers swimming holes for cooling off during summer months. "The water was cold, high and fast but I managed to catch a 12" rainbow almost right away, just feet from the campsite," noted one visitor at McCabe Flat Campground.
Walking trails at Bass Lake: Several RV resorts near Bass Lake provide easy access to walking paths around the water. "It's only a 15 min hike to the lake and a 30 min drive into Yosemite," reports one camper at Bass Lake at Yosemite RV Resort.
Onsite recreation at family-friendly resorts: Many parks feature swimming pools and organized activities. "With a pool, petting zoo, a corral where they have fire and s'mores followed by a movie, this is a great place to camp with the kids," according to a visitor at Yosemite Pines RV Resort.
What campers like
Convenience of eastern gateway: Camping near Mono Lake provides access to Yosemite's east entrance. "Being on the end of town, this place has all you need to reset and relax. Peaceful shady location with power, water, flush toilets, showers, laundromat, and a general store," reports a camper about Mono Vista RV Park.
Quality facilities: Clean bathrooms and showers rank high on camper satisfaction. "Bathrooms and showers are very clean. We stayed in the large spaces that have electricity and water only. Very quiet and nice," mentions a visitor at Mammoth Mountain RV Park & Campground.
Riverfront spots: Campsites along waterways offer both scenery and recreation. "Beautiful campground with even more amazing staff. It is first come first serve (after a reservation) so get there early. We lucked out with a pretty big and shaded riverfront spot," shares a Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes visitor.
What you should know
No-reservation options: Some BLM campgrounds offer first-come, first-served sites at lower costs. "I visited in November, on the first days of rain after a long dry season... All three camps are along the river. There are no reservations," notes a McCabe Flat camper.
Bear awareness required: Wildlife encounters are common throughout the region. "Make sure to use the bear box as we had a bear come into our camp the last night," warns a camper at Mammoth Mountain RV Park.
Accessibility challenges: Some campgrounds have terrain limitations. "The tent sites were right on top of each other and there was nowhere to park. You had to climb a steep hill to get to them with your car and again to the actual spot," reports a visitor to Yosemite Pines RV Resort & Family Lodging.
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly amenities: Several resorts offer dedicated recreation options. "Yosemite RV Resort has a great pool and playground for the kids. We stayed here 3 nights but could've stayed here a week easy," shares a visitor.
Consider educational opportunities: Some campgrounds provide learning experiences. "Petting zoo animals were adorable. Nice location to Yosemite. Friendly interactions with staff," notes a family staying in cabins at Yosemite Pines.
Weather preparedness: Temperature fluctuations can be significant. "We weren't here for long, only one night on our way back home to Oregon but it was long enough to see a bear cross the road... It was also pretty chilly for what we thought was still the fall season, only 30 degrees when we arrived and 22 when we woke up," warns a tent camper at Mammoth Mountain.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: RV sites vary significantly in quality and access. "Spots large enough for almost all size rigs. Choose to camp under the shade of the pines on a dirt pad or in the clean, parking lot style section," advises an RVer about Mammoth Mountain.
Electrical service variations: Not all parks offer the same 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," recommends a visitor to Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes.
Expect tight spaces: Many RV parks maximize capacity with close sites. "Although we could pull through, the spaces were very tight and we just happen to get lucky that nobody was across from us as there is only one way in and one way out," reports a visitor to High Sierra RV Park.
