Potato Hill Group

Under the stars next to Oaks, Pines, Manzanita, and Willows in Gold Country. Take a trip to the Merced River, Yosemite National Park or just relax away from the lights and sounds of the city. You may encounter deer, wild turkey, hawks, woodpeckers and possibly spy a bear or bobcat. We are off the beaten path and offer a tranquil and peaceful experience on private land. The creeks run pretty full in the wet season and dry up mid-summer. There are several sites to choose from and all offer privacy and space. From a pull-in Dry Camp to Tent Sites to Fully Equipped Campers, each offer a different experience.

The roads are unpaved, rocky, mountainous and can be very rough. For the adventurous of heart, the roads and rocky mountainous terrain can be difficult to navigate in the winter. AWD or 4WD vehicles are recommended during the wet and snow seasons. Low profile vehicles are not advisable. Chains may be necessary.

Minutes from the Merced River Recreation Area, 34 miles (53 minutes) to Yosemite and 12 miles to the Historic town of Mariposa.

Located in the historic Whitlock Mining district north of the town of Mariposa. The district is east of the Mother Lode gold belt and includes the Colorado, Sherlock Creek, and Whiskey Flat areas. The area was placer-mined soon after the beginning of the gold rush, and lode mining began shortly afterward. A number of mines were active here during the 1930s, and a few, such as the Diltz and Schroeder mines, have been intermittently prospected in recent years.

Placer and Lode mining began in 1849. 49er's Lafayette Bunnell, Champlin Spencer, Thomas Whitlock and John Sherlock and a monte dealer from Quartzburg have all been credited with being the sole discoverer of the rich gold deposits.

Over 70 lode mines such as the Buffalo Champion 2, Colorado, Diltz, Geary, Golden Key, King Solomon, Landrum, Nutmeg, Our Chance, Permit, Schroeder, Spread Eagle and Whitlock have been recorded in the district since the 1850's. With several of them operating stamp mills, including a 20 stamp battery at the Whitlock Mine, post offices opened in the towns of Colorado in 1858 and Whitlock in 1899.

It is reported up to 5,000 settlers occupied the area, including Potato Hill. The name derived from the potato crops planted on it's slopes. It is, however, rumored the name came from gold nuggets the size of a potato.

The mining towns of Whitlock, Colorado, and Sherlock no longer exists.