Red Cloud Road sets the tone early. The pavement ends about half a mile before the site, giving way to a steep, rutted forest road with deep drainages that demands 4WD or AWD clearance. Campers pass a stretch of residential homes on the way up, but the road dead-ends at the site itself, leaving the surrounding fir forest largely to whoever makes the drive.
Space is limited. There is essentially one pull-in spot, sized for a van or vehicle up to 25 feet, with no flat ground to speak of. Leveling requires some improvisation. What the site lacks in comfort it compensates for in open sightlines: continuing past the main pull-in leads to a vantage point with 360-degree views, and Mark L. notes an "unobstructed night sky, and interesting exploration." Verizon users can expect one to two bars of cell service.
There are no on-site services of any kind, no water, no toilet, and no trash facilities, so campers need to arrive fully self-sufficient. A public restroom sits roughly 0.2 miles away, and a gas station and market in Greeley Hill provide resupply options. Yosemite's west gate is about 30 minutes out, and Cherry Lake is within an hour's drive for fishing, kayaking, and swimming. Nearby, Smith Peak Lookout Road Dispersed — Stanislaus NF provides an alternative for those who want dispersed camping with more site variety. One caution: broken glass has been reported around the fire ring, so campers with dogs should take care. This site works best for self-contained van or truck campers who prioritize solitude and night-sky access over amenities.
Description
This dispersed site is in the Stanislaus National Forest
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsVan Haven Dispersed Site Yosemite is located in California near Groveland
Dispersed CampingCoordinates
37.74719407204897 N
120.11589537128404 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GGood Coverage
VerizonLTESome Coverage
AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 8 usersLast on 9/4/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GGood Coverage
- VerizonLTESome Coverage
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 8 usersLast on 9/4/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
DISPERSED CAMPING
Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.
Drive Time
- 1 hr 4 min from Merced, CA
- 1 hr 14 min from Modesto, CA
- 1 hr 32 min from Stockton, CA
- 1 hr 53 min from Fresno, CA
