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Established Camping

Wa Ka Luu Hep Yoo Campground

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Wa Ka Luu Hep Yoo Campground, near Stanislaus National Forest, is a charming retreat that offers a mix of tent and RV sites, perfect for those looking to unwind in nature. The campground is known for its proximity to the Stanislaus River, where you can enjoy fishing and swimming in beautiful, scenic spots.

Visitors appreciate the well-maintained facilities, including clean vault toilets and a shower house, which make it easy to freshen up after a day of outdoor activities. One camper noted, “This is one of the most beautiful, secluded little places we've been,” highlighting the serene atmosphere that many find appealing.

The layout of the campground features tent-only sites at the front and a loop with RV and tent spots further back, providing a bit of separation for a more peaceful experience. While it can get busy, especially on weekends, the natural beauty and family-friendly vibe keep campers coming back year after year. Whether you're here for a weekend or a longer stay, Wa Ka Luu Hep Yoo is a great choice for those looking to connect with nature.

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Location

Wa Ka Luu Hep Yoo Campground is located in California

Detail location of campground

Directions

Highway 4 to Dorrington,\_\_northeast on Boards Crossing Road.

Coordinates

38.322063 N
120.218558 W

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Connectivity

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Detours Nearby

LOCAL FAVORITES PRESENTED BYToyota Trucks
Mighty Farms

Mighty Farms

22 min away

Meadowview

Meadowview

1 hr 23 min away

Drive Time

Presented byToyota Trucks

Connectivity

Presented byT-Mobile SatelliteT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol

For Vehicles

  • Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info


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Reviews

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4.0

out of 5

7 Reviews

Reviewed Jun. 22, 2025

Pretty spot, but loud drunks with generators

Seemed ok until people  showed up at 11pm drunk. Ran their generator right next to our tent. No camp host on site. . No sleep.  Learned too late the place has a reputation. Too bad. It’s a beautiful spot.

Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Mar. 10, 2025

Amazing location

This campsite is near the Stanisaus river! You can hear it at night and this place is a great spot to disconnect for society! Cell service is spotty to nothing, which is perfect!

Sitesite 4
Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Sep. 2, 2022

Nice Spot

Spent a few nights here, and had a good time. The sites are a little close together and there are no bear boxes which surprised me. The toilets are mostly vault with the exception of the ones in the shower house.

Site5
Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Nov. 12, 2021

Hard to say, easy to stay

This is one of the most beautiful, secluded little places we've been. Showers and bathroom facility kept clean. A short walk down to the edge of the Stanislaus River and you won't want to leave. Very family friendly.

Site11
Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed May. 9, 2021

Nice spots next to the river

Once my go to spot years ago, this place can get a bit crazy now! This hidden gem has a great lay out with tent only sites up front and spots for RVs and tents around the loop in the back - all sites have tables and fire rings are fairly close to several pit toilets and water spigots. There are flush toilets and showers located at the front of the campground near the camp host spot and payment/info area.

Site34
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Wa Ka Luu Hep Yoo Campground by Carter B., May 9, 2021
  • Review photo of Wa Ka Luu Hep Yoo Campground by Carter B., May 9, 2021
  • Review photo of Wa Ka Luu Hep Yoo Campground by Carter B., May 9, 2021
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Nov. 22, 2019

Popular summer spot

Some great variety in this campground which includes walk in tent only sites! It’s a well laid out campground, tent only spots up front ( near the camp host and showers) and a loop around the back with some well separated sites just above the river.
Years ago this spot was a nice little secret but now it’s often packed and can get quite noisy, especially on the weekends.

  • Review photo of Wa Ka Luu Hep Yoo Campground by Carter B., November 22, 2019
  • Review photo of Wa Ka Luu Hep Yoo Campground by Carter B., November 22, 2019
  • Review photo of Wa Ka Luu Hep Yoo Campground by Carter B., November 22, 2019
  • (4) View All
Reviewed May. 15, 2019

We call this place our church

My wife and daughter and I have come here for the past ten years. We love it. The river is beautiful and loud and the fishing is great. Some nice swimming holes too.

There’s men’s and women’s showers toward the entrance which was the only way I could sell the place to my wife.

It’s run by members of the local Miwuk tribe. Charlie kept the place immaculate and is a really nice guy. BUT...Last time I went, (2017?) he was replaced by a guy who looked and acted pretty sketch and looked like he did a lot of meth. Not surprisingly, the showers were filthy.

That aside, the area is stunning, the swimming is fun and I’ve taken a few trout out of the river.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the features of Wakalu Hep Yo (Wild River) Campground?

Wa Ka Luu Hep Yoo Campground features a thoughtful layout with tent-only sites in the front section near the camp host and showers, while a loop around the back offers well-separated sites positioned above the river. All sites come equipped with tables and fire rings. Amenities include pit toilets, water spigots, and a shower/bathroom facility. The campground does not have bear boxes. The Stanislaus River provides natural beauty, fishing opportunities, and swimming holes. Cell service is limited to nonexistent, making it ideal for disconnecting from technology.

What do reviews say about Wakalu Hep Yo Campground?

Wa Ka Luu Hep Yoo is a beautiful campground situated along the Stanislaus River, offering a peaceful natural retreat. Campers appreciate the river's ambient sounds, fishing opportunities, and swimming holes. The campground includes clean shower facilities and is generally family-friendly. While once considered a hidden gem, it has become more popular over time. The natural setting receives high marks, though some visitors have noted occasional issues with noisy neighbors and lack of on-site camp host supervision during busy periods.

How can I make a reservation at Wakalu Hep Yo Campground?

Reservations for Wa Ka Luu Hep Yoo Campground can be made through recreation.gov, the standard booking platform for many Forest Service campgrounds. The campground offers both tent-only sites and spots that accommodate RVs. For the most accurate information on availability, reservation windows, and fees, visit the recreation.gov website or contact the Stanislaus National Forest office directly. Consider booking well in advance during peak summer months as this once-secret spot has gained popularity over the years.

Are there photos available of Wakalu Hep Yo Campground?

Photos of Wa Ka Luu Hep Yoo Campground are available online through official forest service websites, camping platforms, and social media. These images typically showcase the campground's riverside location, campsite layouts, and natural surroundings. For the most current visual representation of the campground, check recreation.gov or the Stanislaus National Forest website. Visitor-submitted photos often provide realistic perspectives of the campsites, shower facilities, and the beautiful Stanislaus River setting.