We stayed here just after the campground opened for the season, the upper campgrounds were still closed but lower blue lakes was open. We had the entire campground to ourselves. We stayed in the site directly next to the bathroom which was like having a private tiolet while camping which was nice (if it was busy we wouldn't have stayed in that site due to potential smell and foot traffic). The site was on top of a hill with a large paved area for parking. Bear boxes provided. Level areas for tents, nice vantage point on top of the hill overlooking a meadow on one side and the road and creek on the other side. There is a creek that flows from upper blue lake to lower blue lake and it is a nice walk to explore along the creek. Very beautiful and peaceful. We saw two deer from our site. There are several sites right long the creek. Quick walk to upper Blue lake, longer walk but doable to lower Blue lake. Several trailheads in the area for longer hikes and day trips. Wild flowers in this area are also fantastic!
Great day use spot, used by lots of locals for swimming. Dogs are supposed to be leashed but I have seen them off leash many times here so be prepared, most are friendly. It gets very busy on the weekends and hot days, so you will have daytime noise from swimming/river activities. During the earlier summer months there are rafters during the day. The campsites are nice and clean and range from very private to right next to each other. All are extremely close to the river so prepare for mosquitoes at night but the sounds of the river are amazing! Most sites have bear boxes and a firepit, check fire restrictions. Nice spot not far outside Yosemite. The road in is dirt there are walking/hiking trails along the road and river. As long as you don't mind neighbors or crowds during the day its a great spot! Tons of pull outs to park for dayuse/swimming, we always find a nice beach/spot all to ourselves to swim even when busy.
I love Rancheria campground! It is a great place to stay for a week or longer and go explore all the surrounding area has to offer! There is already so much to do at the lake as well but the other lakes and hikes in the area are some of my favorite! It is also a great place for fishing. The campground is on the opposite side of the lake from the marina and store and cabins. Making it a little quieter and more peaceful, I prefer to try and get a site that is not as close to the lake sometimes as there is less foot traffic past your site then. No matter where your site is ots not far to the lake, it is nice to have bikes as the roads through the campground are well maintained. There are vault tiolets and some flush tiolets, water and bear boxes. Also firepits and tables. Summer time is very busy and extremely busy on the weekends but there is so much space that you can get away from others if you want or go to the marina side and rent kayaks and boats. Very clean, very safe, lots of families. Near mono hot springs! Definitely recommend giving it a try if you like camping with a little more amenities.
The road in turns to dirt and becomes farely rough, but 4wd is not required. The spaces are along the dirt road but most are far enough back to not even notice the road as on the other side of the sites is a beautiful large creek. You can hear the creek all night as you sleep, there were deep enough spots to swim on the creek and shallow enough places to cross and explore. The sites are very spread out and private. We saw several people on our way in but our site was still several sites away from the next person and there were tons of sites available even in the summer. Highland lakes is at the very end of the road but it is a long drive on the rough road, it is beautiful and even more remote. But we preferred to explore the creek and stay in a spot that was super private and had a great place to sit right on the creek. I would go back.
The road in is dirt, depending on the winter season it can be a little rough. 4wd is NOT required though. There are several dispersed campsites along the lower section of the road and creek, as you continue there is a campground with vault tiolets and sites with firepits, and tables. No bear boxes. The creek runs along one side of the campground area but the dispersed sites on the lower section are along both sides of the creek. It can get busy on weekends but I have never seen it full. I have always come the same day and been able to get a spot in one of the camping areas. The dispersed camp sites usually have a rock fire pit but you are supposed to get a burn permit to use them and check current fire conditions as they do ban burning during high fire danger years. From the upper campground there is a trailhead that leads further up the canyon. There are also trails along the creek. You are also not a far drive from Twin Lakes.
Again if you read this far there are hot springs!! 💧The dispersed camping is within walking distance to the springs where the campground is about 1 mile from the springs, but there is a small parking area near the springs. The hike down is extremely steep and narrow while it is very short it it very difficult. The springs are rock pools that people build after the snow melt. The hotspring water trickles down from the hillside above into the creek and pools below. There is also a small warm pool on the hill above the creek near the parking area by a small pine tree. The pools vary in size and heat depending on the year and way they are built to let the creek water in. It is great to be able to soak in the hot water then jump in the cold creek and then back into the hot spring as they are only separated by a few rocks. Definitely a yearly favorite and nice to be able to get a spot even on busy weekends.
I agree the road out is pretty scary I don't advise trailers but I have seen them while driving in. It is one lane and you must pull out for opposing traffic. But definitely one of my most favorite places in the Sierras. The views are amazing, I recommend giving yourself extra time to stop and get out for the views a few times on the way in.
Once in the campground/resort area there are two separate loops to camp in as well as cabins to rent and a small dispersed camping area there is also a general store, bath house, and small Cafe that are all seasonal since the road is closed most of the year. So open and close dates vary depending on snow. You can get firewood, drinking water at the store but it can be a little pricey, so I recommend bringing your own. The baths/showers are usually included for anyone paying for a campsite, but this may have changed. It is very cheap for day use persons to use the showers though. The sites are all very nice and surprisingly private though some are pretty close together. All provide a firepit, table, bear box, and parking space. I love that there are bear boxes at such a remote place! There are vault tiolets and dumpsters for trash. The river runs along one side of the campsites so about half of the sites are on the river. Bring extra bugspray for these sites as you are close to the water.
Most important if you made it this far reading 😅😂 there are multiple NATURAL HOT SPRINGS!! There are several different pools located across the river from the campgrounds. They are all over the hillside and range in temperature from lukewarm to bath water to Hot. They also pump the natural mineral water to the bathhouse for the showers! The springs are the main reason to come out and camp. There are also tons of hiking trails and other lakes in the area including 2 thermal lakes and tons of breathtaking views. I highly recommend this place. 🏞🏕
Also: I have not personally stayed in the cabins or dispersed camping area only the paid sites along the river, but I have been here several times and have seen them. There is also a corral area for horses so I'm not sure if that qualifies it as an equestrian camp but there is a spot for the horses.