93% (165 reviews)
Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Stanislaus National Forest adventure.
An extensive network of lakes, rivers, streams, and trails delight at this Yosemite neighbor.
Popular ways to camp
Community favorites near Stanislaus National Forest
Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.
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Stay at a public campground in Stanislaus National Forest
Top-rated campgrounds near Stanislaus National Forest
97%
(534)
Diamond Gulch
39 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents824 acres · Groveland, CA
CLOSE TO YOSEMITE! Explore the mines and hang out on our Groveland, California ranch! We are 35 minutes to the main gate of Yosemite National Park. A great place to stay just outside of the park.
We have 824 acres on a beautiful cattle ranch with two small ponds. On our property, you'll find frogs, turtles, oak trees, pine trees and stunning views of Yosemite.
We have several campsites to choose from including RV camping, tent camping, and a glamping tent. Pets are welcome. Campfires are permitted as long as there is no fire ban. Potable water and toilet are available onsite.
There's a golf course less than a mile away. We are also very close to town. In just a few minutes, you can drive to our local grocery store and pizza parlour.
We are a 10-minute drive to Pine Mountain Lake. Beautiful Pine Mountain Lake offers golfing, dining, horseback riding, water sports and an airport.
When you come to the ranch it feels like you are hundreds of miles away from civilization, but still close to everything you need. It is incredibly peaceful!
This is a great place for someone who wants to escape city life and enjoy the tranquillity of nature.
Much of the ranch is open wilderness for you to explore, and it's not uncommon to see deer, frogs, turtles, quail, turkeys, or other countless species of birds.
Diamond Gulch Camp is the perfect place to relax if you’re a photographer, artist, family or a group of friends looking for a place to camp near Yosemite.
A small portion of the property was used as a gold mine years ago, and you may find remnants of old home sites if you go exploring. We're not far from Wards Ferry Road, Groveland, Lake Don Pedro and other interesting places.
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$30
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89%
(254)
Yosemite Westlake Camp
33 sites · RVs, Tents6 acres · Coulterville, CA
Located on the John Muir Historic route to Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Westlake Campground and RV Park is convenient to all things Yosemite.
Between here and the park is Rainbow Pool, a well-known swimming hole that campers here often visit on their way back to the campground for a refreshing dip in the cool waters.
Coulterville was started as a gold-rush town. You can visit the museum and visitor center even try your hand at panning for gold.
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$48
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99%
(55)
River Ranch Campgrounds
28 sites · RVs, Tents50 acres · Twain Harte, CA
At River Ranch Campgrounds, Tuolumne, CA we offer a wide range of activities to make your stay enjoyable. Take a hike on one of the many trails winding through the Stanislaus National Forest at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountains, or cast a line in the North Fork of the Tuolumne River or Basin Creek for some great native fishing. After a long day of exploration, come back to the campgrounds and relax by the firepit or enjoy a picnic in one of our many picnic areas. Activities in the campground include horseshoes and volleyball. We pride ourselves on blending nature and family camping in a safe, serene environment. We offer water hookups and centrally located restrooms with heated showers to make your stay comfortable and convenient.
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$40
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98%
(687)
Yosemite's Colfax Spring
8 sites · RVs, Tents15 acres · Groveland, CA
Welcome to Yosemite's Colfax Spring!
Home to a basecamp for river rafting trips during the summertime, we are located 15 minutes driving distance to the entrance to Yosemite National Park. If you are staying with us between May - September and want to come rafting, ask us about our river trips!
Our camp sits on a ridge with views down into the Tuolumne River Canyon. The Tuolumne River begins at 13,000 feet of elevation in the High Country of Tuolumne Meadows and provides drinking water for over 2.7 million people in San Francisco.
With cedar and pine trees, manzanita bushes, and wildflowers in the spring, enjoy the Sierras' flora and fauna. Our family has been operating our river rafting company for over 50 years, the last 11 of those years being here at Colfax Spring. Conveniently located off Highway 120, we are in close proximity to swimming holes, hikes, and more.
Enjoy the privacy of our campsite and getting world-class views to yourself, with all of the amenities (flushing toilets, wi-fi, showers.)
Make sure to check the Yosemite National Park website for information about reservations to visit the park!
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$90
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90%
(934)
Bridgeport Reservoir Campground
33 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents11 acres · CA
Bridgeport Reservoir is a lake at the lower end of Bridgeport Valley in Mono County, California. Its earth-filled dam was constructed in 1923 by the Walker River Irrigation District, along the East Walker River. The campground and marina was built I-don't-know-how-long ago, but it sure is nice!
About Us: Welcome to Bridgeport Reservoir Marina and Campground. Join us for the classic camping and fishing experience with unique views of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Within the Toiyabe National Forest, Bridgeport Reservoir Marina and Campground is conveniently located near two distinct hot spring areas. A true angler's paradise, the Reservoir has excellent trout fishing from spring through fall and is close by to multiple rivers for incredible fly fishing. A short 30-minute drive to Tioga pass will bring you straight into the heart of Yosemite National Park. Off-road enthusiasts will have a heyday will the plethora of 4x4 trails in the area as well as the famous trail that brings you right to the Bodie Ghost Town.
Climate & Ecosystem: At 6,400 feet (1,950 meters), this high desert climate has little to moderate tree coverage and gets hot during the days and cool at night. The conditions are much like Joshua Tree National Park or Alabama Hills camping area. During your visit, you will notice many flying insects that resemble mosquitos. These Chironomid are harmless and do not bite. On the contrary, the mosquito presence is very minimal.
Swimming in the lake is possible usually between April to July.
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$27
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98%
(190)
Camp 🏕 Gold Dust Vineyard
6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents6 acres · Somerset, CA
A six acre organic vineyard & natural winery on 21 acres awaits you at Gold Dust Vineyard. A working natural winery and cidery, come enjoy a glass, relax in the breezes at 2’700 feet. Decomposed granite soils and high elevation make for sweeping views and even better natural wine and cider!
We welcome guests year round!
Surrounded by nature, there is so much to do!
Up in the Foothills, we experience all four seasons!
Come relax☮️
March - May
🌸Don’t miss the wildflowers & babbling brooks, steams & rivers
June - September
🏞Swimming in the Consumnes River or paddle boarding at Jenkinson Lake
September - December
🍂🍁Fall foliage, wine harvest, apple picking and alpaca petting
December - March
❄️⛷Snowy hikes, mushroom hunting and quick trips to South Lake Tahoe
We accept reservations for wine and cider tastings and typically host guests between the hours of 11 am and 5 pm.
Occasionally, during very hot and busy holiday weekends, we will host an evening tasting.
Please note, we are a mom and pop shop with just two of us and our young son running the show. We live on site in a tiny house and use the tasting area as our 'back yard' during off hours. We ask that guests please respect our area and off hours requests. We do not permit live fires or generators.
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$35
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97%
(152)
Red Dragonfly Ranch
17 sites · RVs, Tents38 acres · Groveland, CA
At Red Dragonfly Ranch our goal is to make a HipCamp that our campers can fully enjoy and have the property be the destination of choice when visiting Yosemite or the gold country of the Sierra’s. Red Dragonfly Ranch is conveniently located. We are only 29 miles from Yosemite Big Oak Flat entrance and only minutes away from the beautiful town of Groveland " The Gateway to Yosemite" and all the hidden gems in between.
There are chickens and we are working on maintaining the many raised beds, our goal is being able to have our campers feel free to pick fresh herbs, fruits and veggies for their pleasure. There is a seasonal spring fed creek to cool off in and shade is plentiful.
Rv's are welcome , but we are boondocking only.
Follow us on instagram @red_dragonfly_ranch
Please shoot us a message if you have any questions.
Yosemite National Park Reservation Information :
A reservation is required to drive through Yosemite National Park for those driving into the park between 5 am and 4 pm as follows:
April 13 through June 30: A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays ( May 27 and June 19) .
July 1 through August 16 : A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm every day
August 17 through October 27: A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays ( September 2 and October 14 ).
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$59
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97%
(532)
Wondernut Farm
4 sites · Lodging37 acres · Big Oak Flat, CA
Wondernut Farm is an upstart, entirely off grid, working farm-stead being built from the ground up. We breed milking goats and sheep, heritage pigs, and are in the process of converting to a grade A dairy and creamery! We use organic practices, management intensive rotational grazing, and dryland pasture management. We sell our animals locally so that others can have their own milking and meat animals. Our 110 year old hay barn and the roof of the former lumber mill were all we had to work with in getting off the ground.
Being first and foremost a functional farm, we can't help but offer a somewhat warts-and-all look into everything it takes to be working to our goals. Our hearts are, and always will be, educational and local community focused, and we work closely with farmers and friends alike in better understanding our innovative animal husbandry, power, pasture and water systems. Whenever we have time, we'll afford the same time and opportunities to interested hip-campers.
Our location is stunning and historic, and the beauty of the wild, natural landscape is powerful, yet offers easy access to both Yosemite Valley and the San Francisco Bay area. The area features excellent road and mountain biking in the immediate vicinity, vast access to hiking and backpacking trails, a huge variety of rock climbing in the area, the best whitewater rafting in California on the Tuolumne River, with some tasty places to eat or drink coffee in the nearby town of Groveland, just 10 minutes away.
Accommodations at the farm are certainly rustic, and private but not secluded, with occasionally heavily project-exploded shared kitchen and living space, showers, and airy flush toilets.
Do be advised that animals are pooping, hammers are hammering, sometimes we need to look into a health or animal injury related issue. Sometimes there is blood in an animal birth or slaughter, and our working guardian dogs have been known to be noisy some nights. Water and electricity are both very limited (though we reuse all our water), waste must be carefully sorted into a number of different categories, and there is always evidence of ump-teen projects unfolding at once. The most difficult condition during much of the summer are nuisance flies, which are always gone at night. We have almost no mosquitoes or ticks.
Depending on the exact situation and time of year, guests may have the opportunities to snuggle with baby animals and run our herd to or from pasture, and maybe even get their hands dirty picking veggies in the garden.
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$120
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95%
(197)
Cosumnes River Somerset Camp
10 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents23 acres · Somerset, CA
This land was home to the Miwok, then European and Chinese miners, then a cattle rancher. It was also home to a former nun who quit the dominican order to purchase this land for inner city kids to have a chance to ride, swim, hike and fish. We moved here in 2017 and purchased this land with the main goal to raise our large family here, but we have found that good things must be shared! There is NOTHING like being in the wilderness of this area for a good re-centering of the soul! We have found it to be a true blessing for our family, and we hope you can experience this blessing as we share this space with you.
We feel certain you will not be disappointed with this beautiful river canyon. Our property is situated right on the middle fork cosumnes river. We have 2 sleeping cabins and several tent sites (can be rented separately). The cabins offer a rustic/minimalist type vibe - bring your own bedding/pillows to sleep on the comfy futon. A table and chairs are provided for the cabins. Tent sites have a wood table (bring your camp chairs) and a fire pit when the season is open for burning. The swimming is awesome and the stars at night will put you into a state of awe! Many family owned wineries in the area, most of them offering free tasting. It’s a short drive to Tahoe and the Marshall gold discovery site as well as the historic hangtown Placerville. The recent Caldor Fire was VERY close to our property and a back burn was initiated nearby the cabins. It is still as beautiful as ever but please know there are lots of slash piles. Falling trees and burned up stump holes are also a risk and it is presumed campers will be cautious and use at their own risk. Please don't hesitate to shoot us a message if you have any questions!
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$45
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100%
(63)
Rocksteady Adventures
4 sites · RVs, Tents70 acres · Copperopolis, CA
Off-grid campground adjacent to 1000 acre private reservoir perfect for fishing, kayaking & paddle boarding. 70 acres in Sierra Nevada Foothills with Valley Oaks, Gray Pines & Manzanita. Best birding in Calaveras County with over 188 species including Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles, Osprey & waterfowl.
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$30
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95%
(21)
Atticus Woods Hilltop Camping
11 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents5 acres · Fiddletown, CA
Atticus Woods sits on a sunny hilltop that is 5 acres of peace and quiet. The land is gently sloping, rolling hills and has pathways to enjoy all the views. The terrain makes for easy hiking and family friendly hangouts with a variety of cedar, oaks, manzanita and pines. The property has much to offer, including views to die for.
Accommodations
Atticus Woods offers tent camping, vintage campers, car camping and RV spaces with accommodations. We have an outhouse with a composting toilet, sink and privacy. Next to the outhouse, you will find the outdoor shower that faces the El Dorado National Forest for privacy and serenity. The 300' deep well provides clean, tasty water. Speaking of H2o, each campsite has its own water spigot as well as a campfire positioned close to the water for safety.
The tent sites have been cleared of poison oak, leveled and prepped to offer multiple configurations. Each site has its own appeal, read through to get a better understanding. For example, shady and tucked away or open and with views. It's good to note that the sites are still in the wilderness and are bound to get rough around the edges, however much I try to push back. You can expect some natural grade, rough spots and areas without a top soil layer of decomposed granite.
Electrical outlets for charging phones and other devices are located at 3 different parts of the property.
You will find a few barbecues that can be used on a first come first serve basis, this includes 3 weber for the tabletop and a full-size weber as well as some options for grilling over an open fire. I don't offer coals or starter fluid etc., anymore, I couldn't keep up with demand and remain affordable, my apologies. Please consider bringing these items with you. Keep in mind: I am ALWAYS willing to help out if you are in need, forgot something crucial etc., so don't hesitate to ask. I understand and most likely have what you need, if I am on the property.
Firewood
Atticus Woods has 5 + acres of woods and meadow. The trees will drop branches during storms, giving lots of good firewood for your campfire. We cut and stack wood for the house, but there's more than we need. So, as long as it lasts, firewood found on the property is free while you are staying with us. Campers enjoy the walks around the property to collect wood for their fire and kindling for a starter. I do have heavy, seasoned oak rounds for purchase if you are not interested in collecting wood and would like something that will burn for a long time. In addition, I have fire starter logs for purchase as well. Please reach out to host if you need to purchase.
**Firewood Seasoned Oak Logs are sold out until Oct. 2024
Campfires and Fire Circles
Camping just isn't the same without a campfire. We agree. But, this is a highly dangerous area with most of the year out of the question, unless the campfire is positioned next to a water source and folks are educated in fire safety. We have prioritized fire safety and made each campsite complete with a water spigot next to the campfire, allowing campfires most of the year.
Along with campfires at campsites, Camp Atticus is all about the communal fire circles created to encourage community and give options for larger groups. Our Communal Fire Circles are a truly beautiful experience when the property is fully booked! Whether you and your partner are the only campers on the property or the campgrounds are fully booked, the vibe is right. A truly spectacular outdoor experience at Atticus Woods Campgrounds.
Getting around
The main trail winds around the 3 campsites and continues to the Shower/Outhouse. We find the dark skies to be exhilarating, but we have lit up the trails to help you find your way. The entire property glows at night with solar string lights high in the trees helping you find your way, its kind of magical.
The private acreage has its own entrance to El Dorado National Forest with 1000's of acres of wild that provides views as far as the eye can see. This visual freedom allows the start of your "reset" as you stay here and connect with nature.
Atticus Woods was created to bring people together with nature's beauty, open skies and the quiet stillness found here. The campsites are clustered around a communal space giving privacy and community as well. The communal spaces are located in 3 separate parts of the property, giving you options to spread out, be alone, explore and always have a space close by to sit back and take it all in. Multiple fire circles (3) offer opportunity for meetings of minds under starry night skies as well as provide a place to be solo or to be quiet (even when fully booked). We really like that.
Atticus Woods has just added dispersed camping of your choice as an option that is really affordable and a casual, easy site to book. This option is taking advantage of the undeveloped, or less developed sites to pitch a tent. You might have a bit more work to prep your site, but the options are seemingly endless. Come on up and scout out your site today!
Directions to the Campsites:
Once you arrive to the property you will first take a long driveway that curves around to the top of the hillside. Keep in mind that you will not be able to see anything upon turning up the driveway. Actually, you will not see anything until after driving through the gate located about 3/4 of the way up. You will see a home on your left and the deep canyon of the national forest on your right. There's fencing around the home that is about 2 acres. Most of this area is meant only for the home's privacy except for the circular drive in front of the home. This circular drive has a communal pure pit in the middle of it and can be enjoyed by all. Beyond the communal fire pit, we ask that you respectfully keep a privacy boundary for the home's surrounding acreage. You will, of course, be driving through on your way to the campsites.
Atticus Woods campsites are located at the top of the hill on the far end of the property as well as the communal fire pit areas along the way. Keep in mind that there are maps available at the rock with a sign that says, "Atticus Woods Camp" and an arrow pointing to the renovation area. Please return when you are no longer using so other guests can use them too. Check between the rock and the sign for this very handy map that will give a much better understanding of where you are going!
Take the road past the Airstream Renovation area and the tractor barn. Finally you will come to the water holding tank on your left and the well house on your right, these markers are just before you reach the campsites. Keep following the pathway or dirt road (yes, you may drive your vehicle)to the top of the hill that will open up to a sunny clearing with a fire pit, tables, barbecues and lots of firewood. The right hand side is a communal area for all to use, first come first serve for the Weber Barbecues, as well as firewood. On your right hand side you will see campsite "A." This is the first site and marks the beginning of the upper camping area. If you follow This pathway, you will see campsite "B", Campsite "C" as well. The trail will end at the outdoor shower/compost toilet providing hot and cold water from our 300' deep well. Each site provides a shady respite with semi leveled ground that has been cleared with care and has a soft base of decomposed granite . A fresh water spigot is located in each site along with a small campfire ring and a string of solar lights. All the trails have been cleared of poison oak and have been lit with solar motion detected lights to help you find your way in the dark of the night. The campgrounds look spectacular at night, they actually have a warm glow and its a blast when the different communal areas have a roaring fire and marshmallows, beverages and good conversations!
A Thank You
I am so grateful for the opportunity to host Hipcampers. This has allowed me to continue land ownership by offsetting high costs in California. The unexpected bonus is how much fun it can be. This is better than I imagined and I appreciate every camper. Come to Atticus Woods and experience the California foothill's gold country and party in the woods on my gorgeous piece of earth!
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$25
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100%
(1235)
Cosumnes River Ranch
25 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents100 acres · Plymouth, CA
We are a family owned/operated ranch, located along the Cosumnes River, one of the last un-dammed rivers in California.
As one of the last rivers flowing from the west slope of the Sierra without a major dam, the Cosumnes is a vital example of a healthy watershed.
Our goal is to offer a unique outdoor experience for anyone looking for a place to spend time in the great outdoors.
Whether you're looking for a single campsite, or a place for a larger gathering, we're excited to have you visit!
Take your pick of activities available on site: swimming , gold panning, fishing, camp fires, wildlife watching, floating, hiking, and mountain biking to name a few. There are 3 miles of river to explore.
Private and noise free. Porta potties on site.
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$90
/ night
The best camping near Stanislaus National Forest guide
Overview
About
You must know about Stanislaus. Must. It is absolutely epic. With virtually the same appeal as the nearby Yosemite minus the crowds, Stanislaus is perched up in the high Sierra landscape. It stretches across 4 counties, has 78 lakes, 800 miles of rivers and streams, instagram-worthy swimming holes and waterfalls, lava tubes, caves, granite walls, and of course the amazing mountainscape. Sound cool yet? Yeah, you should probably pack your bags. We certainly are.
Notable campgrounds
- Best for amenities and families: The Pinecrest Campground at Pinecrest Lake offers plenty of amenities, including bike rentals and a sandy beach.
- Best for water access: The Utica/Union Reservoirs Campground offers four campgrounds across two lakes ideal for paddling.
- Best for large RVs and accessibility: The Lake Alpine Campgrounds offers space for RVs up to 50 feet and ADA-accessible sites.
Tips for snagging a campsite
- Most campgrounds are first-come, first-served. Arrive early to grab a campsite.
- For campgrounds that can be reserved, reserve a site as soon as possible, up to six months in advance for regular campsites and 12 months for groups.
- Be sure to check on seasonal opening and closing dates, which vary by campground.
When to go
Most developed campgrounds are open from May to October and fill up early over the summer, especially on weekends. Visit in the spring for wildflowers. Although some lakes are open for year-round fishing, trout season generally runs from late April to mid November. Some OHV trails are only open from April 15 to December 15. All floaters and rafters must have a permit between May 1 and October 15. Winter activities at the two ski resorts and four sno-parks in the forest are snow dependent.
Know before you go
- Wilderness permits are required for overnight trips into the Emigrant, Carson-Iceberg, and Mokelumne wilderness areas. Online permits are only available for certain trips and at certain times of the year.
- Campfire permits are required outside of developed campgrounds. Campfire wood is available for free below 9,000 feet. Be aware of fire restrictions.
- Permits are required for forest products, such as firewood for home and mushrooms. Christmas trees may not be cut from the forest.
- Anglers 16 and older must have a fishing license. Additional regulations apply for wild and scenic rivers.
Nearby attractions
Experience the thrill of whitewater rafting and relaxing fishing sessions when camping near Tuolumne River. With ruggedly beautiful landscapes and diverse wildlife, the Tuolumne River camping experience is truly one for the outdoor enthusiast’s bucket list.
Top cities near Stanislaus National Forest
- Stanislaus National Forest
Safety at Hipcamp
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