Camping in Merced, CA, US: 12 Best Campgrounds 2023

94%

(16)

Yosemite Westlake Camp

24 sites · RVs, Tents6 acres · Coulterville, CALocated 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.

from

$48

/ night

88%

(190)

Yosemite's Ferretti Farm

5 sites · RVs, Tents1 acre · Groveland, CANestled at the end of a back street in downtown Groveland is this little gem of a property. We are loving a mistreated 1.3 acre parcel back to health and enjoying meeting some wonderful people in the process. Check out our different listings to see what fits your needs best. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU TAKE THE TIME TO READ THE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROPERTY BEFORE REQUESTING TO BOOK. *There is a sneaky question we ask you to give us the answer to when you request to book.* We are a Hipcamp that caters to SELF-SUFFICIENT campers who have experience and realize that this is a step above what camping REALLY means. If you need a camp host available at all times, this is not the Hipcamp for you, as our host lives on-site and keeps an eye on things, but is not always there. We are a peaceful place in historic downtown Groveland to enjoy in your own tent, or in your RV under the same pines and oaks that fill Yosemite National Park. We are an ever-evolving, 4 year venture on a property that has been mistreated for years and we are loving it back to health on a very limited budget. We are a place that has a super cool, vintage, outdoor kitchen with cold water, and a small propane bbq. **BRING YOUR OWN PROPANE CYLINDERS, COOK/SERVING/DRINKWARE*** We are a 3-5 minute walk from the public transit system into Yosemite. Check out YARTS dot com online for schedules. WHAT WE ARE: We are a Hipcamp that caters to SELF-SUFFICIENT campers who have some experience and realize that this is a step above what camping REALLY means. ;) If you need a camp host available at all times, this is not the Hipcamp for you, as our host lives on-site and keeps an eye on things, but is not always there. We are a peaceful place in historic downtown Groveland to enjoy an experience in your own tent or RV under the same pines and oaks that fill Yosemite National Park that is a short walk from dining/drinking establishments and shopping. We are a place that has a super cool, vintage, outdoor kitchen with cold water, and a small propane bbq available. Campers must supply their own propane cylinders and bbq tools. We are a 3-5 minute walk from the public transit system into Yosemite. Check out YARTS dot com online for schedules. YARTS Service Update for Spring 2022 Beginning May 16, 2022, service will resume from Sonora, Jamestown, and Groveland in Tuolumne County (Hwy 120 West) assuming that Tioga Road is open. Service will continue into September and October. For more information, please visit yarts dot com on the web. *Please note* Passengers are required to sign a liability and personal injury forms that acknowledges risks of infection during the present pandemic, whether or not a mask is worn. These waivers are required regardless, and are intended to document that passengers are aware of the risk to personal health before riding YARTS buses. We are nestled in the residential area above downtown Groveland and can hear live music when businesses offer it, as well as occasional events that our neighbors host. We are a 4 year old venture on a property that has been mistreated for years and we are loving it back to health on a very limited budget. Main Street Groveland is just a quick walk down the back streets of the Gold Rush Town. Enjoy dinner and drinks at The Iron Door Saloon, self-proclaimed as the oldest continuously operating saloon this side of the Mississippi. Enjoy the high-end Bourbon Bar and small bites at the Groveland Hotel's Provisions, espresso drinks, smoothies, and treats at Mountain Sage, or authentic Mexican food at Cocina Michiocana. We also encourage guests to take a little drive down Highway 120 to have a cold, craft beer at Around the Horn Brewery and look for our barstool! WE ARE AN AWESOME PLACE TO BE!!!WE ARE AN AWESOME PLACE TO BE!!! WHAT WE ARE NOT: We are not a high-end, generously funded campground with brand new furniture, a pristine campfire ring, manicured sites, and marble showers. (Although, we are people who love to visit those places!) Please let me know you've read this far by telling me how many cigarette smokers are in your group when you send your booking request. We are not associated with Yosemite National Park and, therefore do not have up to the minute details about what they require or have going on. You can find this information on the National Parks website; nps dot gov. We are not available at all times to answer questions about each site's specifics but have taken a great deal of time putting all of the information into the platform. We ask our campers to read through the details on each of our sites to find what will best suit your needs. Happy Hipcamping!!! Roni Lynn

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$50

/ night

Short hike down to the creek on the property, our pup loved it here!

89%

(1116)

The Enchanted Forest Retreat

22 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents45 acres · CAWelcome to the Enchanted Forest Retreat!We are a meditation retreat center with 45 acres of some of the most gorgeous redwoods in the Santa Cruz mountains to enjoy hiking, creeks and small water fall exploration, mountain biking, wildlife viewing, star gazing, relaxation, meditation and more.Our campground has running water from a natural spring, Men and Women's Restrooms each with 2 toilets and 1 hot water shower and plugs for charging phones, laundry shed with sink and hot water, one BBQ grill by the fence up above the creek, and an outdoor amphitheater. We have meditation teaching at the amphitheater and campers are welcomed to attend for free.25 minutes to Silicon Valley - 25 minutes to Santa Cruz Boardwalk we're centrally located in the south bay. Dogs and kids are welcome - dogs must be picked up after and kept on a leash if other campers are present.Please note: This is camping - there may be bugs, critters, dirt, unpredictable weather (pack for the cold, just in case - we get surprise fog often!), early sunrise, no cell data, etc etc. It's not the Hilton - but it is gorgeous. ;)Shopping such as Safeway, Costco and the big box stores are 20 minutes away in Soquel; however, we have a charming little market (Summit Center) 3.5 miles away that has a great selection of groceries, drinks and hot foods, etc.Please feel free to reach out with any questions and we'll help however we can!

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$70

/ night

100%

(455)

Cosumnes River Ranch

13 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents4000 acres · Plymouth, CAWe 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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$85

/ night

93%

(79)

SMR Carmel Camping

21 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents89 acres · Carmel By The Sea, CAWelcome to Saddle Mountain Ranch, RV and Campground! We are located on 89 acres of forest land off Carmel Valley Road, just 5 miles from HWY 1. Nestled within oaks, Monterey pines, and redwoods, Saddle Mountain offers a great peaceful getaway for those seeking a break from the bustle of life. On site seasonally heated pool (Mid May through Oct). ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: *Please continue reviewing/monitoring California Travel guidelines as they may change and affect your reservation* On site seasonally heated pool (seasonally), private hiking trail, playground, Foosball table and more. No refund for inclement weather during the Winter months. We provide complementary Wi-Fi in designated areas of the park. We ask that there is no streaming at the Park so we can share Wi-Fi with all our guests. Thank you!

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$36

/ night

95%

(229)

Sequoia Mountain Farms

67 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · CAThe property was once home to many apple orchards and there’s still a few left which come Into season in early September. We look forward to sharing this amazing spot with you nestled inside the Sequoia national Forest and look forward to meeting you! Welcome campers! PLEASE read all of the below before booking! Please be advised that if you do not have Verizon wireless, you will lose service at some point! Please read/screenshot/print the directions from the listing page, and we are always here to help before you lose service! We have over 10 acres of stunning campground nestled only 15-20 minutes from the North entrance to the Sequoias! We have multiple sites to accommodate every type of camping from tent camping to tents-attached-to-cars and trucks, to pop-up campers to RVs with power and water hookups and RV sites without power and water. Site numbers are not used...which allows you to pick any open area on the 10 acres. We have many sites made for you to choose from! There are wonderful views down into the valley, at night with sunsets off-the-hook, and city lights twinkling in the valley distance. Pick your spot and enjoy! First come-first serve, with multiple sites for large groups. Guests love staying here "Highly recommend staying here if you plan to adventure into either Sequoia or Kings Canyon NPs. Mark was a great host, even during a very busy weekend he was there to greet us at night and show us around the campsite and the facilities. The kitchen space and bathrooms are available to campers, super clean spaces, and enough room for everyone to use. Andrew gave fantastic recommendations and was always around for advice or to lend a hand! Also highly recommend checking out the Pinehurst lodge 1 min up the road for after hike drinks and burgers!!"

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$40

/ night

90%

(366)

Bridgeport Reservoir Campground

31 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents1 acre · CABridgeport 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 Chironomidae are harmless and do not bite. On the contrary, the mosquito presence is very minimal. Lake Levels: Due to this devastating drought across California and the Western United States, reservoir levels are low. As of August 1st, 2022, Bridgeport Reservoir is approximately 25 feet below normal. Swimming is not advisable at this time, but fishing and boating activities are still up and running.

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$27

/ night

Watching the sun come up from Travertine's hottest spring.

99%

(735)

Paradise Shores Camp

18 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents2 acres · Bridgeport, CAWe're a family owned RV Park & Campground located on the shores of Bridgeport Reservoir. Together with our crew, we're excited to welcome you into our newly adopted home. We believe in campfires, starry nights, good laughs, exploration, a deep sleep and an early rise. The mountains are a place to get back to basics, a place to explore, to breathe. So turn off your phone and turn on your senses. It’s important to us that our guests don’t feel they are renting a tent/RV site or a camper as much as they’re immersing themselves into the outdoor experience. You may just want to sit outside and read for days, enjoy campfires and eat s'mores. For more adventurous, there's a full slate of self-guided recreational activities, such as hiking, kayaking, fishing, ATVing, rock climbing, biking, natural water slides, stand up paddle boards, bird watching, available in the area. We do have modern conveniences such as wifi internet; however, we encourage our guests to “unplug” and immerse in the slow paced life instead. At Paradise Shores, we believe in protecting people, animals and the planet. We make sure that the majority of products we use at our camp is recycled, composted, or re-used. We prefer to use products that are produced in a sustainable way and avoid those that aren't. We are continuously reducing the amount of waste we generate and actively promote recycling of aluminum, plastic, glass, and cardboard. We pack our own recycling and haul it to the nearest recycling facility which is an hour away. We co-opt the drive with other activities to reduce waste. We don’t use individually packaged toiletries or one-use products. We use plant and planet friendly detergent. We're based in a desert. We share our precious water with the entire planet. With only 326 million cubic miles of water on the earth, the decreasing amounts of access to quality fresh water is alarming to us. We monitor how we use water in our day-to-day activities and are constantly working on ways to reduce our consumption of fresh water resources. We hope you can help us maintain this greener camping! We hope Paradise Shores Camp becomes your home as it is ours. It’s located in one of the most spectacular areas in the world. We’re surrounded on three sides by the high Sierra Nevada Mountains. Yosemite National Park, Tuolumne Meadows, Mono Lake, June Lake, Virginia Lakes, and Twin Lakes, as well as the historic gold-mining town of Bodie, CA are all within a short drive from our place. We're proud to know this area intimately and are excited to share the secret spots with you. The excellent hiking/running trails including the Pacific Crest Trail, thousands of miles of ATV, dirt bike and mountain bike trails are accessible right from our camp or within a short drive from here. The surrounding terrain offers endless activities and unbelievable scenery in remote wilderness settings.

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$36

/ night

Afternoon light makes this glamping tent feel homey and welcoming

98%

(780)

Camp Nauvoo

19 sites · Lodging, Tents86 acres · Placerville, CACamp Nauvoo was originally bought by the LDS church in the 1960's for a girl's camp. The camp was owned by the Boy Scouts from 2011-2015. The Rose family bought the property in 2016 with the intent to continue the tradition of tent camping as well as creating opportunities for exclusive events i.e., group/family reunions, weddings and corporate events. We are a small privately owned small campground (19 sites only) located on the outskirts of Placerville. The property features 86.5 secluded Tahoe like acres with beautiful year-round Weber Creek. The camp sites are placed along the creek or the bluff overlooking the creek. We have traditional dirt camping, canvas tents on platforms, teepees and glamping tents for those that want the comforts of home. We are tent camping only with only one site that allows a small travel trailer or van. (#14) . We are dog friendly and allow dogs in all but 5 glamping sites. We do enforce camp rules especially our quiet time between 10 PM and 7 AM (please review). We’ve been told that we have a “family camp” vibe. We are a great place for families wanting a safe environment for their kids but also several group sites for those that want to hang out together with multiple families. We are also a great base site for those wilderness enthusiasts with access to all the El Dorado National Forest including Desolation but want a hot shower at the end of the day. We have a lodge that is stocked with games and a ping pong table. The lodge has a microwave, Keurig machine and a hot water kettle for those hot drinks (BYO Cups).We have several tables set up for those that want to eat inside as well as multiple picnic tables along the side of the lodge with overhead protection. We have electricity at the at the lodge for small appliances and charging phones. We have a compressor on site to blow up your air mattresses or float toys. We’ve been told that our bathrooms are the “cleanest” ever and have changing tables and diaper pails. We offer nice flushing toilets and hot showers! For outdoor activities we have basketball, volleyball, pickleball and cornhole not to mention the playground with swing sets, seesaw and tractor play. We have hiking trails throughout the property. Our highlight is a camp fire bowl with bench seating with a stage to display camper talent which is perfect for the evening fire and roasting s’mores (bring the fixings). The creek starts out in spring looking like a rushing river featuring many fishing and swimming holes. As the summer progresses the water level falls but is still great for water play and fishing. We have propane BBQs (we provide the propane for BBQs) located throughout the property. We also have a propane grill and charcoal BBQ located in the common area for all to use. There is a dutch oven pit also in the fire bowl area. We do not allow wood fires at the individual sites but each site has a propane firepit for ambiance (not cooking) that requires you to purchase a 20 lb. propane cannister on site (add in extras) or pay cash on site. We require a 3 night minimum for the major holidays - Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day. We do not do checkins on Sunday but do allow camping over Sunday night. We do exclusive events so you may need to explore multiple weekends to find the right reservation. We are located in the foothills so we are a short hop to many local attractions that include river rafting, gold mines, wineries and historical towns with great eating establishments. Tahoe is less than an hour away and there a many hiking trails within 20-30 minutes. We have a limited number of items to rent i.e, tents, cots, camp stoves, etc. We also have a small store on site for those items you forgot and a good selection of ice cream. We take venmo or cash. CHECKIN IS BETWEEN 4 AND 8. IF YOU ARE COMING FROM THE BAY ALLOW 4 HOURS - YOU MUST LEAVE BY 3:00 IN ORDER TO ARRIVE DURING CHECKIN. IF YOU GET DELAYED, FOR THE CONSIDERAITON OF THE OTHER CAMPERS YOU MAY CONSIDER WAITING AND ARRIVING THE NEXT MORNING. THERE ARE NO CHECKINS AFTER 9:00.

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$80

/ night

94%

(151)

Santa Cruz's Rudy Ranch

5 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents8 acres · Boulder Creek, CAIf you're looking for an ADULTS ONLY, beautiful and quiet place to camp, rest, kick back and hear the birds and wind in the trees, you've found it! While we do enjoy the energy of young children, we live in a very quiet neighborhood and have made the decision to exclusively host mature guests looking for a restful retreat. We have also decided that we will not make exceptions to this decision and invite those looking for a family experience to continue their search on the Hipcamp platform. There are many family friendly hosts excited to accept children of all ages! We ask those interested in enjoying our property with us to read through all of the information we provide prior to requesting to book. Happy HipCamping!

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$80

/ night

98%

(500)

River Ridge Ranch & Institute

15 sites · Lodging, Tents722 acres · Springville, CASwimming in North Fork Tule River, miles of hiking trails on ranch. River Ridge goes from 1,000' elev. to 3,000' elevation. Hike right on the ranch. We are between Sequoia National Park (about an hour) and the Giant Sequoia National Monument (16 miles to groves up Hwy 190 and no entrance fee). Choose from secluded tent sites, group tent sites or cabins. There are 33 giant sequoia groves in our Southern Region of the Giant Sequoia National Monument, some easily driven to, and some remote. Our ranch is a nature preserve and an education demonstration site, teaching sustainable and regenerative land use practices. River Ridge Institute, our non-profit, hosts a variety of events for the public. Please note: you are expected to leave the ranch and kitchen area as you found it, i.e., dishes washed thoroughly and dried and put away, recycling separated from trash, food scraps in compost buckets, sticky marshmallow removed from forks and surfaces (ick!). Thank you. Enjoy: The Kitchen has a cooktop, large fridge, microwave, full dishes and utensils and pots and pans with a big washing area in the back. Propane bbq.. There's a River Barn to use as a remote space and Turtle Cove for swimming (usually delightful until July or August). Saturday morning Farmer's Market in downtown at 9 AM - Noon. Homesteaded in 1859, owned by the Negus family from 1909-2000. Barbara and I bought it to save it from subdivision and it's now protected by a Conservation Easement and acts as a community center for the arts, music, poetry, gatherings and outdoor education. We're both biologists, so, just ask us. Please see the Rules and Safety section to review our Waiver of Liability.

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$50

/ night

95%

(1100)

Finnon Lake Recreation Area

18 sites · RVs, Tents140 acres · Placerville, CAWelcome to Finnon Lake Recreation Area! Our lovely lake offers serenity in a beautifully unique setting, nestled deep into the forest. Enjoy the scenic and exhilarating drive to our hidden gem along the South Fork of the American River- this is all for you to discover. The night skies above Finnon Lake will reveal stars unseen in most parts of California. Enjoy searching for bullfrogs, and watch the flock of Canadian Geese flies in right at sunset as the horizon blends into the watercolor sky. This private lake supports the fire protection efforts of the Mosquito Fire Protection District and the firefighters of this community. The lake is managed by volunteers of the community for the benefit of the residents The primary funding source for the Finnon Lake Restoration is the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, which was signed into law in 2004 with a mission to support “efforts that improve the environmental, economic and social well-being of the Sierra Nevada Region, its communities and the residents of California,” according to its Website. Finnon Lake is also home to a popular 18-hole disc golf course and Mosquito’s only restaurant, Frank's Diner. Enjoy swimming, boating, fishing, paddling, hiking, or biking during your stay. Potable water, picnic tables, campfire rings, and toilets on site. The property can not accommodate horses. Our property is located in Placerville, California. Placerville is a charming California gold rush town named after the placer gold deposits found in its riverbeds and hills in the late 1840s. PLEASE NOTE, there is construction on Mosquito Bridge. Expect delays, RVS/trailers must use Rock Creek Road (even if your GPS says Mosquito Road). Please message me with any questions. Please see our website: finnonrecreationarea.com for full directions. NO FIREWORKS ALLOWED. Smoking is only allowed in an enclosed vehicle.

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$30

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