95% (4.7K)
Top-rated campgrounds
95% (4.7K)
Top-rated campgrounds
Public campgrounds near El Portal
Stories from the community
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Andy
November 2025
Tent
Sierra Circles was wonderful! I had the camping area to myself due to the time of year and it was the perfect blend of a quiet experience in the woods that I was looking for and close enough to Murphy's to be able to pick up a few supplies. Check in was super easy and the hosts were very friendly and accommodating. I would definitely stay here again.
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Dan
October 2025
21 ft Class B
We had a great time. Very private and quiet camping spot and we got a tour of the pottery buliding. Very interesting
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John
October 2025
Tent
Michel was hospitable as usual, and we enjoyed our second trip to the property. Everything was clean and well maintained, just as it was in 2020. I hope we get to stay there again.
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Sabrina
October 2025
Tent
We had a nice stay at Sierra Circles camping site, Iron Teepee. We went wine tasting ant Brice Station and really enjoyed both the wine and the friendly host. The campsite was well maintained. We appreciated that Michel, our host, took the time to chop extra wood for us- it was a nice touch.
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Garrett
October 2025
18 ft travel trailer
With pets
This was our second time staying here, and it just keeps getting better! The host is incredibly friendly. We love having the winery right on site; it’s such a beautiful spot to relax with a glass of wine after exploring. The art throughout the camp is amazing — there’s so much creativity everywhere you look. It’s become a tradition for us now, and we can’t wait to come back again!
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Matt
October 2025
14 ft travel trailer
Excellent location. Fun decor, clean, and it's great to be in walking distance of the winery
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Sylvia
September 2025
Tent
With pets
We thoroughly enjoyed camping at the riverbank site. It was a delightful experience to use the canoe. Exel, a friendly and attentive host, ensured our comfort during our stay. While the potable water is a bit of a walk (about 5 minutes), the restroom is conveniently located just two minutes away. As long as you’re comfortable with this slight inconvenience, this is an incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in a beautiful natural setting.
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Marc
September 2025
Tent
With kids
Spectacular stay at Sierra Circles (our 3rd trip). Michael is always super helpful with recommendations of things to see and do locally. The camp situation is spacious, private, and beautiful.
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Elizabeth
September 2025
Tent
We love this place! Full relaxation, wonderful artwork to enjoy, Wine tasting, pottery making and buying - what more can you ask for from a few days in the beautiful Sierras!
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Stephanie
September 2025
Tent
This place is a hidden gem. Everyone I’ve talked to that is affiliated with this place seems to have life figured out and interesting stories to sharez
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Pam
August 2025
22 ft campervan
Fun and funky! Well kept. Loved having the concert so close, it was fabulous. We will be back!
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Paolo
August 2025
16 ft campervan
Group trip
We had a great two-day stay at Sierra Circles. Michel is friendly and engaging, and his artwork is mesmerizing, especially when the sun hits it at dawn and sunset! Great location near Murphys and the beautiful nature and concerts.
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Crystal
August 2025
With pets
Had a nice weekend stay. The cabin is nice and stocked with towels, dishes, and cookware.
There was a leak so we could not use the jacuzzi tub. We went to the White Pines Lake which was fun.
The area is beautiful. Carlos was very responsive and helped with any issues we had.
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Catherine
August 2025
Tent
With pets
We loved our two night stay . We were a bit worried about the concert on Saturday night but the camp sites were far enough away from the music that we didn’t hear it. The scenery was amazing and everyone was very friendly! Loved it and we will definitely be back.
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Angelina
August 2025
20 ft campervan
Perfect campsite while visiting the foothills. We came in late at night after a concert at Ironside Winery. Michel gave us detailed directions to easily locate our campsite in the dark. The toilets are super clean! Very peaceful good vibes, on this working property with cool art dispersed throughout. Thanks for making our last-minute stay so easy, including the warm welcome wave in the morning. Looking forward to returning soon to explore the ceramics shop, winery, and on-site concerts.
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Rick
August 2025
25 ft travel trailer
Peaceful and awesome stay. Michel is a great host and Brice is a great patch of earth. Moved to Site 4 to grab a bit more shade. Site 5 would be preferred earlier in the season.
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Susan
August 2025
Tent
Group trip
We thoroughly enjoyed tent camping at Sierra Circles Sculpture Garden. It was a very warm weekend, so we were thankful that our site had a lot of trees for shade. Plus, the trees were perfect for hanging our hammocks.
Our host Michel was awesome and did a great job familiarizing us with the property. He is the creator behind many of the sculptures, which were fascinating to explore. We also enjoyed checking out the onsite clay and pottery studio as well as sampling wines at the onsite winery, Brice Station.
The conveniences of well-maintained port-a-potties, non-potable water, picnic tables and hand-crafted wooden tables and benches, and an outdoor shower made camping feel a little less like camping.
The location was great and allowed us to easily drive to the quaint town of Murphys and to Calaveras Big Trees State Park to hike through Sequoia groves.
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Lori
August 2025
20 ft Class B
Great place offering lots of privacy, kind and interesting hosts and wonderfully quiet. Ill be back. Thx Michael!
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Paul
July 2025
18 ft pop-up camper
With kids
What a beautiful spot! We reserved a group site for 3 families that were rendezvousing from across CA, one of us on a 2-week, 4000-mile roadtrip. The grounds were maintained nicely and SO artistic. As our 2-night stay progressed, it was exciting to see our group’s kids (ages ranging 5-13) recognize the individual pieces and the time it must have taken to create them. Michel stopped by each day to ensure we had all we needed and we appreciated getting to know his personal history, as well as the history of the lot. There’s a lot happening on property - all fun things to explore - from the natural beauty, to the art, the wine tasting, the shop and the events stage. Great location relative to Murphys (we explored the caverns) and the lakes/wilderness further up hwy 4. Thank you for a wonderful stay!
Note to other campers: be sure to bring in fresh water! They provide outhouses and a good dishwashing area, but you’ll need fresh drinking water, just as described in the listing.
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Kathy
July 2025
15 ft campervan
Group trip
Awesome Hipcamp! We had my birthday here! Cool place, nice vibe, walked to a summer concert on the property, took a rustic and refreshing outdoor shower, enjoyed the stars, and learned a lot from our host Michel! We will be back!
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