The best star host campgrounds near Fresno, California

Fresno is the gateway to some of the most breathtaking scenery in California. Within 100 miles, you can camp under towering sequoias or next to Yosemite waterfalls. Or, stay close to home with a quick RV park getaway to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada.

Paddle, swim, and fish year-round at one of the lakeside campgrounds in Fresno County. Hidden View sits on Hensley Lake, which is popular with water skiers and anglers. Hike and bike 40 miles of shoreline at Millerton Lake State Recreation Area. At Island Park, you can camp in the foothills and jet-ski on Pine Flat Lake.

For sites with shade trees and mountain hiking, drive east into the Sierra National Forest. Forest Service campgrounds like Wishon Bass Lake have picnic tables and fire pits. Dorabelle is known for its excellent trout fishing; you can also hike and ride horseback. To save a bit of money, head for the free Bear Wallow dispersed camping area near the Kings River.

If it’s scenery you’re after, you can’t beat Yosemite National Park. Book well in advance to get a site in the spectacular Yosemite Valley. To the southeast, explore a forest of giants at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Choose from 14 campgrounds, many with tent and RV sites.

Camping in the lowlands or foothills? Plan for hot summers and pleasant Winters. As you go into the Sierra Nevada, temperatures drop; bring warm layers year-round. Many high-elevation campsites close in the winter, but you can book cabins and yurts.

99% (1.2K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Fresno

Fresno is the gateway to some of the most breathtaking scenery in California. Within 100 miles, you can camp under towering sequoias or next to Yosemite waterfalls. Or, stay close to home with a quick RV park getaway to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada.

Paddle, swim, and fish year-round at one of the lakeside campgrounds in Fresno County. Hidden View sits on Hensley Lake, which is popular with water skiers and anglers. Hike and bike 40 miles of shoreline at Millerton Lake State Recreation Area. At Island Park, you can camp in the foothills and jet-ski on Pine Flat Lake.

For sites with shade trees and mountain hiking, drive east into the Sierra National Forest. Forest Service campgrounds like Wishon Bass Lake have picnic tables and fire pits. Dorabelle is known for its excellent trout fishing; you can also hike and ride horseback. To save a bit of money, head for the free Bear Wallow dispersed camping area near the Kings River.

If it’s scenery you’re after, you can’t beat Yosemite National Park. Book well in advance to get a site in the spectacular Yosemite Valley. To the southeast, explore a forest of giants at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Choose from 14 campgrounds, many with tent and RV sites.

Camping in the lowlands or foothills? Plan for hot summers and pleasant Winters. As you go into the Sierra Nevada, temperatures drop; bring warm layers year-round. Many high-elevation campsites close in the winter, but you can book cabins and yurts.

99% (1.2K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Fresno

1. Hidden Falls Yosemite Camp

96%

(333)

41mi from Fresno · 2 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging

Welcome to Hidden Falls Yosemite Camp. Come and enjoy our beautiful and private micro climate, created by the cascading waterfalls from Nelder and Lewis Creek. Camp by the creekside and fall asleep to the sound of the meandering creek, with absolutely incredible views of the stars overhead. Both creeks feed into the head of the Fresno river next to the campsite. You'll be surrounded by Oaks, Alders, Pine and Cedar trees. Take a day trip to Yosemite, hike/bike in the mountains, or explore the nearby towns of Oakhurst and Bass Lake. The south gate to Yosemite is approx. 20 minutes and Bass Lake is 5 minutes by car.

2. The Baca Farm

99%

(38)

48mi from Fresno · 1 site · Tent, RV

Our ranch is a 5 acre walnut grove, of which there is a dedicated RV/Camp site that is fenced off and landscaped for your outdoor country/farm life experience. Within the site there is a fire pit for you to enjoy an evening fire. There is 30/50 Amp power hook ups for an RV’s, Motor homes, and Travel Trailers, as well as water hook up/supply. (50 AMP Customers are subject to an additional $10.00 fee per night) There is a grassy area with shade trees to enjoy some outdoor comforts while staying at the campground. There is a private driveway that leads from the main road directly to the camp site. Easy parking, plenty of outdoor space within the campground that is 70 feet wide and 60 feet deep. The parking site is fully landscaped with grass trees and parking is on rock for a clean experience. The campsite is located in the quaint town of Exeter Ca. A must see for all travelers. Exeter is a well kept town that is known for its beautiful murals throughout the town. Once you’ve enjoyed downtown Exeter, you may enjoy a hiking trail in the Giant Sequioa National Forest, or Three Rivers Ca. There are many options for outdoor activities surrounding our ranch. Come and enjoy. The outdoors await you!

3. Camp with Critters

100%

(28)

48mi from Fresno · 1 site · Tent, RV

Sharing my life and property with rescued animals has become a full time job full of joy and lessons learned. What great teachers they are. I began to share the experiences with my animals by offering a unique farm tour called coffee with Critters and I find that I really enjoy sharing this lifestyle with like minded folk. If you love animals and want to camp near them please join me. Learn more about this land: Your campsite will be nestled among animal enclosures, listen to the munching of hay or the snorting of the horse. Your stay will include a modified animal tour and you can engage with horse, goats, rabbits, chickens, ducks and more... dogs and cats of course ;). I have a couple of spots but I would be flexible regarding campsite. My toilet is a compost toilet.  The outside shower has been upgraded with privacy curtains etc following suggetions from previous campers ;) I have a million $$ view and a modest house. My house is about 45 minutes from the Yosemite park entrance and it's an easy commute back/forth. Flowering vines cover my outdoor porches where we have big dinners when Wwoofers or Couchsurfers are in residence. The property is home to many animals, horse, goats, pigs, chickens, peacocks, rabbits, guinea pigs - dogs & cats - of course! :-) . The roosters wake us up pretty early so fair warning about that - but I love living with them and it makes the property so much more friendly with all the critters. My house is pet friendly and yours are welcome if they are 1. Fixed, 2. Are social and friendly with my pets, 3. Will not chase the cats and chickens. I can babysit your pups if you go to the park - provided they are compliant with rules above. I work from home. There are loads of trails nearby and 2 pretty ponds and plenty of wildlife, deer, turkeys and more. The property is rolling hills however there are plenty of flat areas for tents. NO FIRES PERMITTED ANYWHERE ON MY PROPERTY APRIL-OCTOBER - non negotiable.

4. Private lake on 100 acre forest

100%

(7)

29mi from Fresno · 2 sites · Tents, RVs

100 Acre Forest at 4600’ elevation. 5 Acre completely private lake, your group will have the whole forest for you private experience. Canoes kayaks and paddle boat included. Big gas and charcoal bbq grills. Propane, charcoal, and firewood included. Huge fire bowl Miles of roads to walk or jog on. Large bass, bluegill, and crappie in the lake. Catch and release only please.

5. The Ahwahnee Camp

100%

(5)

38mi from Fresno · 1 site · Tent, RV

The Ahwahnee Camp is located approximately 25 miles from the South Gate entrance to Yosemite National Park and just 16 miles to Bass Lake. Surrounded by oak, manzanita, and pine trees, the camp is in a secluded area of our 30 acre property. The camp site has beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and peaks of Yosemite off in the distance. The space can accommodate 2-3 tents depending on tent size and parking for two cars.

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

J

Jamie

November 2025

Tent

2 nights at Hidden Falls Yosemite Camp

What an incredible and private space. Wendy and Hudson were fantastic host and we cannot wait to come back again.

E

Eric

November 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Hidden Falls Yosemite Camp

Great amount of space and beautiful surroundings ! Be warned , narrow windings roads but most cars and trucks should handle it, RVs and trailers may have trouble

A

Abby

November 2025

With pets

2 nights at Hidden Falls Yosemite Camp

Had a wonderful stay and would definitely recommend!

Vuthy

November 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Hidden Falls Yosemite Camp

We had an amazing stay here; the peaceful sound of the waterfall and the privacy made this spot feel like a hidden oasis. Only an hour from Yosemite and just a few minutes from town, it was the perfect balance of nature and convenience. This was the first camping trip for a couple members of our group, and the bar might be set way too high now, what a great introduction to the outdoors. The host was incredibly friendly, welcoming, and helpful throughout our stay. The flushable toilet and shower were clean and worked great, though they’re a short walk from the site, totally worth it for the comfort they provide. Highly recommend this site to anyone looking for a quiet, tucked-away spot to relax and enjoy nature. We’ll definitely be back!

H

Heather

October 2025

With pets

4 nights at Hidden Falls Yosemite Camp

Cabin and property are exactly as described. Very close to great hiking trails and Yosemite. The waterfall was beautiful and it was a lovely sound to fall asleep to.

Kathy

October 2025

3 nights at Hidden Falls Yosemite Camp

We had a great time at Wendy & Hudson’s cabin. The view of the waterfall from the deck was one of our favorite parts. In close second were the sunset views over the boulder. I had been looking for something that was secluded and private, and we got just that!! Parking down the driveway can be a bit tricky and getting down to the shower/bathroom is a bit aways, but all in all it was absolutely worth it! We came near the new moon and got to enjoy the stars each night, which was quite a treat. It’s about 1.5 hour drive from the center of Yosemite, but there are also lots of nature spots to checkout nearby too. I’d definitely recommend Wild Fig in Coarsegold for brunch or lunch and Clouds Rest Coffee in Oakhurst. A special shoutout to Wendy who was an incredible host and just an all around lovely person. We’d definitely come back here and I’d love to camp at the second site on their property!

Whitney

October 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Hidden Falls Yosemite Camp

This campsite is so beautiful! It really is right next to the creek and a short easy walk to a waterfall. We tent camped and brought our 3 little dogs and it was perfect. The sound of the creek was so peaceful. It's completely under tree cover so always nice and shady. The switchbacks on the way there are really tight, I wouldn't recommend trying to drive a trailer down there. Attached to the owner's house there is a bathroom and shower, as well as trash and recycling cans. However, it is quite a trek uphill to get there, or you could drive back up the hill to get there. At the site there is a shed with a camp toilet, which worked fine for us. They also have a fire pit, hose for water, and an extension cord for electric but it's not true hookups. The owners also provided firewood for a reasonable fee and had it waiting for us when we arrived at the site and offered more if we needed it. The only real negative for us (which wasn't really that bad) is there is a very visible driveway and car park down the road which has a light on at all hours and people driving down to turn around. Overall, I would definitely recommend this gorgeous site!

Jordan

October 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Private lake on 100 acre forest

We brought some boys up to camp at this property and they were in heaven. The setup is great - there is a camping kitchen with running water, lots of areas to camp, and the lake was a major hit - they were boating, fishing, swimming, and laying on the dock. They could roam around and feel independent I didn't have to wrory about encountering other campers, which is why we chose this spot. Our host was super helpful and attentive. He had the firepit all ready to go for us. It was clean, beautiful, and I would 100% recommend this spot.

C

Connie

October 2025

Tent

2 nights at Hidden Falls Yosemite Camp

Love, love, loved our stay! It was raining but we car camped so it was ok! The host was kind and welcoming. The site was beautiful!! Right next to a little river and waterfall! The restroom and shower are next to the host’s garage which is quite a hike but there is a little shed with one of those bucket potty’s. We ended up using our own portable camp shower and potty the first night, but the second night we showered in their restroom after coming back from our trip to Yosemite before driving all the way back down to the camp site. The restroom was clean and well kept with a flushing toilet and warm water! The hosts had wood available for sale if you forget to pick some up. The wood pieces were huge and worth the price in my opinion. Kept us warm and cozy all night. I would 100% come back to camp here again!

T

Toni

October 2025

10 ft campervan

5 nights at Hidden Falls Yosemite Camp

I absolutely loved camping here. Wendy and Hudson are the perfect hosts. The property is stunning and one of a kind for the area. Another commenter said they would love to gate keep this place but the truth is this property and these hosts deserve to be seen. There is a bathroom with shower at the main house which is new and well kept as well as a bucket loo at the campsite which I found completely adequate. The falls and creek were so amazing and peaceful to see and fall asleep to. Very solo camper friendly. I can't wait to go back ❤️

C

Christina

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to The Ahwahnee Camp

The owners are really nice and made sure I arrived safely, showed me around. There’s tons of space, fantastic views, and you feel secluded but still have some niceties around (bathroom, hammock, deck). I drove a Jeep compass on the driveway with no issue. Slept in the car on a nice flat area. Would be good for a tent set up too!

L

Laura

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Hidden Falls Yosemite Camp

Cool spot to stay for easy access into Yosemite. We could be in Mariposa Grove in 30 minutes. Spacious, private camp site with table, chairs, fire ring, electricity, water, potty, and beautiful surroundings. Easy drive to Oakhurst for supplies.

Manda

October 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Hidden Falls Yosemite Camp

Cozy cabin with very comfy bed. Great spot with view of waterfall and its own fire pit. Excellent location near Yosemite South Gate, Bass Lake, and tons of National Forest land hikes. Cabin has fridge and microwave, BYO water. Thank you to the hosts for a perfect stay and for being dog friendly!

A

Austin

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Hidden Falls Yosemite Camp

I want to leave a bad review just to gate keep this place to myself because it was that UNREAL! This is the perfect set up tuccked down the corner of a dirt road with a fire ring, picnic table, lounge chairs, a hose, access to a full bathroom/shower (slightly up the hill), WAG Bag toilet at the site in a shed AND a power outlet. Had plenty of space for my 6 man tent (very flat), hammock and camp couch. Not to mention the private trail to your own mini waterfalls! 30min access to YNP South Entrance, 1.5 hours from YNP Valley and Glacier Point! Would definitely reccomend and will most definitely be coming back frequently. The exact weekend I needed at a site with the perfect amenities 🤞🏻

S

Sophie

September 2025

19 ft Class A

2 nights at The Baca Farm

Lovely quiet place, very pretty, spacious and great facilities and very friendly hosts. I’d recommend this place

Z

Zak

September 2025

32 ft Class C

With pets

1 night at The Baca Farm

Very peaceful, family ran and pet friendly. My boys enjoyed the animals and the swings. Very nice there.

Our camp site. Water and electric provided

M

Mandy

September 2025

23 ft campervan

With kids

Weekend Trip to Camp with Critters

Ruth has quite the sanctuary up on the hill. We’ve stayed at countless of hobby farms and Ruth’s hospitality and kindness truly outshine the rest. Ruth is genuinely excited to have you and made us feel right at home. We are so grateful for the opportunity to stay. Thank you for having us, Ruth!

a

andrew

September 2025

Weekend Trip to Hidden Falls Yosemite Camp

Loved the small cabin. Very quiet, its got a call breeze coming in all directions, and a loud sound of the small creek waterfall. The bed is so comfortable, and relaxing. Small porta is good, and the shared bathroom at the main house is clean with hot water, its a win-win with a good price.

K

Kingsly

September 2025

Tent

Group trip

3 nights at Private lake on 100 acre forest

I took a chance reserving this camp last minute after my original group camping plans fell through due to the Garnet Fire. Joe's camp instantly proved to be the best outcome for the weekend. There were about 20 people in our group and there's more than enough space to pitch a tent or car camp. There are clean bathrooms, a large outdoor kitchen area, picnic tables everywhere, a huge fire pit, and plenty of kayaks/floats to hang out on the lake. It's a great space for all groups and occasions. Joe was extremely hospitable and made sure we had everything we needed while we were there's. Thanks for sharing your space, Joe.

T

Tracy

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Hidden Falls Yosemite Camp

Beautiful campsite and friendly hosts. We camped early September and the weather was perfect, even at night. Highly recommend this spot & we will definitely be back!!