The best cave campgrounds near Mariposa, California

Looking to camp near Mariposa, California and explore caves? Look no further than Hipcamp! With over 177 options specifically tailored to your preference for caves in the Mariposa area, you'll find the perfect spot to satisfy your adventurous spirit. And with an average price per night of $40 and options as low as $25, you can camp on any budget. Check out top campsites like Sierra Circles Sculpture Garden (388 reviews), Five Fours Camp in Three Rivers (199 reviews), and Sequoia Mountain Farms (205 reviews) for tried and true experiences. Plus, you'll have access to popular amenities like toilets, potable water, and campfires. So pack your gear and get ready for an unforgettable cave camping adventure in Mariposa, California!

97% (1.1K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Mariposa

Looking to camp near Mariposa, California and explore caves? Look no further than Hipcamp! With over 177 options specifically tailored to your preference for caves in the Mariposa area, you'll find the perfect spot to satisfy your adventurous spirit. And with an average price per night of $40 and options as low as $25, you can camp on any budget. Check out top campsites like Sierra Circles Sculpture Garden (388 reviews), Five Fours Camp in Three Rivers (199 reviews), and Sequoia Mountain Farms (205 reviews) for tried and true experiences. Plus, you'll have access to popular amenities like toilets, potable water, and campfires. So pack your gear and get ready for an unforgettable cave camping adventure in Mariposa, California!

97% (1.1K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Mariposa

1. Musick Creek Falls by Shaver Lake

98%

(366)

44mi from Mariposa · 5 sites · Tents, RVs

Musick Creek Falls — Waterfalls, Stargazing & Off-Grid Luxury Near Shaver Lake Just minutes from Shaver Lake, your wilderness adventure awaits. Welcome to Musick Creek Falls—40 acres of sunsets, serenity, and the occasional Sasquatch. Each of our four private campsites has a gazebo, fresh spring water, and its own waterfall view. Nestled at the edge of the Sierra National Forest, this hidden retreat blends adventure, comfort, and sustainability. Swim in natural pools, stargaze through our telescope, or nap in a hammock under towering cedars. Bring your pup—our off-leash policy and open terrain make tails wag. Explore private hiking trails, try gold panning, climb granite boulders, or borrow a free kayak for nearby Shaver Lake. As the region’s first carbon-negative campground, we honor the land’s rich history—from the Native Nuumm (Mono) people who gathered here for its medicine to the Musick family’s 1848 gold strike. Today, every stay supports forest restoration and replanting projects that keep this place wild. Rugged but accessible (4×4 helpful in winter), Musick Creek Falls offers creekside camping, mountain views, and crystal-clear skies for the best stargazing in the Sierras. Four secluded sites ensure privacy and a light footprint—complete with composting toilet, fire rings, and picnic tables. Reconnect with nature, your partner, and your inner explorer. 🌲 Book your stay today and discover why even Sasquatch never left. Learn more at MusickCreekFalls.com Activities: 🌌 Stargazing with telescope 🥾 Private hiking trails 🐾 Off-leash dog adventures 💧 Waterfall swimming holes 🧗 Granite rock climbing 🪶 Wildlife & bird watching ⛏️ Gold panning 🚴 Mountain biking 🛶 Free kayaks for Shaver Lake Terrain: Cascading waterfalls weave through cedar and manzanita groves. Rugged granite outcrops, mossy creek beds, and forest clearings create endless photo ops. Expect elevation around 4,500 ft, crisp air, and incredible night skies. Essentials: Four secluded sites with gazebos, composting toilet, and spring water. Fire rings and picnic tables at each site. No hookups—off-grid experience. Cell service limited. 4×4 helpful but not required except after snowstorms. Shaver Lake 6 min away for supplies.

2. Diamond Gulch

96%

(1160)

30mi from Mariposa · 41 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging

Groups of 15 or more use this code for 15% off your stay! ADMXESCZ Check out this sweet YouTube video of the property! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEvKF5nqcUM Early and late check-out available on tent/rv sites, free of charge. Just message me if you need an earlier check in! Free firewood! We are 30 minutes to the main gate of Yosemite National Park. A great place to stay just outside of the park. Be near the park, but feel that complete privacy. These sites are very spaced out from each other and are large. No need to cram together! Explore the mines and hang out on our Groveland, California ranch! 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.

3. Luxury in the Wilderness, CA

15mi from Mariposa · 1 site · Lodging

Escape into the wilderness at our newly renovated 3-br, 2,700 sq ft Kowana Valley Lodge. Once a Gold Rush era cottage and homestead, the Lodge is perched uphill next to a running creek and features 100% off-grid systems to provide the comforts of home in the middle of the Stanislaus National Forest. Imagine dark skies filled with STARS, a running creek, the stillness of the forest, and the smell of nature. Visit as a stand-alone retreat or as a base camp for excursions into Yosemite National Park. The space Kowana Valley Lodge is a custom-built 2,700 sq ft lodge nestled in the middle of the Stanislaus National Forest. With 3 bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms, 2 studies, a chef's kitchen, a fire pit area, and a rec room with a ping pong table, Kowana Valley Lodge is well-equipped to host a large family or group of friends. Guests will also have access to explore the entire 300-acre property (a trail map is provided at the Lodge), along with miles and miles of dirt roads and national forest land that surround us! Guest access The Lodge is equipped with a smart lock allowing you access via a temporary code. The access gate to the property will be left open throughout your stay. There is no cell service in the area. Internet service via Starlink is provided as a Wifi connection. For your safety, please enable Wifi calling on your cell phone and download offline maps via Google Maps, onX, or your preferred navigation mobile app. *You must drive ~4 miles of dirt and gravel road to reach Kowana Valley Lodge. The road is not steep but is narrow at spots and dusty when dry. Access with a 2WD vehicle is not a problem. **The closest medical facility is at least 40 minutes away in Groveland, so be aware and be prepared for those with underlying medical conditions or needs.**

4. Stanislaus National Forest

93%

(173)

1530 sites · Strawberry, California

An extensive network of lakes, rivers, streams, and trails delight at this Yosemite neighbor.

Pets

Electrical hookup

Toilets

Public campgrounds near Mariposa

83%

(3)

Sweetwater Campground

23mi from Mariposa · 12 sites · Tents, RVs · in Stanislaus National Forest

Lost Claim Campground

23mi from Mariposa · 10 sites · Tents, RVs · in Stanislaus National Forest

Lumsden Campground

25mi from Mariposa · 10 sites · in Stanislaus National Forest

South Fork Campground

25mi from Mariposa · 9 sites · in Stanislaus National Forest

Taken about 3/4 the way down the dirt road to the campsite.

100%

(1)

Lumsden Bridge Campground

25mi from Mariposa · 9 sites · in Stanislaus National Forest

100%

(8)

Dimond O Campground

27mi from Mariposa · 26 sites · Tents, RVs · in Stanislaus National Forest

the photo that Hipcamp posted as representing Cherry Valley campground is not correct. That is not a photo of Cherry Lake, which is next to Cherry Valley Campground. I've included a photo of Cherry Lake, taken from the Dam road.

67%

(6)

Cherry Valley Campground

34mi from Mariposa · 45 sites · Tents, RVs · in Stanislaus National Forest

There is a large BBQ kitchen area that we enjoyed very much

83%

(3)

River Ranch Campground

37mi from Mariposa · 38 sites · Tents, RVs · in Stanislaus National Forest

100%

(2)

Hull Creek Campground

42mi from Mariposa · 18 sites · Tents, RVs · in Stanislaus National Forest

90%

(5)

Fraser Flat Campground

47mi from Mariposa · 38 sites · Tents, RVs · in Stanislaus National Forest

100%

(1)

Pioneer Trail Campground

48mi from Mariposa · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · in Stanislaus National Forest

100%

(3)

Meadowview Campground

48mi from Mariposa · 100 sites · Tents, RVs · in Stanislaus National Forest

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

J

Justin

3 weeks ago

Tent

With pets

4 nights at Musick Creek Falls by Shaver Lake

This was an exceptional experience. This location stands out as the most picturesque I have encountered for camping. The hosts are remarkably supportive and dedicated to ensuring a comfortable stay for our family. I anticipate returning for another adventure.

M

Madison

3 weeks ago

Tent

With pets

2 nights at Diamond Gulch

we’ve stayed at John’s farm 3 times now, once in spring and twice in late November. every time it has been so amazing! the property is gorgeous and there’s so much open grassy areas to wander and sit on a blanket and just enjoy being in nature and not hearing any sounds but cows mooing! the porta potty is always clean and the camping spaces are large and well equipped with fire pits and wood! i would highly recommend John’s land to anyone. thank you again for sharing your property, John!

A

Alex

November 2025

Tent

1 night at Musick Creek Falls by Shaver Lake

Great host, even with poor weather it was beautiful and enjoyable

R

Ruth

November 2025

29 ft Class C

With kids

1 night at Diamond Gulch

Very quiet, basic campsite. We loved it! The road to the campsite is narrow and a bit bumpy, but we made it with our 28ft motorhome.

J

Jay

November 2025

15 ft campervan

Weekend Trip to Musick Creek Falls by Shaver Lake

Amazing campsites all along a fantastic creek and falls !!

R

Rosalina

November 2025

24 ft Class C

Weekend Trip to Diamond Gulch

It was such a peaceful place. It's super clean and we just loved the beautiful nights with endless firewood! Thank you for such a great experience!

H

Hamid

November 2025

16 ft car

With pets

Weekend Trip to Musick Creek Falls by Shaver Lake

Pretty epic spot and peaceful. Randy is supper helpful!

Jasmine

November 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Musick Creek Falls by Shaver Lake

This land is so very well loved by Shandie. It really is a hidden world from everything else. Not only was Shandie a wonderful host but her land is truly a gift to the heart. The road to the property is mostly paved and ends with gravel with some larger humps and bumps. But was plenty doable with my boat of a sedan with its questionable clearance. Just take it slow for the more nervous of drivers. Musick Cove is smack dab right next to the falls, and even in the late fall, is roaring with life. It's perfectly intimate for two. It's tucked away with plenty of trees and brush for privacy. If you do wander a bit you can see the other sites, one above the falls and Midway Lookout but like I said the brush and trees provide plenty of privacy. It had a charcoal grill and a fire pit for use. I can see maybe two tents fitting in the area but I would say it comfortably fits one much better. Outhouse is not too far from the site and is clean and cared after frequently. Go explore the land! Of course safely and respectfully but so many things to discover just by walking around. So happy to see the lands returning after the Creek Fire. Could not recommend this enough. Will be returning when the snow melts and brings more life to the already beautiful world Shandie and her crew take so much care for.

Max

November 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Musick Creek Falls by Shaver Lake

Shandie was a great host and the site was beautiful and romantic, hoping to return again!

A

Anthony

November 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Musick Creek Falls by Shaver Lake

An amazing view and sleeping there is a dream with the waterfall running all night. Shandie was such an amazing host, my dog ended up getting lost and she did what she could to help me find him even extending my stay another night free of charge. We will 100% be returning.

Asha

October 2025

Tent

With pets

1 night at Musick Creek Falls by Shaver Lake

I did camping on Sunday night at Music Creek Falls, and it turned out to be one of the best experiences ever! The place was beautifully maintained — surrounded by nature, peaceful, and had the perfect waterfall right next to my tent spot, which felt so private and special. Even though it was quite cold, my dog and I couldn’t resist playing in the crystal-clear water. The night sky was breathtaking for stargazing — something I’ll never forget. But what truly made this trip special was Shandie, the host. Since we were two females camping, she went above and beyond to make sure we were safe and comfortable. She personally carried firewood for us, provided hot chocolate, offered sleeping bags, and made sure we had everything we needed for a cozy night. I’ve done many camping trips before, but I’ve never felt this safe and cared for. Shandie’s kindness and attention made this camping experience unforgettable.

P

Pam

October 2025

16 ft car

With pets

3 nights at Musick Creek Falls by Shaver Lake

I loved the campsite! 🏕️ the waterfalls were amazing…also allowing the dogs to be off leash was great.

J

Jessie

October 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Musick Creek Falls by Shaver Lake

Such a beautiful, secluded, slice of magic. Shandie was an amazing host. Our dog loved it just as much as we did. We will be back!

S

Stefanie

October 2025

20 ft campervan

1 night at Diamond Gulch

What a gorgeous area! We had plans to for one more night in Yosemite but with impending snow we needed a last minute site outside of the park just in case! We had the camp to ourself with a gorgeous view of a storms iver the mountains from our camper. We would definitely come back!

M

Malgorzata

October 2025

Tent

With pets

7 nights at Diamond Gulch

Beautiful place , very peaceful and the best sunsets ever

K

Katy

October 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Musick Creek Falls by Shaver Lake

It is definitely a magical place. It was quite a drive from San Jose for one night. But it worth it! Immersed in nature in a spot you can’t stop admiring. The hosts were amazing and made sure I find the spot. We connected immediately and I got help parking. I would come again any time. Thank you for providing these camping spots for us.its really incredible. The sierra is a totally different world and this is a little piece on heaven you found there are care for.

A

Amanda

October 2025

Tent

With pets

2 nights at Musick Creek Falls by Shaver Lake

Absolutely amazing! The pictures are exactly what it looks like if not better. Myself my husband and our two boys came to spend one night and by the first night by the fire knew we needed another one. Shandie and everyone is super chill and kind. Nothing negative I have to say! We would love to go back🥰

R

Ryan

October 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Musick Creek Falls by Shaver Lake

We had a nice time camping at the upper falls. Our kids loves exploring the pools in the streams, climbing on the rocks, and enjoying the beautiful scenery.

L

Laura

October 2025

20 ft campervan

With pets

1 night at Diamond Gulch

Such a cool spot! Not your typical campground…loved being on a cattle ranch with open spaces, watching the cows and hearing them moo and the donkeys bray. Lots of space to roam with our two big dogs, very quiet and peaceful. We were in our campervan. Plenty of space between sights, fire pits and firewood aplenty. Highly recommend if you like something a little different. Oh and the sunset was spectacular!

B

Braden

September 2025

20 ft Class B

With pets

2 nights at Diamond Gulch

John’s land was perfect and just as described. Very easy directions to get there and the camp was clean and tidy. It was very peaceful and we had great cell and Starlink reception. We will definitely stay again if in the area! Awesome having free fire wood. Showers worked super well. Nothing like a nice hot shower in the open air.