The best family-friendly camping near Merced

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Looking for a camping adventure near Merced, California? Hipcamp has over 180 available options in the area, perfect for families looking for a fun and relaxing getaway. With options as low as $25 per night, camping is an affordable way to experience the great outdoors. Check out top campsites like The Enchanted Forest Retreat (743 reviews), Camp Nauvoo (546 reviews), and Walden Ranch (418 reviews) for tried and true camping experiences. Trash, campfires, and toilets are popular amenities, while whitewater paddling, horseback riding, and off-roading (OHV) are popular activities to enjoy during your stay.

97% (2.8K)

Top-rated campgrounds

Cole Ranch

1. Cole Ranch

100%
(396)
27mi from Merced · 10 sites · Tents, RVs · Waterford, CA
"I firmly believe that Nature brings solace in all troubles." -Anne Frank- Serene, quiet acreage on the Tuolumne River, with views of the snow capped Sierra Nevadas on a clear day. Scores of wildlife sightings, including river otters, eagles, wild turkeys, beavers, and many more. Perfect for swimming, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, or just relaxing. Like to fish? Fishing at Cole Ranch is a Love/Hate thing. If you Love to Fish, you will Hate to leave. Gateway to Yosemite National Park, the Mother Lode region, hiking trails, and spelunking opportunities, Cole Ranch has just about everything a camper would look for. All sites have access to our community outdoor kitchen, which has a refrigerator, coffee bar, sink, BBQ's, and stoves. Also available are our bathrooms, quite possibly the cleanest campground bathrooms in the 13 western states, which include flushable toilets, two sinks, and warm showers. Book your visit now. (Group bookings must be approved by host. Group bookings that have not been pre-approved may be cancelled.) ** Ever see a meteor shower? Cole Ranch is a perfect place to view one. Following is a list of Meteor Showers in 2025. (Dates indicate best night to see meteors) Lyrids. - April 22 Eta Aquarids. - May 4 Delta Aquarids - July 30 Perseids - Aug 12 Orionids. - Oct 22 Leonids. - Nov 17 Geminids - Dec 13 (Cole Ranch is a working ranch, surrounded by walnut and almond orchards. Harvest for these orchards occur mid-August thru September, and can create dust and noise. Occasional noise from common ranching activities may be heard. Landscaping activities like mowing, watering, etc. generally occur Mondays-Wednesdays) Check back here periodically for advisories on river conditions. ** RIVER ADVISORY UDATE - 4/21/25 ** The river rose unexpectedly yesterday, about a foot so far. According to those in control of the fluctuations, it is supposed to be back to normal level by Friday, 4/25/25. Feel free to text or call Barry at (209) 484-3675 if you have any questions.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$81
 / night
Heart valley ranch

2. Heart valley ranch

91%
(47)
36mi from Merced · 17 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Groveland, CA
To make sure our place is the perfect fit for you, please take a moment to read both the general property description and the specific listing of the campsite or accommodation you’re booking. We want you to have a great stay and avoid any surprises! Heart Valley ranch hosts 300+ acres of rolling pasture nestled along the beautiful Jackass Creek. Access to Yosemite via 120 takes 1 hour , Groveland 10 minutes, and Coulterville 5 minutes. You’ll find cows, goats, chickens, llamas and our two beloved livestock dogs on the property. Many pools to cool off in and sweeping sunset views from the highest point on the property. There is lots of nature to enjoy including bird watching, seasonal wildflowers, and other wild animals. We welcome all ❤️🌈 We highly recommend not bringing any animals, including service animals. We have two livestock guardian dogs that free roam the property and they are not friendly with other animals. IMPORTANT!!! Update jun19th: This year, water levels are lower than usual due to limited rainfall. As a result, swimming at the swimming hole will be closed starting in early July. We recommend planning accordingly and checking back here for updates as the season progresses. Thank you for your understanding!
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$45
 / night
Wondernut Farm

3. Wondernut Farm

97%
(608)
36mi from Merced · 4 sites · Lodging · 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.
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$77
 / night
Like a mini home.

6. Glitter Cove Retreat

100%
(38)
39mi from Merced · 2 sites · Lodging · Coarsegold, CA
This beautiful property is situated on 55 secluded acres in the lovely foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Your adventure begins when you escape the pavement and experience three miles of beautiful scenery on a maintained dirt road. Swimming, fishing, and hiking await you. SAFE, GATED and perfect for moms who want to take their kids camping, or any one who wants to try out the camping experience but has been hesitant. 1 1/2 hours from Yosemite National Park. Reservations may be required. Experience the abundant wild life and soothing sound of the Fresno River. Put your feet in the sand and just unplug for a few days. Each season is uniquely beautiful. Spring hosts an abundance of green hills, wild flowers and cooler weather. The river is higher, faster and colder. New life pops up everywhere. Baby ducks, geese, quail and beaver frequent the river. Glitter Cove waterfall is in its full glory. The nights can be cool, so come prepared. Summer is the perfect time to swim and lounge in the river. As the days heat up, the river begins to slow and warms up to a comfortable yet refreshing temperature. New beaches emerge, just waiting to be explored. In late summer, early fall, there is a feeling of calm. The river slows significantly but still feels amazing to sit in. You can hear its gentle flow and soothing sound as it trickles over the rocks. This is a great time time to explore the river as it is mostly shallow with some swim holes. Most of the time it is very quiet. There is another camp down stream owned by a wonderful family. They are here a couple times per week, and also rent their camp. You may hear them having fun and engaging in target practice. The river is a shared space but it is rare to see anyone else. Noise travels in the canyon so you may hear occasional barking or other vehicles. Hearing coyotes sing at night is very common. The rarely seen wildlife includes rattle snakes, bob cats, coyotes, fox, mountain lions and bears. Don't worry, our animal friends like to keep their distance. Hope to see you soon! Watch a video! https://youtu.be/QI_YsFr-kh8
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$185
 / night
Diamond Gulch

7. Diamond Gulch

96%
(1156)
40mi from Merced · 41 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Groveland, CA
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.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$38
 / night
View from the Dog play area

8. Red Tail Ranch at Yosemite

97%
(287)
42mi from Merced · 12 sites · Tents, RVs · Groveland, CA
Only 25 minutes from Yosemite's entrance gate, come stay at stunning Red Tail Ranch and avoid the crowds of the big campgrounds. With fast wifi, abundant hot water for showers, clean/flush toilets and inside space for cooking with a commercial sink for dishes, all the necessities for a comfortable stay are on site. Use Red Tail Ranch as an ideal launching off point for Yosemite or stay on the property and enjoy all that it has to offer. Red Tail Ranch is a beautiful 90 acre property in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Among the oak woodlands, meadows and coniferous forest, there are numerous trails to explore the property and direct riding access to a developed mountain biking area nearby. Great birding, botanizing and wildlife watching opportunities abound. We have RV sites with hookups, a five site drive-in campground and one walk-in campsite- all with clean, flush toilet bathrooms, hot outdoor showers, indoor camp kitchen and gathering space. Whether your pitching a tent, parking a campervan or rv, there are opportunities for everyone. For large events, workshops or reunions, Red Tail Ranch can be rented out in its entirety- please reach out with any questions or how to do this. New additions to the campground include hammocks, basketball, cornhole, darts and a ring toss game for all to enjoy. We are 10 minutes from the small town of Groveland with a market and restaurants and just down the road from the put in for rafting on the Tuolumne river. Our pricing is a little higher than other places nearby and this is due to the property's great locations, incredible beauty, and all of the amenities added for a great experience. If wanting more information about Yosemite or the surroundings, host Robb Hirsch is a biologist and professional nature photographer with 25 years of experience in the area. He also is connected with all the local guides for any outdoor adventure referrals. Concerned about getting into Yosemite with the new summer reservation requirements? We know all the details, including how to navigate and get through or around the system. Stay with us and we will show you how to access the park with or without reservations.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$60
 / night

Looking for a camping adventure near Merced, California? Hipcamp has over 180 available options in the area, perfect for families looking for a fun and relaxing getaway. With options as low as $25 per night, camping is an affordable way to experience the great outdoors. Check out top campsites like The Enchanted Forest Retreat (743 reviews), Camp Nauvoo (546 reviews), and Walden Ranch (418 reviews) for tried and true camping experiences. Trash, campfires, and toilets are popular amenities, while whitewater paddling, horseback riding, and off-roading (OHV) are popular activities to enjoy during your stay.

97% (2.8K)

Top-rated campgrounds

Cole Ranch

1. Cole Ranch

100%
(396)
27mi from Merced · 10 sites · Tents, RVs · Waterford, CA
"I firmly believe that Nature brings solace in all troubles." -Anne Frank- Serene, quiet acreage on the Tuolumne River, with views of the snow capped Sierra Nevadas on a clear day. Scores of wildlife sightings, including river otters, eagles, wild turkeys, beavers, and many more. Perfect for swimming, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, or just relaxing. Like to fish? Fishing at Cole Ranch is a Love/Hate thing. If you Love to Fish, you will Hate to leave. Gateway to Yosemite National Park, the Mother Lode region, hiking trails, and spelunking opportunities, Cole Ranch has just about everything a camper would look for. All sites have access to our community outdoor kitchen, which has a refrigerator, coffee bar, sink, BBQ's, and stoves. Also available are our bathrooms, quite possibly the cleanest campground bathrooms in the 13 western states, which include flushable toilets, two sinks, and warm showers. Book your visit now. (Group bookings must be approved by host. Group bookings that have not been pre-approved may be cancelled.) ** Ever see a meteor shower? Cole Ranch is a perfect place to view one. Following is a list of Meteor Showers in 2025. (Dates indicate best night to see meteors) Lyrids. - April 22 Eta Aquarids. - May 4 Delta Aquarids - July 30 Perseids - Aug 12 Orionids. - Oct 22 Leonids. - Nov 17 Geminids - Dec 13 (Cole Ranch is a working ranch, surrounded by walnut and almond orchards. Harvest for these orchards occur mid-August thru September, and can create dust and noise. Occasional noise from common ranching activities may be heard. Landscaping activities like mowing, watering, etc. generally occur Mondays-Wednesdays) Check back here periodically for advisories on river conditions. ** RIVER ADVISORY UDATE - 4/21/25 ** The river rose unexpectedly yesterday, about a foot so far. According to those in control of the fluctuations, it is supposed to be back to normal level by Friday, 4/25/25. Feel free to text or call Barry at (209) 484-3675 if you have any questions.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$81
 / night
Heart valley ranch

2. Heart valley ranch

91%
(47)
36mi from Merced · 17 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Groveland, CA
To make sure our place is the perfect fit for you, please take a moment to read both the general property description and the specific listing of the campsite or accommodation you’re booking. We want you to have a great stay and avoid any surprises! Heart Valley ranch hosts 300+ acres of rolling pasture nestled along the beautiful Jackass Creek. Access to Yosemite via 120 takes 1 hour , Groveland 10 minutes, and Coulterville 5 minutes. You’ll find cows, goats, chickens, llamas and our two beloved livestock dogs on the property. Many pools to cool off in and sweeping sunset views from the highest point on the property. There is lots of nature to enjoy including bird watching, seasonal wildflowers, and other wild animals. We welcome all ❤️🌈 We highly recommend not bringing any animals, including service animals. We have two livestock guardian dogs that free roam the property and they are not friendly with other animals. IMPORTANT!!! Update jun19th: This year, water levels are lower than usual due to limited rainfall. As a result, swimming at the swimming hole will be closed starting in early July. We recommend planning accordingly and checking back here for updates as the season progresses. Thank you for your understanding!
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$45
 / night
Wondernut Farm

3. Wondernut Farm

97%
(608)
36mi from Merced · 4 sites · Lodging · 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.
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$77
 / night
Like a mini home.

6. Glitter Cove Retreat

100%
(38)
39mi from Merced · 2 sites · Lodging · Coarsegold, CA
This beautiful property is situated on 55 secluded acres in the lovely foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Your adventure begins when you escape the pavement and experience three miles of beautiful scenery on a maintained dirt road. Swimming, fishing, and hiking await you. SAFE, GATED and perfect for moms who want to take their kids camping, or any one who wants to try out the camping experience but has been hesitant. 1 1/2 hours from Yosemite National Park. Reservations may be required. Experience the abundant wild life and soothing sound of the Fresno River. Put your feet in the sand and just unplug for a few days. Each season is uniquely beautiful. Spring hosts an abundance of green hills, wild flowers and cooler weather. The river is higher, faster and colder. New life pops up everywhere. Baby ducks, geese, quail and beaver frequent the river. Glitter Cove waterfall is in its full glory. The nights can be cool, so come prepared. Summer is the perfect time to swim and lounge in the river. As the days heat up, the river begins to slow and warms up to a comfortable yet refreshing temperature. New beaches emerge, just waiting to be explored. In late summer, early fall, there is a feeling of calm. The river slows significantly but still feels amazing to sit in. You can hear its gentle flow and soothing sound as it trickles over the rocks. This is a great time time to explore the river as it is mostly shallow with some swim holes. Most of the time it is very quiet. There is another camp down stream owned by a wonderful family. They are here a couple times per week, and also rent their camp. You may hear them having fun and engaging in target practice. The river is a shared space but it is rare to see anyone else. Noise travels in the canyon so you may hear occasional barking or other vehicles. Hearing coyotes sing at night is very common. The rarely seen wildlife includes rattle snakes, bob cats, coyotes, fox, mountain lions and bears. Don't worry, our animal friends like to keep their distance. Hope to see you soon! Watch a video! https://youtu.be/QI_YsFr-kh8
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$185
 / night
Diamond Gulch

7. Diamond Gulch

96%
(1156)
40mi from Merced · 41 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Groveland, CA
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.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$38
 / night
View from the Dog play area

8. Red Tail Ranch at Yosemite

97%
(287)
42mi from Merced · 12 sites · Tents, RVs · Groveland, CA
Only 25 minutes from Yosemite's entrance gate, come stay at stunning Red Tail Ranch and avoid the crowds of the big campgrounds. With fast wifi, abundant hot water for showers, clean/flush toilets and inside space for cooking with a commercial sink for dishes, all the necessities for a comfortable stay are on site. Use Red Tail Ranch as an ideal launching off point for Yosemite or stay on the property and enjoy all that it has to offer. Red Tail Ranch is a beautiful 90 acre property in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Among the oak woodlands, meadows and coniferous forest, there are numerous trails to explore the property and direct riding access to a developed mountain biking area nearby. Great birding, botanizing and wildlife watching opportunities abound. We have RV sites with hookups, a five site drive-in campground and one walk-in campsite- all with clean, flush toilet bathrooms, hot outdoor showers, indoor camp kitchen and gathering space. Whether your pitching a tent, parking a campervan or rv, there are opportunities for everyone. For large events, workshops or reunions, Red Tail Ranch can be rented out in its entirety- please reach out with any questions or how to do this. New additions to the campground include hammocks, basketball, cornhole, darts and a ring toss game for all to enjoy. We are 10 minutes from the small town of Groveland with a market and restaurants and just down the road from the put in for rafting on the Tuolumne river. Our pricing is a little higher than other places nearby and this is due to the property's great locations, incredible beauty, and all of the amenities added for a great experience. If wanting more information about Yosemite or the surroundings, host Robb Hirsch is a biologist and professional nature photographer with 25 years of experience in the area. He also is connected with all the local guides for any outdoor adventure referrals. Concerned about getting into Yosemite with the new summer reservation requirements? We know all the details, including how to navigate and get through or around the system. Stay with us and we will show you how to access the park with or without reservations.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$60
 / night

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field