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Forest camping near Merced

Discover and reserve the best campgrounds, cabins, RV parks, and more.

96% (2170 reviews)
96% (2170 reviews)

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Under $50

Star Hosts in Merced

12 top forest campgrounds near Merced

89%
(243)

Yosemite Westlake Camp

33 sites ¡ RVs, Tents6 acres ¡ Coulterville, CA
Located 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.
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$48
 / night
97%
(498)

Diamond Gulch

23 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents824 acres ¡ Groveland, CA
CLOSE TO YOSEMITE! Explore the mines and hang out on our Groveland, California ranch! We are 35 minutes to the main gate of Yosemite National Park. A great place to stay just outside of the park. 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.
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$30
 / night
97%
(201)

Hudson and Wendy's Land

2 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents5 acres ¡ Oakhurst, CA
Welcome to Hidden Falls Yosemite Camp. We can't wait for you to stay with us and enjoy what the area has to offer.
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$72
 / night
100%
(2)

The Painted Lake

6 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs20 acres ¡ Copperopolis, CA
Explore BLM and Reclamation land along the shores of New Melones reservoir near Angels Camp. Horses, goats, sheep , and chickens await you on every fence line you come to. Kayak on the waters below us as you camp on our vineyard fenced 20 acre private scenery. Our land is surrounded by 100’s of acres of lake front - public Federal lands surrounded by our private acreage .
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$75
 / night
100%
(2)

El Captain’s View

2 sites ¡ RVs80 acres ¡ El Portal, CA
80 majestic acres of mountain top with a bird's eye view of El Capitan in Yosemite! No frills, no extras, just you and nature. Surrounded by over 400,000 acres of land owned by the U.S. Forest Service, there are no houses or stores (45 Minute drive). Far below in elevation is the Merced River and its many swimming and fishing holes (45 Minute drive). Look to the west to see the coastal mountains. Gaze across the Yosemite Valley to the East at iconic El Capitan in the distance. Take a drive into the Yosemite National Park (1 hour drive). Escape the hustle and bustle and federal laws of Yosemite at night (420 friendly). Inclusive. Views in every direction. Breathtaking sunsets. Incredible wildlife. Freedom. America!
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$69
 / night
95%
(87)

Red Tail Ranch

9 sites ¡ RVs, Tents90 acres ¡ Pine Mountain Lake, CA
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. Welcome to Red Tail Ranch (newly listed on Hipcamp), a stunning 90 acre property in the Sierra Nevada foothills, just 25 minutes from the Yosemite entrance gate. 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. 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. We have RV sites with hookups, a four site drive-in campground and two walk-in campsites- 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. 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.
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from 
$60
 / night
97%
(522)

Wondernut Farm

4 sites ¡ Lodging37 acres ¡ 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 a composting toilet. 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.
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$120
 / night
98%
(47)

Camp SourBerry (near Yosemite)

1 site ¡ RV40 acres ¡ Oakhurst, CA
Welcome to Camp SourBerry! Here, you can park your home-on-wheels in a private space with a view. You can enjoy the feeling of rural seclusion while within walking distance (~1 mile) from shops and restaurants in Oakhurst. The South Gate to Yosemite National Park is less than a 30-minute drive (~75 minutes drive-time to the Valley floor), and Bass Lake's shores are only 15 minutes away. Local wildlife is abundant. Wild turkeys are a common sighting, especially in the spring and fall, as are squirrels, bears, deer, coyotes, and bobcats, plus all kinds of native birds (hawks, quail, jays, woodpeckers, ravens, vultures, and eagles). We have a small homestead-style farm and so do the neighbors, so you can hear the distant sounds of chickens, turkeys, sheep, goats, and cows. Because the safety of our animals (and yours) is paramount, we do not allow other pets to visit. The parking location is an ease pull-through for passenger vehicles and shorter trailers. People with longer, taller trailers find it easier to pull-in and back out. The best view is on the passenger side of the drive! Whether you want to stay put and enjoy the natural setting or have a base from which to explore world-class attractions, we would love to host your next vacation.
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$40
 / night
100%
(7)

River Creek Ranch

1 site ¡ Tent10 acres ¡ Ahwahnee, CA
10 acres in the Sierra Nevada foothills right outside of Yosemite national Park, river frontage property were Miami creek runs into a Fresno River swimming is available in both large granite rock outcroppings and wildlife abound. This is a shared property with an active Airbnb. 110 power available and water hook ups.
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$65
 / night
99%
(93)

Robinson Mine Basecamp

8 sites ¡ Tents13 acres ¡ Groveland, CA
Come enjoy the peaceful outdoors in a rustic mountain setting ! But still have all the amenities of town only a couple miles away; grocery store, restaurants, a craft brewery and one of the oldest saloons in California! There’s even a park for the kiddos, a Library and Museum for all ages! The stars are something to see, as you feel like you can just reach up and touch them! We are just getting started so each time you come visit us, you will see and enjoy something new! We are so close to Yosemite @ the big old flat entrance or maybe you would like to see Hetch Hetchy! There is river rafting, mountain biking, swimming and fishing all close by! Lots to do in our area it will be hard to choose! When you’re on the property keep your eye out for shiny rocks, as we are located on an old gold mine who knows you may “GET LUCKY“
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$35
 / night
95%
(301)

BaseCampByBo!

5 sites ¡ RVs, Tents20 acres ¡ Groveland, CA
If you are looking for man made and leveled campsites, then this is not your basecamp. This land is a gorgeous 20 acres that means a lot to us.  It's space to find your peace of mind and pitch a tent or hammock, as you would when hiking the backcountry.  Aside from complimentary ice water, potty, shower, soaps, sanitizer, sunscreen, first aid, communal fire pit, wood stove and dishwashing area) this is not "glamping".  If you are  a person who appreciates nature and making due with what the land has provided, then we are a great fit. Guests have 20 acres to find a secluded, or socially distanced spot to pitch camp. This is for people that know how to camp in the backcountry -  Without a trash can, who don’t leave cigarette butts, respect the land and would rather not be sectioned off. Flat areas are all over if you explore, and use your feet to brush aside rocks and twigs, to lay down a tent base, as we do every time we camp in the backcountry. The geography of these mountains is just that, hills and mountains. The vista at the top of the property is gorgeous and easily camps 5 tents spaced out. The property does offer many other great camping areas, and I’m more than happy to point them out. Yosemite is 30 minutes away, Don Pedro lake is 30 minutes, Cherry Lake is 30 minutes, Preston falls and Carlon falls are both 30 min away.  Downtown Groveland Is 7 minutes away, and other historic towns are not too far.  Close to many swimming holes. Rainbow pools is 15 minutes away. 10 min from the local grocery store and other local shops. Base Camp is just off of highway 120. Sonora has a great farmers market on Sunday and is a beautiful 40 min drive away. Thank you for taking time to read this, we look forward to hosting you!  -Best    Jarrett & Bo
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$57
 / night
76%
(127)

Yosemite Ridge Basecamp

17 sites ¡ Lodging55 acres ¡ Groveland, CA
Come hang at our awesome Park located just 11 miles outside of Yosemite National Park. We have plenty of space for you. *** Please read the entire listing before booking*** ***All guests must check-in inside the general store upon arrival.*** ***Please choose the right site for your needs. *** The store is open from 11am - 7pm. If you are arriving after 7pm you must call or message us to setup your arrival. Late check-ins are subject to a $25 fee to pay staff. Absolutely No arrivals past 8pm, you will be asked to leave. Setup is not allowed during quiet hours. The ridge campsites are for 4x4 camper vans or pickup campers only. Rigs must be fully self sufficient with toilets onboard. There is no restroom on the ridge sites. You will not be allowed to camp on the ridge without 4x4 and an onboard toilet. The tent and RV campground is available for all guests. ***Please respect the land and leave no trace. Water is available at tent sites but electricity or sewer are not. Bathrooms, showers, and laundry are located about 300ft away. Bathrooms are BYOTP Bring your own Toilet Paper.*** Cellular service is extremely limited. AT&T and Verizon work in certain random spots. Wifi only works in the main area of the park. It does not work at the tent sites. Wifi passes are $5 and available as an add-on or inside the general store. It is good enough to make calls, text, receive email and get directions. It is not for streaming. Quiet hours are 9pm to 7am. If you are we receive repeated complaints you will be asked to leave. Campfires, charcoal bbqs, etc are prohibited due to high fire danger. Only gas / propane stoves are allowed. We are very close to rainbow pools, which is a beautiful water fall and swimming pool. We are 11 miles from the city of Groveland, CA. We are 11 miles to the entrance to Yosemite National Park
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$159
 / night

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Forest camping near Merced guide

Overview

Welcome to Hipcamp, your go-to website for finding the perfect camping experience. With over 1,700 options near Merced, California, in the heart of the forest, you're sure to find your ideal getaway. Whether you're looking for a rustic retreat or a luxurious glamping experience, we've got you covered. For the nature lovers, The Enchanted Forest Retreat (743 reviews), Camp Nauvoo (546 reviews), and Walden Ranch (418 reviews) are top picks. With amenities like trash disposal, campfires, and potable water, you'll have everything you need for a comfortable stay. And with activities like horseback riding, climbing, and boating, there's never a dull moment. So start planning your adventure and book your campsite today!

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