The best dog-friendly campgrounds near Merced, California

Looking to go camping near Merced, California with your furry friend? Look no further than Hipcamp. With over 2300 options in the area, you're sure to find the perfect spot for you and your pet. And with campsites like The Enchanted Forest Retreat (743 reviews), Camp Nauvoo (546 reviews), and The Meadows at Isleton (514 reviews) topping the list, you know you'll be in good hands. Plus, you can enjoy popular amenities like toilets, showers, and pet-friendly areas. So whether you're into paddling, snow sports, or whitewater paddling, Hipcamp has got you covered. Average price per night is $65, with options as low as $10. Happy camping!

94% (3.8K) • 243 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Merced

Looking to go camping near Merced, California with your furry friend? Look no further than Hipcamp. With over 2300 options in the area, you're sure to find the perfect spot for you and your pet. And with campsites like The Enchanted Forest Retreat (743 reviews), Camp Nauvoo (546 reviews), and The Meadows at Isleton (514 reviews) topping the list, you know you'll be in good hands. Plus, you can enjoy popular amenities like toilets, showers, and pet-friendly areas. So whether you're into paddling, snow sports, or whitewater paddling, Hipcamp has got you covered. Average price per night is $65, with options as low as $10. Happy camping!

94% (3.8K) • 243 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Merced

1. Chowchilla Golfside RV Retreat

18mi from Merced · 1 site · RV

Welcome to your peaceful RV getaway inside a private, gated golf-course resort community in Chowchilla, CA. This pull-through RV lot sits on approximately 2,300 sq ft (about 0.05 acres) and is perfect for short or long-term stays. The resort is known for its safety, quiet atmosphere, and friendly neighbors, making it an ideal spot for travelers, retirees, full-timers, or anyone needing a relaxing place to park and unwind. Ask resort employees about your golf credit! ✔ Pull-through access for easy parking ✔ Full hookup potential (electric, sewer, and water depending on rig) ✔ Secure gated community with paved roads ✔ Great location near the clubhouse, golf course, pool, and walking areas Guests can enjoy peaceful mornings, beautiful sunsets, golf course scenery, and close proximity to the resort amenities. Whether you’re passing through the Central Valley or settling in for a while, this spot provides comfort, convenience, and a safe place to call home. Looking forward to hosting you — feel free to reach out with any questions!

2. Big Table Ranch

100%

(3)

34mi from Merced · 1 site · Lodging

In Sierra Foothills, 45 mins to Yosemite. near McClure Lake and Don Pedro. Super great for dogs and kids!! Base price is for 6 guests, $250-350(winter/summer) nightly, $35 extra per night per person in addition. 3 dogs (and cats) are included. Chat us up if you have more. 3 bedroom, 3.5 bath. Speak with us for larger groups. 2200' elevation. 4WD not needed. Summer- 85-100 degrees. Winter 35-55. Private use - 5 acres. Larger groups welcome. People relocating from fires with more pets welcome! Guest House with well stocked kitchen (2 fridges, stove/double oven, dishwasher, back deck bbq, sundries), smart tv, fireplace (we have tons of wood), air conditioning and free wifi (works perfectly 99% of the time). Home is one floor with front and back porches. Our unique property is an old working ranch with 35 acres of meadows, an old cabin, barn, natural springs, an inground pool, hot tub and swimming cistern. Our guest house is near the road and easily accessible but still very private. Roads are flat and parking easy. You have full and private access to the house, hot tub and pool areas. Near the pools: outdoor shower, sink, lounge chairs, covered and sunny areas. Our pools are not heated (and do not have the ability to be heated) and are covered in the winter months (November to April). Extra large living and dining room. 2 couches, 2 large dining room tables, smart tv, bluetooth speaker, games, pub table. Bedroom 1: 1 queen with private bathroom(shower) Bedroom 2: 1 queen and 1 twin bunkbed Bedroom 3: 1 queen and 1 twin bunkbed Bathrooms 1&2: sink, shower and toilet Bathroom 3: sink and toilet We provide all bedding, towels, kitchen basics and paper goods. The ranch is solar-powered (not off-grid) with an artesian well and septic system. Please use biodegradable products for your showers and washing. Our property is great for dogs. Up to 3 at no extra costs. If you want to bring more chat us up. The 5 acres around the guest house are fenced but in front and at the driveway it's open. We have horses, deer, turkeys, barn cats... roaming around and we have farm dogs enclosed at our house. Our base price is for 6 guests, $35 extra per night per person in addition. When writing us, Let us know that you have read the full description of our space. Thanks

3. Yosemite Westlake Camp

88%

(642)

36mi from Merced · 33 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging

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.

4. Luxury in the Wilderness, CA

39mi from Merced · 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.**

5. El Captain’s View 4X4 ONLY Yosemite

71%

(17)

39mi from Merced · 2 sites · Tents, RVs

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. 4x4 access only. Surrounded by over 500,000 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 the Beautiful!

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

J

Jack

November 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Yosemite Westlake Camp

Great site with amenities and very friendly host. Would go back for sure

T

Tori

November 2025

Tent

With pets

2 nights at Yosemite Westlake Camp

We had a great experience tent camping! There are bathrooms with hot water and showers, and a little camp sink with tons of pots/pans/utensils! The fireplace was great, and gas grills were available too. Easy drive in to Yosemite. Mac and John were friendly and very helpful! We would definitely stay again for a Yosemite visit.

j

jan owen

November 2025

Tent

Group trip

2 nights at Yosemite Westlake Camp

I was great. It's a family friendly. The property owner Mac was very accommodating. There's even a gas station just 5mins away.

N

Nicholas

November 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Yosemite Westlake Camp

Mac was super welcoming and gave us great insight on the area. Shared some great conversations and enjoyed staying at the campground. We stayed off season but we had a great time using the facilities and enjoying Yosemite!

U

Umut

November 2025

Tent

3 nights at Yosemite Westlake Camp

Loved the camp site and the host (Mac) was incredible and shared lots of stories, recommendations, and tips on Yosemite even gave us some tomato’s from his garden! I’d definitely would come back, the camp site has everything you need.

Our sight was nice bug lots of room to enjoy ourselves

H

Heidi

October 2025

23 ft travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Yosemite Westlake Camp

The firebombed is amazing campground is pretty quiet.

S

Saul

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Yosemite Westlake Camp

Great site. Plenty of space for tents and RVs. Hosts Mac and John were inviting and informative on Yosemite sight seeing.

L

Luisa

September 2025

30 ft campervan

Group trip

2 nights at Yosemite Westlake Camp

We loved the camp! The attention was amazing and the installations were great. Nice location if you want to spend the day visiting Yosemite. Would definitely recommend!

D

David

September 2025

25 ft travel trailer

With pets

4 nights at Yosemite Westlake Camp

Had a very good time and services were great and I felt very welcomed there. Clean showers and lots of space to enjoy relaxing with views of wild turkeys and deer in the mornings and evenings. Wife had one suggestions that the small step-up in the shower on floor have a marker ( maybe paint step yellow ) to prevent trip hazard. Men's side were fine...

H

Hamid

September 2025

16 ft car

Weekend Trip to Yosemite Westlake Camp

We stayed two nights at this location. Mac and uncle John are great! bathrooms and showers are awesome and super clean. I would recommend this place 110%!!! W used our ground tent, even though we had rooftop tent. You can find new Friends in camping area! Th location is just 30 min away from West gate of NP and 1:20 min to Yosemite village with a tea;;y great scenic drive.

M

Mila

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Yosemite Westlake Camp

Camped here for two nights. About an hour away from Yosemite National Park entrance. Bathrooms are well kept and they have grills with propane that are free to use for campers. Lots of neighborhood cats around as well as deer, turkey, and birds. They also have basketball hoops and John sells wood at the check in area. Great place to camp!

K

Kaitlend

September 2025

15 ft Class C

With pets

1 night at Yosemite Westlake Camp

Mac was amazing and made us feel right at home! He’s truly a generous and thoughtful person! We will definitely be back!

L

Leslie

September 2025

Tent

1 night at Yosemite Westlake Camp

It was great camping here! Had an overall amazing experience after me and my siblings decided to camp here before visiting Yosemite. John was extremely helpful and kind. He’s a gem! Don’t forget to say hi to screamin’ betty! - leslie

S

Shoshanna

September 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Yosemite Westlake Camp

Great campsite! My friend and I enjoyed our corner spot, was private, secluded and shaded which was great for my dog.

J

Jai

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Yosemite Westlake Camp

Really great place! Mac was super helpful especially because we arrived a little bit after sundown. He showed us where to set up our tent. We had a really nice weekend there. Definitely will plan another trip here!

Zahira

September 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Yosemite Westlake Camp

The campsite was great! Clean and well equipped. We saw a few deer and turkeys. There’s a gas station with all the necessities within a 5 minutes drive. The staff were super friendly and gave us a lot of tips for our Yosemite trip.

M

Miles

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Yosemite Westlake Camp

Always a good time at Westlake campground! Second time here and the hosts are always nice. Having access to a shower is a huge plus, along with the sweet cats that come to visit you at your site haha. Plenty of fire pits and grills to use. And rainbow pool is close by as well. Thanks for having us!

B

Brooklyn

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Yosemite Westlake Camp

I loved this campsite! It was relatively empty when we were there and the bathrooms were so clean. The water was nice and hot and there was a place behind the washroom to clean dishes. It is 35 min from park entrance and 1 hr from the valley. We loved it!

Charl

August 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Yosemite Westlake Camp

The campground has great amenities and Mac and uncle John made us feel really welcome. There were BBQ's provided to cook on at no extra cost either. Warm showers and clean toilets.

a

andraya

August 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Yosemite Westlake Camp

Highly recommend! Mac was very welcoming and he keeps a beautiful campground. We definitely enjoyed our stay. The bathrooms were clean and always stocked. There are communal kitchen tools and showers were hot. In a good area too, if you want to avoid the overcrowded campgrounds at Yosemite but still what to be close enough to enjoy the park, Macs campground is the spot!