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Yosemite Garden Camp

96%

· Groveland, Tuolumne, California

10 acres hosted by Geoff W.

3 tent sites

Private sites

96% of recent Hipcampers say the sites felt private.

Geoff is a Star Host

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Off-leash friendly

Pets can be off-leash at this Hipcamp.

Staff verified

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I found Yosemite Garden Camp when I was working as a backpacking guide in Yosemite and wanted a local base of operations. In the 8 years since I bought it, the place has gradually grown to include a large vegetable garden and a small vineyard. I have put into place basic comforts like power and indoor plumbing, but for the most part have left it undeveloped. Amazing western sunset views, huge, starry night skies, and access to the funky Gold Rush-era town of Groveland make it perfect for a weekend of camping with friends. It's proximity to Yosemite makes it a great base for exploring the National Park. Yosemite Garden Camp is on 10 acres of grassy meadows, pine and oak trees, and manzanita chaparral in the lower Sierra Nevada mountains, near the town of Groveland, outside Yosemite National Park. The property includes a large vegetable garden and a small vineyard, and borders Federal Bureau of Land Management land. Most of the property has sweeping views across the Central Valley to the Coast Ranges to the west. Sunsets are breathtaking. Yosemite National Park, with endless hiking, backpacking, climbing and swimming, is about 1 hour away by car. Even closer are the Stanislaus National Forest and the Tuolumne River. The town of Groveland has some great bars, cafes and restaurants, and a good grocery store. There is a bathroom shack in the middle of the property with a flush toilet, a sink, and a solar shower. The water is clean and drinkable. There is also a communal fire pit and a communal picnic table. Note that Yosemite Garden Camp is on a very rough dirt road, which gets worse every year and looks like a dry river bed in places, with exposed rock and deep ruts. A higher clearance vehicle is necessary and 4-wheel drive is ideal. Sedans often bottom out on this road and are not recommended. Please drive no faster than 5 mph when going past neighbors' homes.

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96%

308 ratings · 211 reviews

Lindsey W.recommends

July 12, 2024

Yosemite Garden Camp Tent Site 2

The vineyard and views were absolutely breathtaking. We camped at site 2 and were the only people there, so we had the place to ourselves. We didn’t venture down to site 3, but site 1 didn’t look like it had a great flat spot for a tent, so I would say that site 2 is your best bet! The picnic table was close to our tent, which was wonderful. We honestly didn’t spend a ton of time at the site, as we spent most of our time in Yosemite, but being able to come back to a safe, private campground after a long day was lovely. Plus a clean, private bathroom with a flushing toilet! The outdoor “shower” is a hose with a spray nozzle, located in a fenced off area next to the bathroom. It was better than nothing, but very cold water (as to be expected).

William W.

July 7, 2024

Yosemite Garden Camp Tent Site 1

This was a great campsite with an amazing view of the sunset! It was definitely a little challenging to find and it takes a car that’s suitable to go off-pavement! Overall it was quiet, peaceful and secluded, which was nice!

Andie K.recommends

June 26, 2024

Yosemite Garden Camp Tent Site 2

Read Geoff direction! :)

We had a wonderful stay! Geoff was friendly and his place was beautiful. The sunsets were amazing. The place was well kept and the toilet was very clean. His directions were perfect and we were able to fine the spot easily. Don’t trust the maps lol

Sydney B.recommends

June 12, 2024

Yosemite Garden Camp Tent Site 2

Directions to location!

The location was beautiful! Super pretty with amazing views! The only downfall was trying to get there. The spot was a little hard to find because maps took us the complete wrong way. Here are directions to get there that worked for us!! Go into Groveland -Turn onto Merrell RD. (Left if coming from the -East side, Right if coming from the west side) -STAY on Merrell Rd for a few miles -Turn LEFT onto Second Garrotte Ridge RD. -Stay (veer) RIGHT. The road will turn to Garrotte Ridge RD - Take the dirt road for a little until you come to a 4 way split. You will see a small road to your left with two poles, and road a little wider left that goes up hill and a road that veers right. GO RIGHT. - You will now be on Yosemite Springs RD. - Follow this road, you will pass a house on your left, keep going. - You will see a green gate, with a flag on the right side, and sheds, storage containers, and picnic tables inside. - Enter the gate, find a flat spot to park, walk down to the vineyard and enjoy the views! Bathroom is great and private, shower is an outside shower with no hot water! Dirt roads with lots of bumps, drive slow to protect neighbors from dust! Amazing spot, will recommend to anyone! We pinned the location via Apple Maps and this is the address that best shows where the location is: 10081 Yosemite Springs Rd Groveland, CA 95321

Morgan P.recommends

May 27, 2024

Yosemite Garden Camp Tent Site 1

Great experience for those planning to hike in Yosemite Valley. About 1 hour 45 minutes from the Valley parking area. Site #2 has a gorgeous view, Site #1 is towards the back with a less nice view but still beautiful landscape. Very peaceful experience and the bathroom is good. Highly recommend AWD at a minimum to get up the ruts/dirt/bumps/hills (though someone did manage to get their Tesla sadan up… not sure how!). Don’t expect a warm shower, it’s a burst of cold water out of a hose next to the bathroom in a private area. Overall think it’s a great private camping spot for the Yosemite area

Hannah C.recommends

April 21, 2024

Yosemite Garden Camp Tent Site 2

a must-stay!

incredible views, gorgeous sunrise and sunset. the trees are suitable for hammocks, there are Adirondack chairs, tree stumps, generally plenty of seating and surfaces. there are great facilities — toilet, sinks, spigot, running water, etc. the communal fire pit is well-maintained with plenty of wood and kindling to get started, we recommend bringing wood if staying multiple nights. it is a safe property, feels remote but still in close proximity to other houses, a few businesses including gas station, Groveland. it is a super convenient drive to Yosemite National Park. the last mile of road is VERY rough — a high clearance vehicle is necessary and all-wheel drive is highly recommended even without snow, but the site is well worth the effort huge thanks to Geoff for his amazing property and a wonderful stay!

Location

Groveland, Tuolumne, California, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of Miwok and Me-Wuk (Central Sierra Miwok) First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking