93% (165 reviews)
Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Stanislaus adventure.
An extensive network of lakes, rivers, streams, and trails delight at this Yosemite neighbor.
Popular ways to camp
Community favorites near Stanislaus National Forest
Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.
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Stay at a public campground in Stanislaus National Forest
Top-rated campgrounds near Stanislaus National Forest
99%
(48)
River Ranch Campgrounds
28 sites · RVs, Tents50 acres · Twain Harte, CA
At River Ranch Campgrounds, Tuolumne, CA we offer a wide range of activities to make your stay enjoyable. Take a hike on one of the many trails winding through the Stanislaus National Forest at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountains, or cast a line in the North Fork of the Tuolumne River or Basin Creek for some great native fishing. After a long day of exploration, come back to the campgrounds and relax by the firepit or enjoy a picnic in one of our many picnic areas. Activities in the campground include horseshoes and volleyball. We pride ourselves on blending nature and family camping in a safe, serene environment. We offer water hookups and centrally located restrooms with heated showers to make your stay comfortable and convenient.
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$40
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97%
(513)
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
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90%
(923)
Bridgeport Reservoir Campground
33 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents11 acres · CA
Bridgeport Reservoir is a lake at the lower end of Bridgeport Valley in Mono County, California. Its earth-filled dam was constructed in 1923 by the Walker River Irrigation District, along the East Walker River. The campground and marina was built I-don't-know-how-long ago, but it sure is nice!
About Us: Welcome to Bridgeport Reservoir Marina and Campground. Join us for the classic camping and fishing experience with unique views of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Within the Toiyabe National Forest, Bridgeport Reservoir Marina and Campground is conveniently located near two distinct hot spring areas. A true angler's paradise, the Reservoir has excellent trout fishing from spring through fall and is close by to multiple rivers for incredible fly fishing. A short 30-minute drive to Tioga pass will bring you straight into the heart of Yosemite National Park. Off-road enthusiasts will have a heyday will the plethora of 4x4 trails in the area as well as the famous trail that brings you right to the Bodie Ghost Town.
Climate & Ecosystem: At 6,400 feet (1,950 meters), this high desert climate has little to moderate tree coverage and gets hot during the days and cool at night. The conditions are much like Joshua Tree National Park or Alabama Hills camping area. During your visit, you will notice many flying insects that resemble mosquitos. These Chironomid are harmless and do not bite. On the contrary, the mosquito presence is very minimal.
Swimming in the lake is possible usually between April to July.
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$27
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89%
(247)
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
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98%
(677)
Yosemite's Colfax Spring
8 sites · RVs, Tents15 acres · Groveland, CA
Welcome to Yosemite's Colfax Spring!
Home to a basecamp for river rafting trips during the summertime, we are located 15 minutes driving distance to the entrance to Yosemite National Park. If you are staying with us between May - September and want to come rafting, ask us about our river trips!
Our camp sits on a ridge with views down into the Tuolumne River Canyon. The Tuolumne River begins at 13,000 feet of elevation in the High Country of Tuolumne Meadows and provides drinking water for over 2.7 million people in San Francisco.
With cedar and pine trees, manzanita bushes, and wildflowers in the spring, enjoy the Sierras' flora and fauna. Our family has been operating our river rafting company for over 50 years, the last 11 of those years being here at Colfax Spring. Conveniently located off Highway 120, we are in close proximity to swimming holes, hikes, and more.
Enjoy the privacy of our campsite and getting world-class views to yourself, with all of the amenities (flushing toilets, wi-fi, showers.)
Make sure to check the Yosemite National Park website for information about reservations to visit the park!
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$90
/ night
Booked 17 times
Camping At Yosemite's Doorstep
1 site · Tent15 acres · Groveland, CA
Reserve your tent site on 15 exclusive, wooded-acres only 10 minutes from the entrance to Yosemite National Park. Once you've set up camp, you can explore the walking trails on the property and if you make it to the top, why not enjoy a lovely picnic with beautiful mountain views?
Conveniently located across the highway from a gas station and a general store, you never have to worry about running out of ice or forgetting to bring the bug spray.
Upon returning from a rigorous day of hiking around Yosemite valley, a hot shower awaits you, to wash off the trail dust. Complimentary firewood is also available to use in the metal fire pit, for a relaxing evening around the campfire.
If our base package isn't enough, we can have a tent set up and ready for you when you arrive. Or go for the VIP treatment and sleep on a full-sized bed with fresh linens and a memory foam mattress. Whatever you're looking for, Yosemite's Doorstep is ready to provide the ideal camping experience to suit your needs.
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$90
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100%
(57)
Rocksteady Adventures
4 sites · RVs, Tents70 acres · Copperopolis, CA
Off-grid campground adjacent to 1000 acre private reservoir perfect for fishing, kayaking & paddle boarding. 70 acres in Sierra Nevada Foothills with Valley Oaks, Gray Pines & Manzanita. Best birding in Calaveras County with over 188 species including Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles, Osprey & waterfowl.
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$30
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100%
(9)
The Painted Lake
17 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents20 acres · Copperopolis, CA
Kayaks, Eggs & firewood provided. 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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$50
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99%
(861)
Paradise Shores Camp
46 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents2 acres · Bridgeport, CA
We're a family owned RV Park & Campground located on the shores of Bridgeport Reservoir. Together with our crew, we're excited to welcome you into our newly adopted home.
We believe in campfires, starry nights, good laughs, exploration, a deep sleep and an early rise. The mountains are a place to get back to basics, a place to explore, to breathe. So turn off your phone and turn on your senses.
It’s important to us that our guests don’t feel they are renting a tent/RV site or a camper as much as they’re immersing themselves into the outdoor experience. You may just want to sit outside and read for days, enjoy campfires and eat s'mores. For more adventurous, there's a full slate of self-guided recreational activities, such as hiking, kayaking, fishing, ATVing, rock climbing, biking, natural water slides, stand up paddle boards, bird watching, available in the area. We do have modern conveniences such as wifi internet; however, we encourage our guests to “unplug” and immerse in the slow paced life instead.
At Paradise Shores, we believe in protecting people, animals and the planet. We make sure that the majority of products we use at our camp is recycled, composted, or re-used. We prefer to use products that are produced in a sustainable way and avoid those that aren't.
We are continuously reducing the amount of waste we generate and actively promote recycling of aluminum, plastic, glass, and cardboard. We pack our own recycling and haul it to the nearest recycling facility which is an hour away. We co-opt the drive with other activities to reduce waste. We don’t use individually packaged toiletries or one-use products. We use plant and planet friendly detergent.
We're based in a desert. We share our precious water with the entire planet. With only 326 million cubic miles of water on the earth, the decreasing amounts of access to quality fresh water is alarming to us. We monitor how we use water in our day-to-day activities and are constantly working on ways to reduce our consumption of fresh water resources.
We hope you can help us maintain this greener camping!
We hope Paradise Shores Camp becomes your home as it is ours. It’s located in one of the most spectacular areas in the world. We’re surrounded on three sides by the high Sierra Nevada Mountains. Yosemite National Park, Tuolumne Meadows, Mono Lake, June Lake, Virginia Lakes, and Twin Lakes, as well as the historic gold-mining town of Bodie, CA are all within a short drive from our place.
We're proud to know this area intimately and are excited to share the secret spots with you. The excellent hiking/running trails including the Pacific Crest Trail, thousands of miles of ATV, dirt bike and mountain bike trails are accessible right from our camp or within a short drive from here. The surrounding terrain offers endless activities and unbelievable scenery in remote wilderness settings.
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$36
/ night
Booked 9 times
Indian Flat Campground
62 sites · Lodging8 acres · El Portal, CA
Welcome to Indian Flat RV and Campground, the closest campsite to Yosemite National Park, situated just 8 miles from the Arch Rock entrance. Here, you'll find your ultimate destination for experiencing the great outdoors!
Exclusively on Hipcamp, we proudly offer our new Jupe Tents, featuring 12-foot high ceilings, a comfortable queen-size bed, air conditioning, solar panels for USB chargers, spacious windows and ventilation, electrical outlets, and dimmable LED lighting.
Campground Amenities include:
Washrooms
Hot Showers
Access to outdoor pool (located at neighboring Yosemite Cedar Lodge)
Communal fire pits
Wifi available (though we encourage guests to embrace the opportunity to disconnect digitally and fully immerse themselves in the beauty of our surroundings. If needed, WiFi is available for purchase upon check-in.)
Pets welcome (additional $25 fee)
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$210
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97%
(528)
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 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.
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$120
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99%
(1082)
Sierra Circles Sculpture Garden
7 sites · RVs, Tents100 acres · Murphys, CA
Thank you Hipcamper's for another wonderful season. We will be closed for winter weather and new art installations till April 15, 2024. We look forward to hosting you next season.
Michel and Pamela
Historic Brice Station 100 acres hosts Master artist, Michel Olson's Sierra Circles Sculpture Garden. Born in Berlin, Germany, he has spent his life time travelling and becoming an accomplished artist in wood, stone and iron. Two of his gypsy rigs
and several large art installations, are in the meadow next to the forested 6 site campground.
Newest installation, 100 ft sacred circle, yin/yang, sun dial and calendar.
3 miles of hiking trails, with art, continue to be expanded.
Site 1 is spacious with multiple tent sites, art TeePee, and nice shade oak.Site 2 is largest with multiple levels/tent sites and best sunset views. Site 3 is woodsy and cozy. Site 4 has iron TeePee with chandelier and several shaded tent sites.
Site 5 has small grass meadow and wheel sculpture. Site 6 has burningman bicycle fence and 2 person swing.
All sites have parking, tables, benches, and
trees for shade, hammocks or slack lines. On site activities: 3 walking trail loops, each about 1 mile long
Sun. morning YOGA 10am.
Brice Station Winery, tasting room. Open Fri. - Sun. 12 to 6pm
.Quyle Kilns
ceramic art studio and classes,Open Wed.- Sun.
10am to 6 pm.
Paul Quyle Blacksmith school. First and third Sat 9am. Seasonal concerts and Shakespeare. Equinox and Solstice celebrations.
Simply put, nature/art camping at its best.
Children are full price and must be attended to. No trailers over 14 ft. No campsite open fires June thru Oct.
Communal kitchen/crafts area with large tables, BBQ and cook top available. Kitchen fire ring for summer fires. Counter top stoves allowed in campsite. Leashed dogs welcome, please pick up after.
Please no extra loud music or voices.
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$59
/ night
The best camping near Stanislaus National Forest guide
Overview
About
You must know about Stanislaus. Must. It is absolutely epic. With virtually the same appeal as the nearby Yosemite minus the crowds, Stanislaus is perched up in the high Sierra landscape. It stretches across 4 counties, has 78 lakes, 800 miles of rivers and streams, instagram-worthy swimming holes and waterfalls, lava tubes, caves, granite walls, and of course the amazing mountainscape. Sound cool yet? Yeah, you should probably pack your bags. We certainly are.
Notable campgrounds
- Best for amenities and families: The Pinecrest Campground at Pinecrest Lake offers plenty of amenities, including bike rentals and a sandy beach.
- Best for water access: The Utica/Union Reservoirs Campground offers four campgrounds across two lakes ideal for paddling.
- Best for large RVs and accessibility: The Lake Alpine Campgrounds offers space for RVs up to 50 feet and ADA-accessible sites.
Tips for snagging a campsite
- Most campgrounds are first-come, first-served. Arrive early to grab a campsite.
- For campgrounds that can be reserved, reserve a site as soon as possible, up to six months in advance for regular campsites and 12 months for groups.
- Be sure to check on seasonal opening and closing dates, which vary by campground.
When to go
Most developed campgrounds are open from May to October and fill up early over the summer, especially on weekends. Visit in the spring for wildflowers. Although some lakes are open for year-round fishing, trout season generally runs from late April to mid November. Some OHV trails are only open from April 15 to December 15. All floaters and rafters must have a permit between May 1 and October 15. Winter activities at the two ski resorts and four sno-parks in the forest are snow dependent.
Know before you go
- Wilderness permits are required for overnight trips into the Emigrant, Carson-Iceberg, and Mokelumne wilderness areas. Online permits are only available for certain trips and at certain times of the year.
- Campfire permits are required outside of developed campgrounds. Campfire wood is available for free below 9,000 feet. Be aware of fire restrictions.
- Permits are required for forest products, such as firewood for home and mushrooms. Christmas trees may not be cut from the forest.
- Anglers 16 and older must have a fishing license. Additional regulations apply for wild and scenic rivers.
Nearby attractions
Experience the thrill of whitewater rafting and relaxing fishing sessions when camping near Tuolumne River. With ruggedly beautiful landscapes and diverse wildlife, the Tuolumne River camping experience is truly one for the outdoor enthusiast’s bucket list.
Top cities near Stanislaus National Forest
- Stanislaus National Forest
Safety at Hipcamp
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