Steve N Dee
Well-known member
Steve & Dee and Jan & Olga are organizing a rally for our RV Forum Framily and friends to come explore the magnificence of Yosemite National Park. Since it is nearly impossible to make reservations inside the park, especially for a group, we located an RV park about 20 miles from the north gate of the park. There were not many parks to choose from to accommodate a group of our size. Additionally, between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the park is extremely crowded. We chose these dates because we will avoid some of the crowds and the waterfalls are generally gushing at this time of year. Yosemite?s waterfalls are spectacular. This the first time we are organizing a rally, so please be patient with us. Here is the information:
Place: Yosemite Pines RV Resort www.yosemitepinesrv.com
Address: 20450 Old Hwy 120, Groveland, CA 95321
Telephone: 209-962-7690
Email: [email protected]
Reservations to be made by phone. Identify as a member of the RV Forum, booking in Section B for those dates.
Rate structure is complex as they charge different rates for Pull Thru versus Back In sites. They also charge different rates for weekdays versus weekends. They offer a 15% discount for a 7 day reservation or if you are an Escapees member. Otherwise, they offer a 10% discount for AAA, Good Sam or Seniors. A full week reservation in a Back-In site including the 15% discount is $ 286.45 and in a Pull Thru site it is $ 323.85 for the week. If you do something different, your rate will be determined when you call. Also, these are the rates in affect now. Your rate is determined at the time your reservation is made. If you choose to wait and they implement a rate increase over the winter, you will be charged the new rate in affect at the time you make your reservation. Since their cancellation fee is only $ 10 up to one week prior to arrival, I would suggest booking early to get this year?s rate, although rate increases are generally nominal.
About the sites: All sites are 50 amp, full hook ups. They offer free WiFi, although generally not suited for streaming. There is weak cell service at the campground. Verizon is best. They have a booster at the office. They do not guarantee satellite service because of the trees. When I stayed there, I had no trouble getting satellite, but it?s hit and miss.
About the reservation process: They prefer the reservations be made by phone so you can identify yourself as part of the RV Forum. They take the first night?s fee as a deposit at the time of making the reservation. They do not want to make site specific reservations, just by section (we are in section B). There are both back in and pull thru sites in section B. They have a somewhat limited number of sites to accommodate rigs over 40?. Therefore, they want the ability to move people around so they don?t have 30 footers in a 45 foot site. They will accommodate requests to be next to someone specific in our group if you make that request at the time of booking. They will lock your reservations together. The campground map is on their website, but here is a link to it https://yosemitepinesrv.com/pdfs/map_resort.pdf The upper left-hand lavender colored sites on the map is section B. There is a large red B on the map. The lavender color indicates full hook up 50 amp sites.
About the area: The campground is located about 1 mile off CA SR 120, on Old Hwy 120. About 2 miles past the town of Groveland, turn right on Old Hwy 120. The small town of Groveland has stores, shopping, restaurants, fuel stations, car wash, etc. There is a shuttle service (for a fee) that runs from the campground to all areas of the park. Therefore, those not wanting to bring a tow vehicle can still enjoy the park. There are also cabins on premises if someone wanted to come without an RV. There is a very small store and a deli on the premises. I have not tried either, but they are there. They can accept mail for those of you who may want to have mail sent to you.
Getting there: CA SR 120 can only be accessed from the west heading east. Trying to travel from east to west on Hwy 120 is not accessible to RV?s. I would suggest using an RV friendly navigation system, or ask the park for recommended directions. There is a significant 5 mile grade just before the town of Groveland. It is a new road that was made to be gentler and to accommodate trucks and RV?s. The old road, called ?Old Priest Grade? still exists. Regular navigation systems tell you to take that road, but it is clearly marked that vehicles over 7,500 lbs are not allowed on that road. Otherwise, all roads are good highways and the high roads to the upper areas should just be opening at the time we are there. They generally open in early May. If we have a late, significant winter, some roads to parts of the park could still be closed, but that never seems to happen in California anymore.
I will attempt to keep up with an attendees list. Once you have made a reservation, please let me know by replying on this page. Since we won?t have site numbers, we will post your name, RV Forum handle, and your hometown. If you don?t want this information displayed on the attendees list, please let me know. We look forward to seeing you in Yosemite!
Place: Yosemite Pines RV Resort www.yosemitepinesrv.com
Address: 20450 Old Hwy 120, Groveland, CA 95321
Telephone: 209-962-7690
Email: [email protected]
Reservations to be made by phone. Identify as a member of the RV Forum, booking in Section B for those dates.
Rate structure is complex as they charge different rates for Pull Thru versus Back In sites. They also charge different rates for weekdays versus weekends. They offer a 15% discount for a 7 day reservation or if you are an Escapees member. Otherwise, they offer a 10% discount for AAA, Good Sam or Seniors. A full week reservation in a Back-In site including the 15% discount is $ 286.45 and in a Pull Thru site it is $ 323.85 for the week. If you do something different, your rate will be determined when you call. Also, these are the rates in affect now. Your rate is determined at the time your reservation is made. If you choose to wait and they implement a rate increase over the winter, you will be charged the new rate in affect at the time you make your reservation. Since their cancellation fee is only $ 10 up to one week prior to arrival, I would suggest booking early to get this year?s rate, although rate increases are generally nominal.
About the sites: All sites are 50 amp, full hook ups. They offer free WiFi, although generally not suited for streaming. There is weak cell service at the campground. Verizon is best. They have a booster at the office. They do not guarantee satellite service because of the trees. When I stayed there, I had no trouble getting satellite, but it?s hit and miss.
About the reservation process: They prefer the reservations be made by phone so you can identify yourself as part of the RV Forum. They take the first night?s fee as a deposit at the time of making the reservation. They do not want to make site specific reservations, just by section (we are in section B). There are both back in and pull thru sites in section B. They have a somewhat limited number of sites to accommodate rigs over 40?. Therefore, they want the ability to move people around so they don?t have 30 footers in a 45 foot site. They will accommodate requests to be next to someone specific in our group if you make that request at the time of booking. They will lock your reservations together. The campground map is on their website, but here is a link to it https://yosemitepinesrv.com/pdfs/map_resort.pdf The upper left-hand lavender colored sites on the map is section B. There is a large red B on the map. The lavender color indicates full hook up 50 amp sites.
About the area: The campground is located about 1 mile off CA SR 120, on Old Hwy 120. About 2 miles past the town of Groveland, turn right on Old Hwy 120. The small town of Groveland has stores, shopping, restaurants, fuel stations, car wash, etc. There is a shuttle service (for a fee) that runs from the campground to all areas of the park. Therefore, those not wanting to bring a tow vehicle can still enjoy the park. There are also cabins on premises if someone wanted to come without an RV. There is a very small store and a deli on the premises. I have not tried either, but they are there. They can accept mail for those of you who may want to have mail sent to you.
Getting there: CA SR 120 can only be accessed from the west heading east. Trying to travel from east to west on Hwy 120 is not accessible to RV?s. I would suggest using an RV friendly navigation system, or ask the park for recommended directions. There is a significant 5 mile grade just before the town of Groveland. It is a new road that was made to be gentler and to accommodate trucks and RV?s. The old road, called ?Old Priest Grade? still exists. Regular navigation systems tell you to take that road, but it is clearly marked that vehicles over 7,500 lbs are not allowed on that road. Otherwise, all roads are good highways and the high roads to the upper areas should just be opening at the time we are there. They generally open in early May. If we have a late, significant winter, some roads to parts of the park could still be closed, but that never seems to happen in California anymore.
I will attempt to keep up with an attendees list. Once you have made a reservation, please let me know by replying on this page. Since we won?t have site numbers, we will post your name, RV Forum handle, and your hometown. If you don?t want this information displayed on the attendees list, please let me know. We look forward to seeing you in Yosemite!