Yosemite campgrounds

[Peggyy1]

we have been researching the campgrounds near Yosemite. The ones inside the park are full up of course.. all we keep seeing are bad reviews after bad reviews. Anyone have a recommendation of somewhere nice with full hookups that’s down in the lower area?

 

[zulutron]

Did you try Indian Flat Campground?

 

[Peggyy1]

Did you try Indian Flat Campground?

The reviews are not too good. Have you been there? I think the sites are really close together.

 

[zulutron]

The reviews are not too good.

It looks like Google reviews are on average not so hot, but RV Trip Wizard are better.

Have you been there?

Yes in 2019 -- Indian Flat Campground. It was not the best campground I've been to, but surely not the worst.

I think the sites are really close together.

Well, if you're looking for Yosemite-area campgrounds this year, then "beggars cannot . . .".

 

[Peggyy1]

It looks like Google reviews are on average not so hot, but RV Trip Wizard are better.



Yes in 2019 -- Indian Flat Campground. It was not the best campground I've been to, but surely not the worst.


Well, if you're looking for Yosemite-area campgrounds this year, then "beggars cannot . . .".

You might be surprised how many have availability for August.

 

[zulutron]

You might be surprised how many have availability for August.

Where? Full hookups?

 

[Jackiemac]

Bass Lake RV Campsite | https://share.google/uXv2MFd2ZxEwW6gvv

This is where we stayed and it was ok. Still a bit of a drive into the park but not too bad.

 

[zulutron]

Bass Lake RV Campsite | https://share.google/uXv2MFd2ZxEwW6gvv

This is where we stayed and it was ok. Still a bit of a drive into the park but not too bad.

It's about an hour drive + there's this: National Park's New Reservation Rule Backfires

 

[Jackiemac]

It's about an hour drive + there's this: National Park's New Reservation Rule Backfires

Yip. And yuk!

 

[Lou Schneider]

Bass Lake RV Campsite | https://share.google/uXv2MFd2ZxEwW6gvv

This is where we stayed and it was ok. Still a bit of a drive into the park but not too bad.

My sister's house where I'm visiting this summer is near Bass Lake.

The Bass Lake area and the town of Oakhurst is calling itself the "Gateway to Yosemite". In the past couple of years 3 major hotels have been built in town and many local businesses have re-branded themselves with "Yosemite" in their name. The local movie theater has made one of their auditoriums into a VR experience with "motion pod" seats showing Yosemite VR and other Virtual Reality films.

The Sugar Pine Railroad is a steam powered tourist train about 10 minutes south of Yosemite's south entrance that takes an hour long round trip through the National Forest along old logging tracks, stopping at a picnic area before returning.

Oakhurst is about halfway to Yosemite Valley along Highway 41, the most direct route from Fresno Yosemite International Airport. Eight major carriers fly there offering non-stop flights to 15 cities around the country including Las Vegas, Denver, Chicago, etc. And Guadalajara and two other cities in Mexico. I often take Southwest's flights to and from Las Vegas if I'm only coming over for a short visit.

There are several RV parks in the Oakhurst/ Bass Lake area including the SKP Park of the Sierras co-op in Coarsegold if you're an Escapees member. Almost directly across Highway 41 from Park of the Sierras is the large Chuckchanci Gold Resort and Casino with several restaurants, a good buffet and the least expensive gas and diesel in the area.

 

[Peggyy1]

My sister's house where I'm visiting this summer is near Bass Lake.

The Bass Lake area and the town of Oakhurst is branding itself as the "Gateway to Yosemite". In the past couple of years 3 major hotels have been in town and many local businesses have re-branded themselves with "Yosemite" in their name. The local movie theater has made one of their auditoriums into a VR experience with "motion pod" seats showing Yosemite VR and other Virtual Reality films.

The Sugar Pine Railroad is a steam powered tourist train about 10 minutes south of Yosemite's south entrance that takes an hour long round trip through the National Forest along old logging tracks, stopping at a picnic area before returning.

Oakhurst is about halfway to Yosemite Valley along Highway 41, the most direct route from Fresno Yosemite International Airport. Eight major carriers fly there offering non-stop flights to 15 cities around the country including Las Vegas, Denver, Chicago, etc. And Guadalajara and two other cities in Mexico. I often take Southwest's flights to and from Las Vegas if I'm only coming over for a short visit.

There are several RV parks in the Oakhurst/ Bass Lake area including the SKP Park of the Sierras co-op in Coarsegold if you're an Escapees member. Almost directly across Highway 41 from Park of the Sierras is the large Chuckchanci Gold Resort and Casino with several restaurants, a good buffet and the least expensive gas and diesel in the area.

Thank you Lou for this info!

 

[zulutron]

The Bass Lake area and the town of Oakhurst is branding itself as the "Gateway to Yosemite".

Every town within 100 miles of Yosemite calls itself that. Just Google "Gateway to Yosemite".

Now, as Paul Harvey used to say, this is the other side of the story . . .

First, I've lived in the area (Mariposa) for several years and have actually been to and camped in many of these places.

Lou's post would be loved by Fresno/Oakhurst chambers of commerce. If you like VR, logging trains, smoky casinos, and international airports, then take his advice.

But, OP, it sounds like you'll be towing your Little Guy Mini Max behind your 4Runner and not be flying into the area, right? If so, here's what I recommend . . .

Number One: Avoid driving into Yosemite. Since the reservation system has been scrapped, it's a zoo. See my link in #8.

Number Two: If you must drive, look for a campground along Highway 120 like the following. Don Pedro might be your best bet. It's about 40 miles from Yosemite:

Number Three: Let YARTS do the driving. I assume you plan on dropping off your towable at the campground and driving into Yosemite with your 4Runner. You could also take the bus and avoid the hassle.

Good luck.

 

[Peggyy1]

Every town within 100 miles of Yosemite calls itself that. Just Google "Gateway to Yosemite".

Now, as Paul Harvey used to say, this is the other side of the story . . .

First, I've lived in the area (Mariposa) for several years and have actually been to and camped in many of these places.

Lou's post would be loved by Fresno/Oakhurst chambers of commerce. If you like VR, logging trains, smoky casinos, and international airports, then take his advice.

But, OP, it sounds like you'll be towing your Little Guy Mini Max behind your 4Runner and not be flying into the area, right? If so, here's what I recommend . . .

Number One: Avoid driving into Yosemite. Since the reservation system has been scrapped, it's a zoo. See my link in #8.

Number Two: If you must drive, look for a campground along Highway 120 like the following. Don Pedro might be your best bet. It's about 40 miles from Yosemite:

Number Three: Let YARTS do the driving. I assume you plan on dropping off your towable at the campground and driving into Yosemite with your 4Runner. You could also take the bus and avoid the hassle.

Good luck.

Thanks for this info! We acrually traded the little guy a while back for a Jayco. We love having a little more room!

 

[Fyrflie]

In Groveland, there is an RV park there that I have stayed at multiple times and is pretty decent.
Yosemite Pines RV Park
There is also a shuttle that stops right in front of the park that goes to Yosemite. Once inside the park, you can use their shuttle system to get around. It’s a lot easier than driving into the park and trying to find parking.
Also, the Groveland area has a lot of history which may be of interest to you.