Camp Near Yosemite National Park
Yosemite is a top destination, all year long. California masses converge on the sacred valley each summer, so expect more as the buses keep rolling in. Plan a Yosemite trip before Memorial Day weekend – or after Labor Day weekend, for less people.
Camping close to Yosemite National Park without being inside the park boundaries. The scenery and wildness doesn’t stop in the back country. There are numerous National Forests surrounding the popular National Park, so much public land has been set aside for these recreation purposes. Granite-lined mountain meadows, dense forests, raging creeks, wildlife and real seclusion. Plenty of great paved back roads, dirt roads and camping options in the Sierra Nevada.
CAMP OUTSIDE YOSEMITE NP, WHY?
No campground reservations needed, cheaper fees (or free), less crowds, less noise. More freedom, more privacy, more nature.
Hundreds of developed, small campgrounds can be found around Yosemite. A few private RV resorts, cabin rentals, lodging on the main highways. Primitive style camping is considered “camping outside of developed campgrounds”. USDA National Forests usually allows open-camping within the forest boundary – with a required camp fire permit. Sometimes wildfire danger is too extreme, so they often ban campfires in dry conditions.
YOSEMITE: SOUTH @ HWY 41
East side of CA SR 41:
- Sierra Forest Road #6S07
- Big Sandy Campground
- Fresno Dome Campground
- Kelty Meadow on Road #10 (Sky Ranch)
- Nelder Grove #6S90 (Sequoia grove)
- Greys Mountain #6S40
- Soquel Campground @ Willow Creek
- Texas Flats Group Campground (McGilvery Creek)
West side of CA SR 41:
- Summerdale Campground @ Hwy
- Summit Camp on Summit Road
Lakes & Camping West of Yosemite NP:
Sierra National Forest
- Bass Lake, CA
- Mammoth Pool Reservoir
- Redinger Lake
- Granite Creek Campground
- Whiskey Falls Campground NFS
- Fish Creek Campgrounds NFS
YOSEMITE: WEST @ Highway 140
Camping near CA SR 140
Gold Country @ Mariposa, CA
Gold Country Foothills – listed below are valley reservoirs. Oaks, dry hills, which can can be super hot in summer. Boating, camping and water recreation can be found at most Reservoirs, out in these parts.
- Dirt Flat Campground NFS
- Dry Gulch Campground NFS
- McCabe Flat Campground BLM
- Railroad Flat Campground BLM
- Merced River BLM @ jct Hwy 49 Gold Rush CA
- Jerseydale Campground NFS
- Wildcat Camp @ Eastman Lake
- Cordorniz Recreation Area @ Eastman Lake
- Hidden View Campground @ Hensley Lake
- Bagby Recreation Area, Lake McClure
- Redinger Lake, North Fork, CA
- Wawona Campground @ NPS
YOSEMITE: WEST Highway 120
Camping near CA SR 120
North side of CA SR 120:
- Lumsden Campground NFS
- Lumsden Bridge Camp NFS
- Cherry Valley Campground @ Lake
- Eleanor Lake
- Hetch Hetchy Reservoir NPS
See all Lakes near Yosemite Park
YOSEMITE: EAST Highway 120
Tioga Pass on Hwy 120 (elevation 9410′) is only open during summer months. Generally June through October. Always check road conditions before your trip.
Camping Hiking Lakes @ Tioga
Very high elevation meadows, aspen groves, snowmelt lakes. Just east of Yosemite National Park border, near the EAST GATE, inside Inyo National Forest
- Ellery Lake Campground
- Junction Campground
- Saddlebag Lake Campground
- Sawmill Campground
- Tioga Lake Campground
Lee Vining Canyon @ US 395,
10 steep miles,
EAST of Yosemite border @ Tioga Pass
Inyo National Forest
- Cattleguard Campground
- Moraine Campground
- Boulder Campground
- Aspen Grove Campground
- Big Bend Campground
