California’s Stanislaus National Forest has six public campgrounds and three private campgrounds near Yosemite’s Big Oak Flat Entrance. The best months for camping are May through September, and the campgrounds are busiest during peak months in June, July, and August. Yosemite’s Big Oak Flat Entrance is located 17 miles from Yosemite Valley (30-minute drive). If you’re driving from San Francisco, you’ll probably enter Yosemite National Park through the Big Oak Flat Entrance, which is located 24 miles east of Groveland on Highway 120.
View current conditions on Highway 120 and Big Oak Flat Road.
Camping Near Yosemite’s Big Oak Flat Entrance
Stanislaus National Forest
Dimond O Campground
Elevation: 4,400 feet (1,340 meters)
Open: late April – September
Cost: $26
The Dimond O Campground is the closest campground to Yosemite’s Big Oak Flat Entrance. The campground is located seven miles from Big Oak Flat Entrance (15-minute drive) and 11 miles from Hetch Hetchy (30-minute drive). Some of the Dimond O’s 26 campsites overlook the Middle Fork of the Tuolumne River; others are tucked among cedar and ponderosa pine trees. Reservations, which can be made up to six months in advance, must be made at least four days before arrival. Maximum RV/trailer length: 36 feet. No RV hookups are available.
Directions: From Groveland drive 23 miles east on Highway 120, then turn left on Evergreen Road and drive five miles. The Dimond O campground is located on the left.
Sweetwater Campground
Elevation: 3,000 feet (915 meters)
Open: late April – September
Cost: $24
This first-come, first-served campground is located 10 miles from Big Oak Flat Entrance (15-minute drive). Sweetwater Campground has 13 campsites. Maximum RV/trailer length: 32 feet. No RV hookups are available.
Directions: From Groveland drive 15 miles east on Highway 120. Sweetwater Campground is located on the left side of the road.
Lost Claim Campground
Elevation: 3,100 feet (945 meters)
Open: late April – September
Cost: $21
Lost Claim Campground is located 13 miles from Big Oak Flat Entrance (17-minute drive). Reservations for the 10 campsites are available from May through September. Not recommended for trailers or RVs.
Directions: From Groveland drive 12 miles east on Highway 120. Lost Claim Campground is located on the left side of the road.
The Pines Campground
Elevation: 3,200 feet (975 meters)
Open: Year-round
Cost: $21 May – September, $0 October – April
The Pines Campground is located 16 miles from Big Oak Flat Entrance (20-minute drive). There are 10 first-come, first-served campsites, plus one large group campsite. Reservations for the group site, which can accommodate up to 50 people, are available from May through September. Recommended maximum RV/trailer length: 32 feet. No RV hookups are available.
Directions: From Groveland drive nine miles east along Highway 120. The turnoff to The Pines Campground is located on the right side of the road.
The following three campgrounds are located deep in the Tuolumne River gorge. Although they appear close to Yosemite on a map, they’re not very convenient as a jumping-off point to visit the park. They can only be reached via a steep, unpaved road which is not for the faint of heart or low of clearance — although it does offer spectacular views. If you’re willing to brave the road, you’ll be rewarded with remote, beautiful campgrounds located along the banks of the Tuolumne River. For this reason, the campgrounds are mostly popular with fishermen and river runners.
South Fork Campground
Elevation: 1,500 feet (460 meters)
Open: Year-round
Cost: $0
This first-come, first-served campground is located 23 miles from Big Oak Flat Entrance (45-minute drive). The South Fork Campground has 8 campsites situated near the confluence of the South Fork Tuolumne River and the Tuolumne Wild & Scenic River. Not recommended for trailers or RVs.
Directions: From Groveland drive 7.5 miles east to Ferretti Road. Turn left (north) onto Ferretti Road, then drive 1 mile and turn right (east) onto Lumsden Road/Forest Route 1N10. Drive 5.5 miles to the campground which is located on the right (south) side of the road.
Lumsden Campground
Elevation: 1,500 feet (460 meters)
Open: Year-round
Cost: $0
This first-come, first-served campground is located 23 miles from Big Oak Flat Entrance (45-minute drive). Lumsden Campground has 11 campsites situated next to the Tuolumne Wild & Scenic River. Not recommended for trailers or RVs.
Directions: From Groveland drive 7.5 miles east on Highway 120 to Ferretti Road. Turn left (north) and drive one mile on Ferretti Road, then turn right (east) onto Lumsden Road/Forest Route 1N10. Drive five miles to the campground, which is located on the left (north) side of the road.
Lumsden Bridge Campground
Elevation: 1,500 feet (460 meters)
Open: Year-round
Cost: $0
This first-come, first-served campground is located located 24 miles from Big Oak Flat Entrance (50-minute drive). Lumsden Bridge Campground has 9 campsites next to the Tuolumne Wild & Scenic River. Not recommended for trailers or RVs.
Directions: From Groveland drive 7.5 miles east along Highway 120. Turn left (north) onto Ferretti Road, then drive one mile and turn right (east) on Lumsden Road/Forest Route 1N10. Drive 6.5 miles to Lumsden Bridge. The campground entrance is located on the north side of the bridge.
For more information about camping near Yosemite’s Big Oak Flat entrance visit the Stanislaus National Forest website or call the Groveland District Office at 209-962-7825.
Camping Near Yosemite’s Big Oak Flat Entrance
Private Campgrounds
Yosemite Lakes RV Resort
Elevation: 3,600 feet (1,100 meters)
Open: Year-round
Cost: $41
This private lodge is located six miles from Yosemite’s Big Oak Flat Entrance (10-minute drive). Yosemite Lakes offers 30 tent campsites. Amenities include bathrooms, hot showers, and game rooms. RV sites and yurts are also available. Reservations
Evergreen Lodge
Elevation: 4,720 feet (1,440 meters)
Open: Year-round
Cost: $115 – 150
This private lodge is located eight miles from Yosemite’s Big Oak Flat Entrance (20-minute drive). Evergreen Lodge offers 16 deluxe tent campsites on its property. Amenities include bathrooms, hot showers, and a swimming pool. Reservations
Yosemite Pines
Elevation: 3,020 feet (920 meters)
Open: Year-round
Cost: $48 peak season, $20 off-season
This private RV resort is located 22 miles from Yosemite’s Big Oak Flat Entrance (30-minute drive). Yosemite Pines offers 29 campsites on its property. Amenities include bathrooms, hot showers, a swimming pool, and a playground. Reservations
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