Matt T.doesn't recommendOctober 18, 2024
EL CAPTAIN'S VIEW RV#3 4X4 YOSEMITE
Not private, terrible commute
With a lot of travel under my belt in my 4Runner, I didn’t have high expectations but the driving involved made this annoying. Wasn’t much to book in area, but would still avoid.
I’m an experienced off-road driver who has been camping in national parks, forests and BLM land for 10years - this listing caught my attention because it was noting how short of a drive it was to the park.
With a friend coming into town I figured I could still have the best of both worlds and Camp while he stayed at the Yosemite view Lodge.
Not a great option to commute to Yosemite. The fact that you can see the top of EL CAP is nice - but it’s usually 95-115min of driving both ways, every time. That’s without traffic.
The road you take out to the tiny parking space they’ve got listed - has a speed limit of 55mph posted, and will tell you it’s 1hr and 15min to Yosemite. That’s incorrect - you’ll never drive faster than 15min in the last 7miles.
It takes an 1hr 30min to 1hr 45min to normally to get from this location to the gate of the national park - never mind going anywhere else.
Just a tiny hay-covered parking spot at the end of a long off-road excursion (6-7miles of rough dirt road). This “spot” feels weird, as it’s on National Forest land. There are no signs noting private property and plenty of people journey to the end of the ridge.
The fire road that continues to Ferguson Ridge - highly suggest this or any of the other possible spots along this road but not this.
Malgorzata G.recommendsSeptember 23, 2024
EL CAPTAIN'S VIEW RV#3 4X4 YOSEMITE
Great views
We really enjoyed the place, especially for its incredible views. The only downside was some leftover toilet paper and trash left by previous guests in the camping slot, but that’s not the host's fault. It would be great if people were more responsible and took their trash with them instead of leaving it behind. We didn’t have any problems with the road, but we are experienced off-road drivers, and as others have noted, the road is quite challenging. Overall, we would definitely consider staying here again.
Myles D.recommendsAugust 12, 2024
EL CAPTAIN'S VIEW RV#3 4X4 YOSEMITE
amazing view and fun drive up! it also isnt far from yosemite either. the host was very responsive and helpful with directions
Kevin C.recommendsJune 16, 2024
EL CAPTAIN'S VIEW RV#3 4X4 YOSEMITE
Of true middle of nowhere experience with unbelievable views. The road getting up and down was easy to manage.
Highly recommend!
Corey P.doesn't recommendJune 13, 2024
EL CAPTAIN'S VIEW RV#3 4X4 YOSEMITE
Paying to camp on public land???
With the remote location, with no mobile data (only call and text). So, a couple hours prior to arrival, I texted the temporary Hipcamp number provided, which sends the hostess a message in her Hipcamp app. I provided my number and asked the hostess to directly contact me via phone instead.
Upon leaving the paved road, we followed the written directions previously provided by the hostess. They were very detailed, but told us to turn down certain road names...which turned out to be unmarked. We texted again for help, and the hostess again neglected our requests. The anticipated 45 minute dirt road trip, turned into 2 hours of almost non-stop driving around lost.
Some Good Samaritans on an ATV were our heroes. They helped us find a different camp site only a few minutes away, and notified us that Ferguson (aka "Fergie") Ridge (where our directions were taking us) was public land, along with the new camp site. According to them, camping at both locations is free to anyone, and NO ONE SHOULD BE CHARGING ANYONE TO STAY THERE. Days later, when I had mobile data, I verified the public ownership on Mariposa County's tax GIS mapping website.
In summary, the hostess did give us a refund, but only after sending us on a wild goose chase, not responding to our cries for help in real time, did respond hours later via the app chat (which was unhelpful because of lack of data), and did so under the (evidently) false pretenses that she owned the place and has the right to rent it to campers.
EL CAPTAIN'S VIEW RV#3 4X4 YOSEMITE
Gorgeous view. Serene and peaceful. Very secluded area but open camping spot. The drive is not for the faint of heart. DO NOT COME HERE IF YOUR CAR DOESN'T HAVE CLEARANCE! Host responded minimally. And directions were the worst. But quiet and an unbothered little area