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Yosemite Garden Camp

96%

· Groveland, Tuolumne, California

10 acres hosted by Geoff W.

1 motorhome/tent pitch · 3 tent pitches

Near Yosemite National Park

Within a 60-minute drive from the Big Oak Flat Entrance.

Amazing views

Hipcampers say this spot has amazing views.

Staff verified

Accuracy verified by Hipcamp's on-the-ground team.

Geoff is a Star Host

Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.

I found Yosemite Garden Camp when I was working as a backpacking guide in Yosemite and wanted a local base of operations. In the 8 years since I bought it, the place has gradually grown to include a large vegetable garden and a small vineyard. I have put into place basic comforts like power and indoor plumbing, but for the most part have left it undeveloped. Amazing western sunset views, huge, starry night skies, and access to the funky Gold Rush-era town of Groveland make it perfect for a weekend of camping with friends. It's proximity to Yosemite makes it a great base for exploring the National Park. Yosemite Garden Camp is on 10 acres of grassy meadows, pine and oak trees, and manzanita chaparral in the lower Sierra Nevada mountains, near the town of Groveland, outside Yosemite National Park. The property includes a large vegetable garden and a small vineyard, and borders Federal Bureau of Land Management land. Most of the property has sweeping views across the Central Valley to the Coast Ranges to the west. Sunsets are breathtaking. Yosemite National Park, with endless hiking, backpacking, climbing and swimming, is about 1 hour away by car. Even closer are the Stanislaus National Forest and the Tuolumne River. The town of Groveland has some great bars, cafes and restaurants, and a good grocery store. There is a bathroom shack in the middle of the property with a flush toilet, a sink, and a solar shower. The water is clean and drinkable. There is also a communal fire pit and a communal picnic table. Note that Yosemite Garden Camp is on a very rough dirt road, which gets worse every year and looks like a dry river bed in places, with exposed rock and deep ruts. A higher clearance vehicle is necessary and 4-wheel drive is ideal. Sedans often bottom out on this road and are not recommended. Please drive no faster than 5 mph when going past neighbors' homes.

Activities

Biking

Fishing

Hiking

Climbing

Natural features

Forest

Mountainous

Farm

Ranch

96%

310 Ratings · 213 reviews

Mel C.recommends

September 23, 2024

Yosemite Garden Camp Tent Site 2

What is there left to say? This is my 3rd stay at this place and it was just as lovely as the previous times. This time I brought some inexperience peeps and they LOVED it. If it’s comfy enough for them, then it’s comfy enough for even the most bougiest of people haha Nothing beats the tranquility and peace that this place brings me. I don’t think I could ever try booking anything else. Again, the only downside each and every time for me is the road being extremely bumpy. I always get nervous trekking through it, but it’s worth it. That’s the only con I could bring up. It’s super private and Geoff likes to have bookings separated so that you’re the only person staying there for the days you book. I LOVE that so much. Thanks again.

Mel C.recommends

July 14, 2024

Yosemite Garden Camp Tent Site 1

Camping Where It’s Quiet

This is the 2nd time my partner and I have stayed at this site. Last time we went was 3 years ago and only a few things have changed! Geoff has since then added a canopy storage area with outdoor furniture to relax on. This came in handy when it rained the morning of our departure; we broke our tent down under the sheltered area. To my surprise warm water came out of the hose in the shower! It was so lovely. The trick is to turn the cold water on a third of the way and not all the way. The sun beaming on the lines really helped with the temperature, since we did shower when the sun came down. Another thing to note, I remember reading reviews that there were some handmade, threatening signs from the surrounding neighborhood area about trespassers, but those signs have long been removed. They have been replaced with regular, no trespassing signs. On my first visit this did scare me a bit since we had arrived to the camp site later at night that day, but that’s just me as woman with anxiety! Overall, our one day stay was excellent and my partner REFUSES to book any other site haha He doesn’t mind trekking through the rough terrain in his subaru. Fret not though, years ago I did read in the reviews for this camp site that a prius was able to traverse through the bumpy road! Take that with a grain of salt though. I personally don’t do the off-roading lol Thanks again to Geoff! This place has EVERYTHING you need and then some. Restroom, benches, sinks, canopy area etc.

Lindsey W.recommends

July 12, 2024

Yosemite Garden Camp Tent Site 2

The vineyard and views were absolutely breathtaking. We camped at site 2 and were the only people there, so we had the place to ourselves. We didn’t venture down to site 3, but site 1 didn’t look like it had a great flat spot for a tent, so I would say that site 2 is your best bet! The picnic table was close to our tent, which was wonderful. We honestly didn’t spend a ton of time at the site, as we spent most of our time in Yosemite, but being able to come back to a safe, private campground after a long day was lovely. Plus a clean, private bathroom with a flushing toilet! The outdoor “shower” is a hose with a spray nozzle, located in a fenced off area next to the bathroom. It was better than nothing, but very cold water (as to be expected).

William W.

July 7, 2024

Yosemite Garden Camp Tent Site 1

This was a great campsite with an amazing view of the sunset! It was definitely a little challenging to find and it takes a car that’s suitable to go off-pavement! Overall it was quiet, peaceful and secluded, which was nice!

Andie K.recommends

June 26, 2024

Yosemite Garden Camp Tent Site 2

Read Geoff direction! :)

We had a wonderful stay! Geoff was friendly and his place was beautiful. The sunsets were amazing. The place was well kept and the toilet was very clean. His directions were perfect and we were able to fine the spot easily. Don’t trust the maps lol

Sydney B.recommends

June 12, 2024

Yosemite Garden Camp Tent Site 2

Directions to location!

The location was beautiful! Super pretty with amazing views! The only downfall was trying to get there. The spot was a little hard to find because maps took us the complete wrong way. Here are directions to get there that worked for us!! Go into Groveland -Turn onto Merrell RD. (Left if coming from the -East side, Right if coming from the west side) -STAY on Merrell Rd for a few miles -Turn LEFT onto Second Garrotte Ridge RD. -Stay (veer) RIGHT. The road will turn to Garrotte Ridge RD - Take the dirt road for a little until you come to a 4 way split. You will see a small road to your left with two poles, and road a little wider left that goes up hill and a road that veers right. GO RIGHT. - You will now be on Yosemite Springs RD. - Follow this road, you will pass a house on your left, keep going. - You will see a green gate, with a flag on the right side, and sheds, storage containers, and picnic tables inside. - Enter the gate, find a flat spot to park, walk down to the vineyard and enjoy the views! Bathroom is great and private, shower is an outside shower with no hot water! Dirt roads with lots of bumps, drive slow to protect neighbors from dust! Amazing spot, will recommend to anyone! We pinned the location via Apple Maps and this is the address that best shows where the location is: 10081 Yosemite Springs Rd Groveland, CA 95321

Location

Groveland, Tuolumne, California, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of Miwok and Me-Wuk (Central Sierra Miwok) First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking