95% (1.2K) • 29 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Merced
Little Piece of Yosemite
1. Little Piece of Yosemite
94%
(98)
37mi from Merced · 1 site · Tent, RV
Learn more about this land:
River status: Swimmable but stopped flowing as of 6/28
Camp on our small piece of paradise located near Yosemite. We are a family of 5 (me, my husband, our two toddlers and our dog, River) living on 5 acres of mountain land in the foothills of the Sierras complete with an outdoor shower and bath and also flowing (seasonal) stream that you can swim in. Feel free to wander around the property on a few of our trails or just chill by the water and enjoy the magic of the mountains.
Our property is about a 55 min drive to the Yosemite entrance. PLUS another 15 mins to the main attractions.
Dogs are more than welcome as long as they are ok with our dog wandering around. He’s super sweet loves everybody.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
from
$64
/ night
BaseCampByBo!
2. BaseCampByBo!
95%
(342)
40mi from Merced · 6 sites · Tents, RVs
If you are looking for man made and leveled campsites, then this is not your basecamp. This land is a gorgeous 20 acres that means a lot to us.
It's space to find your peace of mind and pitch a tent or hammock, as you would when hiking the backcountry.
Aside from complimentary ice water, potty, shower, soaps, sanitizer, sunscreen, first aid, communal fire pit, wood stove and dishwashing area) this is not "glamping".
If you are a person who appreciates nature and making due with what the land has provided, then we are a great fit.
Guests have 20 acres to find a secluded, or socially distanced spot to pitch camp.
This is for people that know how to camp in the backcountry -
Without a trash can, who don’t leave cigarette butts, respect the land and would rather not be sectioned off.
Flat areas are all over if you explore, and use your feet to brush aside rocks and twigs, to lay down a tent base, as we do every time we camp in the backcountry.
The geography of these mountains is just that, hills and mountains. The vista at the top of the property is gorgeous and easily camps 5 tents spaced out. The property does offer many other great camping areas, and I’m more than happy to point them out.
Yosemite is 30 minutes away, Don Pedro lake is 30 minutes, Cherry Lake is 30 minutes, Preston falls and Carlon falls are both 30 min away. Downtown Groveland Is 7 minutes away, and other historic towns are not too far.
Close to many swimming holes. Rainbow pools is 15 minutes away. 10 min from the local grocery store and other local shops. Base Camp is just off of highway 120. Sonora has a great farmers market on Sunday and is a beautiful 40 min drive away.
Thank you for taking time to read this, we look forward to hosting you!
-Best
Jarrett & Bo
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from
$85
/ night
Yosemite Colfax Spring
3. Yosemite Colfax Spring
98%
(980)
44mi from Merced · 13 sites · Tents, RVs
Welcome to Your Basecamp for Yosemite Adventure 🌲⛰
Just 15–20 minutes from the entrance of Yosemite National Park and about an hour from the Yosemite Valley floor, our camp offers the perfect location to recharge after exploring one of the most iconic natural landscapes on Earth. We’re also about 1.5 hours from the high-country beauty of Tuolumne Meadows, making this a great launchpad for day trips in every direction.
Perched in the scenic Sierra foothills, our dry camping sites are celebrated for breathtaking panoramic views, open skies, and unforgettable sunrises and starry nights. It’s an ideal place to unwind, reconnect, and experience the outdoors in its raw beauty — without giving up the comfort of flushing toilets and hot, on-demand showers.
Most of our sites are best suited for those who plan to explore during the day and return in the evening, as they receive full sun and have limited shade throughout the midday hours (during the summer months). For those looking to hang around camp during the day, we recommend bringing a shade canopy or pop-up to make your stay more comfortable.
Whether you’re here for epic hikes, rock climbs, or peaceful views, our camp is a restful and rustic homebase nestled close to the wonders of Yosemite.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from
$81
/ night
Sierra National Forest
4. Sierra National Forest
92%
(176)
1360 sites · Big Creek, California
“Secret Yosemite” offers scenic beauty, rugged forests, and outdoor recreation with smaller crowds.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Stanislaus National Forest
5. Stanislaus National Forest
93%
(173)
1530 sites · Strawberry, California
An extensive network of lakes, rivers, streams, and trails delight at this Yosemite neighbor.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Hidden Falls Yosemite Camp
6. Hidden Falls Yosemite Camp
96%
(333)
47mi from Merced · 2 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Welcome to Hidden Falls Yosemite Camp. Come and enjoy our beautiful and private micro climate, created by the cascading waterfalls from Nelder and Lewis Creek. Camp by the creekside and fall asleep to the sound of the meandering creek, with absolutely incredible views of the stars overhead. Both creeks feed into the head of the Fresno river next to the campsite. You'll be surrounded by Oaks, Alders, Pine and Cedar trees. Take a day trip to Yosemite, hike/bike in the mountains, or explore the nearby towns of Oakhurst and Bass Lake.
The south gate to Yosemite is approx. 20 minutes and Bass Lake is 5 minutes by car.
Pets
Toilets
Full hookups
from
$72
/ night
Yosemite & Bass Lake Rustic Cabin
7. Yosemite & Bass Lake Rustic Cabin
88%
(24)
48mi from Merced · 1 site · Lodging
Indoor sleeping accommodation for two, outdoor/indoor lighting, electrical outlets, good cell phone coverage, camping area, picnic table, drinkable well water, propane grill, propane provided for the grill, outdoor sun shower and portable restroom are provided. The is a WiFi network available but coverage is weak. Deer and turkey sightings occur frequently, and hiking trails are located on this 10-acre wooded property. Two seasonal creeks also located on the property which are typically flowing until early June. There is also an Airbnb cabin located on this wooded property about 100 yards uphill from the camp. The site is centrally located about between Oakhurst and Bass Lake about 10 to 15 minutes away from either location. The south entrance of Yosemite National Park is about 25 minutes away.
Toilets
Showers
Wifi
from
$44
/ night
Yosemite National Park
8. Yosemite National Park
97%
(1680)
1526 sites · Yosemite Valley, California
Pros know Yosemite camping is either a feat of advanced planning or a willingness to wing it.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
95% (1.2K) • 29 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Merced
Little Piece of Yosemite
1. Little Piece of Yosemite
94%
(98)
37mi from Merced · 1 site · Tent, RV
Learn more about this land:
River status: Swimmable but stopped flowing as of 6/28
Camp on our small piece of paradise located near Yosemite. We are a family of 5 (me, my husband, our two toddlers and our dog, River) living on 5 acres of mountain land in the foothills of the Sierras complete with an outdoor shower and bath and also flowing (seasonal) stream that you can swim in. Feel free to wander around the property on a few of our trails or just chill by the water and enjoy the magic of the mountains.
Our property is about a 55 min drive to the Yosemite entrance. PLUS another 15 mins to the main attractions.
Dogs are more than welcome as long as they are ok with our dog wandering around. He’s super sweet loves everybody.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
from
$64
/ night
BaseCampByBo!
2. BaseCampByBo!
95%
(342)
40mi from Merced · 6 sites · Tents, RVs
If you are looking for man made and leveled campsites, then this is not your basecamp. This land is a gorgeous 20 acres that means a lot to us.
It's space to find your peace of mind and pitch a tent or hammock, as you would when hiking the backcountry.
Aside from complimentary ice water, potty, shower, soaps, sanitizer, sunscreen, first aid, communal fire pit, wood stove and dishwashing area) this is not "glamping".
If you are a person who appreciates nature and making due with what the land has provided, then we are a great fit.
Guests have 20 acres to find a secluded, or socially distanced spot to pitch camp.
This is for people that know how to camp in the backcountry -
Without a trash can, who don’t leave cigarette butts, respect the land and would rather not be sectioned off.
Flat areas are all over if you explore, and use your feet to brush aside rocks and twigs, to lay down a tent base, as we do every time we camp in the backcountry.
The geography of these mountains is just that, hills and mountains. The vista at the top of the property is gorgeous and easily camps 5 tents spaced out. The property does offer many other great camping areas, and I’m more than happy to point them out.
Yosemite is 30 minutes away, Don Pedro lake is 30 minutes, Cherry Lake is 30 minutes, Preston falls and Carlon falls are both 30 min away. Downtown Groveland Is 7 minutes away, and other historic towns are not too far.
Close to many swimming holes. Rainbow pools is 15 minutes away. 10 min from the local grocery store and other local shops. Base Camp is just off of highway 120. Sonora has a great farmers market on Sunday and is a beautiful 40 min drive away.
Thank you for taking time to read this, we look forward to hosting you!
-Best
Jarrett & Bo
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from
$85
/ night
Yosemite Colfax Spring
3. Yosemite Colfax Spring
98%
(980)
44mi from Merced · 13 sites · Tents, RVs
Welcome to Your Basecamp for Yosemite Adventure 🌲⛰
Just 15–20 minutes from the entrance of Yosemite National Park and about an hour from the Yosemite Valley floor, our camp offers the perfect location to recharge after exploring one of the most iconic natural landscapes on Earth. We’re also about 1.5 hours from the high-country beauty of Tuolumne Meadows, making this a great launchpad for day trips in every direction.
Perched in the scenic Sierra foothills, our dry camping sites are celebrated for breathtaking panoramic views, open skies, and unforgettable sunrises and starry nights. It’s an ideal place to unwind, reconnect, and experience the outdoors in its raw beauty — without giving up the comfort of flushing toilets and hot, on-demand showers.
Most of our sites are best suited for those who plan to explore during the day and return in the evening, as they receive full sun and have limited shade throughout the midday hours (during the summer months). For those looking to hang around camp during the day, we recommend bringing a shade canopy or pop-up to make your stay more comfortable.
Whether you’re here for epic hikes, rock climbs, or peaceful views, our camp is a restful and rustic homebase nestled close to the wonders of Yosemite.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from
$81
/ night
Sierra National Forest
4. Sierra National Forest
92%
(176)
1360 sites · Big Creek, California
“Secret Yosemite” offers scenic beauty, rugged forests, and outdoor recreation with smaller crowds.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Stanislaus National Forest
5. Stanislaus National Forest
93%
(173)
1530 sites · Strawberry, California
An extensive network of lakes, rivers, streams, and trails delight at this Yosemite neighbor.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Hidden Falls Yosemite Camp
6. Hidden Falls Yosemite Camp
96%
(333)
47mi from Merced · 2 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Welcome to Hidden Falls Yosemite Camp. Come and enjoy our beautiful and private micro climate, created by the cascading waterfalls from Nelder and Lewis Creek. Camp by the creekside and fall asleep to the sound of the meandering creek, with absolutely incredible views of the stars overhead. Both creeks feed into the head of the Fresno river next to the campsite. You'll be surrounded by Oaks, Alders, Pine and Cedar trees. Take a day trip to Yosemite, hike/bike in the mountains, or explore the nearby towns of Oakhurst and Bass Lake.
The south gate to Yosemite is approx. 20 minutes and Bass Lake is 5 minutes by car.
Pets
Toilets
Full hookups
from
$72
/ night
Yosemite & Bass Lake Rustic Cabin
7. Yosemite & Bass Lake Rustic Cabin
88%
(24)
48mi from Merced · 1 site · Lodging
Indoor sleeping accommodation for two, outdoor/indoor lighting, electrical outlets, good cell phone coverage, camping area, picnic table, drinkable well water, propane grill, propane provided for the grill, outdoor sun shower and portable restroom are provided. The is a WiFi network available but coverage is weak. Deer and turkey sightings occur frequently, and hiking trails are located on this 10-acre wooded property. Two seasonal creeks also located on the property which are typically flowing until early June. There is also an Airbnb cabin located on this wooded property about 100 yards uphill from the camp. The site is centrally located about between Oakhurst and Bass Lake about 10 to 15 minutes away from either location. The south entrance of Yosemite National Park is about 25 minutes away.
Toilets
Showers
Wifi
from
$44
/ night
Yosemite National Park
8. Yosemite National Park
97%
(1680)
1526 sites · Yosemite Valley, California
Pros know Yosemite camping is either a feat of advanced planning or a willingness to wing it.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community
C
Connor
2 weeks ago
16 ft car
Great spot to camp, clear directions, felt very welcoming and safe!
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K
Kelsey
2 weeks ago
16 ft car
Clean and well organized, thanks for the stay. We would recommend
See more
Vivian
2 weeks ago
Tent
Liza and Tom were extremely responsive and helpful! We had to postpone our stay due to bad weather and they were extremely accommodating! Camp was clean and showers were HOT!!! Super convenient access to Yosemite too!
See moreG
Gaven
December 2025
16 ft car
The campground has amazing views of the canyon and waterfalls. The bathrooms and campsites were very clean and the area felt very safe, definitely would recommend to come camp.
See more
S
Sabina
November 2025
Tent
My husband and I had an amazing stay at this campsite! The bathrooms were extremely clean and well-maintained, with two separate restrooms each equipped with a sink. The showers had reliably hot water.
The campsite itself came with a picnic table and benches, a fire ring (with propane available to rent for an additional fee), and a nicely leveled area perfect for setting up tents. There were convenient small water stations nearby.
The views were beautiful, and the site was very easy to find thanks to the clear and detailed instructions from Leeza and Tom. They were incredibly responsive and diligent hosts, making the entire process—from locating the site to settling in—smooth and stress-free.
The location is also excellent: just about 40–50 minutes from the Yosemite entrance, making it a convenient and affordable option for exploring the park. For our first time camping in a car and visiting Yosemite, this was the ideal spot.
We really enjoyed our stay and are already planning to return. Perfect for a one-night weekend getaway from the city. Highly recommended! 🌲✨
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J
Jamie
November 2025
Tent
What an incredible and private space. Wendy and Hudson were fantastic host and we cannot wait to come back again.
See moreH
Hillary
November 2025
Tent
With pets
Beautiful area and views, very peaceful. Our plan for a heat source didn’t cut it and the hosts were super helpful and responsive anytime we messaged!
See moreE
Eric
November 2025
Tent
With pets
Great amount of space and beautiful surroundings !
Be warned , narrow windings roads but most cars and trucks should handle it, RVs and trailers may have trouble
See more
L
Liss
November 2025
24 ft campervan
With pets
The Hipcamp was perfect for our RV, we just pulled right up to the deck. No worries about rocks or stickers! Morning view with coffee was peaceful and the starry night was beyond words. The water fill station was convenient and the bathrooms were clean and comfortable. We came out to enjoy Yosemite and we were so close to the gate we lounged in the morning and got to the park so early we had the best parking space for our 24ft. Lastly, there are beautiful river spots on the way to Yosemite. Hope the review was helpful!
See moreC
Cam
November 2025
20 ft campervan
Knowledgeable, well prepared and communicative. Hot showers and clean bathrooms and the views are STUNNING.
See more
A
Abby
November 2025
With pets
Had a wonderful stay and would definitely recommend!
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Vuthy
November 2025
Tent
Group trip
We had an amazing stay here; the peaceful sound of the waterfall and the privacy made this spot feel like a hidden oasis. Only an hour from Yosemite and just a few minutes from town, it was the perfect balance of nature and convenience.
This was the first camping trip for a couple members of our group, and the bar might be set way too high now, what a great introduction to the outdoors. The host was incredibly friendly, welcoming, and helpful throughout our stay.
The flushable toilet and shower were clean and worked great, though they’re a short walk from the site, totally worth it for the comfort they provide.
Highly recommend this site to anyone looking for a quiet, tucked-away spot to relax and enjoy nature. We’ll definitely be back!
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H
Heather
October 2025
With pets
Cabin and property are exactly as described. Very close to great hiking trails and Yosemite. The waterfall was beautiful and it was a lovely sound to fall asleep to.
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Kathy
October 2025
3 nights at Hidden Falls Yosemite Camp
We had a great time at Wendy & Hudson’s cabin. The view of the waterfall from the deck was one of our favorite parts. In close second were the sunset views over the boulder.
I had been looking for something that was secluded and private, and we got just that!! Parking down the driveway can be a bit tricky and getting down to the shower/bathroom is a bit aways, but all in all it was absolutely worth it! We came near the new moon and got to enjoy the stars each night, which was quite a treat.
It’s about 1.5 hour drive from the center of Yosemite, but there are also lots of nature spots to checkout nearby too. I’d definitely recommend Wild Fig in Coarsegold for brunch or lunch and Clouds Rest Coffee in Oakhurst. A special shoutout to Wendy who was an incredible host and just an all around lovely person. We’d definitely come back here and I’d love to camp at the second site on their property!
See moreP
Prem
October 2025
Tent
As usual, the site was very clean and bathrooms were kept well. We booked site 8, a bit higher up with views of the waterfall. Sleeping with the sound of gushing water is something you don't do everyday :)
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P
Polina
October 2025
16 ft car
Everything was just wonderful! Very close to the park entrance.
The shower, toilet, and the fact that there’s hot water — total game changer!!!
Such a beautiful and awesome campground. We’ll definitely come back again! ⛺️✨
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D
Dick
October 2025
29 ft Class A
Very nice place, beautiful nature and the bath outside is great
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M
Monica
October 2025
Tent
It was honestly the perfect spot. Beautiful views, warm and very clean showers and bathrooms. Close to the park and or a nice quiet weekend in groveland. Would definitely book with them again! Super responsive and kind!
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Whitney
October 2025
Tent
With pets
This campsite is so beautiful! It really is right next to the creek and a short easy walk to a waterfall. We tent camped and brought our 3 little dogs and it was perfect. The sound of the creek was so peaceful. It's completely under tree cover so always nice and shady. The switchbacks on the way there are really tight, I wouldn't recommend trying to drive a trailer down there. Attached to the owner's house there is a bathroom and shower, as well as trash and recycling cans. However, it is quite a trek uphill to get there, or you could drive back up the hill to get there. At the site there is a shed with a camp toilet, which worked fine for us. They also have a fire pit, hose for water, and an extension cord for electric but it's not true hookups. The owners also provided firewood for a reasonable fee and had it waiting for us when we arrived at the site and offered more if we needed it. The only real negative for us (which wasn't really that bad) is there is a very visible driveway and car park down the road which has a light on at all hours and people driving down to turn around. Overall, I would definitely recommend this gorgeous site!
See morec
cédric
October 2025
24 ft Class C
We loved the stay! The view was great, the shower and toilet and drinking station super clean and very helpfull hosts - highly recommended!
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