Community Forums

RoadEyePie · 11-21-2020, 06:55 PM

I'm looking for recommendations for CGs in the Yosemite National Park area. I was reluctant to post this, as I'm sure there must be dozens of threads on this subject, but I can get any results using the search tool. I'm sure I am not using the tool correctly.

Agesilaus · 11-21-2020, 07:15 PM

Do you mean private cg, cg in the park or boondocking sites. Most of the cg in the park were closed this summer. And many will normally close for winter anyway. Private cg will be expensive. If you are planning for the summer you better start making reservations ASAP

RoadEyePie · 11-21-2020, 07:26 PM

Looking to pass by that way on the eastern side next Oct. Need a commercial CG for a 40' FW. I'm finding it curious as to how few CGs are showing up, but what's even more baffling is that I get completely different search results using Google, RV Parky and RV Trip Wizard. I have not noticed this discrepancy when searching other areas of the country.

DAN L · 11-21-2020, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoadEyePie

Looking to pass by that way on the eastern side next Oct. Need a commercial CG for a 40' FW. I'm finding it curious as to how few CGs are showing up, but what's even more baffling is that I get completely different search results using Google, RV Parky and RV Trip Wizard. I have not noticed this discrepancy when searching other areas of the country.

I like the escapees park in Coarsegold, ca. About 35 miles south of Yosemite.
An Indian casino with excellent food and a few regular commercial CGS as well as state parks in the area. Used to have free boondocking in the casino parking lot.

RoadEyePie · 11-21-2020, 08:13 PM

Thanks Dan L, but that's on the wrong side of the mountains for me. We'll be driving down the east side on US 395. I think Mono Vista RV Park in Lee Vining will work for what we want. Not sure I'm going to be able to do much exploring of Yosemite area in my 3500 long bed dually anyway.

twogypsies · 11-21-2020, 09:55 PM

Many past posts come up if you do a Search. Go to the section above the 'Mission Statement' at the top. You'll see a colored Search Box. Type in 'Yosemite' and have iRV2 checked. Hit 'Search'. I just did it and many posts came up.

If staying in Lee Vining, that's fine, but just to let you know you'll have a gorgeous high mountain drive which may take an hour or more to get into the main part of the park. I don't know how many days you're willing to do that drive.

Also, you'll have no problem siteseeing with your truck.

Have a good trip!

RoadEyePie · 11-22-2020, 06:28 AM

I believe I saw on the Mono Vista website that there is a shuttle that runs into the park. This trip however isn't a focus on Yosemite, so, I wasn't planning on spending much time there. In fact, it was by accident that I noticed that Yosemite was in the vicinity of our route.

Cousin Ed · 11-22-2020, 07:01 AM

Years ago we stayed at Mono Vista Campground in Lee Vining and drove into the park on SR120 (Tioga Pass). Just the ride in was great (not for your RV). The campground was fine and Mono Lake is worth sometime too. Just note the water falls are dry in the fall, but the Park is worth it.

Tomahawk · 11-22-2020, 05:17 PM

October is getting pretty late for that area of the NP. Toulumne Meadows is about 9000 ft. and Tioga Pass (highway 120) closes fairly early. That pass is some of the prettiest area you will find. It is crowded but not like the Valley. If I had never been to the Valley, you have to make the trek if possible, it is a bucket list kind of item. However, I would spend the majority of my time up on 120.

profdan · 11-23-2020, 09:41 AM

Mono Vista for sure. We often stay on the east side and use our tow vehicle to head up 120 to the high country of Tuolumne Meadows. Too far to commute to Yosemite Valley, but it's hot and crowded anyways!

RoadEyePie · 11-23-2020, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by profdan

Mono Vista for sure. We often stay on the east side and use our tow vehicle to head up 120 to the high country of Tuolumne Meadows. Too far to commute to Yosemite Valley, but it's hot and crowded anyways!

Let me see. I can tow an 18,000 lb. RV from Virginia to California, but Yosemite is "too far to commute" from Mono Vista? I don't think I am understanding what you mean.

profdan · 11-24-2020, 09:46 AM

If your RV is based in Lee Vining on the east side, it will take you 90 minutes or more to drive to Yosemite Valley in your truck. That means that three hours per day will be wasted "commuting" to the Valley. That's a lot of recreation time spent behind the wheel.

Instead, I would focus on the high country of Tioga Pass. It is spectacular, cool, and relatively empty. Much closer to Lee Vining.

profdan · 11-24-2020, 01:14 PM

To take just one example, this photo was taken from the top of Lembert Dome, near Tuolumne Meadows -- an easy drive from Lee Vining:

Click For Full-Size Image.

The hike up the dome is not too long, but parts of it are steep.

RoadEyePie · 11-24-2020, 07:20 PM

Yes, I probably wouldn't drive over to the park but one day just to say I've been there. We won't have time to thoroughly explore the entire park but we never intended to. Just passing through and taking it all in and moving on.