Community Forums

Sdexter · 05-13-2020, 10:15 AM

I am looking for recommendations on a nice private CG close to the entrance to Yosemite National Park. We Have a 42’ fifth wheel and are not interested in non-full hook up sites. We are planning on being there towards the end of Sept. Any additional details that might help with your suggestions let me know.

Thanks

MrsChilerick · 05-13-2020, 10:33 AM

We stayed at Yosemite Pines. It’s still 40 minutes from the entrance. It was fine, sites weren’t particularly level. They have a petting zoo, hay rides etc, nothing we had any interest in, but it does influence the type of campers that stay there.

scenic route · 05-16-2020, 09:18 AM

We stayed for a week in Lee Vining @ Mono Vista RV Park. It's on the NE side on Lee Vining and probably less than a mile from 120 which leads to the Tioga Pass(East) entrance, which is a great scenic drive. The RV park is on 395 and there are a few restaurants in town. Although we were pretty much gone morning to dusk, the park was well maintained and the staff friendly and helpful.

There's lots to do in the area...we toured some old stage coach roads, drove around Mono Lake, visited the Stone Corral and the ghost town of Bodie. Lots of back roads to get lost on...with a full tank of fuel(toad), a packed lunch, an emergency sandwich and lots of water, we had a blast. We also spent four days in Yosemite hitting all the waterfalls and just exploring.

California has some great backyards.

twogypsies · 05-16-2020, 12:05 PM

Mono Vista in Lee Vining is a good place if you want to escape the crowds on the other side of Yosemite. It's a gorgeous drive into the park. We love to explore along the whole CA395. Beautiful!!

GBDTN · 05-17-2020, 09:25 AM

On the Ca. side Yos. Pines

LovesToWine · 05-20-2020, 12:12 PM

After doing much research, we took the advice of Twogypsies and many others. In October 2019, we went from WA to S. CA for my reunion and went down 395. That is now our favorite way to go. We were both born and raised in S. CA and had really only experienced 101, 1, 99, and 5 running up and down CA.

We stayed at a place on the east side of Yosemite and entered from the east. It was wonderful and went to Mono Lake twice!

MrsChilerick · 05-21-2020, 06:58 AM

We will use 395 when we can as opposed to the middle of California to get from south to north. The drive into Yosemite Village from there is beautiful, but really long. So it really depends on what your plans are in the park itself and the time of year, sometimes the 120 through Tuolomne doesn’t open until mid June.

Ranger John · 05-22-2020, 05:17 AM

You may want to consider campgrounds at Mariposa especially if you want to visit the valley which is the most amazing part of the Park. It’s about 1/2 hour drive. I believe there are a few private parks there with FHU sites

Riponrvr · 05-25-2020, 09:43 AM

We are very new at camping and the RV experience. We have 40ft DP and Toad and also want to camp near Yosemite. Never been up 120 over the pass. Is it Motorhome friendly. Suggestion in RV camping near park on Cal side. Thanks again

MrsChilerick · 05-26-2020, 07:13 AM

We went to Yosemite via the 120 and stayed at Yosemite Pines our second year in our RVing experience. For us, it was a little scary. Our first coach was a 30’ gas powered Winnebago towing a Jeep. It’s good road and we’d do again in our 36’DP, we’ve driven much worse since and to see the places we want to see mountain roads become a must do, but it did scare us the first time. Take a look on google earth to get a feel for the road. Also recommend that you get a copy of the Mountain Guide that describes roads, their grades and turns, I never plan a trip without checking the route there.

gpounder · 05-26-2020, 07:36 AM

I live next to the southern entrance on Hwy 41. There are 2 RV parks in the area. An old KOA now called Yosemite RV resort right off of HWY 41 in Coarsegold. The Park is carved into the hilly area with many large old trees. I think the facilities are average.

The other one is at Bass Lake farther up towards Yosemite at a higher elevation 3600'. This one use to be a members park and now is open to the public, has a new owner. This park is more compact as most parks are. Called Bass Lake at Yosemite RV Park.

During the summer Bass Lake is a tourist draw with boating and swimming etc. You could walk to the town center. Visit my website for Bass Lake at Bass Lake Weather Web Cam, Vacation Rentals, 200+ homes for more information at Bass Lake.

There are two RV parks on the west side of Yosemite on rd 120, sorry I have no personal knowledge on theses. Hwy 120 is long and windy, so not as good as HWY 41.

Mr.Goodbar · 05-27-2020, 10:15 AM

FYI, I just saw a story recently that Yosemite will probably require reservations to get in when the park reopens, just to keep the crowds down within the park.

twogypsies · 05-27-2020, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Goodbar

FYI, I just saw a story recently that Yosemite will probably require reservations to get in when the park reopens, just to keep the crowds down within the park.

Here's the article. This is reservations for basic entrance through the gate itself not just camping. This will limit how many can be in the park daily.

This might be a permanent thing in the future for the big, heavily-visited national parks.

https://www.newsbreak.com/california...d-reservations