Campgrounds in the Sierra Nevadas of Central California

Hello all,

My family and I are new to RVing as we recently purchased a Cyclone 3010 and are planning our first excursions this summer and fall. Any suggestions on a nice campground in the Sierra’s of Central California that is kid friendly and can accommodate our rig (approx 37’)? From my research it seems like many campgrounds in this area don’t allow rigs our size although there are some that do. Any Favorite spots you’d like to share?

Thanks
Caleb

Hi Cgfarms,

Welcome to the Heartland Owners Forum and to the family. We have a great bunch of folks here with lots of information and all willing to share their knowledge when needed.

I'm sure some of our members that know the area will jump in soon with some info for you.

Be sure and join our Heartland Owners Club. Then join us at a rally when you can meet lots of the great folks here and make friends for a lifetime.

Enjoy the forum.
Jim M

Welcome to the HOC and congrats on your new rig. A few places I can think of are Jackson Rancheria in Jackson, CA. Also Black Oak Casino in Tuolomne has just opened a new RV park. Yosemite Lakes, in Groveland, is a Thousand Trails park but they do allow non-members too. The Tuolomne County fairgrounds in Sonora has an RV park as well. Hope to see you out there!


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Caleb:
I looked at your profile so see that you are in Escalon, East of Manteca/Stockton.

Be aware that any park in the mountains is going to involve you getting your heavy rig up to that altitude. First thought is the Groveland area on HWY 120. I am a Thousand Trails member, and have stayed multiple times at Yosemite Lakes, just 7 miles South of the North Yosemite Entrance, also near the famed Hetch Hetchy Valley. This is an old logging camp, with a big flat area for the RV spaces, but it is in its own small valley, so cellphones don't work on the property. They do work nearby on the East side of Hwy 120, or back South down about 5 miles on 120 to a scenic overlook (right near a stream swimming hole). There are other parks in Sonora.

I have stayed at Woodward Reservoir near you, but I hear it gets wild on the weekends with all of the jet skiers and kids. The county even has a branch jail there. But it was peaceful during the week in the off season.

Mariposa, being on the main road to Yosemite has several RV parks, including the county fairgrounds. As far as I know you cannot bring a big rig into Yosemite via Hwy 140 due to a landslide and "temporary" smaller bridge a few years ago.

You might want to look into places in the Lake Tahoe area. There are a number of private and public campgrounds, but this is now their high season. If you can boondock, there is dispersed camping allowed at the top of Carson Pass on Hwy 88, near where it intersects with hwy 89.

I used to use RVParkReviews.com a lot to find campsites.

We have stayed the weekend at the 49er RV Park in Columbia and had a enjoyable stay. Nice flat sites with a guide to assist in backing up your rig. The weather this time of year is fantastic.

Loren1227 said:

We have stayed the weekend at the 49er RV Park in Columbia and had a enjoyable stay. Nice flat sites with a guide to assist in backing up your rig. The weather this time of year is fantastic.

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We have stayed there and liked it too.


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Thanks everyone for your input

There are also a couple of private parks in the Arnold area, near the the Big Trees State park with a giant sequoia grove.