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Yosemite Lakes RV Resort is located 80 miles east of Modesto, and just 5 miles west of Yosemite National Park’s Big Oak Flat entrance station. This large, year-round resort offers nearly 400 sites for RV and tent campers along the banks of the South Fork Tuolumne River. RV campers can choose from open, grassy spaces, or shady, wooded spaces with full hookups; tent campers can set up under mostly shady pine woods. Sites are equipped with picnic tables and fire pits, and restrooms and shower facilities are conveniently located throughout the resort. The resort also offers a variety of cottages, cabins, yurts and bunkhouses. Onsite amenities include a country store, laundry room, Wifi and satellite TV service, trash receptacles, gas station, and propane depot. Dogs are permitted. Reservations are recommended, however many tent sites are first-come, first-served. Seasonal campsite rates are $41–$75/night; other accommodations range from $86–$305/night. For campers looking for a little rest and relaxation time outside of the busy national park, the resort offers a variety of amenities and activities. There’s a playground for the kids, and mini golf, shuffleboard, horseshoes, and basketball for kids of all ages. Swimming, floating, fishing, and gold panning can be enjoyed on the South Fork Tuolumne River, which flows right through the resort area. The resort also hosts group activities, movies and weekend events. Nearby activities include swimming, fishing, boating and water skiing on Don Pedro Reservoir and New Melones Lake, as well as touring the old mining towns of Sonora, Angels Camp and Murphys. When it’s time to visit Yosemite National Park: Hetch Hetchy Reservoir is 45 minutes away; Yosemite Valley is 1 hour away; Tuolumne Meadows is 80 minutes away; and Mariposa Grove is 90 minutes away. In the busy summer season, it’s good to allow extra time to get to these destinations, and have patience looking for parking. Yosemite National Park, located in the heart of California’s spectacular Sierra Nevada Mountains, is, justifiably, one of America’s most popular national parks. Visitors flock to Yosemite every summer to marvel at its towering granite walls, domes and pinnacles, as well as its spectacular meadows, waterfalls and wildlife. No trip to Yosemite is complete without taking at least a short walk or hike to soak in the majesty of this glacier-carved landscape, away from the park’s busy roads and villages. Yet, with its limited camping and lodging options, it can be challenging to visit the park during its busy summer season. Fortunately, there are several campgrounds and resorts located just short distances outside of the park that make suitable alternatives to the often congested and overcrowded park facilities, while still allowing easy access to the park’s sights, attractions, and trails.
My family and I stayed there at the end of October. The campground was very close to Yosemite and the facilities were very clean.
They also had a lot of events that I was not expecting. S’mores night, musicians playing music around a campfire, etc. great for kids.
I also have to add that they had the BEST “haunted house”. Let me add that I hate haunted houses and pop out scary stuff. Sharni did a great job at making a family friendly haunted house that my 5 year old LOVED! She had so many cool decorations and she was there to guide us through the house. Such a wonderful surprise to see that and I hope they have it next year when we go back.
Hillside Campsites are AWFUL. Most of the tent pads are really really sloped. The sites are very close together- I'd say about 10 feet between tent pads. Many sites had fire rings in weird places like in the tent pad, next to/under the table, stacked with other rings,etc. It just looked like no one was taking care of it. The bathrooms are nice, but they aren't restocked or cleaned enough. I gave 3 stars for location because it's still an hour to Curry Village, etc where everyone wants to go and because the Hillside area is close enough to get road noise.
There was a large event that rented out an entire area and had a really loud dance party till 11:30pm. No warning was given to us by Thousand Trails at any point. So, renters beware.
At that price point we'll never go back.
Hidden gem just about 10 minutes away from the Yosemite entrance! The campsites are very well maintained, almost every site has its own water spigot. There are actual restrooms with showers and an outdoor sink for washing dishes. Small river dividing the entire site, perfect for cooling down! The playground and and mini golf area were a hit with my family. Will definitely be returning!
