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Summerdale Campground
Overview
Overview
Summerdale Campground in Fish Camp, California places RV travelers directly into the rugged mountain environment of the Sierra Nevada foothills. This property serves as a classic basecamp for outdoor enthusiasts tackling the southern approaches to Yosemite National Park via Highway 41. The setting emphasizes towering evergreens, crisp mountain air, and immediate access to public lands.
Location & Surroundings
Positioned along the steep grades of the mountains, the surrounding terrain features dense pine forests, granite outcrops, and seasonal waterways typical of Madera County. Travelers arriving via State Route 41 navigate winding forest roads that demand attention, especially for larger rigs. The local climate delivers warm summer days followed by cool alpine evenings, while winter brings cold temperatures and occasional heavy snowfall.
Amenities & Park Features
Specific on-site facilities, utility hookups, and layout configurations are not detailed by the park name alone, requiring direct contact with management to verify exact site specifications. Visitors should call ahead to confirm operational dates, maximum vehicle length limits, generator policies, and water availability. Checking these practical operational details beforehand prevents surprises upon arrival in the mountain terrain.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
The biggest draw of this location is proximity to the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias, located just a short drive north. Adventurers can easily access hiking trails within the Sierra National Forest, fish along the upper Merced River, or make the scenic drive past Wawona into Yosemite Valley. Local logging history and gateway mountain hamlets provide casual dining and supply stops along the highway corridor.
Who This Park Is Best For
This destination suits road-trippers, Yosemite visitors, and mountain-loving campers who prioritize proximity to federal parklands over urban conveniences. Drivers comfortable navigating mountain grades and narrower forest access roads will feel right at home. It is an ideal stopover for travelers seeking deep forest surroundings and active outdoor itineraries in the Sierra Nevada range.
Reviews
Richard Russell
Not as clean as it used to be, and not as well cared for. Neighbors blasted loud music all day until 10 pm. Could not relax in nature with that. Camp host does nothing. Fires burned in empty campsites all day and then all night while occupants slept. That isn't safe. Bathrooms aren't cleaned enough. Other campers were yucky
Richel Morgan
Nice quiet campground right outside the Yosemite entrance gates. The hosts were friendly and helpful. A pretty creek runs right along side the campground. Clean pit toilets and no showers. They do have several potable water spigots. The town of Fish Camp is close by and has a small market if you forget anything. There was a bear reported in camp while we were there, so make sure to keep a clean campsite.
Kinich Ahau
The main reason I am giving 5 stars to this site, is because of the hosts, Jim and Holly. From the moment I arrived, they treated me right and made me feel like a friend that came back to relax after a long trip. The 3 best sites in this campsite, according to me are number 12, 17 and 26. Site 12 is private, and 26 has a nice trail with access to the creek. Site 17 is the best, with both privacy and a trail to the river. Jim (host), also told me about this 10 minute walk to a waterfall and water hole to go swimming, which I highly recommend. Also, the bathrooms were very clean and there was no smell at all. I have read previous reviews about this, but I did not encounter those problems, nor the flies. I saw the camp hosts go through the bathrooms several times every day and clean them, which is one of the reasons I was glad to stay there several nights.
Joseph D'silva
We stayed here during the memorial day weekend. The campground hosts are the nicest couple, very jovial and they look after the place very dearly. They sell firewood ($10/bundle) and I would just pay them in advance and they would drop it at the site when they make rounds, which was very convenient. The campground has only pit toilets, but they are very clean. There are multiple water faucets throughout the campground, providing well water that is potable (I did not get any funny taste). There is no sink for washing dishes, you will have to manage it in your own site, away from your tent. The sites are well spaced out and you have a lot of "backyard" for yourself. The campsite itself was a bit damp and had a lot of overgrown grass, lot of broken twigs, but no big deal. The twigs we picked to clear space made good kindling. And since we have a tent footprint, it kept the tent dry while packing. The mornings were pretty cold, but we learned the lesson on day 1 and started a campfire first thing out of the tent from the next day. There is a reasonable amount of shade in the campground, so the tent did not get super hot by the evening. A creek runs by the side of the campground, which is very good to cool off later in the afternoon with ample shade around it. However, keep in mind the insane Yosemite bound traffic, whose backlog on 41 will impact you if you are trying to get to the campground. There were people trying to go into the park after 2pm (when it is open to all without reservation) and we got stuck behind them for a bit.
Ben Spader
Love this campground it was very quiet and had Creeks running through it in multiple different directions. It's right outside Yosemite entrance. Typically on weekdays you should have no problems getting it in without reservations. On weekends most likely you need a reservation at high times