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Yosemite/Hodgdon Meadow
Overview
Situated just inside the Big Oak Flat entrance, Hodgdon Meadow Campground offers a classic National Park experience for RVers seeking proximity to Yosemite’s wonders. Located near the western boundary of the park, this year-round destination serves as a quiet alternative to the bustling Yosemite Valley. The campground sits at an elevation of about 4,900 feet, surrounded by a dense evergreen forest that provides a serene, natural backdrop for your stay. It is an ideal starting point for exploring the park’s diverse landscapes while enjoying the crisp mountain air.
Location & Surroundings
The park is positioned in the Groveland area, strategically placed along the Big Oak Flat Road. Its location allows travelers to bypass some of the heavy traffic found deeper in the valley while remaining within a short drive of iconic landmarks. The surroundings are characterized by towering pines and firs, creating a shaded environment that stays cooler during the summer months. Because it is located near the park’s entrance, it offers a sense of seclusion and wilderness that is often missing from more developed resort areas.
Amenities & Park Features
As a traditional National Park facility, Hodgdon Meadow focuses on a rustic camping style. RVers should note that there are no hookups available, so self-sufficiency is key. The park provides paved parking pads, picnic tables, and fire rings at each site. Essential facilities include flush toilets and potable water located throughout the loops. A critical feature for every visitor is the provided bear-resistant food lockers, which must be used to protect both wildlife and your belongings. The campground accommodates RVs up to 35 feet and trailers up to 27 feet.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
The primary draw is the easy access to Yosemite Valley, which is approximately a 45-minute drive away. Closer to the campground, visitors can explore the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias, where a short hike leads to magnificent ancient trees. For those looking for panoramic views, the Big Oak Flat Road offers several scenic overlooks. The nearby town of Groveland provides additional services, including historic saloons and supply shops, making it a great stop for supplies before heading deeper into the wilderness.
Who This Park Is Best For
This campground is best suited for adventurous RVers who prioritize location and nature over modern luxury. If you enjoy dry camping and want to be among the first on the trails each morning, this is an excellent choice. It is perfect for families or couples seeking a traditional outdoor experience where the focus is on the campfire and the stars. Because of the size limitations and lack of hookups, it is most popular with owners of mid-sized RVs or campervans looking for an authentic Yosemite stay.
Amenities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Camille Dee
Spent 3 nights at this campground near the entrance of Yosemite National Park. It’s about a 45-minute drive to Yosemite Valley. We stayed at campsite #1, which was conveniently located near the entrance, but a bit far from the restrooms. There is no reception on this campground. There are no showers on-site, so we had to drive to Curry Village to take a shower. The campground only has flushing toilets, which is fine, but they weren’t very clean and there was no soap available. They also have potable water. Some campsites are also on a slope, which isn’t ideal for tent camping. During our visit, there was a lot of loose dirt, so our feet and legs were constantly dusty. Each site has a bear box, which is a plus for safety. Overall, it’s a decent location close to the park, but restroom maintenance and facilities could definitely be improved.
Eduardo Maristany
Great campsite above Yosemite Valley. It takes about 40-60min to drive down to Yosemite Valley is can be both good and bad: calmer and further away from crowds but requires more driving. My specific campsite was on an incline so it was hard to find a flat patch of ground to pitch my tent but other than that the campsite was great. Every campsite had its own table, fire pit, and bear locker and there’s toilets with running water nearby.
M
We enjoyed our stay at this campsite, however we had to cut our trip short since the terrain was on a slope. We had originally planned on having 2 tents set up. One on the ground and one on my pickup truck bed for the kids. Unfortunately the staff did not allow me to put up the tent on my pickup truck which was a real bummer and really made the camping more inconvenient. The plus side was the flushable restrooms and running water.
Autumn Pressley
Recently visited and had an amazing experience! The campground is right as you enter Yosemite National Park and super easy to locate, plus it's only about a 30 minute drive from Yosemite Valley. The camp hosts were absolutely amazing, both welcoming and super knowledgable while we were there June 20-23. There is no phone service, but that's what we hope for and expect while camping. It was the perfect way to unplug. We had a hike in campsite and we will 100% be doing that again, not a super far hike and you get to be a little bit further away from other camp sites. Absolutely love this place and was really sad to leave! We will definitely be back and will recommend to others.
Bastian Zamorano
The campground is 45 min far from Yosemite Valley. If you are driving from San Francisco this is the closest campground spot, literally 5 minutes from the entrance. From Tioga pass around 1hr 30min. Super quiet and relaxing area, clean bathrooms and dish washing spot. 100% recommended THERE IS A GAS STATION SUPER CLOSE WHICH IS A GREAT THING INSIDE YOSEMITE!