Waka Lu Hep Yo
For over 2000 years the Miwuk people lived seasonally in this canyon, gathering food, and fishing the river. The Miwuk word WaKaLuu means river and Hep Yoo describes an untamed or wild force of nature. This beautiful campground is set in mature conifer and oak forest on the North Fork Stanislaus River.
More like this: reservable in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| RV, no hookups | 5 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 30 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
5 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Partial | No / No | Riverfront | 6 / – | Yes | Yes | Standard |
| 3 | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Partial | No / No | Riverfront | 6 / – | Yes | Yes | Standard |
| 4 | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Partial | No / No | Riverfront | 6 / – | Yes | Yes | Standard |
| 5 | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Partial | No / No | Riverfront | 6 / – | Yes | Yes | Standard |
| 6 | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Partial | No / No | Riverfront | 6 / – | Yes | Yes | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 30 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | The Forest Service operates the WakaLu Hep Yo Campground and charges the following fees: $35 per night in 2026. The America the Beautiful Interagency Senior and Access Passes are honored and receive 50% off the nightly rate. |
| Accessibility | Sites 2, 3, 4, 5 and 1 more are listed accessible |
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | May to Late fall |
| Forest | Stanislaus National Forest |
| Booking | No reservations; first-come, first-served. |
| Fees | The Forest Service operates the WakaLu Hep Yo Campground and charges the following fees: New campsite fee prices, 2024 & 2025 $30 per night and fee raises to $35 per night in 2026. The America the Beautiful, Interagency Senior and Access Passes are honored and receive 50% off the nightly rate. |
Weather by month
Getting there
Take Highway 4 to Dorrington; turn onto Boards Crossing Road and continue five miles northeast to the campground. The campground entrance is on the left before the Stanislaus River bridge.
| Nearest town | Dorrington, California |
| Coordinates | 38.3221° N, 120.2184° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedTmu Rx Support
44 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Bear Valley Adventure Company ↗ | 13.6 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 32.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
- 0.2 miSourgrass Day Use ↗Day use
- 4 miBlack Springs Ohv Campground ↗OHV / range
- 4.2 miBlack Springs Ohv Area ↗OHV / range
- 8.9 mi
- 11.2 mi
- 11.8 miBeardsley Day Use ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- 4 miLiving Forest Nature Trail0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Stanislaus National Forest.
- inStanislaus National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,090,354 acres
- 13.1 miEldorado National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 793,653 acres
- 14.6 miMokelumne Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 104,048 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Stanislaus Branch, California Forest and Range Experiment StationHistoric district · Strawberry · 14 mi
Guidebooks for California
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Waka Lu Hep Yo?
Sites at Waka Lu Hep Yo are reservable on Recreation.gov. No reservations; first-come, first-served. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Waka Lu Hep Yo?
The Forest Service operates the WakaLu Hep Yo Campground and charges the following fees: $35 per night in 2026. The America the Beautiful Interagency Senior and Access Passes are honored and receive 50% off the nightly rate.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Waka Lu Hep Yo?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Waka Lu Hep Yo open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May to Late fall.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Waka Lu Hep Yo have?
5 sites, including 5 RV sites without hookups.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Waka Lu Hep Yo?
The longest site here provides 30 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Waka Lu Hep Yo?
Yes, pets are allowed at Waka Lu Hep Yo. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Waka Lu Hep Yo?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Waka Lu Hep Yo?
Sites 2, 3, 4, and 5 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 5 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is the nearest town to Waka Lu Hep Yo?
Dorrington, California.
Source: Getting there
What if Waka Lu Hep Yo is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Big Meadow (9 mi), Sand Bar Flat Campground (10.1 mi, first-come), and Beardsley Dam Campground (10.9 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby