Summerdale Campground
Summerdale Campground is located just 1.5 miles from Yosemite National Park, and sits in a scenic wildflower-filled meadow, surrounded by fir, cottonwood and cedar trees. The campground's proximity to Yosemite, the excellent fishing at Big Creek and the cooler summer temperatures make it a very popular destination.
More like this: reservable in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 56 |
| Host/management | 6 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 30 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
32 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FS1-20 | AREA SUMMERDALE CAMPGROUND | Back-in | 20 | Paved | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | ||
| FS1-30 | AREA SUMMERDALE CAMPGROUND | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | ||
| FS1-20N | AREA SUMMERDALE CAMPGROUND | Back-in | 20 | Paved | Full | 6 / 1 | |||
| SD02 | Summerdale | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Standard | ||
| SD03 | Summerdale | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Standard | ||
| SD04 | Summerdale | Back-in | 20 | Paved | 6 / 1 | Standard | |||
| SD05 | Summerdale | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Standard | ||
| SD06 | Summerdale | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Standard | ||
| SD07 | Summerdale | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Standard | ||
| SD08 | Summerdale | Back-in | 20 | Paved | 6 / 1 | 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 |
Each campsite has a paved parking spur, picnic table, grill and campfire ring. Vault toilets are available, and water is provided. Camping supplies are available in the nearby community of Fish Camp.
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 | June to September |
| Forest | Sierra National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations through the National Recreation Reservation Service (NRRS) @ 1-877-444-6777 or www.recreation.gov. |
| Fees | $34.00 per night $10.00 per night, per additional vehicle |
| Rules | Reservations must be made at least three days in advance of arrival. There is a two night minimum stay on weekends and a three night minimum on holidays. Maximum stay = 14 days Maximum vehicle length = 24 foot Maximum group size = 6 per site |
Weather by month
Getting there
Take Highway 41 north from Fresno, just past the town of Fish Camp. The campground is on the left side of the highway, 1.5 miles before the entrance to Yosemite National Park.
| Nearest town | Fish Camp, California |
| Coordinates | 37.4897° N, 119.6323° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireDome
5 mi from the campground · 6,788 acres · 95% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 3.6 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Sierra Nevada Trading Company ↗ | 9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Summerdale Campground Info + Each Site Layout (Just outside of Yosemite National Park!)
Worth a stop
Visitors enjoy making day trips into Yosemite National Park, or taking a ride on the logging train at Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad. Nelder Grove is also in the vicinity, offering the opportunity to walk among giant sequoias.
- 0.5 miGoat Meadow Trailhead & Snow Play ↗Trailhead
- 3.2 miWestfall Picnic Site ↗Day use
- 3.5 miWawona Visitor Center At Hill's Studio ↗Visitor center
- 3.6 miLewis Creek Trail Nrt Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 11.5 miThe Falls Picnic Site ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- 2.7 miGraveyard of Giants3.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.3 miBattalion0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 3.5 miRoot0.3 mi trail · motorcycle, ATV, e-bike
- 3.5 miStagecoach Spur0.1 mi trail · motorcycle, ATV, e-bike
- 3.5 miStagecoach1.7 mi trail · motorcycle, ATV, e-bike
- 3.5 miPower Loop0.5 mi trail · motorcycle, ATV, e-bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.5 miGoat Meadow Trailhead & Snow Play ↗Sierra National Forest
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
Sierra National Forest begins about 1.8 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 1.8 miSierra National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,418,790 acres
- 7 miYosemite Wilderness ↗Wilderness · National Park Service · 704,624 acres
- 15 miAnsel Adams Wilderness ↗Wilderness · FS/NPS · 231,619 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
- Mariposa Grove MuseumBuilding · Wawona · 2.5 mi
- Acting Superintendent's HeadquartersBuilding · Wawona · 3.6 mi
- Hodgdon Homestead CabinBuilding · Wawona · 3.6 mi
Natural features
The Sierra National Forest, located on the western slope of the central Sierra Nevada, is known for its spectacular mountain scenery and abundant natural resources. The terrain includes rolling, oak-covered foothills, heavily forested middle elevation slopes and the starkly beautiful alpine landscape of the High Sierra. Summerdale is located in the Highway 41 Corridor of the Bass Lake Ranger District, an area known for its giant sequoias. Big Creek, which runs by the campground, is active with the local beaver population.
Recreation
Anglers can fish for rainbow trout in Big Creek. A few miles from the campground are opportunities to ride off-road vehicles in the Miami Motorcycle Trails Area or hike the 3.7-mile Lewis Creek National Recreation Trail.
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 Summerdale Campground?
Sites at Summerdale Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations through the National Recreation Reservation Service (NRRS) @ 1-877-444-6777 or www.recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Summerdale Campground?
$34.00 per night $10.00 per night, per additional vehicle
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Summerdale Campground?
Check-in 0:00 AM, checkout 0:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Summerdale Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season June to September.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Summerdale Campground have?
62 sites, including 56 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Summerdale Campground?
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 Summerdale Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Summerdale Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Summerdale Campground?
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. Reservations must be made at least three days in advance of arrival.
Source: Fire nearby
Is there cell service at Summerdale Campground?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE and AT&T 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Summerdale Campground?
Anglers can fish for rainbow trout in Big Creek. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Summerdale Campground?
Fish Camp, California. Visitors enjoy making day trips into Yosemite National Park, or taking a ride on the logging train at Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad.
Source: Getting there
What if Summerdale Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Big Sandy Campground (3.2 mi, first-come), Wawona Horse Campsites (3.6 mi), and Nelder Grove Campground (4.9 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby