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Summerdale Campground near Yosemite

Event Details

Time: September 23, 2016 to September 25, 2016
Location: Summerdale Campground
Website or Map: http://www.recreation.gov/cam…
Event Type: campout
Latest Activity: Sep 26, 2016

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Event Description

PLEASE NOTE: CAMPGROUND HAS NO MORE RESERVATIONS AVAILABLE as of August 28.

Not too far from Yosemite is the Summerdale Campground in the Sierra National Forest. Crowds should be gone, weather cooling. The campground features campsites surrounding a meadow at about 5,000'. Look at the pictures of the sites and the driveway lengths as you choose your campsites, not all will accommodate 2 busses. The campground is east of Merced, off Highway 41 in Fish Camp, about 188 miles from Sacramento and 166 miles from Livermore. This is not an organized event. You are on your own to figure it out and what to do, but below is useful information. The entrance to Yosemite is quite nearby.

This is the link to the campground:

Summerdale Campground

The Yosemite Sugar Pine Railroad is nearby and runs a steam engine excursion train.

Yosemite Sugar Pine Railroad

Nelder Grove is also in the vicinity, offering the opportunity to walk among giant sequoias without the crowds of Mariposa Grove in Yosemite.

Nelder Grove Map

Comment Wall

Comment by Bruce on September 14, 2016 at 3:28pm: Well crap... I just looked at my reservation... I'm going in Thursday also... thought it was Friday :)

Comment by Peter on September 19, 2016 at 12:23pm: Can't wait to see you all on Friday. I have friends coming from L.A. - not in a bus. Family of four will be joining us. This time we are taking Martines bus and giving it a camping test.

-P

Comment by westywoman (Melissa) on September 19, 2016 at 3:08pm: Thanks to John for all the recon info! I'm not sure when I am arriving...my site is booked by someone else on Thursday but plenty of others are open. I may be coming by way of Eastman Lake, an Army Corps campground near Raymond, east of Chowchilla. I plan to ride the train at Yosemite Sugar Pine Railroad at either 11:00 am Thursday or 11:00 am Friday. Is anyone thinking of heading into Yosemite Park proper to see some sights? The Nelder Grove that I linked to above is a bit far away (15 miles or so) but I just read that Mariposa Grove in Yosemite is closed until 2017.

Comment by Gene Burris on September 20, 2016 at 8:26am: Melisa. I will have a empty spot on Thursday night if you need it. I would like to see Yosemite since I have never been there.

Comment by westywoman (Melissa) on September 20, 2016 at 10:07am: Thanks, Gene, I will take you up on that! If I can get started on Wednesday, I'll drive as far as Eastman Lake. If not, I will come all the way to the Summerdale campground on Thursday. Vons is in Oakhurst at the junction of 41 and 49, a good place to stop for provisions and firewood, thanks to John's recon. There's also a Pioneer Market in Mariposa that looks really nice if you're coming that way.

Comment by westywoman (Melissa) on September 20, 2016 at 12:17pm: Thurs to Sat: daytime highs will range from 53-64-74. Plan on very chilly evenings, from the upper thirties to about 50. Yosemite Valley is a bit over an hour to the village. The Wawona Visitor's Center is about 16 miles from the campground. There is also a bus that stops at the Tenaya Lodge in Fish Camp and goes through to Yosemite Valley. That might be the best way to go.

YARTS Bus Schedule

Map to Yosemite Valley.

Comment by Gene Burris on September 20, 2016 at 7:37pm: westywoman, I figure if you owe me, you wont laugh at my hat. Welcome.

My share is still open friday and Saturday.

Comment by westywoman (Melissa) on September 20, 2016 at 8:12pm: Thanks Gene. Use the info above to make your Yosemite plans. I am headed for the railroad Friday am. Will arrive in camp sometime Thursday afternoon.

Comment by westywoman (Melissa) on September 20, 2016 at 8:35pm: If anyone is thinking of taking the public YARTS bus into Yosemite, here are a few tips. Bus fare includes park admission. The bus stop is actually at Timberloft Pizza on Hwy 41, at the southernmost driveway leading to Tenaya Lodge.. I had to make several phone calls to get that Intel.

Comment by Peter on September 22, 2016 at 10:59am: Martine and I are heading out around 10:00 am and will be there mid-afternoon. My friends from L.A. are arriving in the evening. We are all going to nevada falls that morning - one of my friends may try to do half dome. See you tomorrow.

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