Nestled along Big Oak Flat Road in Groveland, California, Lost Claim Campground offers a peaceful retreat just minutes from the entrance to Yosemite National Park. This small, quiet campground is ideal for those seeking a tranquil escape surrounded by nature. While it may not be suited for larger trailers due to slanted sites, it provides a charming setting for tent camping and small groups.
The campground features brand-new, spacious bear lockers to ensure your food and belongings are safe from wildlife. Three centrally located vault toilets are available, though visitors should be prepared for occasional maintenance issues. The surrounding area is abundant with blackberries, adding a touch of natural sweetness to your stay.
Lost Claim Campground is praised for its proximity to Yosemite's Big Oak entrance, making it a convenient base for exploring the park. While some sites may be slanted or small, the serene environment and friendly wildlife, like the occasional carpenter bee, create a unique and memorable experience.
Customer feedback highlights the campground's peaceful atmosphere and convenient location. Visitors appreciate the large bear lockers and the proximity to Yosemite, though some note the slanted sites and occasional maintenance issues with the vault toilets. Despite these minor drawbacks, Lost Claim Campground remains a favorite for those seeking a quiet and natural camping experience near one of America's most iconic national parks.
Picnic tables
Public restroom
Restroom
Running water
Tent sites
Camping fee
Good for kids
On-site parking
Dogs allowed
No host when we arrived. Our spot (number 10) was small, slanted, and surrounded in poison ivy. Most of the other sights were slanted. Definitely not suited for trailers, although we were in a tent. We did not stay here after arriving.
Quiet and small campground. Only three vault toilets centrally located (one was locked the entire 3 day stay - no clue why) and people left the seats open so flies were plentiful in them (gone by morning probably due to the cold.) Blackberries are plentiful and we had a friendly carpenter bee that took refuge in our picnic table. Close to Yosemite Big Oak entrance. Bear lockers look brand new and are large.
Convenient location to Yosemite (about 15-20 min from the entrance) that you can reserve in advance. Private, natural setting near a creek. Be aware, though, the campground is next to a cattle field and you can often hear and see the cows mooing and ringing their bells. It can be quite loud, so you need a bit of patience and good humor since it isn't as quiet as it seems at first glance.
It is a primitive camp site with fire pits, picnic tables, vault toilets, and a hand operated water pump. Unfortunately, the first night we were there were also some very unhappy cows that bellered all night. I doubt other visitors will have that experience; we never heard them again. Otherwise it was peaceful and quiet. There is plenty of fallen wood to use for campfires. There were two reasons I rated it a 3. Our camp site, number 2 was very sloped. Also it was 15 minutes from the Yosemite gate, which meant it was about an hour to drive to the valley. It was an average place. Nothing remarkable and nothing terrible ( except the noisy cows.)
Great economic camping spot right outside of the Park. We were recommended to carry water from the next campground a mile down the road but we chose to drink from the onsite hand pump well anyway. We didn't have any issues. Staff was friendly and courteous and other guests were all quiet around 10pm. Dry toilets were clean and supplied. Lots of space between camp sites. Quality nature experience for being so convienently located