Yosemite / Mariposa KOA Holiday

The smartest overflow camp for Yosemite — full amenities, Merced River, 45 min from the Valley

Location: Midpines, CA (near Yosemite), CA

Price: From $45 per night

Price range: $45–$95 per night

Rating: 4.3 out of 5 (1876 reviews)

Season: Year-round

When Upper Pines and the Yosemite Valley campgrounds sell out in minutes, the Yosemite/Mariposa KOA is where savvy campers land. Located in Midpines on Highway 140, 45 minutes from Yosemite Valley, it sits along the Merced River and offers what no Yosemite Valley campground can: a swimming pool, full hookups, reliable hot showers, and a stocked camp store. The Highway 140 (El Portal) approach also avoids Highway 120 congestion and gives direct access to the scenic Merced River Canyon.

Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.

Amenities: Full/Partial Hookups, Swimming Pool, Hot Showers, Laundry, Camp Store, WiFi, Pet Friendly, Fire Pits, Playground, Merced River Access

Full hookups, showers, pool, and camp store 30 miles from Yosemite Valley — everything the park’s own campgrounds don’t offer. Mariposa is a historic Gold Rush town with good restaurants.

The Mariposa Museum and History Center — a remarkable small-town museum with one of the best collections of Gold Rush artifacts in California. 10 minutes from the KOA, rarely crowded.

What is new at Yosemite / Mariposa KOA Holiday: KOA upgraded pool and bathhouse 2022.

Wildlife alert: Black bears active in the Mariposa area. Use bear boxes provided. Mountain lions present in the Sierra foothills.

Fire rules: Campfires in provided fire rings only. CalFire restrictions apply. Check fire.ca.gov.

Things to do near Yosemite / Mariposa KOA Holiday: Yosemite Valley (30 mi north) — drive in at 7am, park in day-use lots before they fill. Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias (27 mi north) — closer from Mariposa than from the Valley. California State Mining and Mineral Museum (2 mi) — includes a 13.5-pound gold nugget.

Insider tips for Yosemite / Mariposa KOA Holiday: Timed entry to Yosemite Valley required May–September — book separately on Recreation.gov

Skip Yosemite / Mariposa KOA Holiday if: You want to walk to Yosemite attractions — it’s a 30-mile drive.

Best time to visit Yosemite / Mariposa KOA Holiday: Apr–Jun — Waterfalls at peak, wildflowers, cooler than summer.. Sep–Oct — Summer crowds gone. Good availability even at peak Valley campgrounds..

Common issues at Yosemite / Mariposa KOA Holiday: Yosemite timed entry reservation required in summer. Book the park entry permit at the same time as KOA reservation. They are separate bookings.

What campers say about Yosemite / Mariposa KOA Holiday: "Did we pay more than the park campgrounds? Yes. Did we have hot showers and a pool after hiking Half Dome? Also yes. Worth every dollar." — KOA reviewer

Nearby campgrounds: Mccabe Flat Campground (El Dorado Hills, CA), Willow Placer Campground (El Dorado Hills, CA), Railroad Flat Campground (El Dorado Hills, CA), Dirt Flat (EL PORTAL, CA).