Oakhurst sits just outside Yosemite National Park’s south entrance, making it a practical base if you want to explore the valley without dealing with the park’s crowded campgrounds and reservation complications. High Sierra RV & MH Park gives you a real alternative — a well-maintained facility that lets you experience the Sierra Nevada without the stress.

Both RV sites and tent camping spots are available here, and the rates stay reasonable compared to what you’d pay inside Yosemite itself. The setting has genuine appeal: you’ll wake to mountain air, catch sunsets over the ridgeline, and fall asleep to the sound of the Merced River running nearby. It’s quiet in a way that feels restorative rather than boring.

The location works well logistically. You’re close enough to drive into Yosemite for the day — it’s about an hour to the valley floor — but far enough away that you can avoid the gridlock at the park’s entrance stations. Early morning drives into the park mean you’ll actually find parking at popular trailheads and viewpoints. On your days off from hiking, you can explore Oakhurst itself, which has a handful of restaurants and shops along Highway 41.

What makes this spot genuinely useful is that it removes one of the biggest obstacles to a Yosemite trip: getting a campground reservation at all. The park’s sites fill up months in advance, but High Sierra typically has availability even during peak season. Your dog gets to experience the mountains and river sounds without the chaos of a major national park campground. You get the scenery and proximity to one of California’s most stunning places, with the flexibility to come and go as you please. That practical advantage alone makes it worth considering if you’re timing your trip around dog travel rather than fighting over a coveted Yosemite reservation.