Willow Placer Campground sits in Midpines, a small community in Mariposa County that puts you within striking distance of Yosemite National Park. The campground welcomes dogs, which makes it a solid base if you’re planning to explore the area with your dog in tow. The location itself is genuinely convenient — you’re close enough to day-trip into Yosemite, but far enough out that the campground feels like an actual retreat rather than an overflow parking lot.

The campground has picked up solid reviews, sitting at 4.6 stars on Google with 20 reviews from people who’ve actually stayed there. That kind of consistency matters when you’re choosing a place to camp with your dog. People tend to be honest about their experiences when they’re rating campgrounds, especially regarding how dog-friendly a place really is.

The Midpines location gives you access to some nice surrounding areas for hiking and exploring with your dog. You’re in the foothills leading up to the park, so the landscape has that classic Sierra Nevada feel — pines, granite, and generally decent trails. While Yosemite itself has strict dog policies that limit where dogs can go within the park boundaries, having a dog-friendly base camp means you can still enjoy the region and take day trips to places where your dog is actually welcome.

Since pet policies at campgrounds can shift and vary — especially when it comes to specific restrictions, fees, and whether they have limits on dog size or number — it’s worth calling ahead. Campground policies are one of those things that genuinely change from season to season or when ownership or management shifts. A quick call will save you from showing up with your dog only to find out something has changed since you booked.