In the park’s quieter southern section near the historic Wawona Hotel, this campground sits along the South Fork Merced River, a genuinely more peaceful setting than the busier Yosemite Valley campgrounds. Sites offer flush toilets and potable water, no hookups, and its location makes it a natural base for visiting Mariposa Grove’s giant sequoias, including the famous Grizzly Giant, without the long drive from the valley floor. Open year-round, this is also a solid option for anyone visiting outside peak summer when Yosemite Valley’s campgrounds are hardest to book.