Campvue

Reviewed: Dec 21, 2025

5 out of 5

I originally chose Kelty Meadow campground as a backup to Yosemite National Park campgrounds, as Yosemite was completely booked during the dates I needed. After camping at Kelty, I will likely favor national forest campgrounds like this over the national park, as locations like this are much more quiet and relaxing. Kelty Meadow is designed for equestrian camping, and the extremely large campsites and hitching posts are evidence. But, that does not exclude regular campers like me, and I did not see any actual equestrian campers during my stay. However, there was plenty of "wildlife" in the form of cows that roam these public lands. You can even see them in my campsite above (the one with the yellow REI tent). And I loved it! Those cows were a hoot! While you need to watch your step as you roam around the property (those cows don't use the onsite vault toilets), I was surprised by how there were no cow patties in my site or other sites, as if those cows have manners. I wouldn't count on it though. This campsite is near a set of vault toilets, and in the most populated part of this little campground. It's covered by shade most of the day and nice and cool in the summer. This campground is about as rustic as it gets (no amenities other than a picnic table and fire ring, and the aforementioned vault toilets). Since my site is visible when you arrive, many other guests mistook me as a campground host and I fielded many questions. To my surprise, most guests seemed like overflow tourists from the Yosemite system, but highly ignorant that this campground does not provide things like drinking water. In fact, one family opted to ditch their reservation and get a hotel instead when they learned the facility had no host or water. So plan ahead and don't be that group, as their site was unoccupied, but reserved, so others could not make use of it. But if you're like me and prefer a further-removed experience, you won't mind this at all. The campground borders a couple beautiful meadows, one of which has great views of nearby Fresno Dome. I found this the most relaxing and enjoyable campground on my camping trip in the Sierra. In fact, I spent a whole day just relaxing in my fold out chair in the deep cool woods, listening to the cows moo. Only thing to be prepared for is, this place has a lot of mosquitos, so bring repellent and wear long sleeves if you want to minimize the bites. The sites here are nicely spread out and site 9 might be the least private of them all, although compared to other campgrounds, it still excels in this area. But, there are a couple sites here deep in the woods and much further away from other sites if you desire. So if you want a quiet Sierra camping experience, like cows and meadows and woods, then site 9 at Kelty Meadow campground will not disappoint!