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We all know how amazing National Parks are. No really, we all do. The unfortunate side effect of this popularity is, well, popularity. Sometimes the worst part of your National Parks adventure is just finding a place to lay your head at night. Campsites inside the parks can be crowded, expensive, and sometimes full of bears. Fortunately, Yosemite, like many National Parks, is surrounded by National Forests, BLM land, and private campsites. Despite being slightly more removed from the park’s main sights, these can make for a much easier and often nicer alternative. With that in mind, we’ve collected the best campgrounds just outside of Yosemite National Park.

*Yosemite is a huge park with tons of sights to see outside of the main valley. Still, we know most visitors want to see the iconic glacier-carved cliffs and waterfalls that make this place famous. For this reason, we’ve estimated drive times from these campgrounds to ‘the valley’ at the top of each section.

Lee Vining and Tioga Pass

1.5 hrs from ‘The Valley’

The Eastern Entrance to Yosemite is a long slow climb from the volcanic flats of Nevada’s Mono Lake up into the valley itself. It’s a beautiful and unique environment, and the campgrounds located on this side of the park reflect that. Campgrounds in this area include Tioga Lake, Junction Campground, Ellery Lake, and Sawmill Campground. These are all first-come first-served, but far enough from the valley that you. Of course, if you feel more comfortable booking in advance or just want more amenities, try Mono Vista RV Park, just down the pass road in Lee Vining. Lee Vining is also home, it’s important to note, to this author’s favorite gas station in the world. This area is perfect for those heading to or from our Las Vegas hub.

Big Oak Flat Entrance

30 min from ‘The Valley’

If you’re arriving to Yosemite from San Francisco, this is most likely your route. You’ll wind up steep hillsides to campsites on a high plateau that actually sits above the famous valley. There are several campgrounds that can be reserved ahead of time, including Dimond O Campground, Lost Claim, and The Pines. These sites range from 7 to 16 miles from the park entrance and cost anywhere from 0 to 25 dollars, depending on the season. First-come first-served camping can be found at South Fork Campground. Although it is deceptively far from the valley, this site rewards those who brave the road up with spectacular views. No matter which you choose, the road into the valley from here is the park’s most iconic. With tunnels and classic vistas of Half Dome and the park, it’s a ride to remember and your luxury Moterra van is the best ride for it.

Arch Rock Entrance

20 min from ‘The Valley’

Those looking to camp as close as possible to the valley without having to enter the park will want to stop somewhere near the Arch Rock Entrance. After all, the entrance is just 9 miles from the valley floor. These campsites are mostly offered on a first-come first-served basis. So camping at Dirt Flat or the BLM Campgrounds at McCabe, Willow Placer, or Railroad Flat can be a tricky proposition. Those looking to book in advance can reserve sites at Dry Gulch Campground or Indian Flat RV Park. Depending where you land you will be 7-25 miles from the park entrance, making valley access easy.

South Entrance

50 min from ‘The Valley’

Visitors arriving from Southern California will typically use the South Entrance to Yosemite. For us, it’s the perfect area to camp on a trip through Yosemite and down to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Campgrounds here include Summerdale Campground, Big Sandy Campground, Fresno Dome, and Nelder Grove (free!). Except for Summerdale, these sites will all be first-come first-served, so plan ahead. Reservable spots and more amenities are available at High Sierra Mobile and RV Park just down the road in Oakhurst. It’s important to note that all of these sites are over 40 minutes from the park entrance except Summerdale Campground, which is just 5 minutes away.

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Wyoming

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California

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Desert Southwest

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Press

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Thinking about adding an itinerary to your trip?

Pricing for all summer itineraries goes up March 1st! Give us a call today to lock in the current rates - we’d love to help plan your perfect adventure! 

We offer both package and custom itineraries to ensure you get the most out of your vacation. Our goal is to do the work for you so all you have to do is drive, relax, and explore as soon as you hit the road!
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Just 1 hour from the bright lights of Vegas is the jaw-dropping Valley of Fire, featuring one of our favourite campgrounds and one of the most spectacular scenic drives in the desert-southwest. Have you ticked Valley of Fire off your bucket list yet?
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What’s that you say? An adventure? In a Moterra van? No prob-llama! 

Our summer calendar is filling up fast! Book today by visiting our website (gomoterra.com), emailing (info@gomoterra.com) or calling us (307-200-7220). We can’t wait to hear from you!

📸 @timjames.miller
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ROLL CALL! Are you booked to travel with us this year? 

Leave us a comment below and tell us where you’re headed. We can’t wait to meet you!

📸 @blaine_scinta
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We’re spending this snowy Friday dreaming of warmer temperatures...how about you?

Spring availability for desert adVANtures out of Las Vegas and Salt Lake City are going fast! Book now for a round trip reservation or ask about our one-way specials!

📸 @timjames.miller
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Glacier National Park is one of those bucket list items. Making the drive down Going to the Sun road may bring tears to your eyes as the landscape features mountains, lakes, glaciers, waterfalls, and vibrant plants and animals.

Our travel experts are here to help you create the itinerary of a lifetime through one of America's best. Check out our website for more information!

Image Credits: @cricketbphoto
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Can you think of a better campsite? Cozy in the woods, under the milky way?

Looking forward to summer nights under the stars like this in the Tetons. Book a trip with us for this coming summer and we can ensure you get campsites like this!

pc: @cricketbphoto
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Heard some Parks are going virtual with their reservations? Let us help in making sure you get the campsites you want. When you choose the whole experience with Moterra - you get our full dedication to making your trip out West the best. Check out our sample and package itineraries on our website today! https://gomoterra.com/trip-planner/
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Packed and ready for all adventures, Moterra makes sure your van comes with all the necessities. 🏔🚌
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H A P P Y New Year! We made it. 2021 is finally here. Celebrate by planning a trip down in the desert, high in the mountains, or along the rugged edges of the California coast. 🌊🏜️🏔️

Don't forget about our customizable itineraries. Our expert adventurers can help you make the most out of your road trip.

✨CHEERS!✨

Image credits: @timjames.miller

307.200.7220
info@gomoterra.com
2950 West Big Trail Drive
Jackson, Wyoming

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January update in response to California’s latest Stay Home Orders

On December 4th, San Francisco and many surrounding counties enacted a new Stay Home order which will go into effect on December 6th. This preempted a new state-wide Stay Home order that will be enacting restrictions on regions outside of the Bay Area. All non-essential travel, including driving more than 2-3 hours, is restricted as part of both orders. In accordance with our policy of complying with all local restrictions in the communities where we operate, we have chosen to suspend operations from our San Francisco location until the current Stay Home Orders are lifted. Current guidance suggests that this will not happen before January 14th, 2021.

While we’re disappointed that we will not be able to accommodate our renters’ holiday travel plans this season, we believe that it is important to support our local healthcare workers, first responders, and our communities at large by taking all reasonable precautions to help limit the spread of Covid-19.

Please contact us with any questions or concerns. We continue to take reservations for Spring and Summer 2021, and we hope to resume accepting reservations for winter travel very soon.


Cleaning Standards

You can be confident in our cleaning standards.  We have reviewed our cleaning standards to ensure that they meet or exceed CDC cleaning recommendations. The scope of these cleaning standards applies to all vans and camping equipment that are utilized on Moterra rentals.

As always, your rental will come with disinfectant wipes so that you can maintain clean and hygienic conditions during your rental.  We will also be including disposable masks for you to use.


Updated Cancellation Policy

We want to ensure that our guests are able to respond to the realities of traveling while focusing on the safety and enjoyment of your family. With that in mind, we have amended our cancelation policy for all reservations that take place in 2021.

The 25% deposit required to reserve a van is refundable outside of 45 days prior to your trip departure. The reservation remainder will be charged 45 days from your departure date, at which point it will be non refundable.

Moterra offers cancelation protection for additional peace of mind and flexibility within the 45-day cancelation window during these uncertain times. This can be added during the check out process.

Should you need to cancel or reschedule your reservation due to state or federally mandated travel restrictions, provided you are not able to receive reimbursement from an insurer (trip insurance or other), and you are between 8 and 45 days of your reservation’s departure date when placing the request, we will credit your rental amount towards a future rental with us with no expiration. Please note that rentals cannot be rescheduled within 7 days of departure and forfeit any credits upon cancellation.

One-way fees are non-transferable and will be non-refundable from booking.

Guests who have booked itineraries will be refunded, minus van rental cost, deposits on activities, lodging, transportation and the $500 itinerary deposit.


 

Moterra Camper Vans

Considering a Campervan getaway with your loved ones?

We’ve put together some tips and tricks to ensure you get the most out of your adVANture.

Nominate a Healthcare Worker!

Healthcare workers have been working tirelessly to nurture our community back to health. The Moterra team wants to do our part to thank them, and we need your help!  We will be giving away 5 vouchers, each redeemable for a 3 night trip in their choice of a Pop Top or High Roof van. This voucher will be valid beginning when it is deemed safe to travel through December 31, 2021.

Click the link below to nominate healthcare workers who you think may enjoy a vancation as an opportunity to unwind and reconnect with loved ones.  Have more than one person in mind? There is no limit to how many people you can nominate!  The five healthcare workers will be selected on May 30, 2020.

 

Nomination Form