Hermit Valley Campground

Closed — Closed for winter due to Highway 4 closure at Ebbetts Pass. The pass typically reopens around Memorial Day, though timing varies based on snowmelt and road conditions. No reservations required; first-come, first-served when open.

About

Hermit Valley Campground offers primitive camping in a broad, scenic meadow where the Mokelumne River winds through the rugged Sierra landscape. Located at 7,080 feet elevation along the Ebbetts Pass National Scenic Byway, this dispersed-style campground provides a remote backcountry experience without fees or reservations. The area includes vault toilets but no potable water, requiring campers to be self-sufficient and practice Leave No Trace principles. The campground is situated 5.4 miles west of Ebbetts Pass summit on Highway 4, approximately 43 miles east of the Calaveras Ranger Station in Hathaway Pines. The location features a large, flat unpaved area suitable for tent camping and smaller RVs, though the highway access is very steep, narrow, and winding, making vehicles over 25 feet inadvisable. The Grouse Flat area within Hermit Valley offers additional primitive camping options that some visitors find more attractive than the main campground area.

Directions

From the Calaveras Ranger Station in Hathaway Pines, head east on Highway 4 for approximately 43 miles. The campground is located 5.4 miles west of Ebbetts Pass summit. Access is very steep, narrow, and winding; vehicles over 25 feet are not advisable.

Nearby Campgrounds