Big Sandy Campground

After driving over an hour on rocky dirt roads there was a tree down blocking the road and we could not get to the site.

Really enjoyed camping here, many spaced out lots, larger campsites good for groups. Road in was 5.4 miles of mostly dirt, gravel, and alot of debris but wasn't too bad, no big dips. I drove a van in, but even saw a couple cars on the trail. Took about 25mins in a regular vehicle. I did pass a section of the trail that went through burnt trees and some being cut down, which is the reason for all the debris. Rate was about $30/nt for single site, $60/nt for double site. I was in a pretty big site - #7 and was only charged $30/nt for 2 cars/2 tents. A ranger came to collect cash around noon. Nice that there's a refreshing creek by most campsites, and was told theres a small waterfall that's about a 2 mile hike. (To find the trailhead, drive on the entrance road about 2miles - look for a big green box on side of the road that marks the start, note theres a parking lot close by). I stayed during labor day weekend so it filled up, lots of atvs & people shooting guns, not really respecting noise limits at night, but the next day was better, just heard the relaxing creek water running. Had fire pits, table, clean toilet, low on toilet paper though. Not many bugs, maybe mostly in the early morning but many went away as day progressed. Site had decent shade, but if you drive through the creek theres more campsites on the other side with more shade, but spaced a bit closer together. I liked how close it was to yosemite south entrance, once on the main road was about 10-15mins away. Alot of food, gas, groceries at the bottom of the mountain about 20mins away once on the main road. Nearby Bass lake also about 15-20mins away. Phone reception was zero for Verizon and Tmobile at camp, but drive out about 1mile & Verizon worked, nothing for Tmobile unless back on the main road entrance. Interesting moment was when a heard of cows started roaming throughout the campground, I'm not sure if that was normal or due to the nearby fires happening. With that said, we had to evacuate and lost our 3rd night we paid. If you need info regarding fires, call the bass lake ranger station and the madera county sheriff. Final note: if a fire breaks out nearby, dont wait for someone to tell you to leave, just go.