Camping in Hermit Valley
Hermit Valley rests at 7,100 feet between Pacific Grade Summit and Ebbetts Pass along the Highway 4 corridor. Campsites can be found at the large flat at the western side of the valley and also near the eastern end at Grouse Flat. The fenced meadow at Hermit Valley is grazing land, closed to vehicles but not to foot traffic. Popular activities here include fishing the Mokelumne River, hiking along historic trails, horseback riding, and mountain biking.
The valley is the southern terminus of a rugged 4-wheel route leading north to Blue Lakes which connect to Highway 88 (Carson Pass).
Hermit Valley Campsite
Hermit Valley Campground
Hermit Valley Campground is spread across flat with scattered timber on the side of the road. It more closely resembles a dispersed camping area than a developed campground. Its limited facilities make it best suited to RV or trailer camping. The location offers easy access to fishing the Mokelumne River or hiking on various trails that lead out of the valley.
Directions: Hermit Valley is on Highway 4, five miles west of Ebbetts Pass.
Fees: None
Reservations: None
Hermit Valley Campground Amenities
- 25 campsites for tents or RVs
- No piped water, vault toilets
- Several picnic tables and fire rings
History Notes:
In 1827 mountain man Jedediah Smith traveled up the Stanislaus River, through Hermit Valley, and on across the Sierra as he was returning east from California.
The 19th century Big Trees Carson Valley Turnpike ran through Hermit Valley, as did an earlier, 1850s emigrant trail known as the Big Trees Road. The mining road led over Ebbetts Pass while the emigrant trail wound down from Blue Lakes in Amador County. The 4-wheel dirt road leading north from Hermit Valley is essentially the route used by emigrant wagons in the late 1850s.
Snowshoe Thompson passed through Hermit Valley in the winters of 1856 and 1857 on skis, delivering the mail across the Sierra.
Grouse Flat Campground
Grouse Flat Campground is an undeveloped camping area at the eastern end of Hermit Valley. Its location on the banks of the North Fork of the Mokelumne River offers slightly more secluded and enjoyable camping than the open flat at Hermit Valley.
Directions: The campground is 5 miles west of Ebbetts Pass on Highway 4.
Fees: None
Reservations: None
Grouse Flat Campground Amenities
- 3 sites with tables and fire rings
- No water
- Vault toilets
