Goat Meadow Dispersed Campsite
Campground · Yosemite corridor
Goat Meadow Dispersed Campsite sits at 5335 feet in the Yosemite corridor, a quiet high-Sierra meadow with low base popularity and gentle average winds of 6 mph.
Wind averages 6 mph but climbs to 21 mph in gusts; afternoon thermals push hardest in the open. Morning hours are calmest. Spring snowmelt feeds nearby drainages. Temperature swings 29 to 59 degrees across the year.
Over the last 30 days, conditions averaged a NoGo Score of 16.0 with temperatures at 42 degrees Fahrenheit and average wind of 6 mph. The week ahead will show whether the current pattern holds or shifts. Check the rolling trends below to confirm conditions before committing to the drive.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Goat Meadow Dispersed Campsite
Goat Meadow Dispersed Campsite occupies a high-Sierra meadow at 5335 feet in the Yosemite corridor of California's Sierra Nevada. Access is via Highway 120 from the west or Highway 395 from the east, depending on which side of the range you approach from. The site itself is a dispersed camping area, meaning no amenities, no reservations, and no fees. Low base popularity (0.3) means it stays quieter than established campgrounds in the corridor. Nearby gateway towns include Lee Vining on the east side and the Highway 120 corridor communities to the west.
Spring and early summer bring snowmelt and variable conditions. The 30-day rolling average sits at 42 degrees Fahrenheit with average wind of 6 mph, but gusts can reach 21 mph. The NoGo Score averages 16.0 over the last month, indicating mostly favourable conditions with occasional wind-driven or crowding spikes. Year-round, temperature swings from a low of 29 degrees to a high of 59 degrees. High elevation means afternoon wind is normal; morning paddling or camping hours are more sheltered. Crowding averages 12 over the rolling 30 days, staying well below peak corridor levels.
Goat Meadow Dispersed Campsite suits visitors who prefer solitude over amenities. The site is best for self-sufficient campers comfortable without water, toilets, or trash service. Low popularity makes it ideal for those avoiding the Yosemite Valley or Tuolumne Meadows crush. Plan around afternoon wind and spring snowmelt runoff. Parking is informal; arrive before mid-morning on weekends. The meadow location offers unobstructed sunrise and sunset sightlines but no shelter from afternoon thermals. Experienced high-Sierra campers recognize the trade-off: stillness in exchange for self-reliance.
Visitors who need facilities should head to established campgrounds like Tuolumne Meadows or Highway 395 sites closer to town. Those seeking winter access will find the site inaccessible during heavy snow; the Yosemite corridor corridor is reliable only late May onward. Compare conditions at Goat Meadow Dispersed Campsite to nearby alpine meadows and water-access sites to identify which suits your wind tolerance and comfort level.