San Jose Family Camp is nestled in the High California Sierra's. It is just below the West gate of Yosemite off of Hwy. 120.

My family has been going up to San Jose Family Camp since I was around seven or eight; I am now 38. My brothers and I still enjoy camp, just like we did when we were kids. I always thought getting married there would be a dream come true, and now it has actually come true! Darick and I were married here on Sept. 13, 2003 surrounded by all our family and friends.

My children started going when they were young and now going to Family Camp is part of their lives every summer as well; just as it was tradition for my mother and father to take us up here as kids. My father is STILL a very active participant in Family Camp and many of his life-long friends can be located right in camp working side by side with him to make camp what it is today.

I can't remember my father NOT going up to camp during the summer while growing up. Many of my fondest memories are fishing with my dad and catching my limit in the Tuolumne River. Did I mention the fishing yet? The Rainbow Trout are EXCELLENT coming out of there!

Family Camp's beauty is over-whelming, and with Yosemite right outside it's doors, and the city of Groveland right down the road on Hwy 120, how can one NOT appreciate what this picturesque mountain country has to offer. The Iron Door in Groveland, is famous (or is it 'infamous'?) for being one of California oldest still running bar. There is also the Iron Door Grill & Old Fasioned Soda Fountain & also the Iron Door Store These are MUST SEE's for any out of town guest or tourist.

Darick and I go up to Family Camp and we work and belong to "Friends Of Family Camp". Click for more information on Friends of San Jose Family Camp, or San Jose Family Camp The Friends of Family Camp and San Jose Family Camp are virtually one of the same and IS the same place.

The "Friends of Family Camp" are a group of people who work side by side to raise money for camp renovations, work in camp itself making these renovations, and we clean up camp after the long winters and get Her ready for the camp season which starts up every year around June for the campers to come in and vacation. We paint, re-model, re-wire, construct, run equipment, repair, and clean. It is hard work, but is worth every minute.

Don't get me wrong, these work parties are not ALL work, the work crews get rewarded very nicely with a BBQ on Friday night, a wine and cheese social and Casino night on Sat. and life-long friends are always being made up there during your stay. Camp is always looking for volunteers, and you can't beat the great meals that are prepared for you, the good company, and excellent scenery!

While in camp on the weekend of June 6, 7, and 8th, of 2003, Darick and I were able to take some digital photo's inside of camp and outside of camp as well. We even went into Rainbow Pool which is just a short hike away from Family Camp to take some photo's. We found swimmers and jumpers braving the cold river at this time of year and snapped their pictures as well. Check out the one of the guy jumping off the 'peak rock'!

Please enjoy the pictures below, click on them to make them full size in a different window. I hope they help you better understand a little more about what "Family and Friends" is all about.

Please feel free to email me with any questions you may have. I will be more then happy to answer them or direct you to the person who can if I can't.

Camp Patio that is attached to the dining hall. We have our 'wine and cheese social' and BBQ's out here.


Kitchen Staff that was up there for the work weekend. This is just a few of them.


This is only a 1/4 of the dining hall itself. It goes into the Rec. Room where there is a fire place and TV/VCR.


Entrance To Dining Hall. You can see the 'server line' for hot meals.


Patio area where you can relax while watching the river flow and wildlife. We also eat out here if you choose not to eat in the dining hall.


From right to left; Tom, Smitty, and my dad (Jim).


My brother Jason and my niece Haley relaxing after dinner.


Staff setting up the wine and cheese social.


Chow line for hot food during breakfast.


Grassy area by pool and 'beach'.


Grassy area looking to the left.


Looking towards bridge to the left.


Closer up by pool (not damned yet) on the grass.


Bridge, river, and grassy area.


Better view of bridge, grassy area and river.


Tuolumne River before it is dammed for the season.


Front view of one of the HUGE tent cabins. These hold up to 6 cots, a table, 2 benches and shelves.


This is a picture of one of the many bathrooms. These all have single showers, bathrooms, hot and cold running water, mirrors, and electricty.


Tent hidden by the trees. I wanted to show the size of them.


Another shot of a tent hidden by the tree's. I am far below this one.


Yosemite Inn Motel outside of camp. These are the cabins they rent. I did not get the motel itself, it is hidden by too many trees.


Rainbow Pool outside of camp. This fall is huge! It looks small in the picture for some reason.


Rainbow Falls is a very short hike from camp. You can swim under the falls as well.


The rock that juts out is used to jump off of. This is only for the brave. This pool has rocks underwater and people have been killed jumping. The locals will tell you where to jump if you are brave enough to try it.