Willow Springs Resort Review – Honest Guide for RVers

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As a full-time RVer and a Colorado local, I’ve been to countless campgrounds, but Willow Springs Resort in Bridgeport, California, brings a unique charm that just might be worth adding to your bucket list. 

It’s a great basecamp for adventurers who love to get off the beaten path. With fishing, hiking, and hot springs nearby, this resort offers a variety of activities for any bucket list traveler. 

Plus, this place has quite the loyal following – so let’s dive in to uncover why!

My Bucket List Review of Willow Springs Resort in Bridgeport, California

Category	RV Camping
Who Should Add This to Their Bucket List?	RVers looking to explore the Eastern Sierra
Best Time to Go	May to September
Traveling Difficulty	Easy
Physical Difficulty	Easy
Popularity Rating	4/10
Reservation Recommended	Yes
Budget	$$$
Wheelchair Accessible	Technically, yes. It might be difficult in some areas.

If you need more information about the categories of this table, please check out the Bucket List Reviews guide.

Things that Make Willow Springs Resort Unique

Close Community

One thing that stood out during my visit to Willow Springs Resort was the close community and loyal following.

Normally, I do try and chat to my neighbors to get the tea. More specifically, I want to hear about their thoughts on each location so that it isn’t just my review – it’s cumulative. 

The verdict on Willow Springs? Glowing. 

In fact, when I mentioned that I was a travel blogger doing a review, they almost always said, “This place will get a stellar review, right?”.

There were also some folks who mentioned that this isn’t their first time here.

In addition, I look on RV trip wizard for reviews, and they are all positive as well.

Location

What sets Willow Springs apart is its proximity to the stunning Eastern Sierra, giving you access to unspoiled wilderness, crystal-clear streams, and panoramic mountain views. 

The resort itself feels like a step back in time with its rustic cabins and quiet, peaceful atmosphere. 

Plus, for RVers like me, who embrace the adventurous mermaid lifestyle, you’re close to a wealth of alpine lakes perfect for a swim or paddle on a warm day.

They even have three hiking trails directly in the RV park.

Fire Pit Fun

Another thing that I absolutely loved about this place is they do community fire pits almost every night. They even bring stuff for s’mores!

After talking to the owner, this is extremely popular in the summer. During their 4th of July party, they had over 100 people outside and hanging out!

Access to Yosemite National Park

Willow Springs Resort is about 20 minutes from Lee Vining. This cute Californian town is the gateway to the Tioga Entrance and Tioga Pass Road. 

Overall, you are about 40 minutes to the Tioga Entrance to Yosemite National Park.

Important: this entrance is only open during summer and takes about 2.5 hours to get down to Yosemite Valley.

Best Time to Go to Willow Springs Resort

For the best experience, plan your visit from late spring to early fall. This time of year offers mild temperatures, perfect for exploring the surrounding nature. 

This also gives you a better chance to head into Yosemite via Tioga since it is closed for the winter.

Late May through September is ideal for fishing, hiking, and taking advantage of the nearby hot springs.

I visited Willow Springs Resort in early October. The weather was pleasant, the crowds were manageable, and I even managed to score a permit to hike Half Dome before the cables came down.

Read More – Fall Bucket List | Summer Bucket List

Best Spots at Willow Springs Resort

This gem doesn’t offer too many spots. It’s small and cozy – and that’s a good thing that adds to it’s charm. In fact, there are only 27 spots in this RV resort. 

I separated it into two sections: the section by the road, and the section up above. 

You can look at the map of Willow Springs Resort 👉 here

The Section by The Road

We have a very large rig and were placed in site #1. I found that this is one of the biggest spots in the park and has the most space for hanging out outside. 

My only complaint was that it is very close to the road (Highway 395). I don’t normally mind this, but it is very loud when vehicles pass, especially large semi-trucks.

In this section, I would avoid spots 2 and 3, as they would be tricky to back into. 

Sites #4-7 are pull-through spots. Be careful, they are pretty tight. I would even suggest still backing into it if you have a larger rig.

Sites #8-14 are back-in spots for little rigs and provide amazing shade. 

The Section Up Above

If you go through the park, there is a little hill that you drive up to reveal another section. 

It is a little tight and narrow, so I wouldn’t recommend it for larger RVs. Which is a shame, because it is beautiful!

I would also recommend this section if you want to get away from the road. I could still hear it up there, but it was manageable. 

My Favorite Spot

My favorite spot was site #20! I was right on the end, provided views of the open space back there, and was away from the road. 

For larger vehicles, I really did enjoy the space of site #1 if you can stomach the sound of the road. 

Overall Review of Spots at Willow Springs Resort

(4/5)

Great spots, but little tricky to get into and level.

Views You Will Get at Willow Springs Resort

Expect breathtaking views of the Eastern Sierra range, wide-open skies, and rugged, high desert landscapes. 

Depending on the spot, you might have views of the scenic road, some trees, or the open space above.

What I loved was how isolated it felt! We were in the middle of nowhere in beautiful California and it was a very nice treat! 

Overall Review of the Views at Willow Springs Resort

(4/5 Stars)

Facilities at Willow Springs Resort

The resort offers basic but well-maintained facilities, including full hookups for RVs, clean bathrooms, and showers.

It’s not overly commercialized, so expect a more rustic experience with just the essentials covered.

List of Some Amenities

• Showers & Restrooms
• Starlink Wifi – This is actually descent! 
• Pet Friendly RV Sites
• RV Site for Rent – Perfect if you don’t have an RV, but want to experience it (or you don’t want to set up or tear down)
• Motel Sites with Standard and Kitchen Units
• Lots of Picnic Tables and Common Areas
• Fire Pit
• BBQ Area
• Fishing Pond & Creek Across Street
• Horseshoes
• Recycling & Trash
• Fish Washing Station

(3/5 Stars)

Basic, but no issues with the amenities.

Staff at Willow Springs Resort

The staff at Willow Springs Resort are friendly and knowledgeable about the local area. 

They offer great tips on fishing spots, hiking trails, and nearby hidden gems that only locals know about. 

The laid-back vibe here makes for a very welcoming atmosphere.

I especially had a great time talking to John, one of the owners here. He was very helpful! 

Overall Review of the Staff at Willow Springs Resort

(4.5/5 Stars)

My only reason for docking it slightly was I had a slightly heated discussion with one of the staff regarding power issues. But, I get it. It wasn’t his fault. 

Other than that, everyone is so wonderful and inviting.

Is There Shade at Willow Springs Resort?

Yes, but it’s limited. Some sites are shaded by cottonwood trees, offering a nice break from the sun.

If you’re in a big rig, it’s a good idea to bring some extra shade, especially in the summer months.

Overal Review of Shade at Willow Springs Resort

(3.5/5 Stars)

Great in some spots, not great in others.

Is Willow Springs Resort Pet Friendly?

Absolutely! 

Willow Springs welcomes your four-legged companions. With plenty of open space and nearby trails, your pets will have lots of room to roam and explore. 

Just be mindful of the wildlife in the area.

Pets are not allowed in the motel rooms, only service animals. 

If you don’t have an RV but are traveling with a pet, you can rent a spot with an RV already in it.

Is Willow Springs Resort Big Rig Friendly?

Yes, the resort accommodates big rigs, but be prepared for tight turns in certain spots. 

It’s best to call ahead and secure a spot that works well for larger RVs to ensure you’re comfortable navigating the campground.

Here were my concerns: 

Spots #1, 2, and 3 are a little funky because if it is full, you would have to pull in, turn around and/or pull forward, and then snake your way backwards into a spot.

It is doable, but I would be very comfortable backing your RV. 

With the pull through spots, it is like doing a U-turn for some spots. So, make sure that you rig can handle that! 

I would avoid the section up above with any large fifth wheels.

(2/5)

Doable in the lower section when not all spots are filled. Be careful!

Type of Hookup at Willow Springs Resort

Willow Springs offers full hookups for RVs, including water, sewer, and electricity (except sites #20 and 21)

It is important to note that it is only 30 amp, NO 50amp. 

Our rig normally takes 50amp. We needed to use our adapter, and couldn’t run both AC units. Other than that, I didn’t notice a difference. 

Overall reveiw of Hookups at Willow Springs Resort

(2.5/5 Stars)

We did experience 2 power outages here, which in turn stopped the water as well. I think this is very rare and not Willow Spring’s fault, but it is something to keep in mind.

Things to Do Near Willow Springs Resort

Hot Springs

There are two hot springs in the area. Known previously as a local’s secret, these two hot springs are small, free, and surrounded by nature! 

Buckeye Hot Springs

Personally, I preferred the Buckeye Hot Springs. Warning: there is a pretty rough dirt road on the way and a small hike to get to it. 

Once you get there, you will be treated to multiple hot spring pools and waterfalls right on the river! 

Travertine Hot Springs

Alternatively (and closer), is the Travertine Hot Springs. This is more open but has stunning views of the surrounding area. 

We found this to be a spectacular place for sunsets and stargazing.

Bodie State Historic Park

Bodie State Historic Park is one of the most preserved ghost towns in California.

It was named after Waterman S. Body who discovered gold north of Mono Lake. During the gold rush, this place boomed! After a fire in 1932, a small amount of the old buildings remain as a ghost town.

Here, you can explore at your leisure or take a tour from late May to early September.

One of the most popular attractions here is the Stamp Mill Tour, where you can immerse yourself in a site that processed over $14 million of gold and silver!

Lakes

I was surprised by the amount of stunning lakes in this area!

Twin Lakes and Mono Village

Twin Lakes near Bridgeport, California, is a must-visit for any adventurer craving crystal-clear waters surrounded by breathtaking mountain views. 

Nestled in the Eastern Sierra, these alpine lakes are perfect for fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, or simply soaking in the serenity of nature. 

We absolutely loved the mountain and lake views when visiting Twin Lakes!

If you are driving there anyway, keep an eye out for Mono Village at the end of the road. They have a cute grocery store and gift shop in there. 

Bridgeport Reservoir

This stunning mountainous lake was built to catch the High Sierra snowmelt. 

Bridgeport Reservoir is a great place to boat, waterski, kayak, and trout fish. 

Here, you will be treated to the backdrop of the Sierras and Yosemite National Park.

Mono Lake

We noticed Mono Lake right when we were driving the rig to get to Willow Springs Resort. 

It is hard to miss at over 70 square miles!

It’s unique features is its tufa towers, which are mineral structures that form when fresh-water comes up through the alkaline waters of the lake. 

It is best known for it’s photography opportunities and birdwatching.

Tenaya Lake

This stunning water destination is the largest lake in Yosemite National Park.

It is closer to the Tioga Entrance and near Tuolumne Meadows.

This lake has a nice beach and is perfect for some swimming and paddleboarding!

Yosemite National Park

As mentioned before, Willow Springs resort offers a great opportunity to head into Yosemite through Lee Vining and Tioga. 

This needs no explanation…it’s Yosemite…

While I stayed at Willow Springs Resort, I hiked over 30 miles, stargazed, and paddleboarded in this iconic National Park.

Important: Although the entrance to Tioga is about 40 minutes away, you still have a ways to drive into the valley through the Tuolumne Meadows and Tioga Pass.

We made this mistake when booking because we thought we were close to Yosemite, but then realized that we were about 2.5 hours away from anything substantial (like Yosemite Valley or Glacier Point).

This was on us for being unprepared on the geography of Yosemite and not specifying when we called to confirm its location.

Luckily, that didn’t stop us! But we had some loooong days…

Fishing

Fisherman can make use of the private fishing creek right across the river (Virginia Creek). Here, you will find native and planted trout.

Or, you can pay to catch fish in their pond. Here, you will find rainbow trout. 

If you are looking to leave Willow Springs Resort, you can head into Bridgeport and it’s surrounding area for more options and more fish than you can catch!

Things to Keep in Mind with Willow Springs Resort

The Road Can Be Loud

As I mentioned before, Willow Springs Resort is right on the side of the scenic Highway 395. 

There are large rocks on the other side of the road. While beautiful, I think that it traps the sound of oncoming traffic. 

Not going to lie, in site #1, the road was pretty bad…this led to us spending less time outside and shutting all the windows. This was a shame because the spot itself if very spacious and beautiful! 

Luckily, if you go into the spots farther up the hill, the road noise is less obnoxious. 

Tight Corners and Tricky Back-Ins

Again, some spots are pretty tricky for larger rigs in here. 

When arriving, I ended up taking the first entrance (coming from Mono Lake and Lee Vining), sneaking through an empty spot, making a U-turn, and then backing into site #1. 

If you are in site #2 or 3, this process would be even more tricky, especially when all of those pull-through spots are occupied. 

About half way through our stay, a big rig attempted to go into on of the pull-through spots. This was painful to watch and he was about a foot from our hitch. There was a lot of watching, staring, and yelling. 

It is also worth noting that a truck parked by the fire pit got hit (not terrible, but ew) during our stay as well. 

So, please be careful when navigating and always have a spotter!

Leveling

I have always been extremely lucky with leveling in my full-time RV adventure…until here. 

Our rig hated these hills! I ended up manually leveling everything and placing some blocks underneath the right side. Even then, we weren’t completely level. 

After walking around the park, I noticed that some RVers did this better than me. However, there were some jacks on blocks and some wheels in the air 😳

Unexpected Power Outages

I think we might have been Willow Springs Resort’s bad luck charm! We lost power twice during our stay! 

Because there was no power, there was also no water and no Starlink. They assured us that this was not their fault (it’s the electric companies), they had no warning, and this rarely happens. 

Even if it isn’t their fault, I work 100% from home and couldn’t leave for a coffee shop because I didn’t feel comfortable leaving my fur babies with no AC (which also doesn’t work without power). This leads to a very frustrated mermaid. 

And I wasn’t the only one. All of our neighbors banded together to have a little freak out session and sharing generators. 

This is totally not a big deal for the vacation campers, but for the full-timers who paid for a full hookup, it’s frustrating.

We ended up throwing all of the animals into a car (even the two cats) taking a scenic drive through Yosemite and the June Lake Loop.

Would I Recommend Willow Springs Resort?

If you’re an adventurer looking for a peaceful, scenic retreat with easy access to some of California’s most beautiful natural spots, Willow Springs Resort is a hidden gem. 

Although you may drive a bit more, it is well worth it to experience a side of California that is less touristy and jaw-dropping!

Plus, the people and community here are well worth the visit.

It’s a fantastic addition to any bucket list, especially for those who enjoy a more low-key, rustic camping experience.

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