Arriving at Yosemite Lakes Reserve late in the afternoon, we found our site less than inspiring, as it was simply a grassy patch amongst a long, tightly packed line of other Class A and C RVs who, most likely, also had not tried to reserve Yosemite sites early enough. But the private grounds were exceptionally clean and the patrons friendly. There was a full-service store, a gas station, rentable bunkhouse cabins, trailers, and even a yurt village. For the kids there was a playground, a miniature golf course, hiking trails, and a beautiful clear stream that ran slowly along the facility’s edge. Short of being within Yosemite, I would certainly return here.

Setting up the 30GS was simple, as both slide-outs are electronically operated. In the rear bedroom, the queen-sized bed slid back, revealing welcome floor space. The second slide-out moved the convertible sofa along with the stove and overhead microwave. This spread the dining area and provided both adults and kids plenty of legroom.

With six onboard yet space for only four at the dining table, two of us were required to balance paper plates on our laps and our drinks between our knees. It would be nice to see Jayco incorporate some type of side-tray or a sofa table, as is offered in some of the company’s other campers.

Sleeping arrangements were a breeze. The queen bed easy accommodated my wife, 7-year-old daughter, and me. My sister-in-law took the fold-down sofa, while her boys scrambled into the cab-over bunk, claiming the high ground for themselves.

The clear drawback to camping outside Yosemite is the need to find transportation to and from the park, especially if one is resistant to hooking and unhooking the RV every day. Luckily, my sister-in-law offered to follow the 30GS in her Toyota SUV. Having a second vehicle gave us the freedom to head to Yosemite Village on our own schedule. From this central location we took advantage of Yosemite’s free shuttle system. Utilizing low-emissions hybrid buses, the service provides a reliable means of getting around the valley and stops at stations at every significant tourist site.

Whether you come with a fully equipped RV or arrive on a motorcycle with only a bedroll, Yosemite National Park is a must for every avid camper. It may rank number 2 in the nation’s most popular nature destinations (behind Yellowstone National Park), but with its glacier-honed granite monoliths, centuries-old Giant Sequoia trees, and amazing variety of free roaming wildlife, this 761,266-acre preserve is the quintessential camping experience.

I was not sure what to expect from Jayco’s Greyhawk 30GS, but overall I was pleasantly surprised. For a Class C of this size, the 30GS was a breeze to drive. It easily accommodated our crew of three adults and three kids. The kitchen and sleeping quarters were well designed and remained comfortable throughout our journey. Sure, the rig had its drawbacks, but there were only a few things I would vote to change. As I have discovered with most Jayco products, the 30GS is built with exceptional quality and promises to reward its owner with years of trouble-free travel.

Mark Twain once said, “If you don’t like the weather in New England, just wait a few minutes.” He could have said the same for Yosemite Valley. During our brief stay, we experienced everything from warm sunshine to snowfall—sometimes in the same afternoon. We saw mule deer, black bears, chickaree, Steller’s Jays, bats, and a variety of wildflowers. That’s the beauty of travel. Each moment brings an unexpected surprise.