by dan » Fri Feb 22, 2008 4:24 pm
There's a backpacker's campground south of the Merced Lake HSC. I recommend camping away from the lake for more privacy and fewer mosquitoes. Lots of shade.
The backpacker's campground in Vogelsang is also south of the HSC, IIRC. It's out in the open, so camp near the the hillside to the east to avoid wind.
Mostly you have to play it by ear to see who else is there (and therefore taken the best spots). There's not much difference in the areas to camp in either place, I think.