First come, first served campites and reservable campsites.
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Climbers worldwide know about the granite rock formations in the Sierra Nevada mountains: Half Dome, El Capitan. And the pros know that Yosemite camping is either a feat of advanced planning, or a willingness to wing it for same-day reservations.
There are 13 campgrounds inside the park with varying availability. The car campgrounds like Upper Pines require a reservation year-round (they sell out months in advance). To be fair, the reason why they sell out so quickly is because of the breathtaking beauty of the park. Between the massive sequoia trees, the mountains and the waterfalls, it's understandable.
Climbers worldwide know about the granite rock formations in the Sierra Nevada mountains: Half Dome, El Capitan. And the pros know that Yosemite camping is either a feat of advanced planning, or a willingness to wing it for same-day reservations.
There are 13 campgrounds inside the park with varying availability. The car campgrounds like Upper Pines require a reservation year-round (they sell out months in advance). To be fair, the reason why they sell out so quickly is because of the breathtaking beauty of the park. Between the massive sequoia trees, the mountains and the waterfalls, it's understandable.
Reservations Info: Hogdon Meadow, Crane Flat, Wawona and Tuolumne Meadows campgrounds require reservations in the summer and fall months. There are four first-come, first-served campgrounds north of the Yosemite Valley, while only Bridalveil Creek is reserved to early birds south of the valley. Camp 4, in the valley itself, is also first-come, first-served, but doesn't allow RVs or pull-behind trailers. (Oh, and for RVs, it's good to know that none of the campgrounds have hookups, but there are three dump stations.) If you're interested in trying for a first-come, first-serve site, get there early - they can fill up by 8:30 AM! The park service even has an availability hotline at 209-372-0266.
If you're camping November-May, don't plan on using the Tioga pass entrance near Mono Lake. Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road are only open during the summer months. (Year-round, we like the Arch Rock entrance near Mariposa.)
Backcountry camping is available, but you have to get a wilderness permit to do so. Permits have the same basic set up as the campgrounds, some are available up to a year in advance for the planners, while the rest are first-come, first-served.
This campground offers many more secluded camping sites. Porcupine Creek forms a semicircle around this gorgeous patch of woods and it is a great spot to go exploring!
North Pines has an awesome location with Merced River on one side and Tenaya Creek on another. Mirror Lake is close by and the Yosemite Valley Stable is located here. Set up camp right by the water and breathe in that sweet pine air!
Camp 4 definitely stands out with a giant rock in the middle of the campground. Maybe not a rock as big as Half Dome (is anything that big?), but a decently sized chunk for some cool rock climbing.
Bridalveil Creek runs throughout this spacious campground and a beautiful meadow is only a few steps away for laying in the sun or setting up a game with the kids. Fall asleep to the sound of water running through the rocks!
North of Yosemite Valley, this sprawling campground is based around the burbling Tamarack Creek. This site is ideal for those seeking a quieter space among the trees. It’s guaranteed to refresh your mind and soul.
This circular campground is surrounded by the towering mountains, the Seasonal Creek, and lush green plants. Harden Lake and Lukens Lake are nearby for some amazing scenery and relaxation.
Ten Lakes trail is only 2 miles away and tents can be set up all along the winding Yosemite Creek in this amazing campground. Dip your toes in the creek, hug a tree, and embrace the beauty all around you!
This massive campground has 304 spots-- some even for horses and a handful of group and backpacking sites. Here you can find Mountaineering School, and the Grill, Post Office, and Store. The huge Tuolumne River forks off here and there are springs, lakes (Dog Lake, anyone?), and canyons nearby.
Yosemite isn’t all about the valley. Just an hour and a half’s drive up the road is one of the largest high-elevation meadows in the Sierra Nevada. As you wind up Tioga Road (Hwy 120) from Tenaya Lake, the pines open up and you catch sight of the first granite dome and a meadow that seems to go on forever.
The amount of trails that leave from th Read more...
As with most things in Yosemite, bigger is better. Upper Pines Campground is no exception, boasting 240 campsites. It very well may be the most popular campground in Yosemite Valley, due, in part, to the views of surrounding icons, like El Capitan and Half Dome. Each site features a fire ring, food locker, and picnic table, and costs $26 per night Read more...
Wawona Campground lies next to the Merced River, at an elevation of 4000 ft. Wouldn’t it be nice to camp right next to that babbling brook?
Well if river camping is your thing (how can it not be your thing?), then you will surely enjoy Wawona. There are 93 sites in total and the camps are large. They are relatively close to each other, but it's Read more...
Crane Flat is a popular campground northwest of Yosemite Valley. Wake up to the sunlight filtering through the branches, and stop by the amphitheater right across from this huge campground, which might have some events going on!
Lower Pines is equally as cool as Upper Pines Campground. The site is smaller with 60 spots, but the relaxed vibe and convenient amenities remain the same. Some of the spots are wheelchair accessible, so don’t let that stop you from getting outdoors!
Hodgdon Meadow Campground is definitely a “no-frills" experience. The sites are rather vanilla, a little tight, and privacy is limited. It’s also a bit out of the way from the main attractions, but this is also part of the appeal.
If you are hoping to be right in Yosemite Valley, then this isn’t the site for you. With that said, it tends to be l Read more...
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Yosemite National Park
4M people/year travel from all over the world to see Yosemite. (Spoiler alert: Totally worth it)
Climbers worldwide know about the granite rock formations in the Sierra Nevada mountains: Half Dome, El Capitan. And the pros know that Yosemite camping is either a feat of advanced planning, or a willingness to wing it for same-day reservations.
There are 13 campgrounds inside the park with varying availability. The car campgrounds like Upper Pines require a reservation year-round (they sell out months in advance). To be fair, the reason why they sell out so quickly is because of the breathtaking beauty of the park. Between the massive sequoia trees, the mountains and the waterfalls, it's understandable.
Reservations Info:
Climbers worldwide know about the granite rock formations in the Sierra Nevada mountains: Half Dome, El Capitan. And the pros know that Yosemite camping is either a feat of advanced planning, or a willingness to wing it for same-day reservations.
There are 13 campgrounds inside the park with varying availability. The car campgrounds like Upper Pines require a reservation year-round (they sell out months in advance). To be fair, the reason why they sell out so quickly is because of the breathtaking beauty of the park. Between the massive sequoia trees, the mountains and the waterfalls, it's understandable.
Reservations Info: Hogdon Meadow, Crane Flat, Wawona and Tuolumne Meadows campgrounds require reservations in the summer and fall months. There are four first-come, first-served campgrounds north of the Yosemite Valley, while only Bridalveil Creek is reserved to early birds south of the valley. Camp 4, in the valley itself, is also first-come, first-served, but doesn't allow RVs or pull-behind trailers. (Oh, and for RVs, it's good to know that none of the campgrounds have hookups, but there are three dump stations.) If you're interested in trying for a first-come, first-serve site, get there early - they can fill up by 8:30 AM! The park service even has an availability hotline at 209-372-0266.
If you're camping November-May, don't plan on using the Tioga pass entrance near Mono Lake. Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road are only open during the summer months. (Year-round, we like the Arch Rock entrance near Mariposa.)
Backcountry camping is available, but you have to get a wilderness permit to do so. Permits have the same basic set up as the campgrounds, some are available up to a year in advance for the planners, while the rest are first-come, first-served.
Activities in the park
14 campgrounds in Yosemite National Park
This campground offers many more secluded camping sites. Porcupine Creek forms a semicircle around this gorgeous patch of woods and it is a great spot to go exploring!
North Pines has an awesome location with Merced River on one side and Tenaya Creek on another. Mirror Lake is close by and the Yosemite Valley Stable is located here. Set up camp right by the water and breathe in that sweet pine air!
Camp 4 definitely stands out with a giant rock in the middle of the campground. Maybe not a rock as big as Half Dome (is anything that big?), but a decently sized chunk for some cool rock climbing.
Bridalveil Creek runs throughout this spacious campground and a beautiful meadow is only a few steps away for laying in the sun or setting up a game with the kids. Fall asleep to the sound of water running through the rocks!
North of Yosemite Valley, this sprawling campground is based around the burbling Tamarack Creek. This site is ideal for those seeking a quieter space among the trees. It’s guaranteed to refresh your mind and soul.
This circular campground is surrounded by the towering mountains, the Seasonal Creek, and lush green plants. Harden Lake and Lukens Lake are nearby for some amazing scenery and relaxation.
Ten Lakes trail is only 2 miles away and tents can be set up all along the winding Yosemite Creek in this amazing campground. Dip your toes in the creek, hug a tree, and embrace the beauty all around you!
This massive campground has 304 spots-- some even for horses and a handful of group and backpacking sites. Here you can find Mountaineering School, and the Grill, Post Office, and Store. The huge Tuolumne River forks off here and there are springs, lakes (Dog Lake, anyone?), and canyons nearby.
Yosemite isn’t all about the valley. Just an hour and a half’s drive up the road is one of the largest high-elevation meadows in the Sierra Nevada. As you wind up Tioga Road (Hwy 120) from Tenaya Lake, the pines open up and you catch sight of the first granite dome and a meadow that seems to go on forever. The amount of trails that leave from th Read more...
As with most things in Yosemite, bigger is better. Upper Pines Campground is no exception, boasting 240 campsites. It very well may be the most popular campground in Yosemite Valley, due, in part, to the views of surrounding icons, like El Capitan and Half Dome. Each site features a fire ring, food locker, and picnic table, and costs $26 per night Read more...
Wawona Campground lies next to the Merced River, at an elevation of 4000 ft. Wouldn’t it be nice to camp right next to that babbling brook? Well if river camping is your thing (how can it not be your thing?), then you will surely enjoy Wawona. There are 93 sites in total and the camps are large. They are relatively close to each other, but it's Read more...
Crane Flat is a popular campground northwest of Yosemite Valley. Wake up to the sunlight filtering through the branches, and stop by the amphitheater right across from this huge campground, which might have some events going on!
Lower Pines is equally as cool as Upper Pines Campground. The site is smaller with 60 spots, but the relaxed vibe and convenient amenities remain the same. Some of the spots are wheelchair accessible, so don’t let that stop you from getting outdoors!
Hodgdon Meadow Campground is definitely a “no-frills" experience. The sites are rather vanilla, a little tight, and privacy is limited. It’s also a bit out of the way from the main attractions, but this is also part of the appeal. If you are hoping to be right in Yosemite Valley, then this isn’t the site for you. With that said, it tends to be l Read more...
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