Yosemite Camping

Yosemite Camping

Camping in Yosemite is the most popular lodging choice; it's relatively inexpensive, and it can be a great outdoor experience. The park has lots of camping sites (nearly 2,000 in summer, 400 year-round), and though none have RV hookups, they fill up quickly, especially in the Valley. Near the park are a number of appealing, readily accessible campgrounds for tents and RVs. Most get very busy in fine weather, and many don't accept reservations.

All campgrounds listed here are front-country spots you can reach with a car. The park's backcountry and the surrounding wilderness have some unforgettable campsites that can be reached only via long and often difficult hikes or horseback rides. Delaware North Corporation operates five High Sierra Camps with comfortable, furnished tent cabins in the remote reaches of Yosemite; rates include breakfast and dinner service. The park concessionaire books the extremely popular backcountry camps by lottery each December for the following late June to early September season. Phone 559/253-5674 for more information.

Overnight hiking is restricted in Yosemite's backcountry to limit human impact on natural areas, and you'll need a wilderness permit to camp there. It's a good idea to make reservations for wilderness permits, especially if you visit May through September. (Note that making a request for a reservation does not guarantee you'll get one.) You can reserve two days to 24 weeks in advance by calling 209/372-0740, logging on to www.nps.gov/yose/wilderness, or by writing to Wilderness Permits, Box 545, Yosemite, 95389. Include your name, address, daytime phone, the number of people in your party, trip date, alternative dates, starting and ending trailheads, and a brief itinerary. There's a $5 per person processing fee for reservations; permits are free if obtained in person at wilderness permit offices at Big Oak Flat, Hetch Hetchy, Tuolumne, Wawona, the Wilderness Center, and Yosemite Valley in summer; fall through spring, visit the Valley Visitor Center.

Campgrounds & RV Parks

Reservations are required at most of Yosemite's campgrounds, especially in summer. You can reserve a site up to five months in advance; bookings made more than 21 days in advance require prepayment. Unless otherwise noted, book your site through the central National Park Service reservations office. National Park Reservation Service. Box 1600, Cumberland, MD, 21502. 800/436-7275. www.recreation.gov. D, MC, V. Daily 7-7.

Housekeeping Camp. Set along the Merced River, these three-sided concrete units with canvas roofs may look a bit rustic, but they're good for travelers with RVs or those without a tent who want to camp. You can cook here on gas stoves rented from the front desk, or you can use the fire pits. Toilets and showers are in a central building, and there is a camp store for provisions. Southside Dr., ½ mi west of Curry Village, Delaware North Reservations, 6771 N. Palm Ave., Fresno, 93704. 209/372-8338; 559/252-4848 reservations. www.yosemitepark.com. 266 units. Laundry facilities, no phone, no TV. AE, D, DC, MC, V. May-Sept.

Crane Flat. This camp on Yosemite's western boundary, south of Hodgdon Meadow, is just 17 mi from the valley but far from its bustle. A small grove of sequoias is nearby. From Big Oak Flat entrance on Hwy. 120, drive 10 mi east to campground entrance on right. 800/436-7275 or 209/372-0265. 209/372-0371. www.recreation.gov. 166 sites (tent or RV). Flush toilets, drinking water, bear boxes, fire pits, picnic tables, general store, ranger station. Reservations essential. AE, D, MC, V. June-Sept.

Hodgdon Meadow. On the park's western boundary, at an elevation of about 4,900 feet, the vegetation here is similar to that in the valley—but there's no river and no development. Reservations are essential. From Big Oak Flat entrance on Hwy. 120, immediately turn left to campground. 800/436-7275 or 209/372-0265. 209/372-0371. www.recreation.gov. 105 sites (tent or RV). Flush toilets, drinking water, bear boxes, grills, picnic tables, ranger station. AE, D, MC, V. May-Sept.

Lower Pines. This moderate-size campground sits directly along the Merced River; it's a short walk to the trailheads for the Mirror Lake and Mist trails. Expect small sites and lots of people. At east end of valley. 800/436-7275 or 209/372-0265. 209/372-0371. www.recreation.gov. 60 sites (tent or RV). Flush toilets, drinking water, bear boxes, fire grates, picnic tables, public telephone, ranger station, swimming (river). Reservations essential. AE, D, MC, V. Mar.-Oct.

North Pines. Set along the Merced River at an elevation of 4,000 feet, this campground is near many trailheads. Sites are close together, and there is little privacy. At east end of valley, near Curry Village. 800/436-7275 or 209/372-0265. www.recreation.gov. 80 sites (tent or RV). Flush toilets, drinking water, showers, bear boxes, fire grates, picnic tables, ranger station, swimming (river). Reservations essential. AE, D, MC, V. Apr.-Sept.

Tuolumne Meadows. In a wooded area at 8,600 feet, just south of its namesake meadow, this is one of the most spectacular and sought-after campgrounds in Yosemite. Hot showers can be used at the Tuolumne Meadows Lodge—though only at certain strictly regulated times. Half the sites are first-come, first-served, so arrive early or make reservations. The campground is open July-September. Hwy. 120, 46 mi east of Big Oak Flat entrance station. 209/372-0265 or 800/436-7275. 209/372-0371. www.recreation.gov. 314 sites (tent or RV). Flush toilets, dump station, drinking water, bear boxes, fire grates, picnic tables, public telephone, general store, ranger station. AE, D, MC, V. July-Sept.

Upper Pines. This is the valley's largest campground, and the closest one to the trailheads. Expect large crowds in the summer—and little privacy. At east end of valley, near Curry Village. 800/436-7275. www.recreation.gov. 238 sites (tent or RV). Flush toilets, dump station, drinking water, showers, bear boxes, fire grates, picnic tables, public telephone, ranger station, swimming (river). Reservations essential. AE, D, MC, V. Year-round.

Wawona. Near the Mariposa Grove, just downstream from a popular fishing spot, this year-round campground (reservations essential May-September) has larger, less densely packed sites than campgrounds in the valley, located right by the river. The downside is that it's an hour's drive to the valley's major attractions. Hwy. 41, 1 mi north of Wawona. 209/372-0265 or 800/436-7275. 209/372-0371. www.recreation.gov. 93 sites (tent or RV). Flush toilets, dump station, drinking water, bear boxes, fire grates, picnic tables, ranger station, swimming (river). AE, D, MC, V. Year-round.

Bridalveil Creek. This campground sits among lodgepole pines at 7,200 feet, above the valley on Glacier Point Road. From here, you can easily drive to Glacier Point's magnificent valley views. Fall evenings can be quite cold. From Hwy. 41 in Wawona, go north to Glacier Point Rd. and turn right; entrance to campground is 25 mi ahead on right side. 209/372-0265. 209/372-0371. www.nps.gov/yose. 74 sites (tent or RV). Flush toilets, drinking water, bear boxes, grills, picnic tables, public telephone. Reservations not accepted. AE, D, MC, V. July-early Sept.

Porcupine Flat. Sixteen miles west of Tuolumne Meadows, this campground sits at 8,100 feet. Sites are close together, but if you want to be in the high country and Tuolumne Meadows is full, this is a good bet. There is no water available. 16 mi west of Tuolumne Meadows on Hwy. 120. 209/372-0265. 209/372-0371. www.nps.gov/yose. 52 sites (tent or RV up to 35 feet). Pit toilets, bear boxes, fire pits, picnic tables. Reservations not accepted. AE, D, MC, V. July-mid-Oct.

Tamarack Flat. This rather primitive campground sits in a forested area at an elevation of 6,300 feet, with lodgepole pines, red firs, and some cedars. There's no water, and only small RVs (up to 24 feet) are allowed. From Big Oak Flat entrance station, turn left on Tioga Rd. (Hwy. 120); 3 mi ahead turn right to enter campground, 2½ mi from Tioga Rd. 209/372-0265. 209/372-0371. www.nps.gov/yose. 52 sites (tent or RV). Pit toilets, bear boxes, fire grates, picnic tables. Reservations not accepted. No credit cards. June-early Sept.

White Wolf. Set in the beautiful high country at 8,000 feet, this is a prime spot for hikers. RVs up to 27 feet long are permitted. From Big Oak Flat entrance, go 15 mi east on Tioga Road (Hwy. 120); campground is on right. 209/372-0265. 209/372-0371. www.nps.gov/yose. 87 sites (tent or RV). Flush toilets, drinking water, bear boxes, fire grates, picnic tables, public telephone, ranger station. Reservations not accepted. No credit cards. July-early Sept.

Yosemite Creek. This secluded campground, set at 7,600 feet on a dirt road, is not suitable for large RVs. It's a good jumping-off point for spectacular hikes to the rim of the valley and to the top of Yosemite Falls. There is no water available. From Big Oak Flat entrance station, turn left onto Tioga Rd. (Hwy. 120) and continue 30 mi to the posted turnoff on right; drive 5 mi to campground. 209/372-0265. 209/372-0371. www.nps.gov/yose. 75 sites (tent or RV). Pit toilets, bear boxes, fire grates, picnic tables, public telephone. Reservations not accepted. No credit cards. July-early Sept.

Camp 4. Formerly known as Sunnyside Walk-In, this is the only valley campground available on a first-come, first-served basis—and the only one west of Yosemite Lodge. Open year-round, it is a favorite for rock climbers and solo campers; it fills quickly and is typically sold out by 9 AM daily spring through fall. This is a tents-only campground. Base of Yosemite Falls Trail, just west of Yosemite Lodge on Northside Dr., Yosemite Village. 209/372-0265. 209/372-0371. www.nps.gov/yose. 35 sites. Flush toilets, drinking water, showers, bear boxes, fire grates, picnic tables, public telephone, ranger station. AE, D, MC, V. Year-round.