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    Home » Travel » US National Parks

    Published: May 28, 2019 · Updated: Aug 8, 2025 by JohnTillison · This post may contain affiliate links

    Camp 4 - Yosemite National Park

    Camp 4 is listed on the National Register of Historic Places because of its nationally significant role in the development of rock climbing as a sport.  Previously Camp 4 was a walk up campground with no reservation system. Campers would have to line up and wait until a spot opened up.

    Campground at Camp 4 in Yosemite National Park

    TL;DR Don’t have time to read the full article? Here are my top finds:
    🏨Hotels and Vacation Rentals
    📍Tours
    🐻 Save time! Buy your National Park Pass before your trip

    Camp 4 - Yosemite National Park

    Yosemite National Park is going to test a new pilot program from late May to early September, using a daily lottery system similar to the Half Dome daily lottery. Visitors interested in staying at Camp 4 will enter a daily lottery managed by www.recreation.gov. Camp 4 Campground is now on a daily lottery system! 

    The lottery opens at 12:01 am pacific time the day before your intended arrival date. The lottery is open until 4:00 pm Pacific time. The lottery automatically matches applicants with the number of open camping spaces. All people who enter the daily lottery will be notified by email on the results of their lottery application.       

    Season: Year Round

    Number of Sites: 35, shared walk-in sites for tents only (sleeping in vehicles is not allowed)

    Location in the park: Yosemite Valley near the Yosemite Lodge

    Campsite Cost: Make sure to check with the park for the most up-to-date camping fees

    Reservations: Yes, reservations can be made online at recreation.gov

    A ranger staffs the campground starting at 8:30 am. You will want to be in the campground early from Spring through Fall to get a campground! 

    There may be days when Camp 4 is not accepting lottery applications for next-day arrivals due to no availability. 

    Campground Address: Northside Drive in Yosemite Valley

    Latitude/Longitude: 

    • Latitude:
    • 37.7414263429716
    • 37° 44' 29.1348" N
    • Longitude:
    • -119.60335712788
    • 119° 36' 12.0857" W

    Elevation: 4,000 feet

    Accessible Sites: N/A

    Pets Allowed: Pets are not allowed

    Campground Reservations

    Are campground Reservations Available? Yes, 

    Campground Amenities

    Flush Toilets: Yes

    Payphone: No

    Is wifi Available? No

    Is cellular Phone Service Available? Potentially depending on your carrier. 

    Is camp host available on site? Yes

    Is firewood available for purchase? 

    Amenities at each campsite:

    Fire pit in the site? Yes

    From May through September, campfires in Yosemite Valley are only allowed between 5 pm and 10 pm 

    Picnic Table in the site? Yes

    Bear Box in site/area? Yes, There are a ton of food storage options around the campground. 

    You are required to store food properly in order to protect Yosemite's bears. Bear storage lockers are provided in all campsites 35"(D)x43"(W)x28"(H)

    Potable Water? Yes

    Don't forget to pack these camping essentials

    • Camping Chairs
    • First Aid Kit
    • Collapsible Dish Tub
    • Camping Dishes
    • Camping Tarp
    • Lantern
    • Camping Games

    RV Camping at Camp 4 Campground

    No RVs or Trailers are allowed in the campground

     

    How to get to Campground

    Camp 4 is located near Yosemite Falls. There is a parking lot for campers but make sure you have a permit to park in the lot. 

    Campground Regulations

    The maximum number of people in a campsite: Six people will be assigned to each campsite; people in one group may be assigned to different campsites. 

    The number of cars per campsite: Two motorized vehicles per campsite. A valid campground car pass must be displayed.

    Check-out time: 12 noon

    Quiet Hours: Quiet hours are from 10 pm to 6 am

    Maximum Stay: 7-day maximum stay limit.

    30-night camping limit within Yosemite National Park in a calendar year

    May 1 - September 15, the camping limit in Yosemite is 14 nights, and only seven of those nights can be in Yosemite Valley or Wawona.

    Between May 1 and September 15, the stay limit at Camp 4 is 7 nights.

    You may extend your stay prior to 3 p.m. PDT at least two days before your checkout date.

    Camp 4 Yosemite Map

    Photos of Camp 4 Campground

    Lodges In Yosemite National Park

    Ahwahnee Hotel
    🏨Ready to Book the Ahwahnee Hotel -> Click Here

    The Ahwahnee Hotel is located in Yosemite Valley and is known throughout the world as one of the most luxurious National Park Lodges.

    Yosemite Valley Lodge
    🏨Ready to Book the Yosemite Valley Lodge -> Click Here

    The Yosemite Valley Lodge is located in the heart of Yosemite National Park and is located close to Yosemite Falls making it a great base for a Yosemite vacation.

    Wawona Hotel
    🏨Ready to Book the Wawona Hotel -> Click Here

    (Currently Closed for repairs). Built in 1856 the Wawona Hotel formerly Big Trees Lodge is on the National Historic Landmark located near the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias and the Pioneer History Center in Yosemite National Park.

    Curry Village Tent Cabins
    🏨Ready to Book the Curry Village Cabins -> Click Here

    The Curry Village Tent Cabins are a great option for staying in Yosemite Valley.

    Lodges near Yosemite National Park

    There are great options for lodging near Yosemite National Park. We are huge fans of staying in Oakhurst, California and entering the park from the southern entrance. Here is a few of our favorite places to stay in Oakhurst:

    Chateau du Sureau
    🏨Ready to Book the Chateau du Sureau -> Click Here

    Exceptional 5-star luxury accommodations south of Yosemite National Park. Includes breakfast, feww WIFI, pet friendly, air conditioning and much more! Also has an incredible restaurant o-site and a spa!

    The Pines Resort at Bass Lake
    🏨Ready to Book The Pines Resort -> Click Here

    Bass Lake Beachfront Resort with lots of amenities, including Spa services, gym, two restaurants, bar/lounge, Airconditioning and more!

    Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn 
    🏨Ready to Book the Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn -> Click Here

    At Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn, you can look forward to a terrace, a playground, and laundry facilities. For some rest and relaxation, visit the 2 hot tubs.

    Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite 
    🏨Ready to Book The Tenaya Lodge -> Click Here

    4-star eco-friendly resort near Yosemite. You can look forward to a poolside bar, a terrace, and shopping on site at Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite. Adventurous travelers may like the rock climbing, snowshoeing, and ice skating at this resort. Indulge in a deep-tissue massage, a body treatment, and aromatherapy at Ascent Spa, the onsite spa

    Yosemite National Park Tours

    California Audio Tour Bundle (Get 4 Audio Tours)
    ⭐️ Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 8 days | 🔊Check Rates and Availability

    With Shaka Guide's GPS Audio Tours,  you are guided to hidden gems and iconic sights. Now, you can explore at your own pace without worrying about keeping up with a tour. Tours include:

    • Yosemite's Majestic Beauty
    • Death Valley's Unique Geology
    • Joshua Tree's otherworldly Landscapes
    • Lake Tahoe's Clear Waters

    Yosemite Mist Trail and Nevada Fall Loop Private Day Hike
    ⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 6-8 Hours |  🥾Check Rates and Availability

    Discover one of Yosemite National Park's most beloved hikes as you follow the Mist Trail to Vernal Fall, a 4-hour guided hike from Yosemite Valley. Take in sweeping views of the valley while climbing alongside your guide, and learn about the park's ecology, natural history, and landscape. Catch a glimpse of Vernal Fall as you cross the Merced River, walk through billowing mist on a trail that parallels the waterfall's drop from a high, granite cliff, then enjoy clear air and scenic views from the top.

    Private Full-Day Fly Fishing for Beginners and Experienced Anglers
    ⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 8 hours |  🎣 Check Rates and Availability

    Here is your chance to enjoy fly fishing in Yosemite with your private guide! This full-day adventure (Approx. 8 hours) is where you can fish the Tuolumne and Merced River watersheds for Rainbow, Brown, Brook, and Golden Trout on the catch-and-release excursion. The tour includes:

    • all fly fishing gear, fishing license, Peak Season Reservation, and entrance fees
    • round-trip transportation from Yosemite Valley or Groveland
    • snacks/lunch

    Check out more great tours of Yosemite.

    Yosemite National Park Entrance Fee

    Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.

    Park Entrance Pass - $35.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)

    Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $30.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)

    Per-Person Entrance Pass - $20.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.

    Annual Park Entrance Pass - $70.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.

    $0.00 for Education/Academic Group

    $300.00 for Non-Commercial Group (16+ persons)

    $45.00-$125.00 for Commercial Sedan with 1-6 seats and non-commercial groups (16+ persons)

    $125.00 for Commercial Van with 7-15 seats

    $200.00 for Commercial Mini-Bus with 16-25 seats

    $300.00 for Commercial Motor Coach with 26+ seats

    Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.

    $80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.

    2024 America The Beautiful National Park Pass

    Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.

    National Park Free Entrance Days  -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.

    Yosemite National Park Peak-Hours Reservation Required

    A reservation is required to drive into Yosemite between 6:00 AM and 2:00 PM on dates in 2025 listed below:

    • May 24 - May 26 (Saturday-Monday)
    • June 15 - August 15 (Daily)
    • August 30 -September 1) (Saturday - Monday)

    During the dates listed above, visitors can enter Yosemite with either of the following:

    • Peak Hours Reservation are available through Recreation.gov
      • (Click here to get your Peak Hours Reservation) or by calling (877)444-6777
    • Wilderness or Half Dome permit
    • In-Park camping including Upper Pines, Lower Pines, North Pines, Camp 4, Wawona, Bridalveil Creek, Hogdon Meadow, Crane Flat, Tamarack Flat, White Wolf, Yosemite Creek, Porcupine Flat, and Tuolumne Meadows campgrounds.
    • In-Park Lodging including Curry Village, Housekeeping Camp, Yosemite Valley Lodge, The Ahwahnee, Tuolumne Meadows Lodge, and High Sierra Camps.
    • In-Park Vacation Rental in Wawona, Yosemite West, or Foresta.
    • Regional transit ot tour group

    Additional Peak Hours Reservation information:

    • Reservations for all dates were released on May 6, 2025
    • Additional Reservations are available on recreation.gov seven days before the arrival date at 8:00 AM PDT.
    • There is a $2.00 Non-Refundable fee (This does not include the park's entry fee requirement)
    • Each visitor can make one reservation for each three day period. The reservation holder must be in the arriving vehicle and show photo ID at the entrance station.
    • Peak Hours Reservations are good for three consecutive days (Including arrival date)
    • You can visit the Hetch Hetchy area of the park when it is open (sunrise to sunset) without a reservation.

    Additional Yosemite National Park Resources

    Complete Guide to Exploring Yosemite National Park - A Complete guide to exploring Yosemite National Park.

    Make sure also to check out my articles on  Things to do in Yosemite, 1-Day in Yosemite guide, Curry Village, Yosemite Winter Guide, Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Falls, Yosemite Valley Guide, Glacier Point, Tunnel View, Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, Midnight Yosemite Valley Floor Tour, and Bracebridge Dinner - which I have selected as one of my top 100 Experiences in the U.S. National Park!

    Yosemite National Park Campgrounds

    Yosemite National Park Camping Guide - Guide to all of Yosemite National Park's campgrounds, including a map showing their location within the park. Campgrounds include the North Pines Campground, Upper Pines Campground, Lower Pines Campground, Camp 4, Wawona Campground, Housekeeping Camp, Hodgdon Meadow Campground, Porcupine Flat Campground, Bridalveil Creek Campground, Crane Flat Campground, Tamarack Flat Campground, Tuolumne Meadows Campground, and Yosemite Creek Campground.

    Additional Information on Oakhurst/Bass Lake, California

    Guide to exploring Oakhurst, California, the southern entrance to Yosemite

    Bass Lake Travel Guide

    Bass Lake Camping Guide, including the Lupine Campground and the Cedar Bluff Campground.

    Check out all of the National Parks in California and neighboring National Parks in Oregon, National Parks in Nevada, and National Parks in Arizona.

    Make sure to follow Park Ranger John on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok

    More US National Parks

    • Yellowstone National Park Tours
    • California Black Bears alsong Bass Lake on our California National Parks Road Trip
      California National Parks Road Trip to Sequoia, Kings Canyon, & Yosemite
    • campsite in Sunset Campground in Kings Canyon National Park
      Sunset Campground Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks
    • Lodgepole Campground Sequoia National Park
      Lodgepole Campground Sequoia National Park

    Filed Under: Camping, US National Parks

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