Stay in Yosemite's Housekeeping Camp - No Tent Required, All Adventure Included!

Here are my top finds for Yosemite National Park:
🏨Hotels: Ahwahnee, Yosemite Valley Lodge (In the park), The Pines Resort
📍Tours: Yosemite Sugar Pine Railroad, Yosemite Highlights Small Group Tour
🐻 Save time! Buy your National Park Pass before your trip

Stay In Yosemite's Housekeeping Camp

Housekeeping Camp has modified canvas tent cabins in Yosemite National Park, with 266 units available to rent.

I would consider Housekeeping Camp a form of glamping, albeit in a very basic sense. The Housekeeping Camp features three-sided concrete structures and a canvas flap at the front. There are roofs and privacy curtains.

Within the tent structures, there is a double bed and a bunk bed, along with an electrical outlet and a small shelf.

These are VERY BASIC, but you do not have to pack a tent with you, and you are in the heart of Yosemite.

I would consider this as a form of glamping, albeit in a very basic sense. The Housekeeping Camp features three-sided concrete structures and a canvas flap at the front. There are roofs and privacy curtains.

Within the tent structures, there is a double bed and a bunk bed, along with an electrical outlet and a small shelf.

These are VERY BASIC, but you do not have to pack a tent with you, and you are in the heart of Yosemite.

Room Options 

Standard Unit - Standard Units can sleep up to six guests. They include a bunk bed, a double bed, a table, chairs, a mirror, electrical lights, and outlets.

Guests can bring their own sleeping bags and pillows or rent blankets, sheets, and pillow packs per night. There are no telephones ot TV's.

River Units - River units feature all the amenities of the standard units, with an emphasis on your proximity to the river for an enhanced camping experience.

Room Amenities

• Wi-Fi / Internet Access is available at Degnan's Kitchen (Bandwidth is limited). WIFI is limited in Yosemite National Park, and don't expect to download large files or stream movies. Expect to have a digital detox.
• Table/Chair

Housekeeping Camp Amenities

• Showers - The shower house is open from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm.
• Laundry - Open seven days a week from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm, the laundry room features coin-operated washers and dryers.
• Grocery Store/ Ice - Open seven days a week from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
• Parking - You will be able to park for free near your unit.
• Fire Pit/Fire Ring - There is a fire ring at each campsite.
• Food Storage Locker/Bear Box on site - Yes, all units have a campfire ring with a grill grate and a bear-proof food storage locker.
  • Note that you are required to store food properly to protect Yosemite's bears. 
• Potable Water? Yes, there is drinking water available in Housekeeping Camp

You may want to bring camping chairs with you or rent them at the Housekeeping Camp rental store. If you plan on renting them, make sure to arrive early so they don't sell out.

Housekeeping Camp Information

Season: April - October

Phone Number - (888) 413-8869

Address  
Southside Dr,
Yosemite Valley, CA 95389

Number of Sites:  266 units in the Housekeeping Camp

Location in the park: Near Curry Village in the heart of Yosemite Valley

Latitude/Longitude: 
Latitude: 37.7409° N
Longitude: 119.5795° W

Elevation: 4,000 feet (1,200 m)

Pets Allowed: There are no pets allowed on the property.

Flush Toilets: Yes

Payphone: Yes

Is wifi available? No (Complimentary WiFi is available at Degnan's Kitchen near the visitor center (bandwidth is limited)

Is cellular Phone Service Available? Maybe it will depend on your carrier. On some trips, we have service with T-Mobile in this area of the park.

Is firewood available for purchase? Yes, you can buy charcoal and firewood at the Housekeeping Camp Store.

Housekeeping Camp Reservations 

Click here to book your stay at Housekeeping Camp. 

How Far Ahead can you make a reservation? Reservations are available 366 days in advance and are strongly recommended, especially from spring through fall and during holidays.

Housekeeping Camp Map

Housekeeping Camp Regulations

The maximum number of people in a campsite: A maximum of six people (including children) are allowed per campsite.

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

Check-in Time: 4 pm

Checkout time: 11 am

Quiet Hours: Quiet Hours are from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am, seven days a week.

Cancellation Policy: $10.00 cancellation fee for cancellations made 7 or more days prior to arrival. Reservations canceled within 7 days of arrival will forfeit the deposit paid.

Smoking: Smoking is strictly prohibited at all accommodations and buildings in Yosemite.

Best Yosemite National Park Tours & Activities

Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 1-3.5 Hours |  🚂 Check Rates and Availability

Step back in time on this historic narrow-gauge railroad where powerful locomotives once hauled massive log trains through the Sierra National Forest, just 10 minutes from Yosemite's south entrance. The conductor-narrated rides (1 to 3.5 hours) take you through majestic woods while sharing the area's logging history, with options ranging from the classic steam train to special themed trips like the Moonlight Special and Yosemite Jazz Train. Perfect for families and multi-generational groups, the experience includes gold panning, a logging museum, and the Kids' Depot Toy Store, all wheelchair accessible with leashed dogs welcome on board.

Yosemite Highlights Small Group Tour
⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars (803+ reviews) | ⏳ Tour Length: 9 hours | 🚐
Check Rates and Availability

This is the tour for first-time visitors who want to see everything without the stress of figuring it out on their own. Operated by Discover Yosemite, a TripAdvisor Travelers Choice award winner for two years running, this small-group tour covers the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias, Glacier Point, Yosemite Valley, and all the major viewpoints in one very full day. Lunch is included along with snacks and water.

Semi-Private Yosemite Tour with Ahwahnee Lunch and Hotel Pickup/Dropoff
⭐️ Rating: 4.8 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 8 hours |  🚌Check Rates and Availability

This is an 8-hour tour that begins with a pick-up at your hotel or the meeting point.

The tour includes stops at Glacier Point(April-November), depending upon the weather, and several stops in the Yosemite Valley. The valley stops include Tunnel View, Bridalveil Falls, Sentinel Bridge, Chapel, Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, and more!

Check out more great tours of Yosemite. Tours include hiking, snowshoeing, roundtrip tours from San Francisco, and more!

Lodges In Yosemite National Park

⭐️ 4.3 of 5 Stars - Ahwahnee Hotel - Click here for Rates and Availability.

The Ahwahnee stands as Yosemite's most iconic lodge, a National Historic Landmark that has hosted royalty and presidents while offering unmatched views of Half Dome and Yosemite Falls. This architectural masterpiece blends historic elegance with modern comfort, featuring fine dining, a heated outdoor pool, and artisan shops right at your doorstep. After a day exploring the valley's waterfalls and granite cliffs, you'll appreciate the world-class hospitality and luxurious amenities that make this more than just a place to stay.

⭐️ 4.3 of 5 Stars - Yosemite Valley Lodge - Click here for Rates and Availability.

Yosemite Valley Lodge sits right at the base of Yosemite Falls, offering 245 rooms including family rooms and bunk rooms perfect for groups exploring the park together. The lodge's glass-and-wood architecture frames incredible views while keeping you close to trailheads, with shuttle access, multiple dining options, and seasonal bike rentals right onsite. After hiking to Vernal Fall or exploring the valley floor, cool off in the seasonal outdoor pool or grab a meal before heading to the outdoor amphitheater for evening ranger programs.

⭐️ 4.3 of 5 Stars - Curry Village Tent Cabins - Click here for Rates and Availability.

Nestled beneath Glacier Point since 1899, Curry Village tents offers an authentic lodging experience. This historic base camp puts you right in the heart of Yosemite Valley with multiple dining options, an outdoor pool, and easy shuttle access to trailheads and waterfalls.

Lodges near Yosemite National Park

There are several great lodging options near Yosemite National Park. We are huge fans of staying in Oakhurst, California and entering the park from the southern entrance. Check out my Oakhurst Lodging Guide.

⭐️ 4.4 of 5 Stars - The Pines Resort at Bass Lake  - Click here for Rates and Availability.

The only lakeside resort in the Yosemite area, sitting right on the shores of Bass Lake just 17 miles from Yosemite National Park's South Gate with a private beach, full marina, and some of the best sunsets in the Sierra Nevada!

Choose from lakeside suites with log-burning fireplaces, wet bars, and lake-view decks, two-story chalets with full kitchens, or a romantic Honeymoon Suite with an oversized jetted tub. Ducey's on the Lake serves farm-to-table cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with stunning water views, and the poolside beach bar is perfect for after-hike refreshments. Amenities include a seasonal outdoor pool with pool hoist, hot tub, full-service spa, 24-hour fitness center, yoga classes, boat and kayak rentals, two tennis courts, billiards room, convenience market, live entertainment, coin-operated laundry, free WiFi, and free parking. Pet friendly and open year-round!

⭐️ 4.8 of 5 Stars - Chateau du Sureau  - Click here for Rates and Availability.

A Forbes Five Star, AAA Four Diamond Provence-inspired castle tucked in the Sierra Nevada foothills just 20 miles from Yosemite's South Gate, widely regarded as the finest luxury hotel in the entire Yosemite region!

The 11 individually designed rooms and suites feature working fireplaces, pillowtop mattresses, down comforters, hypoallergenic bedding, separate soaking tubs and showers, Moulton Brown toiletries, slippers, robes, and private balconies overlooking nine acres of terraced French gardens. A bottle of local rosé awaits you on arrival, and a full gourmet breakfast is included each morning with fresh-squeezed orange juice. The legendary Erna's Elderberry House restaurant is one of California's most celebrated dining destinations, drawing food lovers from across the state for its tasting menus and wine pairings. Additional amenities include a full-service spa, seasonal outdoor pool, bocce court, concierge, valet parking, room service, free WiFi, and free parking. No children under 10. Pet friendly with a fee, open year-round!

Click on this link or the map below to see additional lodging options near Yosemite NP.

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Yosemite National Park No Longer Requires Peak Hours Reservations

Yosemite National Park will not require advance reservations in 2026, including during peak summer months and the February-March firefall period. The park will rely on real-time traffic management measures, including temporary traffic diversions when parking areas reach capacity and deployment of additional seasonal staff to manage high-use areas.

Yosemite National Park Entrance Fee

New in 2026: Each Non-US Resident aged 16 and older visiting Yosemite National Park must pay a $100 nonresident fee (in addition to the standard entrance fee), unless admitted with an annual or America the Beautiful Pass. This includes nonresidents entering as part of a commercial tour group, commercial use authorization (CUA) group, or concessioner tour group.

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)

$40.00-$20.00 for Commercial Sedan with 1-6 seats and non-commercial groups (16+ persons)

$20.00 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.

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 free entrance days the National Park Service offers for US citizens and residents.

Additional Yosemite Resources

• Complete Guide to Exploring Yosemite National Park
• Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias - The grove is outside of the valley on Highway 41 next to the southern entrance to the park. 
• Things to do in Yosemite
• 1-Day in Yosemite guide
• Yosemite Winter Guide
• Yosemite Lodging Guide
• Yosemite National Park Camping Guide

Things To Do Near Yosemite National Park

• Oakhurst, California, the Southern Entrance to Yosemite
• Bass Lake Travel Guide
• The Sierra Vista Scenic Byway
• Wassama Round House State Historic Park
• Oakhurst Lodging Guide
• Oakhurst Restaurant Guide
• Madera Wine Trail

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

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