What to expect when camping in Lower Pines Campground in Yosemite National Park, California. Campsite photos, rules and regulations, Campground map and more

The Lower Pines Campground is one of the popular campgrounds in Yosemite Valley, so you will want to make sure and get a reservation as soon as you can.

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Lower Pines Campground

Lower Pines Campground is located in Yosemite Valley, close to a shuttle bus stop and all of the main attractions of Yosemite National Park. Located next to the Merced River, you can spend time relaxing, listening to the river.

The campsites along the river are absolutely amazing! You can relax in a comfy camp chair next to the river and marvel at the gorgeous views.

Season: April through October (approximately)

Number of Sites: 60

Lower Pines Campground has three double campsites (Dbl1, Dbl2, and Dbl 3) that can accommodate seven to 12 people each.

Location in the park: Yosemite Valley

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

Latitude/Longitude:

Latitude:
37.7408333
37° 44' 26.9999" N

Longitude:
-119.5666667
119° 34' 0.0001" W

Elevation: 4,000 feet

Accessible Sites: sites 7, 13, 14, 18, and 20

Pets Allowed: Pets are allowed but they must be on a leash less than 6 feet long.

Pets are not allowed inside park buildings or on specific trails.

Check out all of the Yosemite Camping options! There are 13 campgrounds within Yosemite National Park!

Campground Reservations

Are campground Reservations Available? Yes

Phone Number? 1-877-444-6777

Online? Recreation.Gov

How Far Ahead can you make a reservation? Up to five months in advance on the 15th of each month at 7:00 a.m. (PT) or 10:00 a.m (ET).

Campground Amenities

Flush Toilets: Yes

Payphone: yes

Is Wi-Fi available? No

Is cellular Phone Service Available? Yes, depending on your cell carrier.

Is camp host available on site? Yes

Is firewood available for purchase? Yes, in Curry Village/Half Dome Village or in the Yosemite Valley Store.

There was some damage to one of the bathrooms due to winter storms. One of the bathrooms sustained significant damage. There are outhouses lined up near the area for use until the bathroom is repaired.

Amenities at each campsite:

Picnic tables, fire rings, food storage boxes, parking spurs, flush toilets, and drinking water are available in the campground.

Fire pit in the site? Yes

Picnic Table in the site? Yes

Bear Box in site/area? Yes,

You are required to store food properly in order to protect Yosemite's bears.

Food storage lockers are provided in all campsites 35"(D)x43"(W)x28"(H)

Potable Water? Yes

Don't forget to pack these camping essentials

RV Camping at Lower Pines Campground

RV Length: RVs up to 40 feet
Trailers up to 35 feet

Not every site can accommodate equipment of these lengths. Be sure to read the site details when making a reservation on recreation.gov to ensure your equipment will fit into the site you're reserving.

Dump Station: Yes at the entrance to Upper Pines

Generators: Yes during the following time periods - 7 am to 9 am, 12 pm to 2 pm, and 5 pm to 7 pm.

Hookups: No, There are no electric, water, or sewer hook-ups at this facility

How to get to Campground

Follow the main loop through Yosemite Valley and look for the Campground Signs.

Lower Pines Campground Regulations

The maximum number of people in a campsite: A maximum of six people (including children) are allowed per campsite. There is no limit on the number of tents (as long as they all fit into the campsite).

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

Checkout time: 12 noon

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

Maximum Stay: 7-day maximum stay limit.

Lower Pines Campground Map

Photos of Lower Pines Campground

Additional Yosemite National Park Information & Resources

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

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

Private Family Hike in Yosemite
⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 4-6 Hours | 🥾Check Rates and Availability

Experience the monumental scenery of Yosemite on a guided, half-day hike designed especially for families. Choose from a beginning to moderate hike to suit your family's experience level, and embark on a series of trails that wind through the famous natural attractions of either Yosemite Valley or the high country. Enjoy Spectacular views from on of America's favorite National Parks, and stop for a scenic picnic near a stream, lake, or meadow.

4 Days Guided Yosemite Half Dome Tour
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 4 Days | 🥾Check Rates and Availability

Ready to turn your bucketlist into a brag list? This 4 day Yosemite adventure takes you from secret swimming holes to the iconic half-dome cables without the crowds or the chaos. Every detail is covered, from wilderness permits to those elusive Half Dome Spots. Just bring your personal camping gear including a tent, sleping bag & pad, and headlamp. A full packing list will be provided after you register. With expert guides, chef-style meals, and starry skies, you'll hike, relax, and conquer like a pro!

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

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.