• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Park Ranger John

  • Home
  • About
    • About Park Ranger John
    • Contact Park Ranger John
    • Advertise/PR
    • Disclosure
  • US National Parks
    • List of National Parks by State
    • National Historic Sites
    • National Historical Parks
    • National Memorials
    • National Monuments
    • National Seashores
    • List of US National Parks in Alphabetical Order
  • National Park Lodges
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • US National Parks
  • Cruise Travel
  • State Parks
  • Recipes
×
Home » Travel » US National Parks

Published: May 3, 2019 by JohnTillison · This post may contain affiliate links

Ultimate Yosemite Camping Guide {Video}

If you are looking for an epic adventure you can't go wrong with Yosemite Camping! Waking up with views of El Capitan, Half Dome and the Merced River are definitely not a rough way to start the day.

There are 13 campgrounds in Yosemite National Park. Four of the campgrounds are in Yosemite Valley, five of them are along the Tioga Pass and Tuolumne Meadows which are open seasonally, the rest are found along Highways 120 and 140.

One thing to know is Yosemite National Park Camping is crazy popular! If you plan on camping during the busy summer months you will want to be prepared to make a reservation ahead of time. 

There are tent cabins available for rent in Half Dome Village and Housekeeping Camp. The National Park Services uses Recreation.gov for all of their campground reservations.

The seasonal campgrounds along Tioga Road are mostly first to come first served when they are open. Many of these campgrounds are only open for a short season due to the amount of snow built up from the winter.

If you are looking for an adventure check out the highly coveted High Sierra Camps! If you are planning on backcountry camping make sure you have a wilderness permit. The National Park Service limits the number of campers in each area of the park. 

Yosemite Camping

We are excited to share our guide to Camping in Yosemite! We are breaking down each of the 13 campgrounds and what to expect in each campground. Keep an eye out on which ones you have to have reservations for versus first come first served.

If you are planning on staying in a first come first served campground you will want to plan to get there early in the morning especially during the busy summer months. Yosemite is one of the most popular national parks in the United States and it shows.

We visited campgrounds in Yosemite where people line up at 2:30 am hoping to get a spot!!! 

Be prepared with a backup option or two if the campground you are planning to stay at is full. 

You will want to check the historical opening and closing dates of each campground to make sure they are open during your planned visit. 

Yosemite Camping Reservations

If you are planning a Yosemite Camping trip you will want to be prepared for making a reservation ahead of time! Campground reservations open up to five months in advance on the 15th of the month.

I would mark it in your calendar to be ready before 7 am with the dates you are hoping to make a Yosemite Camping Reservation. All of the Yosemite Valley car camping campgrounds require reservations year-round.

Hodgdon Meadow, Crane Flat, Wawona, and half of Tuolumne Meadows reservations are required summer through fall. 

Reservations go quickly!!!! You will want to know your dates, preferred campground, and backup campground ahead of time especially if you are looking to camp in Yosemite between May through September or on a weekend. 

Prior to the 15th, I would suggest making sure you have a  www.recreation.gov sign in created and as much information filled out as possible. 

Compare your phone/computer time to the official US Clock so you are in sync with recreation.gov and don't miss the time because you had a later time. 

How to make a Yosemite Camping Reservation 

  • Visit www.recreation.gov (recommended) 
  • Call 877-444-6777
    or 877-833-6777 for TDD
    or 518-885-3639 from outside the US & Canada

You may only make two reservations per phone call or website visit

If you are camping with a trailer or RV you will want to know the size of the equipment you plan to camp in. RVs are not allowed in tent-only campsites.

If you are planning to camp with a trailer make sure to look at each campground description to confirm the length of the campsite. 

You will want to do as much research as possible days before trying to make a reservation. The more prepared you are the better chances you have of making a reservation for camping in Yosemite.

Terms you will want to know when you make your reservation

Standard nonelectric site = suitable for both tents and RVs (or a combination of both)

RV nonelectric = campsite is best suited for RVs and trailers, generally, do not have adequate or level space to pitch a tent

Helpful hints for making a Yosemite Camping Reservation

When on Recreation.gov make sure you sort the results by distance so you only see Yosemite Campgrounds. The search results may show results outside of the park. 

Yosemite Valley Campgrounds

One thing to remember when camping in Yosemite Valley is the campgrounds are at 4,000 feet. Be prepared for cool nights and warmer days. If you are used to being at sea level and not higher elevations make sure you drink a lot of water.

Upper Pines Campground

Location: Yosemite Valley, near Curry Village

Elevation: 4000 ft/1200 m

Open: All year

Number of sites: 238

Accessible Sites: yes, 6, 7, 21, 26, 27, 28, 29, 39, 42, and 43

Cost per night: $26

Reservations?: Yes, Recreation.gov 
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: Tap water, restrooms, fire rings, bear food storage boxes, easy access to the Yosemite Shuttle Bus. 

RVs allowed?: Yes
Maximum Rv Length - 35 feet
Maximum Trailer Length - 24 feet 

For more information and photos check out our post on Upper Pines Campground 

Lower Pines Campground

Location: Yosemite Valley, near Curry Village

Elevation: 4000 feet

Open: April 1 - October 27

Number of sites: 60

Accessible Sites: 5

Cost per night: $26

Reservations?: Yes, Recreation.gov 

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: Tap water, restrooms, fire rings, bear food storage boxes, easy access to the Yosemite Shuttle Bus. 

RVs allowed?: Yes
Maximum RV length - 40 feet
Maximum Trailer Length - 35 feet

For more information and photos check out our post on Lower Pines Campground 

North Pines Campground

Location: Yosemite Valley near Half Dome/ Curry Village 

Elevation: 4000 feet

Open: April 1 - October 27

Number of sites: 81

Accessible Sites: 5

Cost per night: $26

Reservations?: Yes, Recreation.gov 

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: Tap water, fire pits, toilets, located near the Merced River and Tenaya Creek. 

RVs allowed?:  Yes
Maximum RV length - 40 feet
Maximum Trailer Length - 35 feet

For more information and photos check out our post on North Pines Campground 

Camp 4 Campground

Location: Yosemite Valley near the Yosemite Valley Lodge

Elevation: 4000 feet 

Open: All year

Number of sites: 36 

Accessible Sites: 0

Cost per night: $6 per person

Reservations?: New reservation system starting in May 2019. 

You must enter the daily lottery for an opportunity to reserve a campsite for the following day at Camp 4 during the peak season (mid-May through mid-September).

There may be days when Camp 4 is not accepting lottery applications for next-day arrivals due to no availability. In this case, please check back the next day for an opportunity to apply to the lottery.

Campground amenities: Tap water, bathrooms, bear boxes, fire rings 

RVs allowed?: No RV's Allowed

Additional info: Pets are not allowed in this campground 

For more information and photos check out our post on Camp 4 Yosemite 

Yosemite Campgrounds south of Yosemite Valley 

Wawona Campground

Location: Near the Wawona Hotel/Big Trees Lodge in South Yosemite. 

Elevation: 4000 feet

Open: Year-round, closed Nov 3, 2019–Apr 2020 for sewer upgrades

Number of sites: 93

Accessible Sites: 2

Cost per night: $26

Reservations?: Apr 8–Oct 1, Recreation.gov 

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: Tap water, flush toilets. Located right on the South Fork Merced River some sites have epic river views. 

RVs allowed?: Yes
Maximum RV length - 35 feet
Maximum Trailer Length - 35 feet

For more information and photos check out our full post on Wawona Campground 

BridalVeil Creek Campground

Location: On the Glacier Point Road

Elevation: 7200 feet

Open: August 1 - September 23

Number of sites: 110

Accessible Sites: 0

Cost per night: $18

Reservations?: First Come first served

Campground amenities: a fire ring, picnic table, and food locker [33"(D)x45"(W)x18"(H)], and is near a bathroom with drinking water and flushing toilets. 

RVs allowed?: Yes
Maximum RV length - 35 feet
Maximum Trailer Length - 24 feet

Check out our full post with site photos of Bridalveil Creek Campground. 

Yosemite Campgrounds - North of Yosemite Valley

Hodgdon Meadow Campground

Location: 45 miles northwest of Yosemite Valley near the Big Oak Flat Entrance. 

Elevation: 4900 Feet

Open:  Year-Round

Number of sites: 105

Accessible Sites: 0

Cost per night: $26

Reservations?: April 8th - October 1

Campground amenities: Tap water, restrooms, fire ring, bear food lockers, picnic tables 

RVs allowed?: 
Maximum RV length - 35 feet
Maximum Trailer Length - 30 feet

For more information and photos check out our post on Hodgdon Meadow Campground 

Crane Flat Campground

Location: On the Big Oak Flat Road (Highway 120) just west of Crane Flat, about 30 minutes northwest of Yosemite Valley

Elevation: 6200 Feet

Open: July through mid-October

Number of sites: 166

Accessible Sites: 2

Cost per night: $26

Reservations?: Yes, 

Campground amenities: A fire ring, picnic table, and food locker [33"(D)x45"(W)x18"(H)], and is near a bathroom with drinking water and flushing toilets. 

RVs allowed?: Yes
Maximum RV length - 35 feet
Maximum Trailer Length - 35 feet

For more information and photos check out our post on Crane Flat Campground

Tamarack Flat Campground

Location: Tioga Road 

Elevation: 6300 Feet

Open: approximately late June through September

Number of sites: 52

Accessible Sites: 5

Cost per night: $12

Reservations?: First come, first served

Campground amenities: Creek water that will need to be boiled. A fire ring, picnic table, and food locker [33"(D)x45"(W)x18"(H)], and is near a vault toilet.

RVs allowed?: RV's/Trailers not recommended 

For more information and photos check out our post on Tamarack Flat Campground 

 

White Wolf Campground

Location: Tioga Road 

Elevation: 8000 Feet

Open: White Wolf Lodge will be closed for the 2020 season.

Number of sites: 74

Accessible Sites: 0

Cost per night: $18

Reservations?: First come, first served

Campground amenities: A fire ring, picnic table, and food locker [35"(D)x43"(W)x28"(H)], and is near a bathroom with drinking water and flushing toilets.

RVs allowed?: Yes
Maximum RV length - 27 feet
Maximum Trailer Length - 24 feet

Yosemite Creek Campground

Location: Tioga Road 

Elevation: 7700 Feet

Open: ??? to September 3rd, Opening date depends on weather and snow. 

Number of sites: 75

Accessible Sites: 2

Cost per night: $12

Reservations?: First come, first served

Campground amenities: Creek water that must be boiled, a fire ring, picnic table, and food locker [33"(D)x45"(W)x18"(H)], and is near a vault toilet

RVs allowed?: RV's/ Trailers not recommended

See our Yosemite Creek campground post for site photos and more information on the great campground. 

Porcupine Flat Campground

Location: Tioga Road 

Elevation: 8100 Feet

Open: ??? to October 15

Number of sites: 52

Accessible Sites: 4

Cost per night: $12

Reservations?: First come, first serve

Campground amenities: Creek water that must be boiled, a fire ring, picnic table, and food locker [33"(D)x45"(W)x18"(H)], and is near a vault toilet

RVs allowed?: RVs/Trailers not recommended

Check out our full article on Porcupine Flat Campground with site photos and info. 

Tuolumne Meadows Campground

Location: Tioga Road 

Elevation: 8600 feet

Open: August 1 - September 23

Number of sites: 306

Accessible Sites: 7

Cost per night: $26

Reservations?: 50% of the campground is on reservations

Campground amenities: A fire ring, picnic table, and food locker [33"(D)x45"(W)x18"(H)], and is near a bathroom with drinking water and flushing toilets

RVs allowed?: 
Maximum RV length - 35 feet
Maximum Trailer Length - 35 feet

Check out our full article on Tuolumne Meadows Campground for site photos and more info!

Yosemite National Park Camping Guide! Breakdown of all 13 campgrounds in Yosemite, site photos, reservations, tips to score a campsite and more. #yosemite #nationalpark #camping

Check out all of our articles on Yosemite National Park!

You don’t want to miss the best things to do in Yosemite during your visit.

If you are looking for Yosemite Travel Tips this post has everything you may be looking for. 

Filed Under: US National Parks

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Photobucket
Hi, I'm Park Ranger John and I am so happy you are here!  I have been a Park Ranger for almost 20 years and can't wait to share with you National Park Travel Tips, Recipes, and so much more!
Learn more about Park Ranger John.

PhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucket

Footer

Follow on:

PhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucket

Great Resources

How to Become a Park Ranger

Printable list of US National Parks in Alphabetical Order

Printable List of all 424 US National Park Sites

 

Top National Park Tips

  • US National Park List
  • 13 Hikes in Zion National Park
  • Muir Woods National Monument
  • Zion National Park Camping
  • 7 Epic Hikes in Arches National Park
  • Crater Lake Camping
  • Things to do in Petrified Forest National Park
  • Arches National Park Camping
  • Things to do in Yellowstone

Copyright© 2023 · Tammilee Tips® LLC