Yosemite Camping
All You Need To Know About Camping In Yosemite.
Camping is both the cheapest and most exhilarating way of spending the night in Yosemite National Park; the latter of which all depends on the time of year, however, as it is freezing outside May-October. In all there are 13 Yosemite camping operations in the park that range from tent-only up to RV services. Some of these campsites are open year-round but it does get very busy in the summer when even campgrounds need to be booked in advance; sometimes by as much as five months or more. Those traveling in the winter may be better off opting for a hybrid canvas-concrete-tent cabin at one of the big campgrounds, like High Sierra camps.
The various campgrounds come with running water, bathrooms and flush toilets (where noted) and may also have pay showers and laundry. Curry Village has some of the best facilities and is right in Yosemite Valley. The golden rule when camping out in Yosemite National Park is to absolutely make sure you leave no food lying around as there is a significant black bear population here. They are seldom seen in and around the campgrounds but they have been known to rummage around for food. Using the proper allocated food storage lockers is a must.
Yosemite camping reservations can be made by phoning the National Park Service or by sending in a written reservation form. There are also several National Forests outside Yosemite that have commercial-run campgrounds.
Yosemite Valley campgrounds
Camp 4: A walk-in campground in Yosemite Valley which is open year-round and has 35 sites on a first-come, first-served basis. There are only tent sites in Camp 4 and six people max per site. Camp 4 is popular with rock climbers and is the loudest of Yosemite’s campgrounds as well as being the cheapest.
Upper Pines: This place is open year-round and comes with over 230 sites for tents and RVs. Prices are reasonable but reservations are a must at any time of year.
Lower Pines: Also in Yosemite Valley and not far from Upper Pines, Lower Pines is open March through October. There are 60 sites here for tents and RVs as well as a few sites available for groups of 12. Prices in Lower Pines are the same as Upper.
North Pines: Open April through September with 81 tent and RV sites. Reservations required.
Wawona: Another year-round Yosemite camping ground which requires reservations between April and September. It has 93 sites for tents and RVs and is in the south.
Campsites on Tioga Pass Road
Tamarack Flat: Located on Tioga Pass Road not far from the eastern entrance, Tamarack Flat is close to Crane Flat (another popular site) and operates on a first-come, first-served basis. It has 52 sites and has creek water only.
White Wolf: Open July through early September, White Wolf has 74 sites that can accommodate small RVs and is first-come, first-served.
Yosemite Creek: Another July through early September campground not far from Tioga Pass Road, this place has 75 sites and also runs a first-come, first-served system. It is one of the cheaper grounds.
Tuolumne Meadows: One of the best known Yosemite camping grounds is open July through September and has a 50/50 reservation only/first-come, first-served policy. There are over 300 sites for tents and RVs.
