What is the Best Spot to Camp in Yosemite National Park
Advice on the best spot to camp in Yosemite National Park, as well as how to get a hold of Yosemite camping reservations.
Whether or not a given campsite in Yosemite is the best is purely subjective. They all have similar facilities, are similarly priced, yet cover different aspects of the park; so what is the best spot to camp in Yosemite National Park for those wanting to be in the thick of it in Yosemite Valley, may not be the best spot for hikers wishing to be in the wilderness. There are, however, some that stand out and always get booked up first, although any and every campsite in Yosemite is in demand.
There are 13 campgrounds in all in Yosemite, each of which offers something different, from comfortable and cozy spots near to Yosemite Village to traditional tent camping in the wilderness. Places like Curry Village and Housekeeping Camp right within Yosemite Valley are great, yet they hardly have the appeal for wilderness puritans, in large part due to the lack of views and being on top of one another.
Some of the best camping in Yosemite
The best camping spots in Yosemite Valley are arguably North Pines Campground and Bridalveil Creek. North Pines is an established campsite near to Upper Pines and Lower Pines, yet has more of an aura and is quite isolated. Bridalveil Creek is beautifully located up near Glacier Point and is accessible by sedan.
What is the best spot to camp in Yosemite National Park for wilderness types is arguably Tuolumne Meadows Lodge, for all-round location and facilities. It is only open between July and September because of its lofty altitude, but the views from up here are outstanding and there are tent cabins as well as remote campsites. Tioga Pass Road is the main entry road, which leads in from the eastern entrance on CA 120 East. Tuolumne Meadows operates on the High Sierra lottery reservation system and also does walk-ins. There are also many other High Sierra camps to choose from and this area is particularly popular with those on a hiking spree who can go from one camp to the next on foot or horseback.
Many find what is the best spot to camp in Yosemite National Park is far away from Yosemite Valley and camping independently in the backcountry (by permit) is possible. There are also numerous options for camping outside Yosemite National Park and Yosemite Creek is one of the best of them. It is about five miles from Highway 120 (west) near the western entrance to the park and is really in wilderness country. The lack of facilities here adds to the experience for true campers.
Booking campsites in Yosemite
Seven of Yosemite’s campgrounds run on a reservation-only system, whereby sites must be booked from April through September. There are also first-come, first-served campgrounds and a combination of both systems, while a lottery system is also in place for the High Sierra camps. If you’re sure of what is the best spot to camp in Yosemite National Park, then it pays to book ahead as far as possible by calling the NPS or visiting them online.
