Yosemite Camping Reservations
Tips on how to get a hold of Yosemite camping reservations.
Although there are first-come, first-served campgrounds in Yosemite National Park, most of them now require Yosemite camping reservations. There are 13 campgrounds and well over a thousand sites in all. Six of these are on a reservation system and absolutely must be booked April through September. During these months getting to the first-come, first-served campgrounds early is recommended as most of them fill by noon.
Note. There is no unrestricted camping allowed in Yosemite National Park because of the damage that has been caused in the past.
Yosemite campground reservations
Reservations to camp in Yosemite Valley’s car campgrounds must be made between March 15 and November, and summer through fall for Hodgdon Meadow, Wawona, and part of Tuolumne Meadows and Crane Flat. Sites can be booked up to five months in advance and are made available one block at a time. Most Yosemite camping reservations are made the first day the sites are made available May through September.
You can make a campground reservation in Yosemite online or by calling the +1 877 444 6777. You cannot reserve by mail. Lines are open 07:00 to 19:00 November through February and 07:00 to 21:00 March through October, Pacific time. Only two reservations per call or website visit can be made at any one time. This is to free up the system for others.
Reservation dates (camp period versus first reservation date (07:00 Pacific time)):
December 15 to January 14: August 15
January 15 to February 14: September 15
February 15 to March 14: October 15
March 15 to April 14: November 15
April 15 to May 14: December 15
May 15 to June 14: January 15
June 15 to July 14: February 15
July 15 to August 14: March 15
August 15 to September 14: April 15
September 15 to October 14: May 15
October 15 to November 14: June 15
November 15 to December 14: July 15
Camping without a reservation
If you are not sure when you’re able to visit Yosemite or can’t be bothered with Yosemite camping reservations, there are seven campgrounds that have a first-come, first-served policy.
- Camp 4 - Yosemite Valley, tents only
- Yosemite Creek – tents only
- Bridalveil Creek - RVs up to 35 feet
- White Wolf - RVs up to 27 feet
- Tamarack Flat – tents only
- Porcupine Flat - RVs up to 24 feet
- Tuolumne Meadows
Arriving by noon is a must for those staying at first-come, first-served campgrounds any time between May and September. Many fill up by 09:00 on weekends and holidays, including Camp 4 and Tuolumne Meadows. Once you are in it is easy to register for another night early next morning in person.
Some other campsites in Yosemite operate on a first-come, first-served basis October through April that otherwise wouldn’t during the high season. These include Wawona and Hodgdon Meadow Campgrounds. Last minute availability at anytime of year is advertised online.
If you can’t find any Yosemite camping reservations or walk-ins, there are plenty of other campgrounds in the surrounding National Forests. Regards RVs and trailers, you cannot sleep in them unless within a designated campground.
