Four campgrounds are located in Yosemite Valley. Upper, Lower, and North Pines are located at the valley’s eastern edge. All three require advance reservations and you should book sites early, especially for summer. Camp 4 is the only first-come, first-served campground in Yosemite Valley. This walk-in, tent-only campground is located southwest of Yosemite Lodge on the north side of the Merced River. In summer, long lines form early for the next available campsite. If your heart is set on camping in Yosemite Valley, it’s a good idea to make a reservation at one of the three “Pines” campgrounds. Reservations can be made up to six months in advance by calling (877) 444-6777 or at www.recreation.gov. The summer months are usually booked within the first couple of days they become available. Showers (fee) are available at Curry Village and Housekeeping Camp in Yosemite Valley.
Several camping options are available outside of Yosemite Valley. Wawona and Bridalveil Creek Campgrounds are south of the valley. Wawona is a really nice place for visitors entering from the south/Oakhurst to spend their first night. You can explore Mariposa Grove, set up camp, and get an early start on the drive into Yosemite Valley the following day. Wawona requires reservations (877.444.6777, www.recreation.gov) during peak season. Bridalveil Creek is first-come, first-served.
Seven seasonal campgrounds are available north of Yosemite Valley. Tuolumne Meadows is the largest in the park and it’s the last designated campground (1.5 hours from Yosemite Valley) you’ll encounter driving east on Tioga Road. Advance reservations (877.444.6777, www.recreation.gov) are available for half its sites.
Campground | Area | Open | Fee | Sites | Location/Notes
Upper Pines* | YV | All Year | $20 | 238 | Near Curry Village • F, RR (mid-March – Nov)
Lower Pines* (favorite) | YV | early April – October | $20 | 60 | Near Curry Village • F, RR
North Pines* | YV | mid-April – mid-Oct | $20 | 81 | Near Curry Village • F, RR
Camp 4 | YV | All Year | $5/person | 35 | Walk-in tent-only campground • F, NRV, FCFS
Wawona* | SYV | All Year | $20 | 93 | Horse sites available • F, RR (late June – late Sept)
Bridalveil Creek | SYV | July – TBD | $14 | 110 | Located off Glacier Point Road • F, FCFS
Hodgdon Meadow* | NYV | All Year | $20 | 105 | Off Big Oak Flat Road • F, RR (mid-April – mid-Oct)
Crane Flat* | NYV | July – mid-October | $20 | 166 | On Big Oak Flat Road • F, RR (50%), FCFS (50%)
Tamarack Flat (favorite) | NYV | July – mid-October | $10 | 52 | Near Tamarack Creek off Tioga Road • P, NRV, FCFS
White Wolf (favorite) | NYV | July – mid-September | $14 | 74 | Near White Wolf Lodge off Tioga Road • F, FCFS
Yosemite Creek | NYV | July – mid-September | $10 | 75 | On unpaved road off Tioga Road • P, FCFS
Porcupine Flat | NYV | July – mid-October | $10 | 52 | Located just off Tioga Road • P, FCFS
Tuolumne Meadows* | NYV | July – late September | $20 | 304 | Located just off Tioga Road • F, RR (50%)
Areas: YV = Yosemite Valley, SYV = South of Yosemite Valley, NYV = North of Yosemite Valley
F = Flush Toilets, P = Pit Toilets, NRV = No RV Sites, FCFS = 1st-Come, 1st-Served, RR = Reservations Req’d
*Reservations can be made up to six months in advance by calling (877) 444-6777 or clicking www.recreation.gov
Shower and laundry facilities are available year-round in Yosemite Valley • Dump stations are available at Yosemite Valley (all year), Wawona (summer only), and Tuolumne Meadows (summer only) • Firewood collection is not permitted
Backcountry Camping: Permitted with a wilderness permit. Daily quotas are enforced due to trail popularity. 60% of each trailhead’s permits are available via reservation. The remaining 40% of permits are available on a first-come, first-served basis beginning one day before your intended departure. For additional information on wilderness permits and how to obtain them visit www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildpermits.htm
Group Camping*: Group campsites are available at Wawona Campground (all year), and at the following campgrounds (summer only): Hodgdon Meadow, Bridalveil Creek, and Tuolumne Meadows. Reservations are required.