Best Places to Camp In and Around Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is a beautiful spot to visit year-round. From the bustling summer to the quiet, snow-covered winter months, the beauty of Yosemite changes with each season. Camping reservations in the valley are hard to come to, but there are plenty of nearby options for a camping vacation.

Yosemite Valley Campgrounds

Here is an overview of the campgrounds at Yosemite National Park to help you plan your trip. The level of amenities at each campground varies, so if your heart is set on staying in a specific area, plan well in advance to get your reservation.

Upper Pines Campground

Upper Pines Campground is located in Yosemite Valley and is open all year. Reservations are required for stays from March through November. The rest of the year is on a first-come, first, serve. There are 238 sites, RV’s up to 35 feet, and trailers up to 24 feet are allowed—easy walking distance to Half Dome Village and the falls.

Lower Pines

Lower Pines Campground is situated near Half Dome Village in Yosemite Valley. It is typically open from March through October. Reservations are required and can be made up to five months in advance. There are 60 sites, RV’s up to 40 feet, and trailers up to 35 feet are available. Adjacent to the Merced River.

North Pines Campground

A seasonal campground located near Half Dome Village in Yosemite Valley. It is typically open from April through September. Reservations are required and can be made up to five months in advance. There are 81 sites, RV’s up to 40 feet, and trailers up to 35 feet are allowed. The most popular campsites are next to the Merced River. Sites 101 up to 109.

Camp 4 Yosemite Valley

The final Yosemite Valley is Camp 4 – This campground is open all year and is located at 4,000 feet elevation. It is located in the valley near the Yosemite Lodge. Reservations are not taken at this location, but the campground does fill up early spring through fall.

Campgrounds Near Yosemite Valley

Wawona Campground

Wawona Campground is located at approximately 4,000 feet on the South Fork of the Merced River. It is open year-round, reservations are required from April through September, and the rest of the year is on a first-come, first-serve basis. There are 93 sites, plus a group site and equestrian-oriented sites—RVs and trailers up to 35 feet.

Big Oak Flat Campground

There is a 105-site campground near the Big Oak Flat entrance station at about 4,900 feet: the campground is open year-round, and reservations are required. RV’s up to 35 feet and trailers up to 27 feet are permitted. Group campsites are also available from spring through fall, 17 miles from Yosemite Valley.

Crane Flat Campground

Crane Flat 166-site campground is located about 30 minutes from Yosemite Valley. It is typically open from July to September, and reservations are required. Two of the sites are accessible for wheelchairs. RV’s up to 35 feet and trailers up to 27 feet can be accommodated.

Tamarack Flat Campground

Tamarack Flat 52-site campground is located about 45 minutes north of Yosemite Valley at 6,300 feet. It is typically open from June through September. This campground is first come, first serve only. RVs and trailers are not recommended. No potable water on site.

Yosemite Creek

Rounding out campgrounds near the valley is Yosemite Creek – This 75-site campground is located about one hour north of Yosemite Valley at an elevation of 7,700 feet. It is typically open from July through September. This campground is first come, first serve only. RVs and trailers are not recommended.

Campgrounds Yosemite National Park

Hodgdon Meadow

Hodgdon Meadow Campground is 45 minutes from the Yosemite Valley of Highway 120 (Tioga Road.) and 104 campsites. Each campsite contains a picnic table, a fire ring, and a food storage locker. A gas station and general store are eight miles away at Crane Flat. Hiking, biking, rock climbing, fishing, horseback riding are all nearby.

Tuolumne Meadows

Tuolumne Meadows Campground is located 1.5 hours from Yosemite Valley at approximately 8,600 feet. It is typically open from July through September. There are 304 sites, and half are available on a reservation basis, and the rest are first to come to the first service. RVs and trailers up to 35 feet are allowed. Equestrian sites are also available. Tioga Road is five miles from the Tioga Pass Entrance Station. Most state and federal campgrounds let you make reservations up to seven months in advance.

Private Campgrounds

Private campground reservations are easier to get during the summer but tend to be more expensive. If you are looking for more creature comforts while exploring Yosemite, check out the Gateway to Yosemite”– Merced, California. Public Campgrounds can be reserved through nps.gov.

Yosemite National Park is always open, and you can enter or leave the park at any time except for the Hetch Hetchy entrance, which is open approximately during daylight hours.

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