Camping in Yosemite: What to Expect from Best Campgrounds within the Park

You will find almost a dozen camping areas within Yosemite National Park. These include spots near Yosemite Valley, up near Glacier Point Road, and others located throughout the park.

My top picks include Upper Pines, Wawona, and White Wolf Campground.

Some of these are tent-only camping areas. Others allow you to pull in your camper or RV for your stay.

Reservations are required for many of these locations. To grab your spot, it's best to plan ahead. Peak season for these campgrounds starts in mid-April and runs until late October.

Read on to learn more about each area and uncover a few things to know before you arrive.

Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.

5 Things to Know About Camping in Yosemite

1. Reservations

Yosemite attracts thousands of people each year who love to sleep outdoors, so their campgrounds fill up quickly.

From late April to early October, all 13 campgrounds require reservations in advance. Only those that are open year-round are first come, first served from late October to early April:

Yosemite Valley

• Upper Pines (open year-round) - reserve 5 months ahead
• Lower Pines - reserve 5 months ahead
• North Pines - lottery or reserve 5 months ahead
• Camp 4 (open year-round) - reserve 1 week ahead

South of Yosemite Valley

• Wawona (open year-round) - reserve 5 months ahead
• Bridalveil Creek - reserve 2 weeks ahead

North of Yosemite Valley

• Hodgdon Meadow (open year-round) - reserve 5 months ahead
• Crane Flat - reserve 2 weeks ahead
• Porcupine Flat - reserve 2 weeks ahead
• White Wolf - reserve 2 weeks ahead
• Tamarack Flat (closed until 2025)
• Yosemite Creek (closed until 2025)
• Tuolumne Meadows (closed until 2025)

This list can change. You will want to double-check where you plan to stay to make sure you make your reservation on time.

Reservations open up on the 15th of the month, usually five months in advance. For example, if you plan to visit between April 15 and May 14, reservations open on December 15. Another example is if you plan to visit from July 15 to August 14, spots will open for reservations on March 15.

The reservations system opens at 7 am Pacific Standard Time that day and the most popular campgrounds fill up that very morning, within a matter of minutes! 

So, in case I haven't stressed this enough: This means you need to plan in advance. 

If you miss getting a spot, make sure to check out their online system for cancelations. Visit the National Parks Service site for reservations and to check for cancelations. 

Note: Backcountry campgrounds are not part of the reservation system, but you do need a permit to camp.

2. Locations of Campgrounds

Another thing to consider before booking your spot is the location of the campground.

Yosemite National Park is huge and you could spend a couple of hours driving from one end to the next, so make sure to think about what you want to do while you are here before you book one.

You will also think about what type of camping you like. Some of these spots are in the heart of the action and others are more remote. If you want to be close to services and other things to do, then look at spots near Yosemite Valley.

If you like to be in a more remote spot, check out the options at Tamarack Flat or Yosemite Creek Campgrounds.

If you want to get up early to tackle a specific trail, make sure your campground is nearby so you don't have to drive to the trailhead to start your day.

3. Food Safety and Bears

Yosemite is an outdoor lover's dream, but it also comes with the risk of encountering bears. While they might be interesting to admire from afar, make sure to protect yourself from bringing them into camp.

All food or anything with a scent should be stored in the approved bear lockers on site. Do not leave anything in your car or your tent while camping. Bears will smell even the smallest item in your bag and may coming looking for the source.

Yosemite requires that you keep your food locked up 24 hours a day.

Bear containers are also important if you are hiking and camping in the backcountry on your own. 

4. Seasonality of Campgrounds

Some of the campgrounds in Yosemite National Park are open all year and some are only open during the busiest months. Those that are open all year include Upper Pines, Camp 4, Hodgdon Meadows, and Wawona. 

Lower Pines and North Pines typically open in late April and stay open until mid- to late October. The others typically open sometime in early to mid-July and close sometime in late September or mid-October. The closing date changes slightly each year.

5. Other Yosemite Campground Rules

Here are a few other things to consider:

• Reservations: You can only make two reservations per website visit or call. 
• Stay Length: You can stay up to 30 nights per year within Yosemite. From May 1 to September 15, you can only stay 14 nights and only 7 nights in campsites in Yosemite Valley.
• Campfires: Allowed in open campgrounds all year long. From May to September, campfires are only allowed in Yosemite Valley from 5 pm to 10 pm.
• Number of People per Site: Only six people are allowed in each campsite (including children).
• Number of Cars per Site: Only two cars are allowed per site.
• Quiet Hours: These run from 10 pm to 6 am.
• Check-In/Check-Out Times: Check-in and check-out time is at noon.

Other notes:

• Sleeping in your car or RV on the side of the road is not permitted; you must be registered for a campsite. 
• As of 2024, cars without a reservation will not even be allowed to enter or drive through Yosemite National Park from 5 am to 4 pm on certain days. 

13 Best Places to Camp in Yosemite

1. Upper Pines Campground in Yosemite Valley

Dates open: Open all year long

Reservations: Required from April to October, open 5 months ahead

Occupying a prime spot in the Yosemite Valley and within easy reach of the main attractions is Upper Pines Campground. It's one of the campgrounds in Yosemite that is an excellent place for those with campers and RVs up to 35 feet.

With tap water and more than 230 spots, this is one of the largest campsites in the valley.

This year-round campsite is close to the picturesque Merced River and provides stunning views of the surroundings. It is easily accessible by road and makes for a perfect base from which to explore the local area.

Yosemite Village and Curry Village are close by for supplies from general stores.

2. Lower Pines Campground

Dates open: Late April to Mid October

Reservations: Required, open 5 months ahead

Smaller than Upper Pines, with 60 pitches, Lower Pines campground is also on the Merced River. Like Upper Pines, it is within easy reach of some of the most impressive hiking and biking routes in Yosemite Valley.

It is a tranquil spot in a pretty spectacular location with views of the mountains.

As with Upper Pines, wood fires are permitted all year within certain times of the day, and the camp is on the shuttle bus route. Lower Pines welcomes RVs up to 40 feet and is an ideal choice for getting to know Yosemite Valley.

This is also close to Curry Village.

3. North Pines

Dates open: Mid April to late October

Reservations: Required, on a lottery system. Any open spots will be available by reservation through their system.

For simply stunning mountain views through the glorious pine forests, it is difficult to beat the North Pines campground.

It is located on the Merced River and offers 81 camping pitches. It also has limited RV access, so this is a popular campsite in a beautiful setting.

At night, light a wood fire, and enjoy a tranquil evening in one of the most spectacular places in the USA. Biking and hiking from North Pines are a must, and each offers an opportunity to return to nature.

You can take the shuttle bus to the main hiking trails or Yosemite and Curry villages for supplies.

4. Camp 4 in Yosemite National Park

Dates open: All year long

Reservations: Required from April to October, open 1 week ahead

Situated close to spectacular granite cliffs and the stunning Yosemite Falls is Camp 4.

This is a walk-in campsite that has 61 pitches for tents and no RV admittance. It is one of the more intimate campsites, situated in a glorious location.

Ideally placed as a base for exploring the many wonders of Yosemite, Camp 4 allows wood fires at certain times. It is a peaceful and friendly site that welcomes families and couples alike.

5. Wawona

Dates open: All year long

Reservations: Required from April to October, open 5 months ahead

Located close to the historic town of the same name, Wawona campground is south of Yosemite Valley on the Merced River.

With a total of 93 pitches, around half for tents and a limited few for RVs, you have a few different choices to stay when you are here.

Wawona is an ideal place to take the short drive to one of the region's most spectacular sights, the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.

The campsite offers excellent access to the valley and the main attractions of Yosemite National Park.

The town of Wawona features a market, a hotel, and visitor center.

6. Bridalveil Creek

Dates open: July through late September

Reservations: Required, open 2 weeks ahead

Close to the simply spectacular Glacier Point, Bridalveil gives visitors views unrivaled anywhere. It is within easy reach of all the main attractions in Yosemite National Park.

This quiet camp within a beautiful pine forest setting is popular for exploring the local region.

Bridalveil Creek offers 110 sites and allows RVs up to 35 feet. Yosemite Valley is just a 45-minute drive.

7. Hodgdon Meadow

Dates open: All year long

Reservations: Required from April to October, open 5 months ahead

Occupying a prime location at the Big Oak Flat entrance to the park is Hodgdon Meadow. This is a year-round campsite with 105 pitches that allows RVs up to 35 feet.

Local hiking trails take visitors to some spectacular spots. At the same time, the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias is a short drive away and not to be missed.

Located on the western edge of Yosemite National Park, the campsite is just a 45-minute drive from Yosemite Valley.

The site is perfect for a family vacation or a romantic trip for two. 

8. Crane Flat

Dates open: June or July through early October

Reservations: Required, open 2 weeks ahead

Located along Big Oak Flat Road, Crane Flat is about 30 minutes northwest of Yosemite Valley. The site offers 151 pitches and accepts RVs up to 35 feet.

It occupies an excellent spot close to Merced Grove and other local sights. Here, you'll find a gas station and some convenience items.

Crane Flat is ideal for exploring the local trails and enjoying some of the most fantastic scenery in the USA. 

9. Tamarack Flat (closed for 2024)

Dates open: June through mid-October (but closed this year)

Reservations: Required, open 2 weeks ahead

For campers who want a real back-to-nature experience, there are few places that match the Tamarack Flat campsite. It is located 20 miles from Yosemite Valley and in a beautiful forest setting 3 miles from Tioga Road.

There are 52 sites for tents only. This is not a site for trailers or RVs because it is more challenging to access than most other campsites.

Furthermore, the only water source is Tamarack Creek, with water needing to be boiled or treated before use. This is a genuinely rough and ready campsite that comes with all the charms of traditional camping.

Therefore, only head here if you truly want to escape it all.

10. White Wolf Campground

Dates open: July through mid-September

Reservations: Required, open 2 weeks ahead

The wonderful forest location of the White Wolf campground makes this a popular choice for a vacation under canvas. There are 74 spots for tents or smaller RVs (up to 27 feet) and trailers (up to 24 feet).

At 8,000 feet above sea level, this is among the highest of all campsites in the Yosemite region, and it is a truly charming place to stay.

Even though White Wolf Lodge is nearby and may provide amenities when open, facilities are limited. However, that's exactly what visitors want from this simple and traditional Yosemite camping ground.

Take a hike through the wilderness to Lukens and Harden Lakes, which are as beautiful and remote as it gets in Yosemite National Park.

11. Yosemite Creek Campgrounds (closed for 2024)

Dates open: July through early September (but closed this year)

Reservations: Required, open 2 weeks ahead

For many people, a camping vacation is an opportunity to leave daily life behind, and the Yosemite Creek campground offers such a chance.

With no cell phone reception or basic facilities, this is what many will call a 'proper' campsite.

At 7,700 feet, Yosemite Creek Campgrounds is not accessible for RVs or trailers. The site offers 75 tent pitches. Water comes from the creek and must be treated or boiled before use.

If you're looking for a remote and tranquil campsite where you can be undisturbed, this is the place for you.

12. Porcupine Flat

Dates open: July through early October

Reservations: Required, open 2 weeks ahead

Porcupine Flat is one of the more basic campgrounds in the Yosemite region. This means water comes from Porcupine Creek and no other facilities are on site. The campsite offers a rare opportunity to experience nature in this beautiful forest.

This location has 52 pitches and only four for smaller RVs up to 24 feet, since the narrow roads make it hard to access by vehicle.

With many of the local attractions reachable by hiking trails, this is a choice for adventurers looking to explore the wilderness surrounding the area.

13. Tuolumne Meadows Campground (temporarily closed)

Dates open: Closed until 2025

Reservations: Required from April to October

The largest campsite in the Yosemite region is Tuolumne Meadows. It covers a vast area close to the Tuolumne River and offers a variety of sites (more than 300 in total) for cars, RVs, trailers, horses, groups, and backpackers.

At present, the site is being comprehensively revamped, and at the time of writing, the date for reopening is not firm. They are rehabilitating the restrooms, improving the campsites, and adding picnic tables, food lockers and more.

This one is about 1.5 hours from Yosemite Valley, but does offer a store, a grill, and a post office.

I recommend checking the available information regularly if you wish to experience one of the most spectacular locations in Yosemite.

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