Yosemite National Park Camping

Best Yosemite National park camping sites. Go tent or RV camping in Yosemite California for your next vacation. Yosemite National Park offers a number of campgrounds for camping. Some require advance reservations, while others are first-come, first served. For other lodging such as hotels, cabins and Bed and Breakfast, see Yosemite lodging.

Updated November 17, 2024 by San Diego Beaches and Adventures

Camping in Yosemite

Yosemite Falls in Yosemite Valley

Yosemite is one of the most beautiful places in the world! I think the best way to enjoy this outdoor wonderland, is to experience it by camping in Yosemite.

There is a 30 night camping limit in Yosemite National Park each calendar year. During the popular season from May 1 - September 15, camping stays in Yosemite is limited to maximum of 14 nights, and only seven of those nights can be in Yosemite Valley or Wawona.

Note: Each year, the dates vary, so these are approximate dates in the table below. If there is a lot of snow, that may delay the opening of some of the campgrounds.

Frequently Asked Questions about Camping in Yosemite

1. How many people are allowed per camp site? A maximum of 6 people (including children) and 2 vehicles are allowed per campsite. Additional free parking is available near each campground.

2. Can I sleep in my car? Unless stated otherwise for a particular campground, sleeping in vehicles is not permitted at any Yosemite campground, a never anywhere else in the park.

3. When can I check into my Yosemite campsite? Check-in time is noon.

4. Are bears a problem for Yosemite National Park camping? How do I store my food to keep it away from bears? Food must be stored properly to keep away from bears, 24 hours a day. During the day it may be stored in a locked car out of sight, but at night it must be stored in a locked food locker, which are provided at the campsites.

5. How much does it cost to camp at Yosemite? The Yosemite camping fee is approximately $12 - $26 per night, depending on the campground, except for camp 4, which charges a small fee per camper.

6. Are the roads open? - Yosemite roads may be closed due to the weather, snow conditions, renovations or storm damage. Access varies by season. Always check before you plan your trip. Tioga pass is closed during the winter.

7. Where is Yosemite? - Yosemite is located in northern California, about 165 miles east of San Francisco, 280 miles north of Los Angeles, and 400 miles north of San Diego California. For more details see map of Yosemite.

8. Are reservations required? - Reservations are strongly recommended, as the campgrounds fill up during the busy season, typically April through October. Below you will find the specific requirements for each campground.

Reservations open months in advance, see Yosemite Camping Reservations.

Camping in Yosemite Valley

Yosemite Campground Map

Yosemite Valley is the most popular location for Yosemite National Park camping. There are 3 campgrounds for tent and RV camping that require reservations during the summer months. One of these, Upper Pines campground, is open all year (weather permitting). Camp 4 is a first-come, first-served walk-in campground, popular with rock climbers and backpackers.

Where is Yosemite? See additional Yosemite National Park Maps.

Yosemite Campground	Dates	RV/Trailers	Reservations	Pets	Comments
Upper Pines	All Year	Yes	Yes ~Feb - Nov	Yes	238 sites
Lower Pines	~Mar - Oct	Yes	Yes	Yes	60 sites
North Pines	~Apr - Oct	Yes	Yes	Yes	81 sites
Camp 4	All Year	No	No	No	First come first served, Small fee per person, fills up most mornings spring through fall

Yosemite Campground	Dates	RV/ Trailers	Reser-vations	Pets
Upper Pines	All Year	Yes	Yes ~Feb - Nov	Yes
Lower Pines	~Mar - Oct	Yes	Yes	Yes
North Pines	~Apr - Oct	Yes	Yes	Yes
Camp 4	All Year	No	No	No

Camping South of Yosemite Valley

There are two campgrounds south of Yosemite Valley for more great camping in Yosemite.

The Wawona campground is located near the Wawona area and Mariposa Grove of Big Trees.

Bridalveil Creek campground is located along Glacier Point Road off highway 41.

Yosemite Campground	Open	RV/Trailers	Reservations	Pets	Comments
Wawona	All Year	Yes	Yes ~Apr – Oct	Yes	93 sites
Bridalveil Creek	~Jul – Sep	Yes	No	Yes	110 sites

Yosemite Campground	Open	RV/ Trailers	Reser-vations	Pets
Wawona	All Year	Yes	Yes ~Apr – Oct	Yes
Bridalveil Creek	~Jul – Sep	Yes	No	Yes

Camping North of Yosemite Valley

There are 7 Yosemite National Park camping locations north of Yosemite Valley. Only Hodgdon Meadows campground is open year around. Note that Tioga Pass on highway 120 going over the Sierras is closed in the winter due to snow. These Yosemite National Park camping sites are further away from the crowds in Yosemite Valley.

Yosemite Campground	Open Days	RV/Trailers	Reservations	Pets	Comments
Hodgdon Meadow	All Year	Yes	Yes ~Apr – Oct	Yes	105 sites
Crane Flat	~Jul – Oct	Yes	Yes	Yes	166 sites
Tamarack Flat	~Jul - Oct	No	No	No	52 sites; creek water must be boiled
White Wolf	~Jul – Sep	Yes	No	Yes	74 sites
Yosemite Creek Campground	~Jul – Sep	No	No	Yes	75 sites; creek water must be boiled
Porcupine Flat	~Jul - Oct	Yes	No	Yes	52 sites; creek water must be boiled
Tuolumne Meadows Campground	~Jul – Sep	Yes	50%	Yes	304 sites

For updates to these dates, see the National park Service website at www.nps.gov.

Yosemite Campground	Open Days	RV/ Trailers	Reser-vations	Pets
Hodgdon Meadow	All Year	Yes	Yes ~Apr – Oct	Yes
Crane Flat	~Jul – Oct	Yes	Yes	Yes
Tamarack Flat	~Jul - Oct	No	No	No
White Wolf	~Jul – Sep	Yes	No	Yes
Yosemite Creek Campground	~Jul – Sep	No	No	Yes
Porcupine Flat	~Jul - Oct	Yes	No	Yes
Tuolumne Meadows Campground	~Jul – Sep	Yes	50%	Yes

For updates to these dates, see the National park Service website at www.nps.gov.

Yosemite Camping Reservations

Reservations may be required when camping in Yosemite National Park, based upon the campground and in some cases, the season.

To make Yosemite camping reservations, call 877.444-6777 or visit their website at www.recreation.gov

Reservations should be made well in advance of your arrival date. Check the schedule below to see when is the first day that you can make reservations (starting 7 AM Pacific Time)

Note the Wawona group site has additional reservation due dates for the winter months between December and March.

Arrival Date	First Day to Make Yosemite Reservations
March 15 – April 14	November 15
April 15 – May 14	December 15
May 15 – June 14	January 15
Jun 15 – July 14	February 15
July 15 – August 14	March 15
August 15 – September 14	April 15
September 15 – October14	May 15
October15 – November 14	June 15
November 15 - December 14	July 15

Arrival Date	First Day to Make Yosemite Reservations
March 15 – April 14	November 15
April 15 – May 14	December 15
May 15 – June 14	January 15
Jun 15 – July 14	February 15
July 15 – August 14	March 15
August 15 – September 14	April 15
September 15 – October14	May 15
October15 – November 14	June 15
November 15 - December 14	July 15