Camping in Yosemite, one of the finest ways to enjoy. Yosemite National Park has 13 campgrounds with a total of 1,445 campsites. A total of 1,000 campsites can be reserved ahead of time. The rest are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Yosemite National Park camping can be difficult during peak season (June, July, and August) since the park’s campgrounds fill up quickly. On weekends between May and September, finding a campsite can be difficult. If you wish to camp in Yosemite, make your reservations as soon as possible. Campsites in Yosemite can be rented up to five months ahead of time, however many are taken up within 30 minutes of becoming available.
You can try to claim one of Yosemite’s first-come, first-served campsites if you can’t reserve one ahead of time. Keep in mind that during peak season, competition for first-come, first-served campsites is fierce. If you’re planning a weekend camping vacation in Yosemite during peak season, arrive on Thursday or Friday morning to secure your spot. Most Yosemite campgrounds are totally occupied by Friday afternoon.
Best Places to Camp in Yosemite
- Lower Pines Campground
- North Pines Campground
- Upper Pines Campground
- Camp 4
- Tuolumne Campground
Lower Pines Campground
Lower Pines Campground, located immediately west of Upper Pines Campground, includes 60 campsites near the Merced River’s southern bank. Many people consider Lower Pines to be the nicest camping in Yosemite Valley because of its riverfront setting and spectacular views of Half Dome. Reservations for campsites should be made as far in advance as feasible. Lower Pines Campground offers three double campsites (Dbl1, Dbl2, and Dbl 3) that can accommodate 7–12 people each for $36 per spot. The maximum length of an RV is 40 feet. The maximum length of a trailer is 35 feet. There are no RV hookups available.
Open: April to October
Cost: $26 (per night)
North Pines Campground
North Pines Campground, located right across the Merced River from Lower Pines Campground, is also regarded as one of Yosemite Valley’s greatest campgrounds. Reservations for campsites should be made as far in advance as feasible. North Pines has 81 campsites, all of which are near together. (Hopefully, you and your neighbors will get along!) The maximum length of an RV is 40 feet. The maximum length of a trailer is 35 feet. There are no RV hookups available.
Open: March to October
Cost: $26 (per night)
Upper Pines Campground
Upper Pines Campground is Yosemite National Park’s second-largest campground, located at the far eastern end of Yosemite Valley. Reservations are required for its 238 campsites from mid-March to November. Campsites are provided on a first-come, first-served basis from December to March. The maximum length of an RV is 35 feet. The maximum length of a trailer is 24 feet. There are no RV hookups available.
Open: All Year
Cost: $26 (per night)
Camp 4
Climbers flock to Camp 4 because of its closeness to El Capitan and other well-known routes. All the campsites are walk-in, which means no automobiles, RVs, or trailers are allowed. Campers must park their vehicles in the nearby parking lot. It’s also worth noting that Camp 4 is the only Yosemite campground that doesn’t allow dogs.
Camp 4 in Yosemite Valley’s only first-come, first-served campground from mid-September to mid-May. Reservations are accessible via a daily lottery from mid-May to mid-September.
Open: All Year
Cost: $6 (Per Person)
Tuolumne Campground
Tuolumne Campground, with 304 campsites, is located at the southeastern side of Tuolumne Meadows. With a height of 8,600 feet, it’s also the park’s highest campground (2,620 meters). Half of the campsites have reservations; the other half are first-come, first-served. The maximum length of a recreational vehicle is 35 feet. 35 feet is the maximum trailer length. Camp 4 is Yosemite Valley’s only first-come, first-served campground and is open from mid-September to mid-May.
Open: July to September
Cost: $26 (Per Night)
