Many great options are available if you’re camping in Yosemite National Park. But where should you camp? Here are nine campgrounds at Yosemite National Park you should consider.
All are close to beautiful scenic views. Campgrounds are located on a range of elevations, so make sure to choose the right one for your needs. You can find amenities and information about the area on the park’s website.
The closest campground to Yosemite is Indian Flat. And also, Upper Pines is one of the best campgrounds in the park, with 238 sites. On the other hand, Curry Village is a rustic campground with wood and canvas tent cabins.
Aside from that, Tuolumne Meadows Campground, Summerdale Campground, Wawona Campground, and Hodgdon Meadow Campground are the other most popular campgrounds at Yosemite.
Read the following information and choose your favorite campground.
1. Campgrounds at Yosemite National Park: Tuolumne Meadows Campground
There are 304 campsites in seven loops in the Tuolumne Meadows Campground. Loop A is the closest to the campground entrance, while Loop B and C offer more privacy.
These campsites are seasonally open from late June to late September because Tioga Road is closed during winter. RVs, trailers, and tents that are 35 feet long are allowed in this campground.
Make reservations five months in advance if you plan to camp in the park for a week or more. Sites are released on the 15th of the month, but from October to April, they are first-come-first-served.
Tuolumne Meadows Campground is a good choice for RV and tent camping. The campground is surrounded by large lodgepole pine trees, which help define individual campsites.
You can find gas, a post office, flush toilets, potable water, and a general store on-site. But there’re no hookups. There is also a Mountaineering School in the campground, which offers courses for everyone, from beginners to experts.
The park shuttle provides easy access to the park’s attractions, the Valley Visitor Center, and popular spots in the valley.
A free shuttle service from Tuolumne Meadows connects you to important locations in the valley, such as Glacier Point, where you can enjoy panoramic views of Half Dome.
Several loops of campsites are close to the park’s attractions, including Cathedral Lakes and Lyell Canyon. You can also get a bear-resistant food container to keep your food safe.
If you are looking for a fantastic summer camp at Yosemite, consider Tuolumne Meadows Campground.
Address: Tioga Pass Rd, Yosemite Valley, CA 95389, United States Phone: +1 209-372-4025
2. Campgrounds at Yosemite National Park: Summerdale Campground
Looking for a campsite to visit with your pet?? Summerdale is ideal for yo. A scenic meadow lies just 1.5 miles outside Yosemite National Park’s entrance.
Surrounded by cedar, fir, and cottonwood trees, the Summerdale Campground is an excellent place to stay for those who want to be close to the park but don’t want to sacrifice privacy.
While there are no hookups, the campground has adequate shade and is close to the river and Big Creek, a popular fishing spot. It also has 30 campsites and is open from May through October.
Facilities on the campsites include vault toilets, water, fire rings, and picnic tables.
Loop A is close to the entrance and is the best choice if you want to be close to the park. Loop B and C are more private and are open seasonally. Sites can accommodate RVs and tents up to 35 feet long.
If you’re staying at Summerdale Campground, make reservations up to 6 months in advance. Reservations are released on the 15th of the month.
During the off-season, sites are first-come-first-served.
It is located next to a rushing river and offers some privacy, but it is also close to the trailhead to Yosemite Falls.
Address: CA-41, Fish Camp, CA 93623, United States Phone: +1 559-642-3212
3. Upper Pines Campground
There are several benefits to staying at Upper Pines Campground at Yosemite National Park. This huge campground features 238 campsites with fire rings and picnic tables.
It also offers food storage lockers. The site is close to the Yosemite River and many other attractions, including major trailheads in the park.
If you’re a hiker, you’ll love Yosemite’s trails, which are a short drive away.
The campsites at Upper Pines Campground have fire rings, picnic tables, and bear-proof boxes. The restrooms are clean, and the staff keeps them well-stocked.
Just remember to bring extra toilet paper because the bathrooms often run dry. Upper Pines Campground’s restrooms are open all day.
The year-round campground can accommodate RVs and tents, with 238 sites. Of these, 32 are designated for RVs and trailers, while the rest are open for both.
The campground allows generator use, but only during specific hours. It’s near Curry Village, which offers hot showers, groceries, and cross-country ski rentals.
If you plan to stay at Upper Pines Campground, reserve your spot five months in advance to avoid disappointment. It is also released on the 15th of the month.
Upper Pines is the place to stay if you’re looking for an affordable and scenic campground in the heart of the park. The campground has two-story cabins that are great for tents, with a fire pit and picnic table and access to running water and restrooms.
This campground is located a short distance from Half Dome and near Curry Village, where there is a bus stop and a bike/walking path.
Aside from that, Upper Pines offers beautiful views of the valley walls.
Address: Yosemite National Park, CA 95389, United States Phone: +1 209-372-8502
Looking for more fun campgrounds in California?? Just check this list.
4. Lower Pines Campground
If you’re looking for a great camping spot in the middle of Yosemite National Park, look no further than Lower Pines Campground. This is the smallest Pine campground.
This campground sits at 4,000 feet in the heart of the park and offers a variety of amenities that will delight your senses.
While you’re there, be sure to enjoy the park’s breathtaking views.
First of all, you’ll be near Yosemite Valley’s main visitor center. This campground is close to other popular campgrounds, including Upper Pines and North Pines Campground.
Make a reservation for your camping spot before visiting Yosemite National Park. If you don’t, you’ll have to settle for first-come, first-serve camping. This campground fills up quickly, so it’s best to make reservations as early as possible.
Sixty campsites open from mid-April to late October. Tents, RVs (up to 40 ft), and trailers (up to 35 ft) are accepted.
Lower Pines Campground has paved roads, flush toilets, and drinking water. This campground is also accessible by shuttle.
It also has some of the largest RV-accessible sites in the park. Sites here can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet. Each site includes a picnic table, fire ring, and bear box.
Those with large motorhomes and campers may want to consider staying in the Half Dome Village, which was once Housekeeping Camp and Curry Village.
If you want a camping spot with spectacular views of the Yosemite Valley, you should choose a site at Lower Pines Campground.
While Camp 4 is more popular, Lower Pines is more remote and less crowded. The only drawback to Lower Pines Campground is that it’s difficult to reserve a site.
Also, one side of the campground has a risk of flooding during spring. So, if you reserve a campsite on the riverside in May or June, your reservation may be canceled at the last minute due to bad weather. Expect that too.
Address: 9000 Southside Dr, Yosemite Valley, CA 95389, United States Phone: +1 209-372-8502
5. North Pines Campground
If you’re looking for a quiet place to camp in Yosemite, North Pines Campground at the park’s Valley Floor entrance might be the right spot.
The campground features a heavily forested setting, with some campsites backing up to a view of the Merced River.
This campground offers free shuttle service and hike-in tent camping. However, you should know that the park’s waterfalls and mountains will surround you.
While North Pines Campground is an excellent place for families with children, it can be not easy to get a reservation during the peak season (July-September).
However, the park has a lottery system that is now in place, and the successful applicants can book a site during a specific access period. Some campsites are still available, but reservations are required five months in advance. (released on the 15th of the month)
It closes in early November and opens in April. The 81 campsites of North Pines Campground offer an excellent camping experience in the middle of scenic views of granite cliff walls, towering pines, and a rushing river. Significantly, the riverside campsites are scenic, calm, and offer privacy.
Tents, RVs (up to 40 ft), and trailers (up to 35 ft) are allowed in North Pines Campground.
Address: Yosemite National Park, 9024 Southside Dr, Yosemite Valley, CA 95389, United States Phone: +1 209-372-8502
6. Curry Village at Yosemite Valley
To get the most out of your trip to Yosemite Valley, visit the Curry Village at Yosemite National Park.
This famous lodge offers spectacular views of the park without the crowds. If you want to avoid the crowds, visit the village in summer, autumn, or spring. September and October are hot, so avoid the village during these times.
Booking a reservation at the Curry Village is the best way to experience the park during the day or the night. However, you should know that there are some restrictions on booking reservations.
For example, you must reserve online or make reservations in advance. There is no outdoor kiosk at the location, making getting information about reservations difficult. Also, you may be unable to get a reservation if you arrive too late.
The staff here are helpful and friendly. You’ll find a dozen rocking chairs near the front desk. Although the hostel is not as posh as some of the more popular glamping sites in California, it’s definitely more affordable than many other options in Yosemite Valley.
There are 319 cabins at Curry Village (tent cabins and rustic wooden cabins). Tent cabins feature cot-style beds, a wooden floor, and light. But, they do not feature electrical outlets. Showers and washrooms are just a short walk away. And they are well-maintained.
On the other hand, rustic wooden cabins feature running water, bathrooms, and electrical and heat outlets.
The housekeeping service at Curry Village is excellent.
Also, the communal bathroom and kitchen are designed to promote social interaction. While the rooms are not heated, the communal baths keep noise minimal.
7. Wawona Campground, Yosemite National Park
There are several hiking trails at the Wawona Campground at Yosemite National Park.
Located at an elevation of 4000 ft, Wawona Campground is a great place to stay if you’re planning on hiking to Mariposa Grove. It offers 93 sites, many of which are secluded and calm. Tents, RVs, and trailers (up to 35 feet) are allowed on the sites.
It also features fire rings and picnic tables. There are also bathrooms at the campground, but no showers. The campground has a limited number of amenities, which is a bit disappointing.
But, its authentic natural environment (alongside the South Fork Merced River) is admirable.
One of the best things about Wawona Campground is its proximity to the most popular spots in Yosemite. Hikers can walk to Alder Creek and Chilnualna Falls.
Another benefit of this campground is that it’s dog-friendly. You can also explore the park’s history behind the Wawona general store, which was once the Big Trees Lodge.
The Wawona Meadow Loop is a 3.5-mile hike that takes you along both paved and unpaved roads. You can also hike the Swinging Bridge Loop, which is 4.8 miles long.
And if you’re looking for a longer hike, consider the Wawona Hotel to Mariposa Grove trail, a moderate six-mile trek.
Wawona Campground is one of the few campgrounds within the Yosemite National Park that allows campers to bring their dogs. And DA-accessible sites are located on the east side of the Tioga Pass.
If you plan to hike the Yosemite Valley, reserve your campsite five months in advance (April through September). But, it is first-come, first-served from October to April.
Address: California 95389, United States Phone: +1 209-375-9535
8. Indian Flat RV Park
The Indian Flat RV Park at Yosemite National is a private campground near Arch Rock Entrance.
This campground offers travelers water, electricity, and sewer hookup sites. It is only eight miles from Arch Rock and 16 miles from Yosemite Valley.
And it is one of the few RV parks near Yosemite that has full hookups. The campground is open year-round.
The Indian Flat RV Park at Yosemite is located within the park, which is the largest in the country. The campground features many amenities, including showers and toilets.
Tent Cabins and cottages at Indian Flat RV Park feature a queen-size bed, ceiling fan, and toiletries. Bathrooms and showers are shared between the campers.
There are 25 tent and 25 RV sites at this campground.
It is open all year round, but reservations are recommended from mid-April to mid-October. Once you’ve reserved your campsite at the Indian Flat RV Park, you can spend the rest of your holiday exploring the national park.
Address: 9988 CA-140, El Portal, CA 95318, United States Phone: +1 209-379-2339
9. Campgrounds at Yosemite National Park: Hodgdon Meadow Campground
An excellent place for a peaceful camping trip is the Hodgdon Meadow Campground in Yosemite National Park.
Located 25 miles northwest of the park’s Yosemite Valley, the campground is surrounded by spectacular scenery, including waterfalls, sheer granite cliffs, deep valleys, and ancient giant sequoia trees.
If you plan to spend the night in the park, you can ask locals about the area’s wildlife before arriving.
The Hodgdon Meadow Campground has family and group campsites for your enjoyment. It is accessible from Highway 120 and 140.
Each site is equipped with a fire ring and a picnic table. And its 105 campsites are accessible year-round.
The campground also offers lockers for your food and drink supplies. If you plan on sleeping outside, you might want to pack an air mattress or a well-padded hammock to keep yourself warm and comfortable.
This campground is close to Yosemite Valley but has many drawbacks. You may find the sites too close together. Additionally, the bathrooms are not very clean, and you may have to walk a long way to use them.
You may be disappointed when you arrive to discover people walking through your campsite, disturbing your sleep. You might consider staying at a campground that offers flush toilets, running water, and toilet paper. It can take twenty to thirty minutes to get to the valley during light traffic.
You can also choose to stay at Hodgdon Meadow RV Park. This campground accepts trailers and RVs up to 40 feet long. You should make reservations at least five months ahead, as the campground closes during spring (mid-April to mid-October).
The other months follow the first-come, first-served method.
Address: Big Oak Flat Rd, Groveland, CA 95321, United States Phone: +1 209-372-0200
Campgrounds at Yosemite National Park
- Tuolumne Meadows Campground
- Summerdale Campground
- Upper Pines Campground
- Lower Pines Campground
- North Pines Campground
- Curry Village at Yosemite Valley
- Wawona Campground
- Indian Flat RV Park
- Hodgdon Meadow Campground
Campgrounds at Yosemite National Park
