Yosemite National Park is one of the premier areas for outdoor recreation in America and a great place to camp. While you can choose from over 1,600 sites (once all the snow clears), park campgrounds often fill completely. Planning ahead is essential. Many campgrounds in Yosemite National Park take reservations, and in peak summer months, these sites are typically booked far in advance. In particular, you can expect to see the “no vacancy” sign hanging over campgrounds in Yosemite Valley.
Yosemite Valley
Campgrounds in Yosemite Valley (Camp 4 and Upper, Lower, and North Pines Campgrounds) put visitors right in the middle of the action, with quick access to the park’s most famous attractions. Camp 4 was previously a first-come first-serve campground, but now accepts reservations up to 7 days in advance. Campgrounds in Yosemite Valley require reservations for most of the year.
Camping north of Yosemite Valley
In the high country along Tioga Road north of Yosemite Valley, there are several nice campgrounds open from summer to early fall when snow clears. Sites at most of these campgrounds can be reserved up to 2 weeks in advance and open sites may be available for last minute trips.
Camping south of Yosemite Valley
Two campgrounds are south of Yosemite Valley. The farthest from the valley is Wawona Campground, positioned toward the south end of Yosemite National Park, which makes it an easy target for visitors driving up from Southern California. The convenience does not stop once you arrive. Wawona Campground is close to the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, Chilnualna Falls, Wawona Meadow, Wawona Swinging Bridge, and the historic Wawona Hotel. The drive into Yosemite Valley from Wawona Campground takes about half an hour and passes Tunnel View, one of the most spectacular roadside viewpoints in the park. The commute also passes the turnoff for Glacier Point – also one of the most spectacular viewpoints in the park. Wawona Campground is situated between pristine pine woodlands and the banks of Chilnualna Creek. For tent campers, loops B and C are preferable to loop A.
When camping in Yosemite National Park, you can expect to find yourself nestled in a pine forest, often next to water. Assuming surrounding sites are respectful, camping in the park can be quite restful and enjoyable. It is safest to make a reservation, which you can do online at recreation.gov. If you decide to go for a first-come first-serve site, plan to arrive early. Finding a site can be especially challenging on weekends.
Historic lodges and hotels in the park offer accommodations for those who do not want to camp (especially on chilly winter visits). Housekeeping Camp is one such quasi-camping option. Check rates and make reservations at tripadvisor.com for other accommodations.
Campgrounds in Yosemite National Park
Upper Pines Campground | 238 sites | open year-round | reservations accepted year-round | $36 per night | potable water, picnic tables, fire rings, bear boxes, dump station, and flush toilets | showers nearby | elevation 4,000 feet
Lower Pines Campground | 60 sites | open March through October | reservations required | $36 per night | potable water, picnic tables, fire rings, bear boxes, dump station, and flush toilets | showers nearby | elevation 4,000 feet
North Pines Campground | 81 sites | open April to November | reservations appointed through lottery | $36 per night | potable water, picnic tables, fire rings, bear boxes, dump station, and flush toilets | showers nearby | elevation 4,000 feet
Camp 4 | 35 sites | open year-round | reservations accepted one week in advance | $10 per person per nights | walk-in tent sites (no RVs) | potable water, picnic tables, fire pit, shared bear boxes, and flush toilets | showers nearby | elevation 4,000 feet
Toulumne Meadows Campground | 304 sites | open from July to September | reservations accepted for 50% of sites | $36 per night | potable water, picnic tables, fire rings, bear boxes, and flush toilets | elevation 8,600 feet
Porcupine Flat Campground | 52 sites | open from July to October | reservations accepted two weeks in advance | $24 per night | picnic tables, fire rings, bear boxes, and vault toilets | no potable water, but nearby stream water is available for treatment | elevation 8,100 feet
Yosemite Creek Campground | 75 sites | tent only | open from July to September | reservations accepted two weeks in advance | $24 per night | picnic tables, fire rings, bear boxes, and vault toilets | no potable water, but nearby stream water is available for treatment | elevation 7,700 feet
White Wolf Campground | 74 sites | open from July to September | reservations accepted two weeks in advance | $36 per night | potable water, picnic tables, fire rings, bear boxes, and flush toilets | elevation 8,000 feet
Hodgdon Meadow Campground | 105 sites | open year-round | reservations accepted from April to October | $36 per night | potable water, picnic tables, fire rings, bear boxes, and flush toilets | elevation 4,900 feet
Tamarack Flat Campground | 52 sites | tent only | open from June to October | reservations accepted two weeks in advance | $24 per night | picnic tables, fire rings, bear boxes, and vault toilets | no potable water, but nearby stream water is available for treatment | elevation 6,300 feet
Crane Flat Campground | 166 sites | open from June to October | reservations accepted two weeks in advance | $36 per night | potable water, picnic tables, fire rings, bear boxes, and flush toilets | elevation 6,200 feet
Bridalveil Creek Campground | 110 sites | open from July to September | reservations accepted two weeks in advance | $36 per night | potable water, picnic tables, fire rings, bear boxes, and flush toilets | elevation 7,200 feet
Wawona Campground | 93 sites | open year-round | reservations accepted from April to October | $36 per night | potable water, picnic tables, fire rings, bear boxes, and flush toilets | elevation 4,000 feet
Check the Yosemite National Park Campgrounds page for more information (all prices as of 2024).
Use the map below to view the campgrounds and get directions:
Or view Sierra Nevada trails and campgrounds in a larger map
Trails and Viewpoints in Yosemite National Park
| Trail | Description | Distance | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
 150 | Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and Wapama Falls This level hike tours a flooded valley to a thundering waterfall in the northwest corner of the park. | 5 miles 200 feet | 37.946905, -119.787376 |
 160 | May Lake This short east hike visits a peaceful alpine lake in the high elevation region of Yosemite north of Yosemite Valley. | 2.4 miles 475 feet | 37.832633, -119.49118 |
 170 | Mirror Lake This easy hike visits a relaxing reflective pool on the east end of Yosemite Valley. | 2 to 2.8 miles 100 feet | 37.739208, -119.56015 |
 177 | Happy Isles This short, easy hike explores a pair of islands in the Merced River at the east end of Yosemite Valley. | 0.75 miles 50 feet | 37.7324, -119.5598 |
 180 | Half Dome This epic hike climbs from Yosemite Valley to the top of the most iconic crest in the Yosemite landscape. | 16 miles 4,800 feet | 37.732567, -119.558282 |
 190 | The Mist Trail to Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall This exciting trail climbs the Merced River past two of Yosemite's prize waterfalls. | 1.8 to 6.1 miles 400 to 1,925 feet | 37.732567, -119.558282 |
 200 | Panorama Trail This hike travels from Glacier Point down to Yosemite Valley in the most scenic way possible, ending with the Mist Trail. | 9.4 miles (one-way) 3,200 feet | 37.727942, -119.573476 |
 205 | Glacier Point This 7,214-foot overlook towers above Yosemite Valley and provides incredible drive-up views. | 0.5 miles 50 feet | 37.727103, -119.574456 |
 206 | Washburn Point This Glacier Point adjacent overlook offers views of Half Dome, Vernal and Nevada Falls, and mountains in the Clark Range. | 0 miles | 37.7204, -119.5730 |
 207 | Columbia Rock This hike up the start of Yosemite Falls Trail reaches a perch with a sweeping perspective across Yosemite Valley that. | 2.2 miles 985 feet | 37.7423, -119.6021 |
 208 | Yosemite Falls Trail This hike rises above Columbia Rock to attain unforgettable views of Upper Yosemite Fall. | 3.5 to 7.1 miles 1,210 to 2,715 feet | 37.7423, -119.6021 |
 210 | Lower Yosemite Fall This electrifying loop delivers visitors to the base of the tallest waterfall in North America. | 1.2 miles 100 feet | 37.745347, -119.594777 |
 220 | Taft Point This out and back hike visits an overlook on the south wall of Yosemite Valley with fascinating rock fissures carved into the exposed granite. | 2 miles 250 feet | 37.7126, -119.586318 |
 230 | Bridalveil Fall This easy paved trail visits the base of a 620-foot single-drop waterfall on the south side of Yosemite Valley. | 0.5 miles 50 feet | 37.7168, -119.651 |
 233 | Wildcat Falls This short path finds a secluded cascade along El Portal Road near the Arch Rock Entrance of Yosemite National Park. | 0.15 miles 15 feet | 37.7215, -119.7151 |
 235 | Tunnel View Pull the car over at this extraordinary must see viewpoint looking up Yosemite Valley. | 0 miles | 37.715476, -119.67678 |
 240 | Chilnualna Falls This out and back hike begins near raucous cascades and ends atop a waterfall. | 8 miles 2,200 feet | 37.54839, -119.63369 |
 243 | Wawona Swinging Bridge This hike leads to a suspension bridge spanning a charming stretch of the South Fork Merced River in the Wawona Area of Yosemite National Park. | 0.8 to 1.4 miles 40 to 70 feet | 37.54637, -119.63015 |
 245 | Wawona Meadow Loop Trail This gentle hike passes through forest encircling a verdant, mostly-natural meadow near Wawona Hotel at the south end of Yosemite National Park. | 3.9 miles 250 feet | 37.53441, -119.6499 |
 250 | Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias This hike explores the biggest trees in Yosemite, which can be seen on foot or by tram. | 1.6 to 8 miles 400 to 1,200 feet | 37.501462, -119.610862 |
Cool information about Yosemite National park.This is my favorite place for camping and outdoor activities.I had an amazing experience last year and want to visit it soon.
Are there cabins nearby?