Yosemite was the first National Park in America and has been a must-visit spot
since 1890. Over 4 million visitors come to see its natural beauty every year. Its popularity
means it can quickly become overcrowded. Yosemite has 13 campgrounds that have thousands
of camping sites within them. An important part of planning your trip is finding the one that
fits your needs and reserve it as soon as you can. Like and subscribe to ViewCation for more tips on
getting the best out of your trip to this famous natural wonder. Keep watching to learn about the
best campsites in Yosemite National Park. Lower Pines
This is often considered one of the best campsites in Yosemite,
and definitely one of the best in Yosemite Valley. It has 60 campsites along the Merced
River that offer beautiful views of Half Dome. 3 of them are doubles that fit 7-12 people. They’re
private with a mix of deciduous and pine trees. Lower Pines is open from April to October but
may be closed in times of flooding. You can bring an RV up to 40 feet
long or a trailer up to 35 feet long. Single sites cost approximately $26
per night, and doubles cost $36. Be sure to make reservations to these popular grounds in advance.
North Pines This campground sits
on the other side of the river from Lower Pines. It has 81 closely packed sites that are open from
March to October. They cost $26 per night. You can bring a tent up that’s up to 40 feet long,
an RV that’s up to 40 feet long, or a trailer that’s up to 35 feet long.
Upper Pines This campground sits on the east
end of Yosemite Valley and is 4,400 feet above the ground. It’s the largest in Yosemite Valley
and the 2nd largest in the park with 238 campsites. They accommodate RVs up to 35
feet long and trailers up to 24 feet long. Upper Pines is made up of several loops,
but navigating it is easy. The pines and cedars provide shade, and you’ll get beautiful views of
Half dome, El Capitan, and other famous Yosemite sites. The nearby Curry Village gives you access
to many of the best amenities in the park. You can reserve a site from March-October or try to snag
one from December-March. Camp 4
This is the only campsite in Yosemite that doesn’t allow cars, RVs, trailers,
or pets. It’s 11 acres wide and 4,000 feet up, with 36 walk-in sites for tent campers. You’ll
need to park next to the campground and walk to your site instead of parking directly next to it.
Camp 4 is one of the best campsites in Yosemite for rock climbers. Major names
such as Royal Robbins and Warren Harding started visiting in the 60s and 70s. It even earned a
place on the National Register of Historic Places for its contributions to the sport.
Getting a spot at Camp 4 means paying $10 to enter an online lottery the day before your
trip. You’ll also have to camp in a 6-person site with whoever else wins the lottery.
Bridalveil Creek Campground This is the only campground
on Glacier Point road. It’s a 26-mile drive from Yosemite Valley and is 7,200 feet high.
It has 110 tent and RV sites, 3 horse sites, and 2 group sites that hold 13-30 people but need to
be reserved up to 5 months before your trip. There’s even an RV park within the campground,
as well. It has no hookups or dump stations. Staying at Bridalveil means enjoying beautiful
views from the Glacier Point lookout. It’s also the perfect place for hikes and has amenities
such as a fire ring, picnic tables, fresh water, flushing toilets, and food lockers. The creek is
so clean that you can get drinking water from it. Bridalveil is closed in 2022, so keep checking
to see if it reopens. Crane Flat Campground
This is the closest campground to Yosemite Valley at only 15 miles and a 30-minute drive away.
It has 166 campsites that you can reserve 5 months in advance from July-October.
They only cost $26 a night. It’s currently closed, but consider a visit when it reopens.
Hodgdon Meadow Campground This campground is open
year-round with reservations available from April-October. There are 105 campsites that
cost $26 per night. The convenience makes it one of the best campsites in Yosemite.
Hodgdon Meadow accommodates larger RVs of up to 40 feet long. There are no electricity or water
hookups, but there is a dump station nearby. Long droughts have removed many of the trees,
and the ground is fine and dusty. Try to avoid getting a site near the entrance, and make a
reservation from April to October. Tamarac Flat Campground
Getting to this campground requires a drive on a 3-mile unpaved road. It sits along the
Tamarac Creek and has 52 campsites. It’s private and full of beautiful trees.
You can reserve a site from July-October for $12 per night. RVs are allowed but
not recommended here. White Wolf Campground
This campground is 8,000 feet above the ground. It has 74 sites that accommodate RVs up to 27
feet long and trailers up to 24 feet long. They also feature fire rings,
picnic tables, food lockers, public restrooms, water taps, and more. There are no electricity
or water hookups, but there are 2 dump stations White Wolf is close to Lukens Lake and Harden
Lake, making it perfect for swimming and fishing. It has plenty of hiking trails and rock climbing
sites for campers of every skill level. The campground is so high up that it tends
to get cold at night. Bring warm clothes before making a reservation. You can get
one from July-September for $18 per night. Like and subscribe to ViewCation for more of
the best places to stay during any kind of trip. Keep watching to learn about more of the best
campsites in Yosemite National Park. Yosemite Creek Campground
This is one of the best campsites in Yosemite if you want to see Yosemite Falls. It has a 7-mile
trail that leads directly to it. You’ll need to use the creek as drinking water, and there are no
electricity or water hookups or dumpsites Yosemite Creek gets cold in the winter
due to its 7,700-foot elevation. It has 74 pet-friendly sites, but don’t bring
an RV or trailer with you. You can reserve a spot from July-September for $12 per night.
Porcupine Flat This campground is located only 15 miles away from
Tuolumne Meadows. It has 52 remote campsites that are available from July-October for $12 per night.
Porcupine Flat isn’t the best place to go if you’re expecting amenities.
You'll even have to bring your own water or boil what you can find nearby.
It’s still worth a stay because it offers gorgeous views and miles of trails.
Tuolumne Campground This is the largest and highest
campground in Yosemite with 304 campsites and an elevation of 8,600 feet. You can stay in a tent,
RV, or trailer that’s up to 35 feet long. Tuolumne fits plenty of amenities into
its large size, including a restaurant, gas station, post office, mountaineering school,
visitor center, and more. It’s also the namesake of the Tuolumne Meadows and Tuolumne River.
This campground offers beautiful views of Elizabeth Lake and Lyell Canyon. You may
even see a black bear on the John Muir Trail. You can reserve half of the campsites here
from July-September for $26 per night, and you’ll just have to hope the rest are available.
It’s closed until 2025 for reservations but worth the trip when it reopens.
Wawona Campground This campground sits on
the South Fork of the Merced River. It’s also only a mile north of the small town of Wawona.
It has 93 campsites you can reserve from April-October for $26 per night. Its RV park
has no hookups, water, or electricity, but there is an available dump station on Forest Drive.
Wawona is split into 3 loops. Loop A is wide, close to the entrance, and open all year.
Loops B and C are more private but only open from spring to fall.
Each site accommodates tents, RVs, and trailers that are up to 35 feet long. They also have
plenty of basic amenities such as water, fire, and toilets, but it’s more remote than most
other campgrounds that offer the same features. Wawona is the closest campground to the impressive
Grizzly Giant sequoia tree, and you’ll also get a chance to visit the Mariposa Grove to see more
trees. Go to the Pioneer Yosemite History Center if you want to learn something new.
Wawona Campground is closed in 2022. Be sure to see if it reopens.
Summerdale Campground This campground is only 1.5 miles from
the south entrance to Yosemite. It’s privately run with 30 basic sites scattered along its meadow.
You’ll see a river and gorgeous trees like cottonwoods, cedars, and sugar pines. You’ll
also have your own toilet, water, picnic tables, and fire ring. Pets are welcome, and reservations
should be made 6 months in advance. Indian Flat RV Park
This is another privately-run campground and a useful alternative if you can’t find a campsite
anywhere else. It has 25 sites for tents and 25 for RVs. There are also plenty of nearby
amenities such as an outdoor pool and lodge. Indian Flat provides the forest atmosphere you’re
looking for. It’s so popular that you’ll want to make a reservation up to a year in advance
Curry Village This is one of the
best campsites in Yosemite if you want to stay in style. There are over 319 cabins.
The canvas tent options have wooden floors, cot beds, lights,
and propane heat. They also offer daily housekeeping and nearby washrooms and showers.
There are also 70 wooden cabins, and 56 of them have running water and bathrooms inside.
Unlike the tents, they all have heat and electrical outlets. You can also get daily
housekeeping and go to a nearby bathroom if your wooden cabin doesn’t have one.
Have you ever camped out in Yosemite National Park? Let us know in the comments below.
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guides.