Where to Camp Near Yosemite National Park
Camping is an awesome way to explore the U.S. national parks. This blog covers all campgrounds in and near Yosemite. You’ll find a select few that are open year round – pair staying here with our winter itinerary! If more traditional lodging is more your style, check out this blog.
Campgrounds in Yosemite Valley
Campgrounds South of Yosemite Valley
Campground reservations
When you can reserve a campsite varies. Some sites can be reserved up to five months in advance, while others are reserved one to two weeks out. Some more popular campgrounds even have lottery applications.
View a list of dates campsites go on sale here. All campsites will be reserved through recreation.gov and are reserved quickly. We recommend creating a login to reacreation.gov in advance and reserving campsites as soon as they go on sale.
If the state and national park campgrounds are full, consider using Hipcamp to reserve a spot at a private campground.
First-come, first-served campsites
You can find first-come, first-served campsites between November and late May at Camp 4, Hodgdon Meadow, and Wawona Campgrounds. To get a first-come, first-served campsite, we’d recommend arriving earlier in the day, especially if you’re visiting near a weekend or holiday.
Camping gear
If you’re from out of state or don’t have camping gear, consider renting gear from REI. If exploring in a van is more your style, check out Indie Campers and Escape Campervans.
Campground basics
All campgrounds – aside from the dry campgrounds mentioned – provide water, flush or vault toilets, picnic tables, and some provide fire pits (more on these below). If you’re interested in having full RV hookups, you’ll only find those outside the park in RV resorts.
Check-in and check-out times vary, but are generally around 2 p.m. for check in and 12 p.m. for check out. All campgrounds have quiet hours that are usually around 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.
If you’ll be pitching a tent, look for a tent pad at your campsite – it will be a flat square with a wood perimeter to pitch your tent on. They vary in size, and not all campgrounds have them, but if your site does have a tent pad, you must pitch your tent there. If your campground does not have tent pads, find a space in your campsite that is relatively open, flat, and previously used to pitch your tent.
When booking, pay attention to campsite size. Most campsites fit between four and eight people.
Campfires
Only campgrounds in the Yosemite Valley and Hodgdon Meadow areas are allowed to have campfires when there is no burn ban placed in Mariposa County. Between May and September, campfires are allowed between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. (completely extinguished by 10 p.m.) and can burn anytime between October and April.
Find all park campfire regulations here.
If there is not a burn ban in place, please purchase local firewood (at nearby stores or in the campgrounds) to prevent bringing in invasive pests. Collecting firewood around the campground is not allowed – this wood is an important part of the ecosystem.
Are Yosemite’s campgrounds pet-friendly?
Pets are permitted at all campgrounds except at Camp 4 and group campsites. Pets must be on a leash and not left unattended. Check out all pet regulations here and please follow B.A.R.K. rules.
B: Bag your poop
A: Always wear a leash
R: Respect Wildlife
K: Know where to go
Food storage
Food and smelly items must be stored overnight in the bear vaults provided at campgrounds. This means that all your food, sunscreen, toothpaste, lip balm, and other scented items cannot be stored in your tent overnight.
Campground recommendations
Campgrounds in Yosemite Valley
Open year round:
Upper Pines is the largest campground in the valley, with a prime location near Curry Village and trails that lead to Half Dome. Stay here for great access to trails that reach further into the valley.
Amenities:
Pet friendly
Accessible campsites
RV and trailer length: Up to 35 feet
Accepts reservations: Up to five months in advance
Number of sites: 238
Maximum length of stay: 7 days
Camp 4 is the most iconic campground in Yosemite. It’s a walk-in campground at the base of granite cliffs – you can rock climb right next to your campsite!
Amenities:
Accessible campsites
RV and trailer length: None
Accepts reservations: Up to 7 days in advance
Number of sites: 61 year round, 25 in winter
Maximum length of stay: 7 days
Seasonal campgrounds:
Yosemite National Park has an early access lottery for North Pines Campground reservations between late April and early October. You can enter the lottery between mid-November and mid-December and will be notified if you win in late December.
Campsite dates not purchased in the lottery will go on sale starting in mid February. You can read more information on the lottery system here.
This campground is located on the Merced River, across from Curry Village. It’s a coveted campground because it’s smaller, more scenic, and is in a great location.
Amenities:
Pet friendly
Dump station
Accessible campsites
RV and trailer length: Up to 40 feet
Accepts reservations: Up to five months in advance
Number of sites: 81
Typically open: April to October
Maximum length of stay: 7 days
Lower Pines sits across the Merced River from the North Pines Campground, just a bit closer to Curry Village. If you choose your site well, you may have a view of Half Dome from your tent!
Amenities:
Pet friendly
Dump station
Accessible campsites
RV and trailer length: Up to 40 feet
Accepts reservations: Up to five months in advance
Number of sites: 60
Maximum length of stay: 7 days
Campgrounds South of Yosemite Valley
Open year round:
Wawona Campground is located ten minutes north of the South Entrance and the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza, and 37 miles south of the Yosemite Valley. Camp here to enjoy quieter forested sites.
Amenities:
Pet friendly
Dump station
Accessible campsites
RV and trailer length: Up to 35 feet
Accepts reservations: Up to five months in advance
Number of sites: 93
Maximum length of stay: 7 days
Seasonal campgrounds:
Bridalveil Creek Campground is the only campground located on Glacier Point Road. Since it's at 7,200 feet of elevation, the temperatures are often colder here than in the valley and drop significantly at night. Stay here to be within a short drive from some of the park’s best sights, such as Taft Point, Glacier Point, views of Half Dome, and more.
Amenities:
Pet friendly
Accessible campsites
RV and trailer length: Up to 35 feet
Accepts reservations: Up to 14 days in advance
Number of sites: 110
Typically open: July to September
Maximum length of stay: 14 days
Campgrounds North of Yosemite Valley
Open year round:
Located less than a mile from the Big Oak Flat Entrance, this campground has less vegetation than others at lower elevations and therefore less privacy between sites.
Many of the sites here are “hike to” or walk-in sites as well. This means that you’d park nearby and must walk into your campsite, usually about 10 to 20 feet away. You also may notice that level sites aren’t guaranteed here – look at the campsites photos to see what kind of site you’re reserving.
Amenities:
Pet friendly
RV and trailer length: Up to 35 feet
Accepts reservations: Up to five months in advance
Number of sites: 105
Maximum length of stay: 14 days
Seasonal campgrounds:
Crane Flat Campground is centrally located between the Yosemite Valley and Hetch Hetchy Reservoir at the western base of Tioga Pass. The campground is forested, and newly reopened in 2025 after years of habitat restoration.
Amenities:
Pet friendly
Accessible campsites
RV and trailer length: Up to 35 feet
Accepts reservations: Up to 14 days in advance
Number of sites: 166
Typically open: July to October
Maximum length of stay: 14 days
Tamarack Flat Campground is located three miles off Tioga Pass on a rough, narrow road. It’s a primitive campground – it has vault toilets, but no potable water. There is a seasonal creek which is the camp’s only source of water; however, it must be filtered or boiled before drinking.
Amenities:
Pet friendly
Accessible Campsites
RV and trailer length: None
Accepts reservations: Up to 14 days in advance
Number of sites: 52
Typically open: July to October
Maximum length of stay: 14 days
White Wolf Campground is one of Yosemite’s smaller campgrounds. Located at 8,000 feet on Tioga Pass, it’s an ideal location for hikers or those wanting cooler temperatures.
Amenities:
Pet friendly
RV and trailer length: Up to 27 feet
Accepts reservations: Up to 14 days in advance
Number of sites: 74
Typically open: July to September
Maximum length of stay: 14 days
You’ll find Yosemite Creek Campground five miles off Tioga Pass on a rough, narrow, and winding road. It’s a primitive campground with vault toilets, but drinking water must be filtered or boiled from Yosemite Creek.
Amenities:
Pet friendly
Accessible Campsites
RV and trailer length: None
Accepts reservations: Up to 14 days in advance
Number of sites: 75
Typically open: July to September
Maximum length of stay: 14 days
Porcupine Flat is another smaller, primitive campground off Tioga Pass. Sitting at 8,100 feet of elevation, it’s a cooler place to star gaze, bird watch, and relax. You’ll find a vault toilet and seasonal stream; however, you must filter or boil the water before drinking it.
Amenities:
Pet friendly
Accessible Campsites
RV and trailer length: Up to 24 feet
Accepts reservations: Up to 14 days in advance
Number of sites: 52
Typically open: July to October
Maximum length of stay: 14 days
The Tuolumne Meadows Campground is Yosemite’s largest high-country campground, sitting at 8,600 feet of elevation on the Tuolumne River. It offers great scenery and easy access to the Tuolumne Meadows hiking trails.
Amenities:
Pet friendly
Accessible Campsites
RV and trailer length: Up to 35 feet
Accepts reservations: Up to two months in advance
Number of sites: 304
Typically open: August to September
Maximum length of stay: 14 days
Campgrounds outside of the park
Arch Rock Entrance
Located an hour from the Yosemite Valley, this is a smaller, primitive campground. There are vault toilets, but no water. We love that some sites are shaded and on the banks of the Merced River.
Amenities:
Pet friendly
Accessible campsites
RV and trailer length: Up to 18 feet
Accepts reservations: No
First-come, first-served campsites: Yes
Number of sites: 14
Typically open: Year round
Maximum length of stay: 14 days
This is another primitive campground (no water) just down the road from the McCabe Flat Campground listed above. Since all sites along this road are first-come, first-served, we’d suggest arriving early on a weekday and look for open campsites in consecutive order. If the McCabe Flat Campground and Willer Placer Campground are both full, try the Railroad Flat Campground next.
Amenities:
Pet friendly
Accessible campsites
RV and trailer length: Up to 18 feet
Accepts reservations: No
First-come, first-served campsites: Yes
Number of sites: 8
Typically open: Year round
Maximum length of stay: 14 days
South Entrance
This campground is one and a half miles from the South Entrance of Yosemite. We love that it’s smaller, on a river, and has campsites that feel more private than the ones you’ll find in the national park.
Amenities:
Pet friendly
RV and trailer length: Up to 25 feet
Accepts reservations: Up to six months in advance
First-come, first-served campsites: No
Number of sites: 27
Typically open: May to September
Maximum length of stay: 14 days
Located on Bass Lake, this campground is a half hour from the South Entrance. Bears frequent the area, so guests are asked to keep food in approved containers or locked inside vehicles.
Amenities:
Pet friendly
RV and trailer length: Up to 40 feet
Accepts reservations: Up to six months in advance
First-come, first-served campsites: No
Number of sites: 63
Typically open: February to December
Maximum length of stay: 14 days
Big Oak Flat and Hetch Hetchy Entrances
This campground is only 20 minutes from the Big Oak Flat Entrance right off Big Oak Flat Road. It makes for convenient park access, although you can hear road noise from camp.
Amenities:
Pet friendly
Water between May and September
Accessible campsites
RV and trailer length: Up to 32 feet
Accepts reservations: Up to six months in advance
First-come, first-served campsites: Yes
Number of sites: 12
Typically open: Year round
Maximum length of stay: 14 days
Yosemite Pines RV Resort & Family Lodging
If you have a large group with a combination of tents, RVs, and others that prefer glamping or staying in cabins, this is the spot for you.
Amenities:
Pet friendly
Showers
Laundry
Pool
Games area including: a playground, sand volleyball court, bocce ball, horseshoes, and walking trails
Full hookups
Dump station
Accessible campsites
Additional lodging
RV and trailer length: Up to 32 feet
Accepts reservations: Up to one year in advance
First-come, first-served campsites: No
Number of sites: 150
Typically open: Year round
Maximum length of stay: 28 days
Tioga Pass Entrance
Tioga Lake is a very popular campground, and it’s obvious why. It’s on a lake with a gorgeous backdrop of Mt. Dana and Tioga Peak, and it’s only a mile and a half from the Tioga Pass Entrance to Yosemite. The campground is next to the road, but if you can snag a site here, the location more than makes up for the noise.
Amenities:
Pet friendly
Accessible Campsites
RV and trailer length: Small rigs only
Accepts reservations: No
First-come, first-served campsites: Yes
Number of sites: 13
Typically open: June to September
Maximum length of stay: 14 days
The campgrounds here are all first-come, first-served. Come early on a weekday, and be flexible. If the campsites at Moraine Campground are full, try Aspen Campground and Big Bend Campground down the road.
Amenities:
Pet friendly
Accessible Campsites
RV and trailer length: Up to 30 feet
Accepts reservations: No
First-come, first-served campsites: Yes
Number of sites: 17
Typically open: June to September
Maximum length of stay: 14 days
Located between the towns of Bridgeport and Lee Vining, the Willow Springs Resort is 40 minutes from the Tioga Pass Entrance. This is a great home base if you’d like to be closer to basic amenities or have a group that needs additional lodging. Tent camping is also allowed.
Amenities:
Pet friendly
Showers
Laundry
Full hookups
Accessible Campsites
Additional lodging
RV and trailer length: Up to 45 feet
Accepts reservations: Up to seven months in advance
First-come, first-served campsites: No
Number of sites: 27
Typically open: April to October
Maximum length of stay: 28 days
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