Camping

If you are planning a camping trip in the Park, reservations are essential!

Plan Around Camping

A good stop is not just something to read about. Once it belongs on the day, move into a saved trip and build the route around it.

Add to trip View park guide

Use this detail page to confirm that the stop is worth it, then carry that decision into a trip draft while the park context is still fresh.

Camping Details

Camping is common — and competitive — in Yosemite. The Park has 13 popular campgrounds, of which up to seven require reservations. From April through September, reservations are a must, and if you don't arrive by noon, you may find that even the first-come, first-served campgrounds are full. **Campground Reservations** Reservations are required March 15 through November for Yosemite Valley auto campgrounds, and summer through fall for Hodgdon Meadow, Crane Flat, Wawona, and half of Tuolumne Meadows. Campground reservations are available in one-month blocks, up to five months in advance, on the 15th of each month starting at 7 a.m. Pacific time. Note: Nearly all reservations for May through September and for some other weekends, are filled the day they become available — sometimes within seconds or minutes. To make a campground reservation: Visit www.recreation.gov (recommended) (877) 444-6777 (or (877) 833-6777 for TDD) (or (518) 885-3639 from outside the US & Canada) Reservations are not available by mail Hours: 7am to 7pm Pacific time (PT) (November through February) 7am to 9pm Pacific time (PT) (March through October) Note: The limit is two reservations per phone call or website visit. The reservation schedule is as follows: Arrival date: March 15 through April 14 First day to make reservations (7am PT): November 15 Arrival date: April 15 through May 14 First day to make reservations (7am PT): December 15 Arrival date: May 15 through June 14 First day to make reservations (7am PT): January 15 Arrival date: June 15 through July 14 First day to make reservations (7am PT): February 15 Arrival date: July 15 through August 14 First day to make reservations (7am PT): March 15 Arrival date: August 15 through September 14 First day to make reservations (7am PT): April 15 Arrival date: September 15 through October 14 First day to make reservations (7am PT): May 15 Arrival date: October 15 through November 14 First day to make reservations (7am PT): June 15 Arrival date: November 15 through December 14 First day to make reservations (7am PT): July 15 Wawona Group site only: Arrival date: December 15 through January 14 First day to make reservations (7am PT): August 15 Arrival date: January 15 through February 14 First day to make reservations (7am PT): September 15 Arrival date: February 15 through March 14 First day to make reservations (7am PT): October 15 **First-Come, First-Served Campgrounds** If you try to camp in Yosemite during summer without a reservation, you'll be limited to these campgrounds: - Camp 4 (Yosemite Valley) (no RVs/trailers) - Bridalveil Creek (RVs up to 35 feet/trailers up to 24 feet) - Tamarack Flat (not recommended for RVs/trailers) - White Wolf (RVs up to 27 feet/trailers up to 24 feet) - Yosemite Creek (not recommended for RVs/trailers) - Porcupine Flat (limited space for RVs up to 24 feet/trailers up to 20 feet) - Tuolumne Meadows (RVs and trailers up to 35 feet) From fall through early spring, you may be able to find a campsite at one of the reservation campgrounds or at Wawona and Hodgdon Meadow Campgrounds, which also operate on a first-come, first-served basis from October through April. In general, however, few first-come, first-served campsites can be had in May and June. To increase your odds, arrive by noon on weekdays and midmorning on weekends. For recorded daily campground updates, call (209) 372-0266. **Backcountry Camping** Nearly 95% of Yosemite National Park is designated as wilderness, and with the proper permit you can camp in the backcountry and get a far more authentic experience than you would in a valley campground. Wilderness permits can be reserved in advance or (possibly) obtained on a first-come basis. For reservations call (209) 372-0740; requests can also be submitted by fax or mail (see http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wpres.htm for more details).

Difficulty

Distance

N/A

Estimated time

Region

Activities