Yosemite National Park and its almost 1,200 square miles of glacier-carved valleys, stunning waterfalls, tranquil meadows, expansive wilderness and massive Sequoia trees hosts just shy of 4 million visitors a year, according to statistics reported by National Parks Traveler in 2009. Besides rock climbing, hiking and sightseeing, camping is a popular way to recreate and rejuvenate in Yosemite. If you're staying in an RV, there are certain things you need to know before you go.
Seasons
The majority of Yosemite visitors and campers come to the park in the late spring, summer and early fall. The warmer temperatures and the spectacular, high-flowing, snow-melt-driven waterfalls are the big draw. There are three campgrounds open year-round for the hardy, though: Upper Pines, Wawona and Hodgdon Meadow.
First-Come, First-Served Campgrounds
During the winter months, all Yosemite campgrounds are first-come, first-served. During the busy season, though, all of the campgrounds in Yosemite Valley, and most outside of the Valley, require a reservation. You can still get a last-minute site at some of the smaller campgrounds, predominantly along Tioga Road. To ensure you can snag a site at a first-come, first-served campground, be there very early in the morning.
Reservations
During the late spring, summer and early fall, campground reservations are secured five months prior to your arrival date. The reservation window opens on the 15th of each month at 7:00 am PT for a month-long block of dates five months later. For example, if you plan on staying between May 15 and June 14, you need to make your reservation on January 15. Be aware, the reservations fill rapidly. Plan on being on the computer or phone at 7:00 a.m. sharp, and realize the entire block of reservations could be gone in as little as 10 minutes.
Maximum RV Length
The maximum RV length in Yosemite Valley is 40 feet, but there are only 12 sites that can accommodate a rig that big. For most of the campgrounds, 35 feet is the maximum RV length. While most of the sites in Yosemite are back-in, there are some pull-throughs available.
Services
None of Yosemite's campgrounds provide hookups, but there are dump stations at Upper Pines, Wawona and Tuolumne Meadows. All of the campgrounds that accommodate RVs are equipped with tap water and flush toilets, and with the exception of Porcupine Flat, they all allow pets.
Rules
You must camp in a designated campsite; it is not permissible to park your RV overnight in a parking lot or along the side of the road and camp there. Generator hours are strictly enforced. RV campers in Yosemite need to be very aware of the bear regulations. All of the campgrounds strictly enforce food storage rules. You can store food in a hard-sided RV, provided the food is kept out of sight and all of the windows, doors and vents are securely closed when you're not immediately in your campsite. If your RV is soft-sided, you need to use the provided food storage lockers, located at each campsite.
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