Operated by the National Park Service, Yosemite National Park features 13 campgrounds at a variety of settings and elevations. With its towering mountains, refreshing waterfalls and breathtaking views, Yosemite Park offers visitors a beautiful and enjoyable spot for camping.
Campgrounds
Four of the Yosemite campgrounds are located in Yosemite Valley. Among these, the Upper Pines and Camp 4 campgrounds are available for camping throughout the year. However, the Camp 4 campground only accepts tents. The Lower Pines campground is available from March through October, while the North Pines campground can be used from April through September.
The nine other campgrounds outside Yosemite Valley offer camping at a much higher elevation. Only the Wawona and Hodgdon Meadow campgrounds are available year-round. From June to September, campers can stay at the Crane Flat or Tamarack Flat campgrounds. From July to September, camping is also available at the Bridalveil Creek, White Wolf, Yosemite Creek, Porcupine Flat and Tuolumne Meadows campgrounds.
Amenities
Tap water and flush toilets are available at all the campgrounds except for Porcupine Flat, Tamarack Flat and Yosemite Creek. These three campgrounds only offer stream water and pit toilets. Dump stations are only available at Upper Pines, Tuolumne Meadows and Wawona.
Rules
Campers are limited to a maximum of 30 camping days per year at Yosemite National Park. Check-in and check-out is 10 a.m. for campgrounds inside the valley and 12 p.m. for campgrounds outside the valley. Reservations are required for Hodgdon Meadow, Upper Pines, Lower Pines, North Pines, Crane Flat, Wawona and Tuolumne Meadows. A maximum of six people are allowed per campsite and pets are allowed at all campgrounds except Lower Pines, North Pines, Porcupine Flat and Tamarack Flat. Pets must be kept on a leash at all times and cannot be left unattended. Fires are only allowed in established fire rings at specific times of the day. Campers must respect quiet hours from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m.
Black Bears
As explained by YosemitePark.com, Yosemite is home to number of black bears. To prevent black bears from invading your camp, store all foods, food supplies and scented items, including soap, lotion and toothpaste, in air-tight containers and/or metal storage boxes. If storage boxes are unavailable, store food in your car trunk, covered with a blanket or tarp. Campers that encounter black bears should attempt to scare the bear away by clapping, yelling, banging objects together or throwing small stones or pine cones in the direction of the bear.
Mountain Lions
Mountain lions also make their home inside Yosemite Park, although they tend to stay away from campers. Upon encountering a mountain lion, allow the cat plenty of room to escape without confrontation. Stay calm and either stand still or back away slowly. Since you want to appear as large as you can, raise your arms in the air or hold a large stick. If a mountain lion begins to act aggressively, wave your arms and shout or throw objects in the direction of the lion. According to Yosemite.National-Park.com, “the goal is to convince it that you are not prey and may be dangerous yourself.” Do not run away from the mountain lion, as this will only encourage him to run after you.
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