Yosemite attracts lots of campers because of the many natural attractions and natural beauty of the park. There are many campgrounds and campsites for car campers, but there are things to know in order to get a site when you want one. The main factors are to plan ahead and to make a reservation. Many campsites can be reserved months ahead of time.
Selecting a Campground
Choose from 13 campgrounds located in three major areas of the park. Study the park map to determine the types of activities you want to do. Select a campground that would be convenient for your plans and tastes. Campsites in the valley and near the Wawona entrance tend to be more congested as most visitors tour the valley attractions. Campgrounds on Tioga and Glacier Point Roads are more isolated and quiet.
Reserve a Campsite Five Months Before Your Visit
During summer and fall almost all the campgrounds require a reservation. Other seasons, Yosemite Valley requires reservations, but Hodgdon Meadow, Wawona, half of Crane Flat and half of Tuolumne Meadows do not. The parks accepts campsite reservations up to five months in advance starting on the 15th of the month. For instance, for a September 14 reservation you may call beginning April 15 at 7 a.m. Pacific Time. Note that for May through September dates, most campgrounds fill the day they become available for reservations.
Camping Without a Reservation
Yosemite has campgrounds for first-come, first-served, no reservation campers. The park also has a percentage of sites in reserved campgrounds which are "no reservation" sites. Arrive early in the morning for the best opportunity of getting a campsite as vacancies refill by mid-morning in the summer. Camp the previous night just outside Yosemite to arrive early. You must get to an available campsite and register to guarantee your overnight stay. Once you are registered, you can add additional days to your stay if you wish. Phone 209-372-0266 for daily campground information.
Campground Services and Facilities
Each campsite has a picnic table, fire pit or grill, tent space, parking and a food storage locker. Throughout Yosemite, food and scented items must be stored in a latched, food storage locker, not in your tent or vehicle. This is a federal law. Yosemite provides a metal box measuring 33 inches deep by 45 inches wide by 18 inches high with a bear proof latch. Each campground has toilet facilities and water. Most the toilets are flush with the exception of Tamarack Flat, Porcupine Flat and Yosemite Creek which have non-flushing vault toilets. Find pay showers in Tuolumne Meadows in the summertime and in Yosemite Valley year-round.
Things to Know Before You Go
Yosemite is a very large park with windy roads. Things can be very far apart. Allot adequate drive time when planning outings. When visiting in Yosemite Valley, park your vehicle and walk or take the free shuttle to the places you wish to visit. The park is busiest in July and August. Camp in the off-season when more campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to the high elevation, not all campgrounds are open in May and June. Yosemite Valley has laundry facilities.
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