Yosemite National Park is one of America’s first wilderness parks. Its waterfalls, valleys, giant sequoia trees, granite rock formations and grand wilderness valley make it a top destination for camping in California. Whether looking for back country adventures, RV camps, traditional tented camping or campground cabins, Yosemite offers opportunities to satisfy all tastes.
Planning the Trip and Making Reservations
Yosemite is within driving distance for millions of Californians, and the park can get very crowded. It is essential to make reservations for car campgrounds from March through November and for much of the year for Hodgdon Meadow, Wawona, Crane Flat and Tuolumne Meadows. Reservations typically fill up within minutes of opening up by phone or online, so it is critical to plan ahead. The park also has first-come, first-served campgrounds, but from May to September they usually fill up by noon. Permits are required for hikes to Half Dome and for wilderness area campgrounds.
Back Country Camping
With 95 percent of the park designated as wilderness areas, back country camping is available in a vast area. There are five High Sierra camps reachable only by foot or in a saddle. They are spaced five to ten miles apart along a loop trail and enable backpackers to have a place to lay down their packs and spend their days hiking without the worry of setting up camp each night. The camps provide dinner and breakfast and optional box lunches. Though most people hike independently, National Park Service Guides also lead guided five and seven day hikes through the loop and guided pack mule tours. The tented cabins have hot showers and restrooms, but guests provide their own bedding.
RV Camping
Ten campgrounds inside the park can accommodate RVs and trailers. Hookups are not available, but there are several dump stations. All campgrounds have different length restrictions and some do not allow pets, so it is important to research the appropriate camp in advance.
Established Lodgings
Yosemite provides several options for guests who want the camping experience without having to pitch tents. Yosemite Housekeeping Camp occupies a central location on the Merced River and features sandy swimming beaches and stunning views of Yosemite Falls and Half Dome. A campfire ring is available for outdoor cooking, and there is a camp store and laundry facility. Curry Village, affectionately known as Camp Curry, has been open since 1899, when a bed and a meal cost just $2 a day. The camp today is within site of Half Dome and Glacier Point and offers motel rooms, cabins with private bath and canvas tent cabins sharing a central bath house. Some tents are heated.
Group and Horse Campsites
Group campsites provide bathrooms with drinking water and flushing toilets. Most have fire rings, picnic tables and food lockers. A few are suitable for wheelchairs. Dump stations, grocery stores and showers exist at scattered sites around the park. Wawona, Bridalveil Creek and Tuolumne Meadows are also horse campsites.
Park Activities
Granite mountains are prime sites for rock climbing. Other park activities include hiking, biking, fishing and horseback riding. Park rangers present informative talks and walks and special events. Summer brings rafting on the Merced River, kayaking on Tenaya Lake and swimming in pools, lakes and rivers. Winter brings cross country skiing and snowshoeing, and there is downhill skiing and snowboarding at Badger Pass.
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