Yosemite National Park is home to 1,200 square miles of preserved wilderness, famous for its dramatic granite walls, countless waterfalls (among them, Yosemite Falls, one of the tallest in the world), alpine meadows and high sierra wildflowers. Camping in the park allows you a choice of 13 established campgrounds, not including backcountry camping. All of these offer the proximity of demanding hikes, rock climbs, swimming and more for the active traveler.
Yosemite Valley
Entering Yosemite's west entrance leads to Yosemite Valley and the first glimpse of granite walls and spires reaching thousands of feet into the air and surrounding the plummeting waterfalls. The Valley offers the choice of four campgrounds: Upper Pines, Lower Pines, North Pines (all of which cost $20 per day) and Camp Four ($5 a day). Stick to the Pines campgrounds if you are traveling by RV since Camp Four is designated for tent camping only. Lower and North Pines require advance reservations, Upper Pines requires reservations from March 15 to November 29 and Camp Four is first-come first-served. Climbers can set tents up at Camp Four, which is famous for its history of early climbing in Yosemite Valley and still very much dominated by the sport's enthusiasts. Hiking and access to waterfall viewpoints are possible from all of these campgrounds.
Tuolumne Meadows
Tuolumne Meadows, near Tioga Pass is in the upper reaches of the park, where granite domes, alpine meadows, wildflowers and lodgepole pines dominate the landscape. The Tuolumne Meadows campground operates on a 50/50 reserve to first-come, first-served basis and has more than 300 sites. Campers can stay here to go on high-altitude hikes in the Glen Allen, Sunrise and Vogelsang sections of the park. There are several hikes to alpine lakes and granite domes as well and also, this is where the Pacific Crest Trail (which is more than 2,500 miles spanning from the border of Mexico to the border of Canada) passes through Yosemite.
The Flats
The Flats campgrounds include Crane Flat, Tamarack Flat and Porcupine Flat and cost $20, $10 and $10, respectively. All of these campgrounds are north of Yosemite Valley and rest between the Valley and Tuolumne Meadows at various elevations. Crane Flat is the only one of the three with tap water available. Boil the creek water at Porcupine and Tamarack Flats to purify it before drinking. Campers with an appreciation for a bit more solitude and ruggedness will appreciate these camps, which also have trailheads to areas of the park that are not as commonly visited as Tuolumne and the Valley.
Backcountry High Camps
The established backcountry campgrounds require a wilderness permit to stay at them. According to the National Park Service, they are not included in the campground reservation system. Campers hike into these camps with all of the gear and equipment they may need for the duration of their stay; these campsites are nestled into the wilderness several miles from any roads or supply points. Escape from the crowds by staying at these camps, which also provide access to some of the more remote peaks and alpine lakes.
Considerations
Choose the location of a preferred campground well in advance and make reservations if applicable. Yosemite Valley alone receives more than 3 million visitors annually and campsites can become crowded. Base decisions on the manner of travel (with or without an RV) and the proximity to areas of the park you wish to explore.
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