With over 750 miles of hiking trails, some of the tallest waterfalls in the United States and finger-crimping granite walls, Yosemite National Park is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts of all varieties. Camping in Yosemite National Park can accommodate your every outdoor whim. The locations for campgrounds in the park range from the heart of Yosemite Valley to the high-country campsites spread sporadically along Highway 120 and the backcountry for seekers of solitude.
The Pines
There are three Pines campgrounds: Upper Pines, Lower Pines and North Pines. Nestled in the shade of Yosemite Valley, camping in any of the Pines campgrounds provides access to dozens of hiking trails, world-renowned rock climbing, bike paths, river tubing and views of the valley's tremendous waterfalls. If you are traveling in an RV that's over 35 feet, make your reservations for Lower or North Pines, which can accommodate vehicles up to 40 feet. Tent camping is available in all three Pines campgrounds.
The Flats
Crane Flat, Tamarack Flat and Porcupine Flat are all campgrounds situated along Highway 120 north of Yosemite Valley. These campgrounds are at a higher elevation and receive fewer visitors than the valley. Trailheads lead from each of the campgrounds, providing access to alpine meadows, granite cliffs and high alpine lakes in the Yosemite backcountry. According to the National Park Service, Crane Flat is the only one with tap water. At both Tamarack Flat and Porcupine Flat, you will need to boil or treat the creek water.
The Meadows
Tuolumne Meadows and Hogdon Meadow are northeast of Yosemite Valley along Highway 120. Tuolumne Meadows is at 8,600 feet, while Hogdon Meadow is at 4,900. Hogdon receives fewer crowds and is open year-round, but Tuolumne is the beacon of trail access, with trailheads heading into the backcountry areas of Glen Aulin, Sunset, Vogelsang, Dog Lake and more.
The Backcountry
As home to over 1,000 square miles of designated wilderness, Yosemite National Park is a haven for backcountry camping. You can camp nearly anywhere within the park's borders, but there are a few regulations that you must follow. Fires are prohibited at elevations above 9,600 feet, and camping isn't allowed in the area between Lower Yosemite Valley and Half Dome, which receives a bulk of the park's visitors. The visitor center at Yosemite Village issues permits for overnight camping and rents bear canisters for proper backcountry food storage.
Horse Campsites
Horse camping is available at two campgrounds south of Yosemite Valley: Bridalveil Creek and Wawona. Bridalveil is a first-come first-served site that opens in early July. You can also horse camp at the Tuolumne Meadows campground in the summer. You need to make a reservation for horse camping, which you can do by calling (877) 444-6777 (as of August 2010).
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