Camping in Yosemite: Which Campground to Choose, Reservations, and Fees

By Jocelyn Pion · Data: National Park Service · ← Complete guide Yosemite

In a nutshell: Yes, you can camp in Yosemite. The park has about thirteen official campgrounds and more than 1,000 campsites. Most require reservations through recreation.gov, with availability opening five months in advance. In July and August, sites disappear within minutes of the 7 a.m. Pacific opening.

Campgrounds in the park (12)

• Campground Upper Pines Campground first come, first served · 236 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Hodgdon Meadow Campground first come, first served · 100 sites Directions ↗
• Campground North Pines Campground first come, first served · 81 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Lower Pines Campground first come, first served · 74 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Wawona Campground first come, first served · 95 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Tuolumne Meadows Campground first come, first served · 289 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Crane Flat Campground first come, first served · 148 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Camp 4 Campground first come, first served · 61 sites Directions ↗
• Campground White Wolf Campground recreation.gov · 68 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Porcupine Flat Campground first come, first served · 55 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Yosemite Creek Campground first come, first served · 74 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Tamarack Flat Campground first come, first served · 52 sites Directions ↗

Show interactive map Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO

Can You Camp Inside Yosemite?

Yes, and it's one of the park's most memorable experiences. Keep in mind that dispersed camping isn't allowed. Every overnight stay must be in an official campsite or covered by a wilderness permit. Camping outside designated areas is a violation punishable by a fine.

Campgrounds Inside the Park

Yosemite Valley

Four campgrounds sit in the valley, within walking distance of the waterfalls and El Capitan.

Upper Pines Campground is the valley's largest, with about 240 campsites, and it's open year-round. Tents and RVs are allowed. It's our go-to recommendation for a first visit: the campground is well served by the park's free shuttle, with tables, fire rings, and drinking water close at hand.

Lower Pines Campground and North Pines Campground line the Merced River a few hundred yards apart. Together, they have about 140 campsites and close for the winter.

Camp 4 is the historic climbers' campground, drawing visitors since the 1960s who come to test themselves on the valley walls. Its roughly 40 tent-only sites are assigned by lottery on recreation.gov the morning before. If you're here to climb, this is the place.

South and West Areas

Wawona Campground sits at the South Entrance (Highway 41). It's open year-round and has about 100 campsites in a forested setting. It's a good choice for families arriving from Fresno, about 28 miles from Yosemite Village.

Hodgdon Meadow Campground (Highway 120 West) is open year-round too, making it convenient for longer stays or late arrivals. Crane Flat Campground, a little farther east on the same road, operates only during the summer season.

Bridalveil Creek Campground is tucked above 6,600 feet along Glacier Point Road. Nights are cold even in July, and the campground sees few visitors. It's a good spot for stargazing away from the valley lights.

Tioga Road at High Elevation

These campgrounds are accessible only from June through October because Highway 120 closes with the first snow.

Tuolumne Meadows Campground is the park's largest campground outside the valley, with more than 300 campsites at 8,500 feet. Dozens of high-country trails start here.

White Wolf Campground is smaller and quieter. Tamarack Flat Campground, Yosemite Creek Campground, and Porcupine Flat Campground operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations and no running water. They're popular with campers looking for a primitive setting without entering the lottery.

RVs and Camper Vans in Yosemite

Most campgrounds in the park allow RVs, but length restrictions apply. Some sites accommodate vehicles up to 43 feet, while others allow less. NPS campgrounds have no electrical hookups. Generators are allowed during designated hours, generally from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. If your vehicle exceeds the permitted length, see the suitable options in our RV Camping in Yosemite guide.

Camping Nearby, Outside the Park

When the campgrounds are full, the adjacent national forests, including Sierra National Forest and Stanislaus National Forest, offer more accessible campsites. Some don't require reservations, and fees are often lower. Our Where to Stay guide covers non-camping lodging around Yosemite in detail.

Dispersed Camping and Backcountry Camping

Spending the night in the wilderness is possible in Yosemite, but it's regulated. You need a wilderness permit. You can get one through an online seasonal lottery that opens in March, or in person at Yosemite Village's Wilderness Center. In the backcountry, your tent must be at least 0.9 miles from the road and at least 5 miles from the valley. For backcountry routes and help choosing high-elevation trails, see our Yosemite Hiking Guide.

How and When to Reserve a Yosemite Campsite

All reservations go through recreation.gov. Availability opens five months ahead at 7 a.m. Pacific time. For a July 15 stay, sites become available on February 15. During peak season, Upper Pines Campground and Tuolumne Meadows Campground fill within an hour of the opening. Our advice is to select several consecutive dates to improve your odds. Camp 4 uses a lottery on the morning before, through the same website. To choose the best window based on weather and crowds, see When to Visit Yosemite.

Fees: How Much Does a Night of Camping Cost in Yosemite?

A developed campsite costs $26 to $36 per night, depending on the campground. Primitive campgrounds without running water, such as Yosemite Creek Campground and Porcupine Flat Campground, cost around $10 to $12. These fees are in addition to the park entrance fee: $35 per private vehicle, valid for seven days. America the Beautiful pass holders enter for free. For entrance fees and annual passes, see the National Parks Fees and Passes page.

Safety and Good Practices: Bears

Yosemite is black bear habitat. Food storage rules are nonnegotiable. Store all food, drinks, toiletries, and trash in the bear box provided at every campsite, or in an NPS-approved bear canister if you're in the backcountry. Leaving food visible in a vehicle is a violation, with fines of up to $5,000. If you encounter a bear, don't approach it or feed it, and report unusual behavior to the rangers. At night, close the trunk before closing the tent.

Which Campground Is Right for You?

Frequently Asked Questions