how do i make camping reservations at yosemite

How to Make a Campground Reservation

1. Search for Yosemite National Park..
2. Enter the dates you want to camp.. If you're having difficulty finding space, consider looking for a reservation for...
3. Click on "filters" so you can improve search results..
4. Enter "group size" and check "reservable online.". Most Yosemite campsites have a size limit of six people. If...

Full Answer

When can I Reserve a campsite in Yosemite?

Reservations have to be made at least five months before the date that you plan to go camping. This rule applies to seven of the 13 popular camping sites in Yosemite National Park. The rest are on a first-come and first-serve basis. Starting May 21, you also need a reservation to drive into the Yosemite National Park area.

How do I make reservations in Yosemite?

• Search for Yosemite National Park.
• Enter the dates you want to camp.
• Click on "filters" so you can improve search results.
• Enter "group size" and check "reservable online."
• Select "camping" to limit your search to campground reservations.

What are the best camping sites in Yosemite?

The 5 Best Campground In Yosemite – Find Out Now!

• Lower Pines Campground. Source: Our Campsite by irene. ...
• Upper Pines Campground. Bigger is always better, right, and the same just go with the Upper Pines Campground, the best campground in Yosemite this time.
• Wawona Campground. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device. ...
• Glacier Point Road. ...
• Hodgdon Meadows. ...
• Conclusion. ...

What is the best RV park in Yosemite?

Where can I camp for free in Yosemite?

1. Lumdsen Campground. Forest Route 1N10. …
2. South Fork Campground. Forest Route 1N10. …
3. Cherry Valley Campground. Groveland, California. …
4. Lumsden Bridge Camground. …
5. Jerseydale Campground. …
6. Redinger Campground. …
7. Upper Chiquito Campground. …
8. Hartley Springs Campground.

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When to make reservations for Yosemite Valley?

How many campgrounds are there in Yosemite National Park?

When will Tuolumne Meadows open?

When is North Pines campground open?

Is it easy to get a campsite in Yosemite?

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About this website

How hard is it to get camping reservations at Yosemite?

According to Gloria Sandoval, deputy director of the California Department of Recreation, more than 67 million people visit the state's parks each year, with more than 6.5 million coming to camp. But with approximately 13,000 campsites available, it's impossible for most to get a spot.

Do you need to make reservations at Yosemite?

Other than the entrance fee, you don't need a reservation or permit to visit Yosemite. However, you should get a lodging or campground reservation if you plan to spend the night.

Can you just camp anywhere in Yosemite?

Since there are only a few designated campgrounds, you can camp anywhere you like, provided you follow all wilderness regulations. The exceptions are near the five High Sierra Camps and in the Little Yosemite Valley area, where you must you camp at the designated campgrounds.

How much does it cost to camp in Yosemite National Park?

Camping fees currently range from $5 per night to $20 per night for family sites and $40 per night for group sites....Yosemite National Park Announces Entrance and Campground Fee Increases.Type of FeeEffective 3/1/2015Effective 1/1/2016Yosemite National Park Annual Pass$60$605 more rows•Jan 30, 2015

What time do Yosemite reservations open?

Reservations are available each day at 8 am Pacific time. Reservations are taken almost immediately. Be sure to have a Recreation.gov account and be logged in and ready to get a reservation promptly at 8 am Pacific daylight time.

Can you camp for free in Yosemite?

Luckily, there are a number of free campgrounds located in Stanislaus, Sierra, Eldorado, Sequoia and Inyo National Forests. These forests border Yosemite as well as providing unique and stunning scenery of its own for adventurers to explore.

Can I sleep in my car in Yosemite?

Within Yosemite National Park, you may not sleep in your car or RV except in a campsite that you're registered to stay in (except at Camp 4, where sleeping in cars is not allowed because it's a walk-in campground). Sleeping in your car along the side of the road is not allowed.

Are there grizzly bears in Yosemite?

The last known grizzly bear was shot outside the Yosemite region in the early 1920s; the species no longer exists in California despite its presence on the California state flag.

Do you need a permit to camp in Little Yosemite Valley?

No other permit or reservation is required to camp at Little Yosemite Valley.

How much does it cost to stay in Housekeeping Camp Yosemite?

Lodging Rates Housekeeping Camp and Half Dome Village run about $100 to $150 per night. Yosemite View Lodge is $207 per night and up, and the Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite is $436 per night and up. Plus, these accommodations fill up fast.

What is the best time of year to go to Yosemite National Park?

The Best Time to Visit Yosemite National Park for Avoiding the Crowds. The park is open year-round, but nearly 75% of visitors come from May to October, ensuring a wonderfully quiet and crowd-free park from November through April.

Can you camp inside Yosemite?

Upper, Lower and North Pines Campgrounds in Yosemite Valley Upper Pines, Lower Pines and North Pines campgrounds located conveniently in Yosemite Valley are a perfect choice. Upper Pines Campground is the only RV-friendly campground open all year round and has a dump station.

Yosemite Camping, Yosemite Campgrounds & Yosemite Camping Reservations

Find Yosemite camping and Yosemite camping reservations. There are many Yosemite campgrounds to choose from as well as Mariposa County camping options near the park. Because reservations book months in advance, check out our page and plan your Yosemite National Park camping trip today.

Camping & Campground Reservations Online | ReserveAmerica

Reservations made easy! Reserve campgrounds, lodging, boat slips, and day-use locations online with ReserveAmerica. Plan your adventure today!

Entrance Reservations - Yosemite National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

A reservation will be required to drive into or through Yosemite National Park from May 20 through September 30, 2022, for those driving into the park between 6 am and 4 pm. Driving through the park will also require a reservation if entering between 6 am and 4 pm.If you are planning to visit after peak hours, please do not arrive before 4 pm; vehicles blocking roads will be cited.

Online Reservations - CA State Parks

If you make a reservation on: You can make reservations with an arrival date of: August 1, 2017. February 1, 2018. August 2, 2017. February 2, 2018. August 3, 2017

RV & Campgrounds | Yosemite National Park CA | TravelYosemite.com

There are 13 campgrounds in Yosemite National Park—each with its own unique personality, and all with stunning views. Campgrounds include traditional tent campsites, RV sites, and wilderness camping, and are all managed by the National Park Service.

When will reservations be required for Yosemite?

To better manage heavy visitation in Yosemite National Park while California continues to experience the COVID-19 pandemic, reservations will be temporarily required to enter Yosemite every day through February 28, 2021. Starting March 1, reservations will not be required to enter Yosemite.

Where to stay in Yosemite Valley?

In-Park Camping, Lodging, or Vacation Rentals 1 Upper Pines, Lower Pines, or North Pines Campgrounds, Camp 4, Wawona Campground, Bridalveil Creek Campground, or Tuolumne Meadows Campground 2 Curry Village, Housekeeping Camp, Yosemite Valley Lodge, The Ahwahnee, or the Wawona Hotel 3 Private lodging or vacation rental reservation in Wawona, Yosemite West, or Foresta#N#Reservations for lodging or vacation rentals outside the park and in communities other than these three do not provide access to Yosemite.

How many reservations can you make in a day?

Each user can make one reservation per day. Only one reservation is needed per vehicle (regardless of the number of people in the vehicle). An occupant of the arriving vehicle must be the reservation holder (with photo ID).

How long is a vehicle permit valid for in Yosemite?

Your overnight vehicle permit is valid for seven days starting on the date of your campground or lodging reservation. Upper Pines Campground reservation. Yosemite Valley Lodge, or The Ahwahnee reservation. Private lodging or vacation rental reservation in Wawona, Yosemite West, or Foresta.

How long is a day use permit valid in the park?

Day-use permits are valid for seven consecutive days for unlimited entries.

When are day use reservations available?

Beginning at 8 am Pacific time two days prior to a day-use reservation date, the remaining 20% of day-use reservations will be available. For example, on February 8 at 8 am, day-use reservations for February 10 will be available. Reservations are taken almost immediately.

Do you need a reservation for in-park camping?

In-Park Camping, Lodging, or Vacation Rentals. If you have a reservation for one of the following, you do not need an additional reservation. You still pay the $35/car entrance fee upon arrival (credit card only) unless you have an annual or lifetime pass.

How to make a reservation for Yosemite National Park?

To make a reservation, visit Recreation.gov and follow the instructions below. 1. Search for Yosemite National Park. 2. Enter the dates you want to camp. If you're having difficulty finding space, consider looking for a reservation for fewer nights. 3.

How many people can you have at Yosemite?

Most Yosemite campsites have a size limit of six people. If your group is larger, you can stil enter six (or leave this blank), but you will need more than one campsite. If you enter a group size of more than six, the search results will only include double and group campsites.

Where to camp in Yosemite National Park?

The most sought after spots are found at the three Pines campgrounds: Upper Pines, Lower Pines, and North Pines.

How many campgrounds are there in Yosemite?

Yosemite's 13 campgrounds can be broken down geographically into three categories: campgrounds in Yosemite Valley, campgrounds north of the valley, and campgrounds south of the valley (1). The campgrounds in Yosemite Valley, including Upper Pines, Lower Pines, North Pines, and Camp 4 (not reservable), are the hardest spots to get because ...

How many people visit Yosemite National Park in September?

Between the months of June and September, over 2 million people will visit Yosemite National Park. The vast majority of those visitors will be spending their time in Yosemite valley because it is home to most of the park's landmarks.

Can you have two reservations in a campground?

You can try to piece together the dates you need for your trip. You can only have two reservations held in your cart at a time though, so you may need to use your enlisted help to get things done. Or try searching other nearby campgrounds.

How to reserve Yosemite camping?

You can reserve Yosemite camping by telephone at 800-44-6777 or 518-885-3639 from outside the United States and Canada. You can also make Yosemite camping reservations online. In my experience, the online reservation system is more than frustrating. I recommend an old-fashioned phone call instead.

When do you need to make a reservation for Yosemite Valley?

March 15 through November, you need a reservation for drive-in campgrounds in Yosemite Valley. You also need them summer through fall for Hodgdon Meadow, Crane Flat, Wawona, and part of Tuolumne Meadows. The maximum total days for Yosemite camping is 30 per year.

How many Yosemite campsites are open?

In fact, about 400 Yosemite camping sites are available in the summer on a "first come, first served" basis with no reservations needed. In the winter, only half of the 500 Yosemite camping sites that are open that time of year require reservations. If you want to try for a first-come, first-served campsite, get there early.

How many people can camp in Yosemite?

The maximum per Yosemite camping site is six people (including children) and two vehicles. You can only make two reservations per phone call or online transaction, so if you need more, find a friend to help. Smaller campgrounds fill up first, and they are also more pleasant and less smoke-filled in the evening.

How many days can you stay in Yosemite?

The maximum total days for Yosemite camping is 30 per year. Between May 1 and September 15, the limit for one stay is seven days in Yosemite Valley and 14 days elsewhere.

Can you camp at Yosemite without a reservation?

That's not 100% true. If you can't get a reservation, you may be able to find a site at the last minute - if you're prepared and know how the system works.

Do Yosemite campgrounds have showers?

They're the only Yosemite campgrounds that have showers, too. You can reserve for them online with fewer restrictions than those described below. Yosemite camping reservations for the rest of the national park are released one month at a time, five months in advance, on the 15th of each month. I know, it's confusing.

When are campgrounds full?

Reservations: campgrounds requiring reservations are full from around April through September. You should make a reservation as early as possible. If you don't have a reservation, you can try for a reservation one day in advance at Camp 4 (tents only/no RVs or trailers).

When is Camp 4 open?

Camp 4 will open on May 21 with 25 sites. Reservations are required and available one day in advance by lottery. While the usual practice is for sites to be shared, each site will be assigned to a single group (of up to six people). The new part of Camp 4 (east of the parking lot) will open on May 21 and showers will be available only ...

Is there shower in Yosemite National Park in 2021?

Additional Notes. Showers for campers are not available in Yosemite National Park in 2021 (except for registered Camp 4 campers). Campground dates are subject to change based on conditions. Group campsites are not available in 2021.

Is Yosemite open for showers in 2021?

A limited number of campgrounds will be open in 2021, with reservations required for all campsites. Public showers are not available in Yosemite. Below is information about each of the campgrounds in Yosemite. Additional information is available for each campground by clicking on the campground name.

Does Yosemite Valley have showers?

Campgrounds listed as having tap water have regular restrooms. Showers are not available. In normal circumstances, they are only available in Yosemite Valley at Curry Village and Housekeeping Camp. Showers are not available elsewhere. Dump stations are available at Upper Pines Campground (all year), near Wawona Campground (summer only), ...

Is there a wilderness permit for Yosemite Valley?

Backcountry campgrounds at Little Yosemite Valley and near the High Sierra camps (Glen Aulin, May Lake, Sunrise, Merced Lake, and Vogelsang) are not part of the campground reservation system. A wilderness permit is required to stay at these campgrounds.

Does Yosemite have hookups?

No campsites in Yosemite have hook-ups of any kind. RV campsites are available in most campgrounds. Group campsites are not available in 2021, but are normally available all year at Wawona Campground, and during summer at Hodgdon Meadow, Bridalveil Creek, and Tuolumne Meadows Campgrounds. Horse campsites are available during summer at Wawona, ...

Why is it so hard to get a reservation?

While it may be hard to believe, it's difficult to get a reservation simply because the demand is extremely high. Reservation availability decreases rapidly once reservations become available because the website has a virtually unlimited capacity to accept reservation requests from the thousands of people submitting them.

How many vehicles are allowed in a campground?

Up to two motorized vehicles are allowed in each campsite (not including trailers), as long as all the wheels on both vehicles (and trailer, if any) can fit on the parking pad without obstructing traffic. Each campground has overflow parking available either at the campground (usually near the campground entrance) or nearby.

When are floods in Yosemite Valley?

Spring floods are common in Yosemite Valley in May and June, with portions of Lower Pines, and, especially, North Pines Campgrounds becoming inundated. As a result, we don't make the affected campsites available for reservation until we are sure the river will be at a safe level. Depending on conditions, these campsites may be available for reservation a few weeks (less likely) or just a few days (more likely) in advance via recreation.gov. If water levels are high, these sites may only be available in the park on a first-come, first-served, daily basis.

Can you park your RV on a parking pad?

In any case, if you reserve a campsite for an RV or trailer that is longer than specified for the campsite and can park all of your RV's or trailer's wheels onto the parking pad without obstructing traffic, you can use the campsite. However, we do not recommend taking this risk.

Can RVs be used in tent only campsites?

RVs are not allowed in tent-only campsites. These sites only have space for tents and, in many cases, the parking is a short distance away from the campsite (and you're required to camp in the campsite). You should always read the site alerts and book a site that is appropriate for the equipment you will be camping in.

How to get into Yosemite National Park?

Get into the park without a day-use vehicle reservation. 1 Take regional transportation. YARTS busses run from all of the major gateway communities into Yosemite National Park. This affordable option even allows you to bring bikes with you in the under-bus cargo area for transportation around Yosemite Valley as needed. (Bikes are also available for rent in Yosemite Valley at Curry Village and Yosemite Valley Lodge.) 2 Take a tour. Local tour guides know Yosemite best and provide a wide range of itineraries. Plus, letting experienced tour guides do the driving frees everyone in your group to relax and enjoy the scenery. 3 Join Yosemite Conservancy for an Outdoor Adventure, Custom Adventure, or art class. These special programs include entry to the park for the duration of the program. 4 Hoof it. The day-use vehicle reservations only apply to vehicle entries. If you have a lot of energy, you can walk, ride a bike, or take a horseback ride with Yosemite Trails into the park without a reservation.

Where to ride on horseback in Yosemite?

From the region around Fish Camp and Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite, you’ll want to explore the sequoias by horseback with Yosemite Trails Horseback Adventures. There is even a backdoor trail from this area into the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias that makes for a great ride on horses or mountain bikes.

When do you need a day use permit in Yosemite?

How To Get a Day-Use Yosemite Reservation Permit. You’ll need a day-use reservation for your vehicle to enter Yosemite between May 21 and Sep. 30, 2021. Make sure you get one online ahead of time at recreation.gov. The reservation is good for three consecutive vehicle access days.

Do you need a day use reservation for Yosemite?

If you have a lodging or camping reservation inside the park, you will NOT need an additional day-use reservation. This includes hotels like The Ahwahnee (pictured), Curry Village, or Wawona Hotel, vacation rentals in Yosemite West, Wawona or Foresta, or campgrounds inside the park.

Do you have to arrive on the first day of your reservation?

Unlike 2020, you don’t have to arrive on the first day of your reservation to validate it. As an example, a reservation for May 22 allows unlimited park entries on May 22, 23, and 24. The day-use reservation allows one vehicle to enter the park regardless of how many people are in that vehicle. The person who made the reservation must be in ...

Do you need a permit to ride a horse in the park?

If you want to hike, bike, or ride a horse into the park, you don’t need a permit either. If you’re just passing through to get to a destination on the other side of the park, and don’t plan to stop. (You’ll get a time-stamped permit with enough time to get from one gate to another.

Is Hetch Hetchy in Yosemite Valley?

Explore Hetch Hetchy, Yosemite Valley’s quieter twin without a day-use vehicle reservation. Hetch Hetchy is a water-filled twin of the majestic Yosemite Valley with soaring granite cliffs, waterfalls, and some spectacular hiking above the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir.

When does Yosemite release new campsites?

Yosemite releases a new block of campsites on the 15th of each month at 7:00 a.m. Pacific or 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Check here for the on-sale and arrival dates schedule.

What is striking it rich with a Yosemite reservation?

Striking it Rich with a Yosemite Reservation, and other California Hotspots. Since the Gold Rush of 1849, California remains high on many travelers' bucket lists. Today’s adventurers dream not of gold, but of striking it rich with a campsite in Yosemite National Park. Other “gold strikes” include a permit for the Yosemite Cables on Half Dome ...

When to make reservations for Yosemite Valley?

Reservations are required all year for Yosemite Valley's car campgrounds and summer through fall for Hodgdon Meadow, Crane Flat, Wawona, and half of Tuolumne Meadows. Campground reservations are available in blocks of one month at a time, up to five months in advance, on the 15th of each month at 7 am Pacific time.

How many campgrounds are there in Yosemite National Park?

Yosemite National Park has 13 popular campgrounds, of which up to seven are on a reservation system. From April through September, reservations are essential and even the first-come, first-served campgrounds usually fill by noon (often earlier) from April through September.

When will Tuolumne Meadows open?

This campground will be open only for RVs/trailers with toilets (no restrooms available). Tuolumne Meadows Campground will open for the season on June 21, 2021 at a reduced capacity; reservations are required .

When is North Pines campground open?

North Pines Campground is open until November 1, 2021, at a reduced capacity; reservations are required . Camp 4 will open on May 20. Reservations are required and available one day in advance by lottery.

Is it easy to get a campsite in Yosemite?

People have enjoyed the tradition of camping in Yosemite for generations. However, getting a campsite in Yosemite is not always easy. Park Ranger Marea Ortiz gives an overview of what camping is like in Yosemite, and advice on how to get a campsite. Duration:

Peak-Hours Reservations

• Seventy percent of reservations for all dates from May 20 through September 30, 2022, will be available on Recreation.govon March 23. Thirty percent of reservations will be available seven days before the arrival date (e.g., make a reservation for an arrival date of September 30 on September 23). Reservations are available each day at 8 am Pacific ...

See more on nps.gov

In-Park Camping, Lodging, Or Vacation Rentals

Wilderness Or Half Dome Permits

Regional Transit Or Tour Groups