Looking for the best campgrounds near Yosemite National Park, CA? Yosemite National Park is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.
$36 / night
"Had a great weekend going to Yosemite national park, either way if the temperature was low"
"Close to Happy Isles and Mirror Lake/Meadow, this campground is convenient for day hikers. it's one of the better spots in Yosemite Valley, somewhat off the beaten path, so to speak."
$60 / night
"These are walk-in sites for tents only and are on a per person basis ( It fills up really fast ) parking is available adjacent to the campground, you will need a parking permit."
"This iconic campground, situated in the middle of Yosemite Valley, was once home to many of America's early rock climbing pioneers. "
$36 - $75 / night
"Wawona is within the gates of Yosemite National Park, and is about 25 minutes away from the valley floor - it’s not too far of a drive, but it’s on the windy mountainous Highway 41 into Yosemite."
"The river and swimming holes are close by and accessible to all, sites have ample space between each other, there are clean restrooms, and all sites have their own bear box."
$48 / night
"Very great campsite located right in the heart of Yosemite National Park. Hard to get reservations unless you plan way ahead which we do every year but we'll work it."
"There is a shuttle stop right outside the campground. You are also in easy walking distance to the path to Mirror Lake and the ever popular Mist Trail."
$36 - $60 / night
"Bathrooms were clean, access to drinking water was easy. Park shuttle is nearby and easy to get around."
"There is only a small area next to the paved parkway that is flat for our 6-person tent. But this is a Yosemite campground, we would take whatever campsite available. Restroom is clean."
"The site is right outside Yosemite National park. It is perfect for car camping as it is a large parking lot. There is a dumpster and it’s fantastic for viewing the stars."
"After accidentally driving to this location following the directions of another reviewer for the “Yosemite Boondocks” campground across 41 (which we never found) we were very happy with this location."
$24 / night
"As an overall experience, I give the Yosemite Creek, and the Yosemite National Park overall amazing experience and would highly recommend it!"
"The campground was easy to find, conveniently located within the park, spacious and very clean. I was a little nervous about bears, but there is a bear locker for every site."
$98 - $300 / night
"Best part is the location, which gives direct access to some of the most popular trails -- Happy Isles to Mist Trail, Mirror lake, etc. It has a nice family friendly vibe."
"The location is perfect for all the Valley trails. There is a shuttle right outside. There are several campgrounds here."
$36 - $75 / night
"Tuolumne Meadows Campground is located in Yosemite National Park in the Central California's Sierra Nevada Mountain. Its elevation at 8000 plus feet gives you the chance to see beautiful scenery."
"This campground is located outside of Yosemite Valley, so it has less of the “Disneyland of the Sierra” feel—more serene and fewer people and buses."
"For people with mobility issues, this site is a good walk away from the inner valley trails, fine for anyone else who is up for walking distances, because that is why you came to Yosemite!"
"Beautiful campground, unfortunately right next to the trail, but very spacious and also has bathrooms and picnic tables right there!"
GuideThere are No Camping signs posted at the road and farther up toward the hot springs. We did end up staying here one night with our pop-up camper, because it was late when we finally arrived. There was a little pull out loop that had a camper van and another truck camper already parked and camping when we got there. There was plenty of room to be able to pull in and park in that area as well. It’s very dusty/sandy in this area. The hot springs were a 5 min drive from this spot. There are really no facilities here! There is one vault toilet down by the hot springs, but it was pretty rough. There are no trash cans around, it is a pack it in, pack it out area, please be prepared to clean up after yourselves and remove your trash. I did clean up some remnants of others trash, but for the most part it was pretty well kept. Although it says no camping, this was a decent overnight spot with beautiful views and it was pretty awesome to be able to wake up and soak in the hot springs on a chilly morning!
GuideFirstly, the spots aren’t actually on Evergreen; they’re on an easily missed dirt road near Aspen Valley Rd. There are two spots at the end of the very short road - each with a fire pit and ample space. There’s tons of dead/dry wood around for fires. It’s close to the road but there isn’t much traffic and it’s very close to the Yosemite entrance.
TravelerThe campground itself is very nice and clean.
The host basically demanded that we pay the ten dollar donation (which we had planned to do), so it's not a free place to camp. Then he complained because we were in a double site. There wasn't any indication that it was a double site, and the campground was basically empty, so we weren't keeping anyone from the site. We gladly would have moved if someone wanted it!
TravelerNot gonna lie, I was skeptical at first. GPS took me to the wrong (dirt) road, it was getting dark and stormy... Eventually stormed passed and I got a clear moonlight and could hear the gurgle of the river a few meters away. Best reward was in the morning... Wow! ♥️ A nice spot for those just leaving Yosemite or about to go into it.
The road is not great, drive slowly
PS: I found a tote bag (see pic) where I was, if it's yours hit me up!!
ScoutThis site is just about four minutes away from Yosemite entrance. We stayed here two nights. The sites are really spread out, which is super nice!
Unfortunately, we did find a lot of toilet paper and human waste.
There were also a lot of ground bee nests. Our dogs pretty much all got stung when they were running around the campsite.
The road around the campground is super bumpy and it was a little challenging to find a level spot. But there were enough areas to find something level to sleep on.
We really enjoyed our stay here, though! The spots are nestled in the trees with a lot of privacy and separation from other campers. We were able to let our dogs off and run around, which was a huge plus. Great place to camp!
ScoutWe loved camping here. There were great campsites with bear lockers along a really nice little creek. Fantastic location for dogs. Lots of space to walk the dogs. Campground is quiet. No cell service but our Starlink worked great.
ScoutVery weather dependent area. Nice breeze and most sites have full sun. Sites are paved, no hook ups at all, you can use a generator in 2 of the 3 loops. Bath houses are just cold water but clean.
TravelerNice big campground on our way to Yosemite. Its a self check-in, first come first serve campground. However, we have been welcomed by the very nice and friendly host, who told us everything we needed to know. Restrooms and shower are quiet clean and the Wifi is extremely good.
TravelerThis campground was the most beautifull place I have ever seen of all my trips around the world! During our stay we were almost alone at our campsite area. The friendly ladies at the entrance gave us the perfect site very close to the lake - thanks for that!
Camping near Yosemite National Park, California, offers a fantastic way to experience the great outdoors while soaking in breathtaking views. With a variety of campgrounds to choose from, each with its own unique features, you can find the perfect spot for your adventure.
Camping near Yosemite National Park, California, is an adventure filled with natural beauty and outdoor fun. Just be prepared for the unique challenges that come with it!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make reservations for Yosemite National Park campgrounds?
Reservations for most Yosemite campgrounds must be made well in advance—up to 5 months ahead for popular sites like Upper Pines Campground — Yosemite National Park. Make reservations through recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. The competition is fierce, especially for summer dates, so mark your calendar and be ready when the booking window opens. Some campgrounds like North Pines Campground — Yosemite National Park require planning a year ahead. A limited number of first-come, first-served campgrounds exist, but they typically fill by early morning, especially during peak season.
What amenities are available at Yosemite campgrounds?
Yosemite campgrounds generally offer basic amenities including potable water, vault or flush toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, and food storage lockers (bear boxes) which are essential and required for use. Tuolumne Meadows Campground — Yosemite National Park offers beautiful scenery at 8,000+ feet elevation. Hodgdon Meadow Campground — Yosemite National Park provides bear boxes and basic facilities. Most campgrounds do not have showers, electricity, or RV hookups. Cell service is limited or non-existent at many sites. Some campgrounds have nearby general stores for basic supplies, though selection varies seasonally.
What are the best times of year to camp in Yosemite National Park?
Late spring through early fall (May-September) offers the best overall camping experience in Yosemite, though this is also the busiest period. Tioga Lake Campground near the eastern entrance sits at 9,800 feet elevation and is typically accessible from June through September. Weather varies dramatically by elevation—Ellery Campground can see temperatures as low as 25°F even in June at higher elevations. Fall brings fewer crowds and beautiful colors, while winter camping is limited to Lower Pines. Spring offers waterfalls at peak flow but potential for variable weather conditions.
What private campgrounds are available near Yosemite when park campgrounds are full?
When Yosemite campgrounds are full, several private options await nearby. High Sierra RV Park offers full hookups, though some sites may require careful maneuvering for larger RVs. Mother Lode Fairgrounds in Sonora provides grassy full hookup sites with easy access to the historic mining town. For dispersed camping, Goat Meadow - Dispersed Camp Site just outside the park offers a large parking lot ideal for car camping with dumpster access and excellent stargazing. Summerdale Campground near the South entrance features a peaceful setting with a stream and requires advance reservations.
What are the best campgrounds inside Yosemite National Park?
For valley views and central location, Camp 4 — Yosemite National Park is popular with climbers and offers walk-in sites. Lower Pines Campground — Yosemite National Park provides exceptional valley access with sites suitable for various camping setups. For a high-country experience with stunning alpine meadows, Tuolumne Meadows offers a cooler retreat from summer heat. North Pines features creekside sites perfect for summer swimming. Upper Pines, the largest valley campground, offers convenient access to major trailheads and attractions.
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