Yosemite National Park contains 13 popular campgrounds , of which up to 7 are on a reservation system. From April through September, reservations are essential and even the first-come, first-served sites often fill by noon from May through September. The Conditions Update may contain opening or closing dates, if they are currently available.

Reservations

Reservations are required year-round for Yosemite Valley's car campgrounds and summer through fall for Hodgdon Meadow, Crane Flat, Wawona, and half of Tuolumne Meadows. Camping reservations are available in blocks of one month at a time, up to five months in advance, on the 15th of each month through the National Park Reservation System (NPRS). Be aware that nearly all reservations for the months of May through September and for some other weekends are filled the first day they become available (often within a few hours)!

All other campgrounds (except group and stock campgrounds) are first-come, first-served.

If you are unable to get a reservation, try checking for cancellations later. Otherwise, you can try a first-come, first-served campground. (Very few first-come, first-served campsites are available in the month of May.) There are also some campgrounds located outside the park.

Camping

Online reservations can be made through http://reservations.nps.gov/ from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Pacific time. Reservations may also be made by calling 800/436-7275 (301/722-1257 outside the United States) or 888/530-9796 for TDD users. Written requests should be made to NPRS so they are received no sooner than two weeks before the 15th of the month that the desired camping arrival date goes on sale. Written requests will not be processed until the 15th of the month (at the same time telephone requests are being taken). Include desired location, type of equipment you will be camping in (i.e.,tent, RV,etc.), as well as method of payment. Send written requests to NPRS, P.O. Box 1600, Cumberland, MD 21502.

Campgrounds

RVs and trailers : the maximum length for RVs in Yosemite Valley is 40 feet and, for trailers, 35 feet (though there are only a few sites that can accommodate RVs or trailers of that length). Outside Yosemite Valley, some campsites can accommodate RVs up to 35 feet long.

Campground opening dates are usually announced a few weeks prior to opening. See estimated opening/closing dates for all campgrounds this year. Campground Open (approx .) Reservations Tents or RVs Upper Pines (Valley) All year Required Both Lower Pines (Valley) March - October Required Both North Pines (Valley) April - Sept. Required Both Camp 4 (Valley) All year No Tents only Wawona All year Required

May - Sept. Both Bridalveil Creek July - early Sept. No Both Hodgdon Meadow All year Required

May-Sept. Both Crane Flat June - Sept. Required Both Tamarack Flat June - early Sept. No Tents/small RVs White Wolf July - early Sept. No Tents/small RVs Yosemite Creek July - early Sept. No Tents/small RVs Porcupine Flat July - Oct. 15 No Both Tuolumne Meadows July - Sept. Yes, 50% Both

Regulations

These are some of the camping regulations that apply throughout the park. You must keep your food properly stored from bears 24 hours per day. Read the section on bears food storage for more information. Camping or sleeping in vehicles is permitted only in designated campsites. There is a maximum of 6 people (including children) and 2 vehicles per campsite . There is a 30-day camping limit within Yosemite National Park in a calendar year; however, May 1 - September 15, the camping limit in Yosemite is 14 days, and only 7 of those days can be in Yosemite Valley or Wawona. Pets are permitted in all campgrounds except Camp 4, Tamarack Flat, Porcupine Flat, and all group campsites. Pets must be on a leash and should not be left unattended. See Protect Yourself... and Yosemite for more information. Quiet hours are from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Generators may be used sparingly from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. Camp wastewater must be disposed of in designated utility drains. Sewage must be disposed of at designated dump stations (Yosemite Valley, Wawona, and Tuolumne Meadows). Electrical extension cords may not be connected to campground restroom outlets.