Yosemite National Park - Camping Details

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.

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.

Regulations

These are some of the camping regulations that apply throughout the park.