Camping in Yosemite National Park - A Great Escape

Camping out is one of the best ways to really see Yosemite National Park, and lucky for you, there are thirteen campgrounds in the park. Camping in Yosemite National Park can be challenging in the summertime, but if you make reservations early, you should be assured of getting just the right spot for your family vacation.

From April through September, reservations are a must at any of Yosemite's campgrounds. They usually fill up by noon at the latest, so first-come, first-serve isn't really an option during summer camping in Yosemite National Park. You are required to make reservations year-round for Yosemite Valley's auto campgrounds and they are necessary in summer through fall for Crane Flat, Hodgdon Meadow, Wawona, and half of Tuolumne Meadows. You can make reservations for up to one month at a time, as soon as five months in advance, if you make them on the 15th of every month right at 7am Pacific time.

A Unique Experience:

Camping in Yosemite is a unique experience because there are so many things to see and do in this magnificent park. You can explore the high country at Tuolumne Meadows and Glacier Point, and hike some magnificent hiking trails. In Yosemite Valley you can gaze in awe at the waterfalls, hike mountain meadows, and watch climbers scale El Capitan (or go climb a rock yourself!). On the way to the high country, you can stop and explore the Big Trees at Crane Flat or Wawona, and everywhere you look there are new things to see and discover.

Winter in Yosemite:

Several campgrounds are open all year in Yosemite, so you can go camping in Yosemite National Park even when the snow flies. There is cross-country, downhill skiing and snowboarding in the park, and you can go ice skating in Yosemite Village, too. Or, rent a pair of snowshoes and traverse the valley meadows on foot.

Besides hiking, you can bring your own bikes or rent them to ride around Yosemite Valley, you can go horseback riding, visit the shops and museums throughout Yosemite Village, or enjoy a fine meal at the Ahwahnee Hotel and Resort, a 4-star resort.

Watch for Bears:

Remember when you're camping in Yosemite National Park to be wary of bears. You must store all your food in a food locker while you're camping, and these lockers are available in Curry Village and nearly all the parking areas for trailheads, along with every campsite in the park. These are metal food lockers that are bear proof, and are big enough to hold coolers and all your food. You can't store food in your car overnight; you must use a food locker.

RV and Group Camping:

There are spots available for group camping and RV camping throughout Yosemite, but in the summer, they can go fast, so you should make your reservations as early as possible. Remember that some of the high-country roads are narrow and twisty, so a big motorhome might not be a good idea.

Read this article 19 Top Yosemite National Park Free Camping Spots.