Camping in Yosemite National Park – Everything You Need to Know

Camping in Yosemite National Park – Everything You Need to Know

Planning a camping trip to Yosemite? This video will answer some of the most common questions when it comes to planning your trip like

1 What are the best campgrounds in Yosemite?
2. Do you need a reservation to camp in Yosemite?
3. Should you be worried about bears?

Q.) What are the best campgrounds in Yosemite?
There are 13 total camp campgrounds in Yosemite National Park, 4 of them are open all year while all others are open seasonally. The most popular campgrounds are the four that are in Yosemite Valley which are Upper Pines, Lower Pines, North Pines and Camp 4. Out of the four campgrounds in Yosemite Valley, Upper Pines and Camp 4 are open year round while the other 2 are open seasonally.

Q.) Do you need a reservation to camp in Yosemite?
About half of the campgrounds in Yosemite National Park, about half require a reservation and the other half are on a first come first serve basis. The 3 Pines Campgrounds in Yosemite
Valley require reservations while Camp 4 is first come first serve. You can view more detailed information on all campgrounds here: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm

To Make a Campground Reservation
• Visit www.recreation.gov (recommended)
• 877/444-6777 (or 877/833-6777 for TDD)(or 518/885-3639 from outside the US & Canada)

Keep in mind that reservations open up in blocks of 1 month at a time and up to 5 months. Reservations open up on the 15 of every month at 7:00am PST. Spring and Summer are the most popular times to visit Yosemite. Set a reminder for yourself to make a reservation in January 15 and February 15 if you are planning on visiting June/July and be ready to book your site at 7am because spots go within minutes.

Q.) Should you be worried about bears?
Nobody has ever been killed by a black bear in Yosemite. Bears are afraid of people and will usually run away if you see one. If you do see a bear please give it space and do not approach it. Rangers recommend that you make a loud noise to scare it off and they also ask that you report the sighting. Bears in Yosemite are marked and tracked. It is also very important that you follow the proper food storage guidelines. Please don’t leave any food or items like toothpaste in your car or tent.

How much is it to enter Yosemite National Park?
Non-commercial car, pickup truck, RV, or van with 15 or fewer passenger seats
$35 per vehicle (no per-person fee)

Group Camps  $50/night
-Wawona Campground
-Hodgdon Meadow
-Bridalveil Creek
-Tuolumne Meadows 
There is also a group site at the Hetch Hetchy backpackers’ campground.

29 Comments

  1. John Williams on May 20, 2020 at 4:18 pm

    I wish I could find myself a gal that enjoys camping and traveling around. I am retired Deputy Sheriff from criminal courts in New Orleand and want to buy a used motor home. All of my kids are married so might hit the road soon. Sure have alot of places to visit in this country that are very pretty.

  2. jr hdz on May 20, 2020 at 4:22 pm

    Where do you park your car

  3. WELDINGWITHTHEHOMIES on May 20, 2020 at 4:24 pm

    Thanks for the video 🔥🔥🔥💯

  4. TheRubes1er on May 20, 2020 at 4:25 pm

    OF COURSE YOU SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT BEARS!

  5. fresh air on May 20, 2020 at 4:28 pm

    Thank u

  6. John Rutan on May 20, 2020 at 4:29 pm

    They will break car windows, i have seen it in person. Use the Bear Boxes.

  7. Moo Trail on May 20, 2020 at 4:30 pm

    Best guide ever. Even without an early reservation you still might get lucky. Check the website daily for cancellations, especially as the date(s) get(s) close. If the campground is full on line, check with the posted ranger onsite and you still might get a spot. Being flexible is a huge plus. Lastly, the state has some nice campgrounds just outside of park if you coming in the back way.

  8. Edwin on May 20, 2020 at 4:30 pm

    Did you know that drones are prohibited in all national parks?

  9. Betsy Karr Hiking on May 20, 2020 at 4:33 pm

    This was my first trip to Yosemite and I can’t wait to go back. Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks for being here on my channel <3

  10. nury chavez on May 20, 2020 at 4:41 pm

    👌🏻

  11. Rubiana XD on May 20, 2020 at 4:43 pm

    Fun fact: I go camping each year in Wawona, I suggest you to TOTALLY go it’s the best 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

  12. Rebekka Perez on May 20, 2020 at 4:43 pm

    Thank u, great start for researching my trip!

  13. LlamasAreBest on May 20, 2020 at 4:45 pm

    Wow. You butchered the pronunciation of Tuolumne.

  14. Lalo Perez on May 20, 2020 at 4:46 pm

    So I can not smoke weed in Yosemite park?

  15. Robin Jones on May 20, 2020 at 4:48 pm

    Thank you very much for the information I’ve been wanted to go to Yosemite for some time just trying to figure out when the best time is to go I know there’s a lot of people but I would really like to do some hiking and camping like to know about the noise level in the campgrounds I think I might try going off season thank you for all the information very helpful

  16. Living as Rosa on May 20, 2020 at 4:49 pm

    Very informative thank you

  17. fresh air on May 20, 2020 at 4:49 pm

    You answer all my questions .. thank u 😘

  18. Leonardo Centeno on May 20, 2020 at 4:52 pm

    Hermoso lugar

  19. GEO W on May 20, 2020 at 4:56 pm

    what’s about RV AND LEIGH

  20. Fayco G. on May 20, 2020 at 4:56 pm

    THANK YOU!!!

  21. Mahmut Ebrar AçıkVEVO on May 20, 2020 at 4:57 pm

    Can’t someone just go there in the forest and pitch a tent anywhere they like? I mean it’s trees evwrywhere.

  22. Nahum Eikenberry on May 20, 2020 at 4:57 pm

    Thanks sweety. Will go there in spring

  23. gary h on May 20, 2020 at 5:00 pm

    Thank you big homie

  24. bigoneish on May 20, 2020 at 5:02 pm

    Its 14 campgrounds noob

  25. Joseph Mauricio Flores on May 20, 2020 at 5:06 pm

    Camp 4 you can’t sleep in your cars.

  26. Love & Adventure MT-Dtown on May 20, 2020 at 5:07 pm

    Thank you you so much 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

  27. Betsy boo on May 20, 2020 at 5:09 pm

    💖

  28. Scott Schulz on May 20, 2020 at 5:11 pm

    Great video, thank you so much for making it

  29. Judy Chao on May 20, 2020 at 5:14 pm

    so how do we shower?

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