6 of the Best Campgrounds in Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is beloved for its stark High Sierra beauty, punctuated by gushing waterfalls and massive, ancient sequoia trees like the Grizzly Giant, thought to be 3,000 years old. Understandably, camping here offers an experience unlike any other. But there are a few things to know before planning your next adventure in this California park.

Yosemite offers a whopping 13 traditional campgrounds, and during peak season (roughly April to October), they all require reservations. These bookings are notoriously hard to get and, at many of the most popular spots, require months of advance planning. Planning ahead is also useful if you want to camp in the backcountry. Backcountry sites, like the five High Sierra Camps and the tent sites in Little Yosemite Valley, don't require campground reservations — but they do require wilderness permits, which, in some areas, are available only through highly competitive lotteries.

No matter what type of camping you have in mind, you'll want to do your research to ensure you can get the necessary permits and to confirm each campsite's rules, cost, open dates, and amenities (which can all vary widely from place to place). Keep in mind that all of the traditional and backcountry sites are fairly rustic, with, for instance, not a shower among them. If you want higher-end amenities like that, you'll need to stay at one of the park's lodge-style campgrounds like Curry Village or Housekeeping Camp.

We know that's a lot to keep straight. But while booking a Yosemite campsite can be a challenge, it's worth the effort for the unforgettable sights you'll see once you arrive. To help you navigate the many options, here are our picks for the best places to camp in Yosemite National Park.

Bridalveil Creek Campground

Bridalveil Creek is the only campground on Glacier Point Road. This prime location places campers near the scenic Glacier Point lookout, which offers impressive views over some of the highlights of Yosemite Valley, like Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and the mind-blowing high country. It's also ideal for adventurers who want to use the campground as a staging area for hikes and day trips, as many trailheads are located nearby, including the Sentinel Dome to Taft Point Loop, Mono Meadow, Pohono, and Panorama Trails. Bridalveil Creek Campground has 110 tent or RV sites, two group sites, and three horse sites; each comes with a fire ring, picnic table, access to drinking water and flushing toilets, and a food locker to protect your stuff from Yosemite's bears.

Camp 4

Camp 4, the only campground in Yosemite National Park where RVs and trailers are not permitted, is especially popular among rock climbers. It became the unofficial hangout for lovers of the sport in the mid-1900s, with many setting up long-term camps here due to its easy road access and proximity to iconic ascents like El Capitan. The National Register of Historic Places has recognized Camp 4's significance in the history of rock climbing, making it something of a pilgrimage site for climbers (who also love to practice on the boulder located in the camp). The 11-acre campground is located near Yosemite Falls and Yosemite Valley Lodge at 4,000 feet of elevation — and, with just a few dozen sites, it's typically in high demand. Peak-season spots are only available by booking a week in advance on Recreation.gov, but in the winter, Camp 4 is first-come, first-served. Just remember that the camp usually fills by 8 a.m. or so on weekends and days with good weather.

Wawona Campground

If you want to stay as close as possible to Mariposa Grove, home of the famous Grizzly Giant sequoia tree, Wawona Campground is your best bet. Each of the three campsite loops at Wawona are located on the South Fork Merced River, just a few miles north of the grove. There are 94 sites for tents or RVs and one group site, and each contains a fire ring, picnic table, and food locker. Bathrooms with drinking water and flushing toilets are also available. Like Camp 4, this is a year-round camp (one of just four in the park), with reservations required in summer but some sites open to walk-ins in winter, subject to availability. Wawona is a bit more secluded than campgrounds located in Yosemite Valley, so head here for a more remote getaway.

Upper Pines Campground

Situated at 4,000 feet, Upper Pines Campground is one of the most popular in Yosemite Valley, thanks to its killer views and large size (there are more than 230 sites, accommodating tents, RVs up to 35 feet, and trailers up to 24 feet). You can spot Yosemite highlights like Half Dome and El Capitan from Upper Pines, and its location near Curry Village means there are plenty of amenities within walking distance to help enhance your stay. Of the three campgrounds in the "Pines" development, this is the only one open year-round.

Porcupine Flat Campground

Located on a quiet stretch of Porcupine Creek, Porcupine Flat Campground is one of the more remote camping options in Yosemite National Park. There are few conveniences available (for example, you'll have to bring your own water, or plan to boil creek water to drink), but the site offers campers easy access to Yosemite highlights like Tenaya Lake, Olmsted Point, and Tuolumne Meadows, as well as many miles of trails. Situated at 8,100 feet, Porcupine Flat Campground lies off of Tioga Road (Highway 120) about one hour, 15 minutes north of Yosemite Valley. The campground is typically open from July through October, with reservations required via Recreation.gov on a two-weeks-in-advance basis. RVs and trailers are not recommended.

Tuolumne Meadows Campground

Though it's closed for renovations in 2024, Tuolumne Meadows is the largest campground in Yosemite National Park (with 304 sites) and one of its most popular. Located at 8,600 feet near where the Tuolumne River separates into the Dana Fork and Lyell Fork, it's popular among campers for its many amenities — a restaurant, general store, gas station, post office, mountaineering school, and visitor center are all nearby. It's also close to Elizabeth Lake, Lyell Canyon, and various other peaks, lakes, domes, and hikes. Plus, the John Muir Trail begins in the campground, and your chances of spotting a black bear are pretty high.