4.2331 reviewsPrice
$28/night
Booking
First-Come
Sites
14 campsites
Season
Open seasonally from...
Cell
No Service
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
Price
$28/night
Booking
First-Come
Sites
14 campsites
Season
Open seasonally from...
Cell
No Service
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.
Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans
256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account
Learn more about alerts →Ellery Lake Campground
From Lee Vining, CA, take US Rt. 395 south 0.3 miles to Tioga Pass sign. Turn right onto State Rt. 120 west and go 9.8 miles to campground on left.
Trout anglers and stargazers who arrive mid-week in July or August will find this hard to beat. Site #14 puts you closest to the lake, and the walk-in creek sites feel more removed from neighbors. Bring cold-weather gear: nights drop to the mid-20s even in peak summer.
No hookups, no showers, no camp store, no cell signal, and the ground near the creek sites is rocky enough to frustrate tent staking. First-come-first-served means weekend arrivals often leave empty-handed. Also note the campground's tentative 2025 opening is June 13, later than
Reference information about Ellery Lake Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
<p>Campground is located at Ellery Lake east of Tioga pass, the east entrance of Yosemite National Park. Elevation is 9500 feet. Campground has 12 campsites. Some sites can accommodate vehicles up to 28 ft. Many sites do not have room to park a second vehicle. 14 day stay limit. Each campsite has a locker for food storage. This is bear country, please store food properly and don't feed the bears.</p>
The elevation is 9,500 ft. The campground is comprised of a small loop near Ellery Lake. Every camp site has a view of surrounding peaks but not the lake. Access to lake is behind camp site #14, over a hill. Willow shrubs provide a haven for mosquitoes and some privacy for camp sites. Walk-in tent sites are located along a creek. Day trips are possible to Yosemite National Park and Mono Basin Scenic Area. Bear-proof food containers are located throughout campground. This is bear country; practice safe food storage techniques. "Possessing/storing food so bears/wild animals have access will result in a fine of at least $150."
Open May 22 through October 15.
All parking aprons are pretty much the same size. An RV waste station with no potable water, is available for a fee at the Mobil gas station located at intersection of US 395 and State Rt. 120. A second RV waste station can be found in Yosemite National Park; expect to pay a fee. Inyo National Forest 102
From Lee Vining, CA, take US Rt. 395 south 0.3 miles to Tioga Pass sign. Turn right onto State Rt. 120 west and go 9.8 miles to campground on left. NOTE: Road sign on State Rt. 120 states: "Steep grade, difficult for trailers."
Compare with similar sites, watch availability, and build a packing list — Camp Sage handles all of it.
Summer brings the most reliable access and warmest conditions. Daytime temperatures reach the mid-50s to low-70s, but nights drop to 25–40°F even in July and August. Pack warm sleeping bags regardless of season. Snow lingers into June, and early-season visitors should prepare for freezing temperatures and surprise storms. The thin air at 9,500 feet amplifies temperature swings. Bring layers, mosquito repellent, and a thermos for hot drinks.
Late season typically quieter with clear skies and chilly nights; good scenic conditions.
Ellery Lake Campground is located east of Tioga Pass, near the eastern entrance of Yosemite National Park, at an elevation of 9,500 feet. The campground features 14 campsites, each equipped with a bear-proof food storage locker (48" x 30" x 36"). Restrooms and potable water are available on-site. The sites include picnic tables and fire grilles. However, this is a remote area with no camp store, firewood sales, or laundry facilities. It’s an active bear area, where proper food storage is mandatory. Some sites can accommodate vehicles up to 28 feet; parking space for additional vehicles is limited and may incur extra fees.
Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.
Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.
Rate Ellery Lake Campground
Been here? Tap a star to start. Takes about a minute.
Sign-in required only if you want your name on it.
Be the first to review this campground
Every adventure creates another. Share what you learned so the next camper feels a little more prepared heading out.
