Yosemite Camping

About This Region

Yosemite National Park camping offers some of the most spectacular outdoor experiences in the American West, where towering granite cliffs, thundering waterfalls, and ancient sequoia groves create an unforgettable backdrop for your adventure. From the iconic valley floor along the Merced River to remote high-country retreats perched at 8,000 feet, the park's diverse campgrounds cater to every style of outdoor enthusiast—whether you're seeking family-friendly amenities or primitive backcountry solitude. Securing Yosemite National Park camping reservations requires advance planning, as the park's most popular campgrounds like North Pines and Lower Pines fill quickly during peak season. However, the effort rewards you with unparalleled access to legendary hiking trails, world-class rock climbing, and the chance to wake up beneath Half Dome's majestic silhouette. The 12 exceptional campgrounds featured here represent the full spectrum of Yosemite camping experiences—from the bustling, amenity-rich valley sites to secluded mountain sanctuaries where starlit nights and pristine wilderness reign supreme. Whether you're planning your first Yosemite adventure or returning to explore hidden corners of this 1,200-square-mile wonderland, these carefully curated campgrounds provide the perfect basecamp for creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Yosemite's camping landscape encompasses dramatic elevation changes from 4,000 to 8,100 feet, delivering vastly different scenery and experiences across short distances. Valley campgrounds like North Pines and Lower Pines immerse you in Yosemite's iconic granite theater, where sheer cliff faces soar thousands of feet skyward and the Merced River provides a constant soundtrack to your stay. High-country retreats such as White Wolf, Porcupine Flat, and Yosemite Creek transport you to a completely different world of pristine alpine meadows, towering pine forests, and crisp mountain air that demands an extra layer even in summer. The outdoor recreation opportunities are equally diverse, ranging from leisurely riverside strolls and family-friendly nature walks to challenging backcountry expeditions and world-renowned rock climbing routes. Camping styles span the full spectrum—primitive tent-only sites at Tamarack Flat and Yosemite Creek offer authentic wilderness immersion with vault toilets and no running water, while developed campgrounds like Crane Flat and Hodgdon Meadow provide paved roads, flush toilets, and RV-friendly amenities. This remarkable variety ensures that whether you're a hardcore backpacker seeking solitude or a family wanting convenient access to Yosemite's greatest hits, you'll find your perfect mountain sanctuary.