How Fast Does Yosemite Camping Fill Up?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

Camping in Yosemite National Park is a very rewarding experience — thousand foot granite towers, tall pines, rushing rivers… But with over 2 million summer visitors, the limited camping can fill up

within seconds

.

How far in advance can you make Yosemite camping reservations?

Arrival date First day to make reservations (“on-sale date”) 7 am PT
August 15 through September 14

April 15
September 15 through October 14 May 15 October 15 through November 14 June 15 November 15 through December 14 July 15

How long can you camp in Yosemite?

There is a

30-night camping limit within Yosemite National Park in a calendar year; however, from May 1 to September 15, the camping limit in Yosemite is 14 nights

(this includes wilderness camping).

Is Yosemite open at full capacity?


Yosemite National Park is open

.

Some services and facilities are still limited, many campgrounds remain closed, and shuttles are operating on a limited basis.

How can I camp in Yosemite without reservations?

  1. Camp 4 is open on a first-come, first-served basis from late fall through winter. …
  2. Search recreation.gov frequently; you might find a cancellation in a campground that accepts reservations in or near Yosemite.

Can you transfer Yosemite camping reservations?

With hopes of bringing an end to the scalping of campsites, Yosemite National Park officials will require that visitors show some identification to claim their campsites, and

won’t allow reservations to be transferred to anyone else

.

Can I drive through Yosemite without a reservation?


People can drive through Yosemite without a reservation

“The entrance station ranger will provide a time-stamped permit valid for the time needed to travel from entrance to entrance,” park officials said. “You must drive the most direct route to exit the park; stopping is prohibited.

Can you camp for free in Yosemite?

Yosemite National Park is completely surrounded by national forests.

You can always boondock for free in these forests

. However, there are also free campgrounds set up by the U.S. Forest Service…

How many days do you need in Yosemite National Park?

How many days to spend in Yosemite National Park? One day is enough to see all of the Yosemite Valley, but

2-3 days is ideal if you wish to take some of the longer hikes or explore Glacier Point and the Tioga Pass

.

Is alcohol allowed in Yosemite?

Re: Is beer and wine OK at picnic areas within Yosemite?

Beer or wine is ok

.

Can I bring my own firewood to Yosemite?


Firewood collection is not permitted in Yosemite Valley, except it is allowed only within campground boundaries

. Firewood collection is allowed outside Yosemite Valley below 9,600 feet. Collection is limited to wood less than six inches in diameter. Do not collect pine cones, needles, or sequoia wood.

Can I stay overnight in Yosemite?

When you stay overnight at Yosemite Park you have a few options for lodging.

You can stay at a hotel-type of lodging, cabin, or tent camp

. Getting the Yosemite reservation you want can be a dog-eat-dog event. Reservations are required year-round for all Yosemite Valley’s properties.

Is Yosemite open during Covid?


Yosemite is open with some services limited due to COVID-19

Masks are required for everyone in shuttle buses and other enclosed buses. Reservations are not required to enter Yosemite (until May 20).

Do you have to wear a mask in Yosemite?

Following the latest science and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and to promote staff and visitor safety,

the NPS is requiring visitors, employees, and contractors to wear a mask inside all NPS buildings and in crowded outdoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status or community

What is the best month to visit Yosemite?

The best times to visit Yosemite are

May and September

, when the park is accessible, but not too crowded. It’s important to know that many roads and trails in Yosemite are closed for the majority of the year due to snow.

What does Boondock mean in RV?

In essence, RV boondocking is

off-the-grid RV travel

. Sometimes referred to as “dry camping,” boondocking is any time you camp in your RV without water, sewer, or electrical connections.

How hard is it to get a first come first serve campsite in Yosemite?

You must have a reservation to camp in Yosemite.

There is no first-come, first-serve camping in Yosemite in 2021

. Learn more about current park operations. It is very difficult to get camping or lodging reservations from spring through fall and during holiday periods all year.

Is there BLM land near Yosemite?


There are three developed BLM campgrounds along the Merced River between Briceburg and Bagby

. The campgrounds are accessed by crossing the suspension bridge just past the Briceburg Visitor Center and heading down river along the unpaved Briceburg River Road (old Yosemite Valley Railroad Grade).

What does tent only mean?

RVs are not allowed in tent-only campsites.

These sites only have space for tents

and, in many cases, the parking is a short distance away from the campsite (and you’re required to camp in the campsite).

What does RV nonelectric mean?

The phrase “standard nonelectric campsite” is used to clarify that

a standard campsite does not have electric hookups

. Although standard sites usually don’t have hookups in tent camping areas, in some RV campgrounds, they occasionally do.

Can I change the name on my Yosemite reservation?

Also

starting tomorrow, campground reservation holders will no longer be able to change the name of the person on the campground reservation

. Previously, the original name on the reservation could be changed online on the reservation contractor’s website.

Is Yosemite dog friendly?

Yosemite is a magical place for all people… and their best friends!

Dogs are allowed in Yosemite

. There are many great trails to explore in Yosemite with your dog and only a few important rules to remember for your pet’s safety and the safety of Yosemite’s precious wildlife.

How crowded is Yosemite?

With all of the superlatives come the crowds;

some 3 million people visit the valley each year

. That amounts to 95% of all Yosemite visitors, whereas the valley occupies only 1% of the park’s 1,169 square miles.

Do you need chains in Yosemite right now?


We strongly recommend that you have chains when visiting Yosemite from November through March

(chain requirements may be in place on occasion as early as September or as late as May); conditions can change rapidly and chains can become required at any time.

Can you drink the tap water in Yosemite?

Is your water safe to drink?

Our water is perfectly safe to drink, bath and swim in

, but we recommend that you bring bottled water for drinking, due to the fact that our water has a high mineral content.

Are there bears at Yosemite?


American black bears found in Yosemite National Park

have long been of intense interest to park visitors and managers. Seeing one of the approximately 300 to 500 black bears in Yosemite can evoke excitement, awe, and fear. If visitors spot a bear while in the park, it is a black bear-not a brown or grizzly bear.

Can you pitch a tent anywhere in Yosemite?

Since there are only a few designated campgrounds,

you can camp anywhere you like, provided you follow all wilderness regulations

. The exceptions are near the five High Sierra Camps and in the Little Yosemite Valley area, where you must you camp at the designated campgrounds.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.