Yosemite is a very popular camping destination. Millions of visitors go to the park each year. Many are day visitors or staying in lodges and hotels nearby. Since 1997, the number of campsites in the valley has decreased, yet it is still possible to get a site upon arrival using the first-come, first-served system Yosemite operates.
Yosemite sets aside some campgrounds for no reservations camping. Others reserve a percentage of their sites as “no reservation” sites. Additionally, when camping off season, more campgrounds operate first-come, first served, but fewer campgrounds overall are open in those months. The busiest camping time is July and August which is considered the summer season. Even in May and June not all campgrounds are open due to remaining snow and ice. The best strategy for getting a campsite without a reservation is to arrive early in the morning. Get there early by camping the previous night in a campground close by. Access daily campground information by calling 209-372-0266.
Although part of Yosemite is closed from October to April, some campgrounds are open and it’s an optimal time to visit the park without the congestion of the summertime traffic. Enjoy the change of seasons at Wawona or Hodgdon Meadows which become first-come, first-served campgrounds during these months. Other reservation only campgrounds may have vacancies as well. Check the reservation site for last minute openings or inquire at the gate.
Finding a first-come, first-served campsite is difficult during these months as all campgrounds are not yet reopened from the winter, but vacation season has started since students are out of school. Until late June when the first-come, first-served campgrounds open along Tioga Road, you may have to camp outside Yosemite and come in as a day visitor. Many campgrounds lie close by in the surrounding national forests near the entrances to the park.
Persistence and a little luck will be the keys to getting into Yosemite during the busy season without prior reservations. The National Park Service advises arriving by noon on weekdays or 9 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays in order to gain access to the first-come, first-served sites. Camp 4, a popular campground in Yosemite Valley, often fills by 9 a.m. Rangers staffing the entrances are kept informed of openings in the first-come, first-served campgrounds, but you must get there and register to guarantee your overnight stay inside Yosemite. Once you are registered, you can add additional days to your stay. Or stay overnight in a campground outside the park but close to the entrance you prefer. Break camp early to arrive at Yosemite by 8 a.m. and you should be successful.
Another strategy is to camp in the backcountry. You do not need to backpack for miles, bring huge packs and a water filtering system to get off the road to camp. You will have solitude and enjoy nature more intimately. Secure a wilderness use permit inside the park. Knowledgeable rangers can assist you in selecting a destination.
