Yosemite National Park has been an iconic American wilderness destination since before the park was founded in 1890, but today its popularity has peaked and the park fills to capacity almost every day of the year. While Yosemite's strict conservation policies prohibit off-road vehicles in the park, the surrounding national forests each have their own network of ATV trails, and riders can camp in one of Yosemite's many campgrounds provided that they plan ahead.
Yosemite National Park has 13 campgrounds within the park, seven of which can be reserved in advance. Reservations need to be made several months in advance online or by phone and often fill up within a few minutes of being made available. To get a campsite at the non-reservation campgrounds, you need to arrive by mid-morning on the day you want to camp. Once you arrive at the campground, you can reserve multiple nights. First-come, first-served campgrounds are most difficult to book in May and June, when not all of the campgrounds are operational. Additional camping opportunities are available in the surrounding national forests outside of Yosemite.
Although most of the Yosemite campgrounds have space for RV camping, none of the campsites have RV hookups. Campgrounds that are designated creek water only do not have standard bathrooms, but instead have latrine toilets. Showers are not available in most campsites. Wilderness camping is also available to visitors, but a wilderness permit is required for camping outside of the designated campgrounds. Current campsite amenities and registration fees are available online from the Yosemite National Park website.
Camping in Yosemite must abide by camping regulations, which require food to be stored in bear-proof containers 24 hours per day and restrict the use of campfires and disposal of waste water. Each campsite is allowed to hold up to six visitors and two vehicles, with no restriction on the number of tents. Sleeping in vehicles is only permitted in designated campsites. Pets are allowed in some of the Yosemite campgrounds and are subject to additional regulations.
Motorized vehicles, including ATVs, scooters or dirt bicycles, are not allowed in Yosemite National Park. Non-motorized bicycles are allowed on paved bike paths and on the roads in the park, and riders under 18 must wear a helmet.
Several of the national forests around Yosemite National Park have trails designated for off-highway vehicles (OHVs) that serve as motorcycle and ATV trails. Inyo National Forest, Sierra National Forest and Stanislaus National Forest have designated trails for off-road driving. Each forest publishes maps of the ATV trails, but generally, off-highway vehicles can drive on any trail that is marked with the symbol of a jeep.
