The North Pines campground is the closest of the three to Mirror Lake and the Yosemite Valley stables. It has 81 camp sites that can accommodate different sizes of recreational vehicles up to 40 feet in length. Groceries and showers are nearby in Curry Village. Each site is fitted with a fire ring, a picnic table and the required food locker.
The Lower Pines campground has 60 camp sites that surround the amphitheater where Ranger programs are presented in the evenings. Recreational vehicles up to 40 feet can be accommodated in this campground. The Lower Pines area has two small-group camp sites that allow up to 12 people to enjoy the experience together.
The Upper Pines Campground is the largest campground in the Yosemite Valley with 238 camp sites. There is a size limit of 35 feet for RV camping. The campground is near Curry Village, where you can purchase groceries and other camping needs and access showers.
Yosemite bears have become very accustomed to human presence and know that food will follow them wherever they go. Proper food handling on your part is an absolute necessity. Improper attention to the food storage regulations in the Yosemite campgrounds can result in a $5,000 fine, the impounding of your car or food, and the loss of your camping permit.
Every campsite will have a food locker that you must use. The lockers are bear-proof if latched correctly and are large enough to hold a cooler, water containers and food boxes. Even though bears can smell the contents, they have learned that they cannot get into the box. If the locker is ignored and food is stored in a car, RV, or tent the bears will find a way to get to what they smell, regardless of how difficult the challenge.
The popularity of Yosemite National Park and camping near Yosemite Village requires that you plan in advance and make reservations well ahead of your desired vacation dates. The reservation system is accessible through the Internet at http://www.recreation.gov or by telephone at (877) 444-6777 on a rotating basis that opens up camp sites five months in advance. The popularity of the campgrounds is so high during the peak vacation periods May through September that reservations are often filled within minutes of the 7 a.m. open on the day they become available.
