Yosemite National Park

Yosemite offers outstanding dispersed backcountry camping and operates multiple frontcountry campgrounds.

Dispersed Camping

Except for the five High Sierra Camps and the Little Yosemite Valley where you must camp at designated sites, you generally may camp anywhere in the park provided you follow the park regulations:

• Hold a valid wilderness permit (please see the ‘Permit’ section for more information); 
• Camp no less than four trail miles away from Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne Meadows, Glacier Point, Hetch Hetchy, and Wawona;
• Camp no less than one mile away from any road;
• Camp no less than 100 ft away from any water source or trail; if there is no other choice and a well-established campsite exists, camping is permitted 25 feet or further from a water source or trail;
• No camping along the Dana Fork of the Tuolumne River;
• In the Half Dome and Little Yosemite Valley, camp only in the Little Yosemite Valley Campground; or at least 2 miles beyond the Little Yosemite Valley Campground (at or beyond Moraine Dome or beyond the Half Dome/ John Muir Trail junction);
• No camping in these areas: Parker Pass Creek watershed, Gaylor Creek watershed, Lukens Lake, Budd Creek watershed, the top of Half Dome, below the high water line at Lake Eleanor and Hetch Hetchy.

The Wilderness Trails Map indicates minimum camping distances from trails and points of interest (beyond the arrows dispersed camping is allowed).

You may stay in the park for up to 30 nights in a calendar year and up to 14 nights from May to September 15.

Max group size: 15; though that number drops to 8 people for any cross-country hiking when more than ¼ mile from any trail.

Visit the wilderness regulations’ page for more information. 

Campground Camping

There are 13 campgrounds in Yosemite National Park, seven of which can be reserved. Reservations are highly recommended from April through September. They can be difficult to get, so be sure to follow the guidelines. 

Reservations are accepted at the following campgrounds:

• Yosemite Valley's car campgrounds - Upper, Lower, and North Pines, and Camp 4
• Hodgdon Meadow
• Crane Flat
• Wawona
• Tuolumne Meadows

Reservations become available in one month blocks (on the 15th of each month, at 7 am PST) and up to five months in advance.  For example, on January 15 reservations open for May 15 through June 14.

Note: reservations for May through September fill up in the first minutes and seconds they become available. 

Pro-tip: Start filling out the application on Recreation.gov before 7 am and set your clock accurately to submit it right at 7. Visit the How to Make a Campground Reservation page for a helpful walkthrough on how to do this.

If you have any questions, visit the Camping Reservations or FAQ page. 

Check-in and check-out time is 12 pm.

If you don’t have a reservation, try to get a spot at a first-come, first-served campground, though be aware they fill up early from spring through fall and winter holidays (usually by noon). 

Before heading out to a campground, always check campground opening and closing dates or call (209)372-0266.  For information on each campground and useful tips for visiting them, visit the Camping Without a Reservation page. 

Don’t forget about Leave No Trace principles, and please follow the area’s rules and regulations.

Campfires are only allowed in existing fire rings. Use dead and downed wood only.

Campfires are prohibited:

• At Lower Cathedral Lake;
• Within a quarter of a mile of Kibbie Lake’s shoreline;
• Above 9,600 feet in elevation.

Always check current fire restrictions before you go!

With ecosystems ranging from chaparral to subalpine and alpine zones, it should not come as a surprise that Yosemite National Park supports many different flora and fauna - including over 400 vertebrate species and 1,450 native plants. 

Various elevations feature various vegetation - for example, while the low elevation areas feature manzanita, chamise, and blue oak, the subalpine zone is characterized by mountain hemlock, western white pine, and lodgepole pine. To see a more in-depth overview, please visit the Plants page on the Yosemite NP’s website. 

As for the wildlife, its diversity is attributed to the numerous intact wilderness areas of the park. Because the area goes mostly undisturbed, 40 species, including the Harlequin duck, Mount Lyell shrew, and Sierra Nevada mountain beaver, that are endangered or protected call the park home. Additionally, 90 species of mammals roam Yosemite: the Pacific Fisher, Sierra Nevada Red Fox, and Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep, to name just a few. Keep your eyes peeled for park inhabitants and you’re sure to notice a few of the countless critters! For more information on wildlife, please visit the Animals page on the Yosemite NP website.

• If you see a black bear or mountain lion, stop, stay calm, and back away. Do not turn your back or run away. You need to look large and scary - stand tall, raise your arms, and make noise! Avoid sudden movements and screaming. If the animal attacks you - fight back and aim blows for their face. If needed, use your bear spray. 
• Ticks are not uncommon. Consider wearing high-laced leather boots or heavy leggings and a long-sleeved shirt. If you can, do a tick check daily. 
• In general, avoid high water and stay out of rivers and creeks. Avoid slippery rocks near rivers’ edges - the water here moves very fast, especially during snow melt. Every year unprepared visitors need rescuing.
• Be prepared for high elevation and snow, altitude sickness and hypothermia are no joke. Stay warm and dry, bring extra clothes, and don’t forget to drink water.

There are a number of natural and traffic hazards that might occur. For such hazards management, please visit the Safety page.

You’ll also find great Hiking Safety and Climbing Safety pages compiled by NPS!

Yosemite Valley Wilderness Center

Yosemite National Park Rd 

Yosemite Valley, CA 95389

Tuolumne Meadows Wilderness Center

Tuolumne Meadows Lodge Rd

CA 95321

For more addresses and information about Yosemite National Park offices, please visit the Wilderness Permit Stations page.

You’ll find directions to Yosemite NP on the Directions & Transportation page.