Within Yosemite National Park, Hodgdon Meadow Campground sits just inside the Big Oak Flat entrance, making it one of the most accessible camping options in the park. National Park Service manages this 105-site campground that operates from mid-April through December, with sites accommodating RVs up to 40 feet and offering water hookups at select locations.
The campground spreads across forested terrain with sites positioned relatively close together, limiting privacy between neighbors. Many sites require leveling blocks for RVs, and some lack flat areas suitable for tent placement. Patricia O. notes the campground includes "flush toilets, drinking water, picnic table, fire ring food locker" at each site. Bears frequent the area regularly, making proper food storage in the provided bear boxes essential. Rangers patrol on weekend mornings, offering coffee and park information to campers.
The location provides strategic access to multiple park areas without the traffic delays common when staying in Yosemite Valley. Campers can reach Hetch Hetchy, Tuolumne Grove, and Tioga Road attractions more easily from here, though the valley remains about 25 miles away. Some sites back up to the meadow, where deer commonly graze in early morning hours. The campground sits at higher elevation than the valley, resulting in cooler temperatures and more wind exposure.
Sites fill quickly during peak season, requiring advance reservations through the park's online system. The nearest services are at Crane Flat, eight miles away, including a gas station and small store. Showers are only available in Yosemite Valley, typically with waits during busy periods. For campers wanting different terrain, Dimond O Campground offers a Stanislaus National Forest alternative just outside the park boundary.
Description
Overview
Hodgdon Meadow campground is located in breathtaking Yosemite National Park in Central California's rugged Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. The site is 25 miles from Yosemite Valley at an elevation of 4,875 feet. Within Yosemite, visitors can gaze upon waterfalls, sheer granite cliffs, deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, vast wilderness areas and much more. Hodgdon Meadow campsites are available to reserve up to five months in advance on the 15th of each month at 7:00 a.m. PST. For example, on January 15, arrival dates for the period May 15 to June 14 become available to reserve, and therefore, the full arrival date window would be from January 15 to June 14. Reservation Tips! Campsites in Yosemite are extremely popular and typically sell out in minutes. Login to your account or create a new account before the 7:00 a.m. (PST) release time. You may only add reservations to your cart and proceed with your reservation if you are logged into your account. The recreation.gov call center does NOT have access to additional sites or additional information beyond what is published on recreation.gov.Yosemite National Park Campground Reservation Dates
Recreation
Yosemite's trails, cliffs, roads and rivers provide endless recreational activities for any kind of visitor. Hiking, biking, rock climbing, fishing, horseback riding, rafting, auto touring, cross-country skiing and photography are all very popular activities within the park. Hiking the 2.5 to 3-mile roundtrip trails to the Tuolumne and Merced Groves of Giant Sequoias are a popular activity at Hodgdon Meadow. The White Wolf area on Tioga Road also offers many hiking opportunities.
Facilities
Hodgdon Meadow Campground offers family and group sites. Roads and parking spurs are paved, and flush toilets and drinking water are provided. Each campsite contains a picnic table, fire ring and a food storage locker. A gas station and small general store are eight miles away at Crane Flat.
Natural Features
The area is forested with mixed stands of Red fir, incense-cedar, Ponderosa pine and Lodgepole pine, offering a pleasant combination of sun and shade. Vibrant wildflowers fill the open meadows each summer.
Nearby Attractions
Just 45 minutes away is Yosemite Valley, an awe-inspiring landscape containing many of the famous features for which Yosemite National Park is known. Hiking trails and bike paths are abundant in the valley. Rafting the Merced River is a fun way to cool down on a summer day when water levels are sufficient. Yosemite Valley also offers numerous guided bus tours, educational programs, museums, ranger-led activities, and an art center with workshops. The Tioga Road offers a 39-mile scenic drive past forests, meadows, lakes and granite domes. Tuolumne Meadows embodies the high-country of the Sierra Nevada, with its broad sub-alpine meadows and granite domes and peaks. Other sites of interest include the beautiful Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. It's home to spectacular scenery and numerous wilderness trailheads. Glacier Point has sweeping views of Yosemite Valley, Little Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Vernal and Nevada Falls and Clouds Rest, among other notable landmarks. Wawona and the Pioneer Yosemite History Center is like stepping back in time.
Charges & Cancellations
Cancellation of individual site reservations will be charged a $10 service fee. If the cancellation is within 48 hours of the arrival date, the first night's fee will also be charged. Cancellation of a group site reservation will incur a $10.00 service fee plus the first nights use fee when the reservation is cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date. Cancellations for a single nights use will not be assessed a service fee. No-shows for any type of reservation will be charged a $20 service fee and the first night's fee.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsHodgdon Meadow Campground is located in California near Mather
Directions
Take Highway 41 north from Fresno, Highway 140 east from Merced, or Highway 120 east from Manteca into Yosemite National Park. Hodgdon Meadow Campground is located 1/2 mile from the Big Oak Flat Entrance Station (Hwy 120 from the west), and is 25 miles (45 minutes) northwest of Yosemite Valley.
Address
PO BOX 577
Yosemite national park, CA 95389
Coordinates
37.7988889 N
119.8658333 W
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 11/14/25
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 16 usersLast on 5/21/26
- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 5/21/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 11/14/25
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 16 usersLast on 5/21/26
- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 5/21/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 1 hr 36 min from Merced, CA
- 1 hr 46 min from Modesto, CA
- 1 hr 52 min from Stockton, CA
- 2 hrs 25 min from Fresno, CA




































