Hetch Hetchy Backpacker's Campground, near Yosemite National Park, is a fantastic base for those looking to dive into the stunning wilderness of the area. This campground is all about simplicity, featuring tent sites that are just a short walk from the parking area, making it easy to set up camp and hit the trails.

Visitors rave about the solitude and breathtaking views, especially after a hike up the Smith Meadows trail. One camper shared, “Perfect solitude and wilderness,” highlighting the peaceful atmosphere that many appreciate here. The campground is equipped with picnic tables, bear boxes, and established fire rings, so you can enjoy a cozy evening under the stars.

If you're itching to explore, the nearby backcountry offers incredible waterfalls and scenic vistas that are less crowded than Yosemite Valley. Campers have noted that while the established sites are convenient, venturing further into the backcountry reveals even more stunning sights. Just remember to grab your permit before heading in, as it's required for overnight stays.

With no alcohol allowed and a focus on preserving the natural beauty, Hetch Hetchy is perfect for those looking to connect with nature. Whether you're gearing up for a long trek or just want to enjoy a night in the great outdoors, this campground provides a welcoming and serene environment.

Hetch Hetchy Backpacker's Campground — Yosemite National Park

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The Hetch Hetchy dam hike didn't originally appeal to me, but we learned a ton about the water supply and explored tunnels as well.  The area was easy to access and my young (5/6) children were able to easily hike.

Enjoy the hike!

When visiting Yosemite, the camping and lodging options can be overwhelming: from free nearby National Forest land to $500/night hotels, Yosemite provides a little something for everyone. When we visited for six days, we stayed at a variety of places: National Forest land, reservable developed campground in the Valley, Camp Four in the Valley, and backpacking in Hetch Hetchy.

From all of those experiences, we do have a favorite: Hetch Hetchy. From our entire year of visiting all 59 national parks, this campsite is one of the best. We visited in late March, so much of the backpacking was inaccessible, but hiking and camping in Hetch Hetchy was an amazing alternative and a way to get away from the crowded Valley.

A few things to note: first, you’ll need a permit, so start your trip at the visitor center. When backpacking in Hetch Hetchy, there are regulations you’ll need to follow, in how close you camp to the trail, how to store your food, and how far into the actual trail you’ll need to hike before finding a place to camp. Sometimes these regulations change for the well being of the environment, so always talk to a ranger first.

This specific site was incredible: we had to climb down off the trail just a bit, but we were totally alone and had this flat spot to ourselves to have a nice dinner and enjoy the views. We woke up to watch the sunrise and began our hike back and saw literally _hundreds_ of red salamanders making their way across the trail back to the rocks. It was unreal.

The rest of our time in Yosemite was spent in the Valley: hiking the Mist Trail, Upper Yosemite Falls, and wherever else we could, watching the frazil ice, kayaking the Merced River, and trying to escape the crowds.

You can read much more about our five days in the park on our blog: [Switchback Kids (Yosemite)](http://switchbackkids.com/yosemite/)

Best of Yosemite in the Spring

We stayed the night at one of the Hetch Hetchy reservable sites (first come, first served) before our trek through the backcountry of Yosemite. The sites were just a quick walk in from the parking lot and featured picnic tables, bear boxes, bathrooms and established fire rings. A permit is required to stay in the area as well as a $6 per person fee and you're able to check-in with your reservation right at the Hetch Hetchy entrance. The sites are well maintained and do feature scenic vistas, though it appears that the best views offered by Hetch Hetchy are found farther in the backcountry and we wish we had the time to really explore the area. The campground served as an easy spot to hike in, set up and prepare for a long trek ahead, although, if you're not pressed for time or resting up for a big hike, I'd recommend continuing on past the established sites into the more scenic backcountry. One major advantage of Hetch Hetchy is that you'll avoid the major crowds in Yosemite Valley which can't be beat in my book.

Hetch Hetchy Walk-in Established Sites

I have only used this site as a "night" before entering the back country on a back packing trip.  That being said it is not a bad place to stage day hikes as well.  I am a tent camper and this works. It is a "walk in" site but the walk is really not far - you are parked close by.  

  

Crossing the dam, going through the tunnell and entering the back country is easy and there are incredible water falls there and you will miss the crowds.  The lake is beautiful in it's own right.  

  

The small camp ground has all that you need but it is not fancy.

UnCrowded Yosemite...

We hiked up Smith Meadows trail about three miles and found a perfect spot for the night. Perfect solitude and wilderness. All uphill to get there but the views don’t disappoint. Just grab a permit on your way in and there is overnight parking and bear boxes. 

Photos of Hetch Hetchy Backpacker's Campground — Yosemite National Park

Real photos from real campers