Yosemite National Park

Little Yosemite Valley Campground

Upper Pines Campground is located in breathtaking Yosemite National Park in Central Californias rugged Sierra Nevada Mountain Range at an elevation of 4,000 feet. The site is situated in the heart of Yosemite Valley, an awe-inspiring landscape containing many of the famous features for which Yosemite National Park is known. 

 Within Yosemite, visitors can gaze upon waterfalls, sheer granite cliffs, deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, vast wilderness areas and much more.

 Natural Features:

 Yosemite Valley is forested with a diverse mix of California black oak, Ponderosa pine, incense-cedar, White fir, and Whiteleaf Manzanita, which offers a pleasant combination of sun and shade. Through the trees, Yosemites telltale granite cliffs peek through, and the gentle, refreshing Merced River flows nearby.

 Recreation:

 Yosemites 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 trails range from the easy paved, two-mile roundtrip walk to Mirror Lake/Meadow, to the grueling but rewarding 14- to 16-mile trek to Half Dome (permit required). Both of these trails begin near the Pines Campgrounds, and there are many additional trailheads within Yosemite 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.

 Facilities:

 Upper Pines Campground is the largest of the three reservation campgrounds in Yosemite Valley It offers paved roads and parking spurs, flush toilets, and drinking water. Each campsite contains a picnic table, fire ring, and a food storage locker. Yosemites free shuttle bus stops near the campground entrance. 

 Nearby historic Curry Village offers a general store, restaurants and bar, amphitheater, coin showers, and tours and activities desk.

 Nearby Attractions:

 Glacier Point offers sweeping views of Yosemite Valley, Little Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Vernal and Nevada Falls, and Clouds Rest, among other notable landmarks. 

 The Tioga Road offers a 39-mile scenic drive past forests, meadows, lakes and granite domes. Beautiful Hetch Hetchy Reservoir is home to spectacular scenery and numerous wilderness trailheads.



Upper Pines Campground

Lower Pines Campground is located in breathtaking Yosemite National Park in Central California's rugged Sierra Nevada Mountain Range at an elevation of 4,000 feet. The site is situated in the heart of Yosemite Valley, an awe-inspiring landscape containing many of the famous features for which Yosemite National Park is known. Within Yosemite, visitors gaze upon waterfalls, sheer granite cliffs, deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, vast wilderness areas and much more. Yosemite National Park's reservable campsite are available up to five months in advance on the 15th of each month at 7:00 a.m. (PT) or 10:00 a.m. (ET). For example, on January 15, the time period May 15 to June 14 becomes available to reserve, and therefore, the full booking window would be from January 16 to June 14.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 and photography are all very popular activities within the park.   

Hiking trails range from the easy, paved, two-mile round-trip walk to Mirror Lake/Meadow, to the grueling but rewarding 14- to 16-mile trek to Half Dome (advanced permit required). Both of these trails begin near the Pines Campgrounds, and there are many additional trailheads within Yosemite 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.

Facilities

Lower Pines Campground is one of the three reservation campgrounds in Yosemite Valley. It offers paved roads and parking spurs, flush toilets, drinking water, and an amphitheater. Each campsite contains a picnic table, fire ring, and a food storage locker.   

Yosemite's free shuttle bus stops at the campground entrance. Within walking distance, historic Curry Village offers a general store, restaurants and a bar, amphitheater, and tours and activities desk.

Natural Features

Yosemite Valley is forested with a diverse mix of California black oak, ponderosa pine, incense-cedar, white fir and whiteleaf manzanita, which offers a pleasant combination of sun and shade. Through the trees, Yosemite's telltale granite cliffs peek through, and the gentle, refreshing Merced River flows nearby.

Nearby Attractions

Glacier Point offers sweeping views of Yosemite Valley, Little Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Vernal and Nevada Falls, and Clouds Rest, among other notable landmarks and a visit to Wawona and the Pioneer Yosemite History Center is like stepping back in time.   

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 and the beautiful Hetch Hetchy Reservoir is home to spectacular scenery and numerous wilderness trailheads.

Charges & Cancellations

Cancellations more than 48 hours in advance of arrival date only incur a $10 transaction fee. Within 48 hours, $10 and the first night's fee are charged (Exception: 1 night reservations do not incur an additional $10 fee, but do not receive a refund). No-shows will be assessed a $20 service fee along with the loss of the first night's fee. 

ADA Access: N



Lower Pines

Since 1899, Half Dome Village has been welcoming travelers to Yosemite National Park with its tented camp with comfortable and responsible lodging with spectacular views of Glacier Point and Half Dome.

 With an unrivaled location just below Half Dome and Glacier Point, Half Dome Village offers visitors a truly unique place to stay while visiting Yosemite National Park.

 As you explore the Village, you’ll come across:

 46 Yosemite Cabins with Private Baths
 14 Cabins that share Convenient Bathhouses

 403 Canvas Tent Cabins
 18 Standard Motel Rooms



Yosemite Valley Backpacker's Campground

North Pines Campground is located in breathtaking Yosemite National Park in Central California's rugged Sierra Nevada Mountain Range at an elevation of 4000 feet. The site is situated in the heart of Yosemite Valley, an awe-inspiring landscape containing many of the famous features for which Yosemite National Park is known. Within Yosemite, visitors can gaze upon waterfalls, sheer granite cliffs, deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, vast wilderness areas and so much more. Yosemite National Park's reservable campsites are available up to five months in advance on the 15th of each month at 7:00 a.m. (PT) or 10:00 a.m. (ET). For example, on January 15, the time period May 15 to June 14 becomes available to reserve, and therefore, the full booking window would be from January 16 to June 14.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, and photography are all very popular activities within the park.   

Hiking trails range from the easy paved, two-mile roundtrip walk to Mirror Lake/Meadow, to the grueling but rewarding 14- to 16-mile trek to Half Dome (permit required). Both of these trails begin near the Pines Campgrounds, and many additional trailheads are within Yosemite 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.

Facilities

North Pines Campground is one of the three reservation campgrounds in Yosemite Valley. It offers paved roads and parking spurs, flush toilets, and drinking water. Each campsite contains a picnic table, fire ring, and a food storage locker. Yosemite's free shuttle bus stops at the campground entrance. Nearby historic Half Dome Village (formerly Curry Village) offers a general store, restaurants and bar, amphitheater, and tours and activities desk.

Natural Features

Yosemite Valley is forested with a diverse mix of California black oak, Ponderosa pine, Incense-cedar, White fir, and Whiteleaf Manzanita, which offers a pleasant combination of sun and shade.  

Through the trees, Yosemite's telltale granite cliff faces are visible, and the gentle, refreshing Merced River flows nearby.

Nearby Attractions

Within one to two hours, visitors can drive or ride a shuttle bus to some of Yosemite's most grand viewpoints and historic sites. Glacier Point offers sweeping views of Yosemite Valley, Little Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Vernal and Nevada Falls, and Clouds Rest, among other notable landmarks.   

A visit to Wawona and the Pioneer Yosemite History Center is like stepping back in time.   

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.   

Beautiful Hetch Hetchy Reservoir is home to spectacular scenery and numerous wilderness trailheads.

Charges & Cancellations

Cancellations more than 48 hours in advance of arrival date only incur a $10 transaction fee. Within 48 hours, $10 and the first night's fee are charged (Exception: 1 night reservations do not incur an additional $10 fee, but do not receive a refund). No-shows will be assessed a $20 service fee along with the loss of the first night's fee. 

ADA Access: N



North Pines

Half Dome Village

The fantastic vista overlooks Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, and the Yosemite High Country. A 10.5-mile guided ski trip on intermediate groomed terrain through magnificent Yosemite backcountry takes you to the rustic accommodations of our beautiful stone and log building. We have a dining area, several sofas surrounding a wood stove, and indoor lavatory facilities. 

Trips to Glacier Point Ski Hut can be guided or self-guided, but advance reservations for all trips are required. Children must be at least 14 years old and accompanied by an adult in order to stay at the hut. For self-guided Glacier Point Hut Trips, guide yourselves safely to and from the hut and the hut keeper will provide dinner, breakfast, lunch for the ski out and a warm place to enjoy the evening. 

Glacier Point Ski Hut

The Housekeeping Camp in Yosemite sits on the floor of the Yosemite Valley.  Located on Southside Drive, this campground offers tent sites and glamping tents.  Picnic tables, fire pits, and an extensive camp store.

Housekeeping Camp

Camp 4 Yosemite features 36 shared walk-in sites for tents only (sleeping in vehicles is not allowed)

 Parking is available adjacent to the campground (it's a very short walk to the campsites). A parking permit is required from spring through fall. You will receive a free parking permit upon registering.

 Each campsite contains a fire pit (no grill), picnic table, and four shared food lockers [35"(D)x43"(W)x28"(H)], and is near a bathroom with drinking water and flushing toilets., and is near a bathroom with drinking water and flushing toilets.



Camp 4

Camp 4 - Yosemite National Park

Situated in the remote, southeast region of Yosemite National Park, and resting beneath 10,440-foot Quartzite Peak, Merced Lake High Sierra Camp is the largest, oldest, and most isolated, of Yosemite’s High Sierra Camps (HSC). Established in 1916, the camp is located on eastern side of the lake, near where the Merced River tumbles down a rocky chute. At the base of the chute is a wide pool popularly used as a summer swimming hole. Due to its lower elevation than many of the other HSCs, Merced Lake is usually accessible a little earlier and later each hiking season. There are three primary hiking routes used to reach Merced Lake. All are long and strenuous, and are commonly used as part of the HSC Loop, or other longer-distance treks. Here are the options:

Yosemite Valley: 12.3 miles • 4,080 feet elevation gain
Start at Happy Isles and climb the Mist Trail past Vernal and Nevada Falls. Follow the Merced River to Echo Valley and ascend to Merced Lake.

Cathedral Lakes: 15.3 miles • 2,140 feet elevation gain
Start in west Tuolumne Meadows and head south on the JMT over Cathedral Pass toward Sunrise. Follow Echo Creek to Echo Valley, then up to Merced Lake.

Vogelsang: 14.3 miles • 1,720 feet elevation gain
Start in east Tuolumne Meadows and up Rafferty Creek south over Tuolumne Pass. Follow Fletcher Creek down past Emeric and Babcock Lakes to Merced Lake. 
  
The Merced Lake HSC offers 18 tent cabins that can accommodate up to 60 guests. Cabins are equipped with bunks, but campers must provide their own linens or sleeping bags. Family-style breakfasts and dinners are provided for all cabin guests. There is also flush toilet facilities—a real novelty in the backcountry—in addition to showers and laundry basins. Scoring an overnight stay in one of Merced Lake’s cabins requires entering the annual HSC lottery, which takes place the winter before the next summer hiking season. Due to high demand, and limited space, camps sell out quickly. If you don’t get a cabin space, you can tent camp nearby with a valid backcountry permit. This is primitive wilderness camping, so you should follow Leave No Trace guidelines. You can still opt to purchase meals at the camp if you want to lighten your backpack load. HSC cabin rates are $159/person/night; meals only are $80/person/night; kids rates are available.  

Because of its more remote and tranquil setting, and warmer climes due to its lower elevation, visitors to Merced Lake HSC are apt to stay and relax a little longer. The lake is just a short walk from the camp for plenty of sunning, swimming and fishing opportunities, and Washburn and Babcock lakes are each just a few miles away for day-hikeable outings. Those in search of real wilderness solitude can continue into even more remote parts of Yosemite by venturing on to destinations such as Red Peak or the Isberg Lakes.


Merced Lake High Sierra Camp

National Park Service

If you are attempting Half Dome you could exhaust yourself and hike up from base, or you could extend the trip and hike here first, stay a night, wake up early, and be the first on the Dome to watch the sunrise - that's what we did! 

  

Great backcountry camping with nice, clean spots to setting in among the trees and a group spot for a firepit. There's a river nearby so bring a filter and go upstream. It's not easy to organize the proper permits, but it's worth it!

Essential to a memorable Half Dome trip

We loved every aspect of this camp area. Yosemite only allows a certain number of people to camp at the backcountry sites and it shows. This was a pine tree lovers paradise! We hiked the waterfall trail, which is breathtaking, but full of a lot of people! Once you get passed the 2nd huge waterfall, the crowds start to die down and its just you and the mountains. When you finally get to Little Yose Valley, you're probably super tired (we were!), and the campground invites you in like a warm cup of coffee. We passed out immediately in our hammock to the sound of the river next to the site, then woke up and set up camp. Hiked the rest of half dome the next day. My favorite camp site I've stayed in so far.

Great Backcountry Campground!

One of the nicest backpacking campgrounds. Nice bathrooms and right next to a clean blue river perfect for swimming in! Surrounded by granite rocks in one of the most wonderful place Yosemite 

Little Yosemite Valley Campground

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2021 Explorer Giveaway

Essential to a memorable Half Dome trip

Great Backcountry Campground!

Backpacking to half dome

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