Yurt camping around Eastman Lake is situated in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, with elevations ranging from 500 to 2,000 feet. The area experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F and mild winters with occasional rainfall. Cell service varies significantly across campgrounds, with most locations having limited or non-existent coverage except at designated WiFi areas.
What to do
River activities at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes: The South Fork of the Tuolumne River provides recreation opportunities beyond just scenic views. "The river is fun for tubing and evening chill," notes a visitor. This Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes campground offers multiple activities besides water-based fun. "Beautiful campground with even more amazing staff... There is complimentary WiFi at the laundry to check in on things that works just fine," shares another camper.
Trail access from North Pines: Located on the valley floor, this campground provides direct access to popular hiking routes. "We were in easy walking distance to the path to Mirror Lake and the ever popular Mist Trail," one visitor explains. North Pines Campground positions you strategically for valley exploration without moving your vehicle. "It is great to camp on the valley floor, especially during peak season as traffic from all main gates to the valley floor is very congested."
Wildlife observation: The campgrounds provide opportunities to observe local fauna in their natural habitat. "It was fun to watch various critters (birds, squirrels, deer, coyotes) waltz through camp," mentions a North Pines visitor. Remember that proper food storage in bear boxes is mandatory at all locations to prevent wildlife encounters.
What campers like
Convenient park shuttles: Many campers appreciate the transportation options that eliminate parking hassles. "The YART bus (that shuttles you into the park) stops at the hotel next door. It was $20 for a family of four (round trip), and that included admission to the park," explains a visitor to Indian Flat RV Park. This provides significant savings and convenience when visiting Yosemite Valley.
Heated accommodations: For cooler weather, heated yurts and cabins provide comfort beyond traditional camping. "Stayed two nights here in a 2 bed tent cabin. Slept 3 of us perfectly and was somewhat heated. Meaning the heater likes to turn itself off at times cooling the tent back down before kicking back in," explains a Curry Village visitor. These accommodations bridge the gap between roughing it and hotel stays.
Free additional amenities: Several campgrounds offer unexpected bonuses with your stay. "The Cedar Lodge next door has an indoor and outdoor pool available for the RV campers to use. The outdoor pool was closed for the season, but the indoor pool was heated to at least 100 degrees so it made our morning swimming delightful," shares an Indian Flat RV Park camper. These extras provide relaxation after long hiking days.
What you should know
Booking challenges: Securing sites requires advance planning, especially for peak seasons. "Reservations fill up quickly and you can see why, as the closest town is about 1.5 hours away," notes a camper. For popular locations like Upper Pines Campground, "Make sure to make a reservation in advance, we were lucky enough to get 2 nights but we took some of the last spots."
Limited services: Many campgrounds have restricted amenities, particularly in offseason. "There are no hook-ups, and the comfort stations only have toilets and sinks (no showers), a fresh water faucet, and a disposal 'toilet' for dish water. All dishes must be washed at camp," explains an Upper Pines visitor. Understanding these limitations helps set expectations for your yurt camping experience near Eastman Lake.
Weather considerations: Temperature variations can affect comfort significantly. "Being late October, I was expecting very cold conditions. But the weather was great! 70s during the day and 40s at night. Clear skies. Absolutely beautiful," shares a North Pines visitor. Seasonal preparation is essential when planning yurt accommodations in this region.
Tips for camping with families
Utilize pool access: Swimming facilities provide entertainment for children after hiking. "After a long day of hiking in Yosemite it was nice to relax at the pool next door," notes an Indian Flat RV Park visitor. Many campgrounds with yurt options offer pool access either on-site or at neighboring properties.
Choose petting zoo locations: Animal encounters add educational value to your trip. "With a pool, petting zoo, a corral where they have a fire and s'mores followed by a movie, this is a great place to camp with kids," explains a visitor to Yosemite Pines RV Resort. These structured activities help keep children engaged throughout your stay.
Consider noise levels: Family-friendly campgrounds vary in their noise management. "Despite quiet hours, there seems to always be That One Guy who gets drunk, loud and obnoxious," cautions a Curry Village visitor. When booking yurt accommodations near Eastman Lake with children, request locations away from high-traffic areas for better sleep quality.
Tips from RVers
Check site dimensions carefully: RV site specifics matter significantly for comfort and functionality. "The sites are a bit tight would not recommend a rig over 30. Good access to shuttle system," advises an Upper Pines visitor. For yurt camping near Eastman Lake, knowing exact distances between accommodations helps set proper expectations.
Use adapter solutions: Power requirements need advance planning. "There are only a handful of 50amp spots and people move to them quickly after someone leaves lots of 30amp though so you might want to bring an adapter," recommends a visitor to Yosemite Lakes RV Resort. Even for yurt stays, understanding electrical limitations prevents inconvenience.
Consider dispersed options: Free alternatives exist for self-contained units. "Great little spot within 10 minutes of one Yosemite's entrance. Spaces for a few different campsites," notes a visitor to Evergreen Road dispersed camping. These locations provide budget-friendly alternatives to yurt camping near Eastman Lake when availability is limited.
