North Pines is the busiest traditional campground in Yosemite Valley. Aside from Curry Village, Housekeeping Camp, or Camp 4, this is the loudest place you can stay. The historic NPS stables which were converted to concessionaire housing are directly behind North Pines. Employees have a tradition of doing something called a Huff Call, which is basically howling like a coyote in the middle of the night, but more annoying. You have to drive through North Pines to get to Backpacker's Camp, which creates a lot of additional traffic through the campground. That being said, the creek under the bridge to Backpacker's Camp is a great less busy spot to have a swim under Half Dome and the Royal Arches. North Pines and Upper Pines accommodate most of the RVs in the park, and even though there are rules around generator hours, people tend to break these rules when they get hot or cold. Bear activity is high at this campground, and there is usually a poster at the kiosk relaying recent breakins. The kiosk also usually posts the weather, the late arrivals, and other relevant notices. It's hard to get reservations here but a lot of people do cancel at the last minute. Curry Village is just a 5 minute walk away while Yosemite Village is across the valley. This campground has amazing views of Half Dome and the Royal Arches Cascades. Several sites at this campground are permanently reserved for park volunteers including Camp hosts, desk officers, and scientists. Great place to Camp if you don't mind noise and a lot of activity.