Looking for the best campgrounds near Yosemite Valley, CA? Yosemite Valley is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your California camping adventure.
$36 / night
"Close to Happy Isles and Mirror Lake/Meadow, this campground is convenient for day hikers. it's one of the better spots in Yosemite Valley, somewhat off the beaten path, so to speak."
"It's almost impossible to get a spot at the campsites in Yosemite Valley these days, but if you do you are lucky. "
$60 / night
"This iconic campground, situated in the middle of Yosemite Valley, was once home to many of America's early rock climbing pioneers. "
"You will share a site, probabaly a food storage locker and be close to your neighbors. If you do not store your food in the locker you will have visitors. "
$28 - $75 / night
"Beautiful Campground along the river. it's about 16 miles from Yosemite Valley and not as crowded as Yosemite Valley campgrounds."
"Nice location along the Merced River. Campsites have tree cover but aren’t super private. Bathrooms are primitive, but in good condition. Provides good access to Yosemite Valley and Glacier Point."
$48 / night
"This campground is in the heart of Yosemite Valley. 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."
"Great location right in the middle of Yosemite Valley. Great access to beautiful hikes and scenery. The camp sites are spacious."
$36 - $60 / night
"Bathrooms were clean, access to drinking water was easy. Park shuttle is nearby and easy to get around."
"A convenient hub for activities in Yosemite Valley. Toilets, water, and a storage box for all the food and other smelly items that attract bears."
$24 / night
"As Yosemite is a very well visited National Park, the Yosemite Creek bears an amazing view of the massive granite wonders and the nature that fills the Yosemite valley, a beauty within itself!"
"Not a bad drive, of course everything in California is beautiful compared to the flat lands of Texas."
"After accidentally driving to this location following the directions of another reviewer for the “Yosemite Boondocks” campground across 41 (which we never found) we were very happy with this location."
"We ended up in paved lot due to a tree being down and blocking any access to the dispersed woods camping."
$98 - $300 / night
"Best part is the location, which gives direct access to some of the most popular trails -- Happy Isles to Mist Trail, Mirror lake, etc. It has a nice family friendly vibe."
"The location is perfect for all the Valley trails. There is a shuttle right outside. There are several campgrounds here."
$36 - $75 / night
"This campground is located outside of Yosemite Valley, so it has less of the “Disneyland of the Sierra” feel—more serene and fewer people and buses."
"Sick of the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds of the Yosemite Valley at peak times? Head to the high country and stay at Tuolumne Meadows Campground."
"For people with mobility issues, this site is a good walk away from the inner valley trails, fine for anyone else who is up for walking distances, because that is why you came to Yosemite!"
"Beautiful campground, unfortunately right next to the trail, but very spacious and also has bathrooms and picnic tables right there!"
Guidecame out of upper yosemite and needed a place to sleep, good spots (not directly on the road) were kind of hard to find in the dark but there were a bunch of other cars pulled over and sleeping everywhere along this road
GuideWe recently stayed for 3 nights in July at convict lake. The lake is gorgeous and offers fishing, no wake boating sports, mountain biking and hiking trails. The campground is walking distance to the lake, but does not have lake front sites. The sites are fairly cramped and can be very close together. The pads are narrow. There is no hookups. The campground runs in a linear path pointed away from the lake- so some sites are a trek from the water. Thee is a “resort” nearby with a surprisingly well stocked general store. Boats are available to rent at the lake.
TravelerThe campground is very comfortable and perfectly located. It has clean, working restrooms. It’s walking distance from a store and from lots of nearby trails.
Travelernice shaded with creek sounds no restroom
TravelerNo shade restrooms are amazing -for camping restrooms hand sanitizer is a welcomed luxury 🙏🏻
GuideAbout 5 mins off hwy on dirt road. Use Lundy Lakes road. No one in our area. Hwy noise but not bad. Great views.
ScoutBeautiful area surrounded by trees so lots of shade. Came on 4th of July so the crowd is a lil rowdy but I found a spot farther away which is nice!
ScoutThis was a beautiful ranch. John was very nice and accommodating. I couldn't pulley trailer up the hill to the campsite so John let us park in front of his barn. Great location.
GuideI love Upper Pines so much. Yes, the sites are small, noisy, and close together, but if you lean in to that, you're bound to make some friends. Upper Pines is one of the few campgrounds where a large portion of campers really like to hang out at their sites the whole time they're here. They don't necessarily come here to hike or climb-- they just want to be in the valley together. Large groups reserving multiple sites is common, unfortunately these sites tend to draw the most bears due to having large food caches. Like all other campgrounds in Yosemite, food and all other scented items must be stored in the bear locker at all times. Each site gets its own locker. RVs are allowed but there are no hookups. Generators are allowed certain hours, check with camp host. Dump station is located at the entrance. Upper Pines is only a five minute walk from curry Village or the Ahwahnee. Yosemite Village is across the valley about 1.5 miles away. The creek that runs by Upper Pines is very popular for swimming and rafting. You can bring dogs to Upper Pines but they must be on a leash and cannot enter fresh water and, to answer the weirdest question I've ever been asked as a volunteer: No, you cannot leave your dog locked in your Tesla overnight on dog mode (wtf?) Bathrooms can get messy but they get power washed by maintenance usually once or twice a day although I'm not sure how recent staff cuts have affected that. Rangers and/ or camp hosts are available at the kiosk from about 9-5, camp hosts usually do a night rove too and there is an after hours number you can call for a ranger after 10pm. Fires are allowed from 5-10pm, wood must be purchased in the park to help control the spread of invasive species.
Camping near Yosemite Valley, California, offers a fantastic way to experience the beauty of nature while enjoying outdoor activities. With several campgrounds to choose from, each has its own unique features and amenities.
Camping near Yosemite Valley, California, is a rewarding experience filled with adventure and natural beauty. Whether you're hiking, relaxing, or enjoying family time, there's something for everyone in this stunning area.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, Yosemite Valley, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 370 campgrounds and RV parks near Yosemite Valley, CA and 56 free dispersed camping spots.
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Yosemite Valley, CA is Upper Pines Campground — Yosemite National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 66 reviews.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 56 free dispersed camping spots near Yosemite Valley, CA.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 22 parks near Yosemite Valley, CA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
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