Best Glamping near Yosemite National Park, CA

Tuolumne Meadows Campground is located in Yosemite National Park in the Central California's Sierra Nevada Mountain. Its elevation at 8000 plus feet gives you the chance to see beautiful scenery.

Had a great weekend going to Yosemite national park, either way if the temperature was low

Very great campsite located right in the heart of Yosemite National Park. Hard to get reservations unless you plan way ahead which we do every year but we'll work it. Right on a creek you can swim in, trails galore, it's Yosemite!

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! As an overall experience, I give the Yosemite Creek, and the Yosemite National Park overall amazing experience and would highly recommend it!

What a great place to stay and enjoy this magnificent National Park. Reservation fill up quickly and you can see why, as the (closest town) [Mariposa, CA](http://Mariposa, CA https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mariposa,+CA+95338/@37.6138031,-119.9096238,11z/data=!4m21!1m15!4m14!1m6!1m2!1s0x8096b0aac3ff60c5:0xb0ab002eb339644e!2sMariposa,+CA!2m2!1d-119.9662843!2d37.4849377!1m6!1m2!1s0x8096f24a1bc3a93d:0xbda9e022a9515b5a!2sUpper+Pines+Campground,+Yosemite+National+Park,+9024+Southside+Dr,+YOSEMITE+NATIONAL+PARK,+CA+95389!2m2!1d-119.56555!2d37.7391319!3m4!1s0x8096b0aac3ff60c5:0xb0ab002eb339644e!8m2!3d37.4849377!4d-119.9662843) is about an 1.5 hours away. You can reserve camping up to 5 months in advance for $26. This camp ground is close to the (general store) Yosemite Village, Half dome trail head and a river runs along side. The sites are small with 2 parking spaces, the bathroom were well maintained.

I really enjoyed staying here. The view you wake up to is priceless. If you get a chance to dine in the park the [The Majestic Yosemite Hotel Dining Room](http://The Majestic Yosemite Hotelhttp://www.travelyosemite.com/lodging/the-majestic-yosemite-hotel/ Dining Room) has delicious but $$ food.

[Valley Camp ground Map](http://Valley Camp ground Maphttps://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/upload/pinescombined.pdf)

Each campsite contains a fire ring, picnic table, and a food locker and is near a bathroom with drinking water and flushing toilets.

We stayed here in May 2019 in a car with a roof top tent (tepui). Since it was early in the season the campground was pretty empty. The sites by the river are nice for the river noise to fall asleep too, but as we later found out they also flood when it rains. Overall, I think this is a good alternative if you can't get any camping in the park. Pros:

• Available when Yosemite National Park isn't
• Close to the park
• Has wifi and hot showers Cons:
• Expensive
• Bathrooms could use some work

Yosemite Lakes RV Resort was a gem of a campground. It was like we were nestled in the heart of Yosemite Valley but we were actually over an hour away from it. A taste of what Yosemite National Park has to offer, if you will. They offer the best riverfront camping spots. The tranquil waters were a pleasant surprise to our trip. We have been to Yosemite many times but have never experienced it quite like this before. I recommend Yosemite Lakes RV Resort to anyone looking to take a relaxing break from lifes hustle and bustle.

The location is perfect for all the Valley trails. There is a shuttle right outside. There are several campgrounds here. There is a space for tents and also a village of canvas tents for those who prefer glamping. For food there is a convenience store nearby, a restaurant and a pizza place.

TIPS:

Tent cabins are close together, you will hear your neighbors, bring ear plugs

Leave early, the trails get crowded very quickly

Lots of tourists so parking will be tight

Driving into Yosemite is horrible lately, especially into the Valley, CARPOOL!

We tent camped on the river here and really enjoyed our stay. We floated on the river in tubes, visited Nearby Rainbow Pools, went into Yosemite Valley a couple of days, the park is about 5-10 mins from the entrance to Yosemite but we didn’t mind we enjoyed the drive into the valley and used it as an opportunity to spot wildlife. We had two young kids (6 &8) and the campground restrooms and showers were perfect after a long day hiking, they were well maintained, good water pressure. These restrooms were located at the ponderosa tent sites, we had some family also camping in RVS along the river and I can’t speak for those restrooms. No cell service & WiFi is unlikely to work so prepare to be unplugged..they do give you printed directions to the closest area to get a signal depending on your carrier. The staff was very friendly and helpful! We will definitely be back one day. Side note: we came during COVID so reservations to Yosemite National park were required, therefore the park and surrounding campgrounds were not as packed as they normally would be. (This was heavenly).

this is the ultimate glamping. Bunk beds, electrical outlets, private patio with awning and round picnic table, even curtains for your shared sleeping quarters. Near by clean restrooms running hot water. Id recommend wearing sandals for showering. Nice open space between campsites. We had the campsites reserved months in advance next to the river. It was pretty dry the this time. Enough water to capture some great photos. In the campgrounds there were large bear lockers, and well distributed benches and fire rings. Quiet time is 10pm and they are strict about it. Cant reallly complain about yosemite though. Its just pure beauty.

It's been awhile since I've camped at Lower Pines Campground, but our experience was GREAT! Our friends were fortunate enough to score a reservation for Memorial weekend. The campground was easy to find, conveniently located within the park, spacious and very clean. I was a little nervous about bears, but there is a bear locker for every site. The sites were pretty spacious and we didn't notice our neighbors, even with it being a busy holiday weekend. The bathrooms were clean and the campground was walking distance to Curry Village, where we were able to pay for a hot shower. It was also nice that we were walking distance to the Vernal Falls trail head. With this being a holiday weekend, there was MORE than enough cars and we didn't have to worry about driving and parking as we could walk and/or use the shuttle to get where we wanted. We were also pretty lucky as our site was along the Merced River! I should say that we left a day early, as the weather started to turn. The rangers were helpful and had hinted it might snow. We weren't prepared for weather that cold and thought it best to cut our trip short. Driving out of the park it started to snow. Either way it's a great campground and you can't beat being in Yosemite National Park! I'd definitely return to this campground!

Yosemite Valley is pure magic and Half Dome Village is no exception. It’s definitely more “glamping” than camping and the tents feel like cabins and are very close together. Bathrooms are nice and there’s a store, bar, cafeteria, coffee shop and pizza place to take care of your needs. It does have a bit of a party atmosphere at night as folks from other campgrounds gather at the bar/pizza spot but the tent area was pretty quiet (save for me hearing someone peeing outside my tent one night...). Dark at night, bring a headlamp or flashlight.

Biggest complaint is the price. Location can’t be beat but it’s so expensive for canvas tents that aren’t super clean and are smushed together. I love Half Dome Village but next time will probably camp elsewhere and shuttle in for pizza and beer.

Yosemite is absolutely amazing! If you ever get a chance to explore Yosemite, take it! I got to go on a spur of the moment thing. My husband was working on the clean-up for the wildfires that ravaged California and he had been gone a while, so we decided I would fly out and meet him and we would take a camping trip together. Be aware, it was December... it was freezing! The days were great! We did about 14 miles in hikes every, because unlike Texas it was cool and refreshing. Then at night we froze...but I wouldn't change it for the world.

So I ended up flying into Sacramento and then we drove about 4 hours to get to Yosemite National Park. Not a bad drive, of course everything in California is beautiful compared to the flat lands of Texas. Please make sure if you are going in the off season to bring chains for your tires and to check for road closure into Yosemite Valley. Thankfully we did not run into any ice or closure on the way in, but believe me we were nervous! The roads can get a little nerve racking going up the mountains with such steep drops off the side. I think i stopped breathing a few times!

I reserved our campsite online, there weren't many options since it was winter, but we stayed at the Upper Pines campground that is open all year long. Surprisingly there were quite a few people there, but mostly hiking/camping enthusiast like us that kept to themselves and were quiet, friendly neighbors! Since it was off season the restaurant at Half Dome village was closed, but the store they have was open if you are in need of groceries, firewood, first aid...etc. It seems Yosemite is still a hopping place even when it is freezing which was reassuring for us Texans!

The trails were amazing and well marked even though the place is HUGE! Some of the more extreme hikes were closed off for safety because of ice but we still had a lot of options. Lots of variety and diversity in trails. We stayed 5 days and did between 8-14 miles each day without seeing the same thing twice! We visited in December, so yes it was cold, and the waterfalls were not flowing but it was still the most beautiful place.

Campgrounds are tightly packed, but that is just nit picky. We had a fire pit, a 'bear box', a picnic table, and a parking spot next to our site. They have sites to accommodate everyone, it is just a matter of reserving early, spots fill up fast. There are also cabins and yurts you can stay in, which might be a good idea if you go in the winter. Park rangers are very helpful and the place is well kept. There are bugs and animals, so make sure your being safe and watching your surroundings, especially out in the trails. Trekking poles are also a good idea if you don't have great ankles, knees,or back. The trails can be difficult at times with lots of rocks and uneven terrain. Just be safe and take your time.

Definitely one for the books!

Campground Review

I gave this campground a 3 out of 5 stars for two primary reasons. The first being that there is very little information available out there about the campground and the actual location of the grounds can be somewhat cumbersome to find. We spent a fair amount of time researching how to find this place and asking around at multiple information centers within Yosemite National Park before eventually finding it. The second reason being that the sites are not reservable and considering how crowded Yosemite NP can get, this is quite the gamble. Some crowd control is provided, as you need a backcountry permit in order to stay at the campground but with only 20 sites available, there’s a likely chance you may not get a spot. Most hikers use this campground as a basecamp before or after making their treks through the backcountry but it can be difficult to plan out your trip if you’re not sure that you can reliably find the campground or even secure a spot. That being said, this campground is located very close to some amazing amenities (10 minutes to Half Dome Village and 10 minutes to most trailheads). In addition to nearby amenities, the campground itself offers some great amenities including picnic tables, fire pits, bathrooms and bear boxes. The campsites are also really beautiful, as the grounds are situated near a picturesque wooded area, creek and unique rock formation. All in all, if you’re willing to wage the risk of not knowing how to get there or if you’ll even have a spot when you get there, you’ll be rewarded with one of the only remaining patches of solitude in Yosemite Valley.

Glen Aulin is one of a series of High Country camps in Yosemite National Park.  The concept behind these camps is that you can walk 6-10 miles each day with only a day pack, and spend the night in these supported camps where tents, water, and food are provided by concessionaires.  Really cool idea, but when we camped here in late September 2021, it was a ghost town (all the tents were taken down leaving just frames and slabs - I don't think they ever opened this season due to CV-19).  Regardless, the High Country camp was still a great base camp for our family for two nights.

With backcountry permit in hand, we hiked out 6 miles from Tuolumne Meadows and stayed in one of the 30 regular campsites at Glen Aulin.  Having not been backcountry camping in a while, we appreciated the remoteness of the location, but still having access to a vault toilet, bear boxes, and being around a few other campers.  With the camp shut down, there were no other amenities - for example, you had to filter your own water when normally there is piped water - but that just added to the experience.  The Tuolumne River was our water source, which is located adjacent to the camp.  In warmer weather, the pool formed at the base of Tuolumne Falls would make a great swimming hole, but for us in 60 degree weather, it was just a beautiful place to sit and listen to the sound of falling water.  A mile and a half day hike down river is California Falls.  Further down are LaConte and Waterwheel Falls.  

The 30 campsites are spaced out along Conness Creek.  The lower sites are shaded and closer to the toliet, the higher sites are more exposed and nestled among granite boulders, the views getting better the higher you go.  Most of sites are small, though a few can fit multiple small tents if you are traveling in a group.  Sites are not reserved - they are first come, first served. Each site had a small fire ring, though fires were banned when we went. The campers were all very friendly (about 10 sites were occupied both nights), with everyone down at sunset and up at sunrise.  It got cold - just above freezing at night.  We did see one bear in camp (at night), though he took off running as soon as we saw him.  

Camping here was amazing.  Highly recommend!

RANGER REVIEW: MOUNTAIN HOUSE BEEF STEW AT UPPER LYELL CANYON FOOTBRIDGE BACKCOUNTRY CAMPSITE

CAMPGROUND REVIEW: UPPER LYELL CANYON Backpackers Campground, Yosemite National Park, CA.

Backcountry camping in Yosemite National Park allows total immersion into pristine wilderness…usually without neighbors.

It does take extra planning and effort, but the dividends are unmatched.

Extra planning involves forethought into exactly what gear and food you really need or want to haul on your back for the prescribed distance to reach your backcountry campsite. Planning is also involved in research and acquisition of backcountry permits (if required)…restrictions (open fires, pack out waste)…if a water source is nearby (and reliable)..if point to point, how to get back to your vehicle, etc.

Extra effort may be required by traversing rugged, difficult terrain. It is recommended you hone your orienteering and map reading skills. A GPS is also a good tool to use in tandem with the compass and map.

We acquired our JMT permit through the Yosemite NPS lottery procedure 6 months in advance. https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm

Leaving from Toulumne Meadows, the Upper Lyell Canyon is approximately 9 miles of backpacking. The first 8 miles are predominately flat, following a picturesque canyon valley alongside a meandering river, frequent mountain cascades and periodic wooded areas. The 9th mile is the kicker. For the first flat 8 miles our pace was swift and gait was long. Then it appeared the trail went completely vertical.

The final mile up to the Upper Lyell Canyon Footbridge campsites was difficult and slow going. For Florida flatlanders the abrupt ascent to higher elevation took the wind out of our sails. The “stairway” appeared and felt more like it was designed by and primarily for mountain goats or sure-footed beasts of burden.

After what seemed like a longer than need be ‘climb-rest-climb-rest-catch your breath-hydrate-rest-climb some more’ plodding…we reached the Upper Lyell Canyon Footbridge camping area by early afternoon exhausted and ready to relax. Elevation is right around 9,000 feet.

Campsites are on both sides of the wooden footbridge, well away from the creek, first come, first served. This is backcountry camping so there are no picnic tables, fire pits, water spigots, showers or latrines.

However, we enjoyed the frigid alpine creek for soothing feet and knees…and had the area to ourselves til early evening when a couple of ladies set up camp on the other side of the bridge.

Water for meals and hydration were filtered from the creek. Meal prep was done on a nearby boulder.

While we chose a tent, there were ample, nicely spaced trees should a camper prefer a hammock.

Forethought must go into location selection for your backcountry privy. Choosing a location at least 100 ft from a water source, and far enough away from tent areas or visibility from traveled trails. Know the park rules for this necessary function…some parks/forests require minimum of 12” cathole and pack out TP, some permit TP to be buried, some require it all packed out (ie. Whitney). Abide by the rules. Sadly, at nearly every backcountry campsite, save one, did I have to bury a previous discourteous campers waste and TP. Not cool.

Mule deer wandered inquisitively close as we relaxed. Pika whistled and darted from rock to rock. Ground squirrels scooted close in an effort to steal some tasty crumb if you turned your back. Song birds flitted from branch to branch and serenaded. The rhythmic gurgle of the mountain creek produced a mountain melody that relaxed the soul and brought peace to the mind.

Note: Roughly another mile up the trail is the Upper Lyell Canyon Headwaters camping area. A flat area with long canyon views and more open meadow.

Consider a few variables:

1. Depending on the previous winter’s snowfall and recent rains, the creek may be a raging and dangerous river. Crossing some parts may not be advisable.

2. Forest Fires. As they say, it’s summer in the Sierras…expect them and deal with it. If not a direct threat some are able to deal with the smoke and acrid smell.

3. Elevation. Every body deals differently with elevation. Some are unaffected until passing 12K feet, others experience headaches, sleeplessness and nausea at lower elevations. Some seem unaffected at all. Know your body and warning signs. Descending remedies most.

Backcountry camping opens up wonderful semi-remote wilderness opportunities, sights and experiences often not found at front country campgrounds…without the crowds.

PRODUCT REVIEW: MOUNTAIN HOUSE BEEF STEW

Mountain House freeze dried meals have been a long-time favorite, and while I have my favorites, I decided to branch out and add more variety to my often repetitive menu.

https://www.mountainhouse.com

I won a contest on TheDyrt.com for $100 of Mountain House meals. Cha-Ching! Timely, as I had a month-long front and backcountry trip forthcoming.

Among my entree choices, I selected several Beef Stew pouches.

https://www.mountainhouse.com/m/product/0059114.html

I neglected to do a video review while enjoying my Mountain House Beef Stew dinner perched atop my bear canister at 9K feet in the backcountry of the John Muir Trail, so you missed the lip-smacking and soup-spoon-slurping noises commonly associated with my food reviews. Rats, right?! I know.

Suffice it to say, the Beef Stew was delicious. The package had a balanced blend of vegetables, plenty of beef chunks, with a delightfully seasoned broth. Following the directions…in less than ten minutes after bringing your water to a boil…you are enjoying a tasty and satisfying, savory meal.

It should be noted, in my attempts to save weight and shave package sizing, I removed the contents from the original packaging and used a commercial vacuum sealer and repackaged it into a lighter, smaller pouch. This choice then eliminated the convenience of preparing the meal in Mountain House’s resealable pouch. It was necessary to pack everything out that was packed in…so, based on my chosen schedule, I had to cajole 11 days of food for one into each bear canister. No small feat. But then all meals had to be prepared in my pot (not as convenient or handy, but the stored empty packaging was small, dry and lightweight). I’m not completely convinced my choice was entirely advantageous.

The Beef Stew meal was sufficient a portion size to fill both my daughter and I. After a long and strenuous day of hiking, it was a delicious end to our day…and we both commented that we looked forward to the next Beef Stew in our meal rotations.

Five (5) Stars all the way around!

We stayed in a Yurt and it was absolutely amazing. We ended up coming in really late but they left our key for us. They were super accommodating. The Llamas were an absolute plus as well. We loved how close it was to the park. The price for the yurt was like $100 a night and when we split that up, it was nothing!

Hot showers, no burn-ban, and they have yurts! Cell connection is not a thing there.

FHU and Electric/water sites. Also has cabins, yurts, covered wagons you can rent. Has pool, playground and petting zoo. Well kept and easy to work with

Many options to stay! Rv, bring your own tent, yurts, safari tents,, cabins. RV spaces have many different location styles, secluded, views, groups etc.

Large clean pool with a shallow lounging section. Playground. Bathrooms/showers were freshly renovated and clean. Laundry on site. Clubhouse and small provisions.

Easy access to Bass Lake and Yosemite entrance as well as local Town food and markets.

It wasn’t as nice as the photos depicted. Water shortage? The grasses were long and dried up, there appears to have been a wooden bridge as a shortcut to the pool/restroom/laundry room/Deli, but no longer. The restrooms were barely tolerable and the woman’s had a bad odor. There’s a dishwashing station that is no longer serviceable, just a stainless sink set in a covered table with no water or even plumbing to include drains. You have to pay for WiFi and sometimes the signal drops. For the cost of the campground the WiFi should be free! Lesser known campgrounds even have free WiFi. There are Conestoga Wagons, Cabins and Yurts. None were occupied. Reason?

You may as well stay close, right? Well... Whip out your wallet and empty on it on the check-in desk of this thousand trails (or whatever) park. For the price of the presidential penthouse suite at the top of the Reno Nugget, I was granted access to a dusty, undefined pad of petrified dirt on the outskirts of this RV and yurt focused campground on which to erect my elaborate two-pole tent. It was a little noisy and occupied by an effervescent mixture of post-millenial biker kids and scowling unibrow backpack bros in Arctic-ready shelters.

Here's the thing: the staff was super friendly, the store was well stocked, and where the holy everloving fuckelse was I gonna go? From tent teardown to nat'l park access was probably all of 15 minutes. Equally 100% bilked and satisfied - aka "thank you sir, may I have another!?"

Holy cow! Yosemite Valley is CROWDED. Believe everything you hear. I still recommend staying somewhere in the Valley just for the experience of it all at least once, but if you are interested in using any of the facilities, be prepared for crowds.

RV or Tent camping is the main thing here, sites are organized and packed close with a bathroom facility at the top of the loop. No showers (located at Half Dome village for $5). Close walk to the Mist Trail, The John Muir Trail, and the valley public transit system. I do not recommend driving in the Valley during the day unless you’re headed somewhere out of the valley.

Be prepared for your neighbors to have a lot of gear, with a lot going on. The City In The Woods is an apt description of the Valley floor peak season. In the end, if you’re willing to travel even just a mile beyond where the pavement ends, relative solitude can still be yours.

If you want to stay in a yurt, cabin, or other enclosed structure, look at one of the other campsites in the valley.