Yosemite National Park spans over 748,000 acres with elevations ranging from 2,000 to 13,000 feet, creating diverse camping microclimates throughout the seasons. Winter glamping options maintain comfort in temperatures that can drop below freezing, while summer tent sites often reach 90°F during peak daytime hours. Most valley campgrounds sit at approximately 4,000 feet elevation, where nights remain cool even during summer months.
What to do
Hike to Mirror Lake from camp: North Pines Campground offers excellent access to this popular trail. "Location is near to everything but also secluded from big crowds, we walked to Mirror Lake from our site. Free shuttles are easy to access. No shower so you would have to go to curry village for that," shares Vianney M.
Attend ranger talks: Lower Pines Campground features educational programming for visitors. "Bathrooms were pretty basic, not lit at night so you need a flashlight. The campsite had nightly seminars on different topics in the amphitheater (the night we went it was on bird communication)," reports Caitlin C.
Escape valley crowds: Tuolumne Meadows Campground provides high-country alternatives to busy valley locations. "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. Quiet, full of trees, bear boxes at every site, bathrooms with flushing toilets, water, lots of nice hiking trails nearby," recommends Susan V.
What campers like
Easy access to trailheads: Upper Pines Campground sits near several popular hiking routes. "Great location, close by many amazing hikes! Make sure to make a reservation in advance, we were lucky enough to get 2 nights but we took some of the last spots. Super big spots, with great coverage. Make sure to place everything in the bear box!" advises Alexis P.
River proximity: Housekeeping Camp offers sites near the Merced River. "It's camping, but you have electricity, a camping mattress, and community bathrooms and showers. Some campsites are considered 'river-front' but all campsites are pretty close to the river," notes Heather F.
Heated accommodation options: Curry Village provides warm glamping tents during colder months. "We stayed in a heated tent cabin during a major snowfall and stayed toasty-warm. I'd give this place an extra star if we were able to boil water in the tents, so we could make our own warm food and coffee, but it's not allowed," explains Lisa C.
What you should know
Noise considerations: Reserve sites away from high-traffic areas for quieter stays. "Every site contains a fire pit (no grill), picnic table, and four shared food lockers and is near a bathroom with drinking water and flushing toilets. Quiet hours are from 1000-0600, and we had to remind our neighbor campers who came back drunk at midnight to shut it," reports Erin S. at North Pines Campground.
Bathroom facilities vary: Some campgrounds lack showers entirely. "This area had no showers. The only downside to the spot was everyone else had a RV and had there generators on at 6am. We are not RV people so we don't know why they need to run them. Next time we will camp in a tent only area," warns Sarah F.
Elevation affects temperature: High country campsites experience significant temperature drops. "The elevation here means that it gets fairly cold at night, even during the summer. While there is running water, if you're looking to take a shower, you'll need to head down to the Valley," explains Les R. about Tuolumne Meadows Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Dishwashing options: Bring portable wash bins for sites without stations. "The amenities weren't great, though - there are no dishwashing stations, so if you're tent camping, you best bring a bin or something to do your dishes back at your site," suggests Molly & Armand K. from Upper Pines Campground.
Food storage practice: Have children help with bear safety protocols. "Use the bear box in your site and keep it closed at all times. I've heard stories about people simply walking back to the car and a bear getting into the box within a minute," warns Tory B. at Lower Pines Campground.
Weather preparation: Pack layers for dramatic temperature swings. "Then at night we froze...but I wouldn't change it for the world. The days were great! We did about 14 miles in hikes every day, because unlike Texas it was cool and refreshing," shares Brittany S. about her winter Yosemite glamping experience.
Tips from RVers
Limited generator hours: Check specific campground rules before arrival. "Generator hours are limited so plan accordingly. You can bathe in river like I do or go to curry village and pay for a shower at housekeeping. You get a fire ring and a bear box at each site," explains Christy C.
Outside park alternatives: Consider staying at nearby private campgrounds. "About 45 minutes to drive to the valley or Hetch Hetchy in Yosemite but the drive is beautiful. Plus a short drive to Rainbow Pool and Cherry Lake if you want to avoid park crowds. Would 100% stay here again," recommends Erin A. about Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes.
Limited connectivity: Plan for minimal cell service throughout the area. "Oh there is no cell service and the 'pay WIFI' did not work for us...but there is complimentary WiFi at the laundry to check in on things that works just fine," notes another visitor at Yosemite Lakes RV Resort.
