Yosemite Valley sits at an elevation of 4,000 feet, surrounded by granite cliffs that rise another 3,000-5,000 feet above the valley floor. Summer temperatures typically range from 50-90°F, while winter brings snow and temperatures that can drop below freezing. Campgrounds throughout the valley experience regular wildlife activity including deer, raccoons, and bears that actively search for improperly stored food items.
What to do
Morning hikes near campgrounds: The Mirror Lake trail is accessible directly from North Pines Campground, offering an easy walk to a serene lake that reflects Half Dome. "I love how I can walk from here to several hikes, like Vernal and Nevada Falls. You can also walk to Curry Village for food, drink or some shopping," notes Alix F. from North Pines Campground.
Fishing in Tuolumne Meadows: The area provides access to mountain streams with native trout. "Good hiking and fishing nearby. Walk to campstore and restaurant. PCT camp sites nearby," mentions Tricia F. about Tuolumne Meadows Campground.
Visit Mariposa Grove: Take a day trip from Wawona Campground to see ancient giant sequoias. "It's near the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias; there's a free shuttle during the day, and you can take a car there at night - walking among the sequoias alone at night is absolutely amazing," shares Joe H. about Wawona Campground.
What campers like
Riverside camping spots: Many campsites along the Merced River provide direct water access. "Right on river was a huge plus! Semi-private, decent sized site. Some sites seemed more private than others. Some tree cover," says Benjamin C. about Lower Pines Campground.
Escape from valley crowds: Camping outside the valley often means more space and quiet. "#37 awesome creekside. Water spigot close. Bathrooms slight walk. Slight slant. Bring bug spray!" recommends Allen W. about Wawona Campground, which provides a less crowded alternative to valley sites.
Dispersed camping with flexibility: Free camping options outside park boundaries allow more freedom for campers and pets. "Beautiful scenery, clean, close to Yosemite, and easy to reach. As others have said, follow Mount Raymond Rd up until you see the sign for the snow play area, and look to the right," explains Derrick H. about Goat Meadow Dispersed Camp Site.
What you should know
Bear activity is consistent: Bears regularly patrol campgrounds looking for food. "Be sure to use the bear box, bears were active in the area while we visited," warns Eric H. about Wawona Campground. Every campsite in Yosemite Valley has a metal bear box that must be used for all food, toiletries, and scented items.
Campground closures vary by season: Not all campgrounds remain open year-round. "We were there the last weekend it was open (Oct 26/27) and all sites were booked. Being late October, I was expecting very cold conditions. But the weather was great! 70s during the day and 40s at night," shares Erin S. about North Pines Campground.
Campsite privacy varies significantly: Many valley campsites offer minimal separation between neighboring sites. "Site: small with little or no privacy. Some tree cover and a stream near. Amenities: not very clean facilities- a lot of people are using them!" notes Benjamin C. about Upper Pines Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Use the valley shuttle system: Kids can get tired of walking, but the free shuttle connects most dog-friendly campgrounds. "Close to the entrance and you can walk to the park shuttles. Pay attention to the site map as most spots are for just 1 vehicle if you want to camp in a group," advises Christine W. about Upper Pines Campground.
Consider higher elevation camping in summer: The valley can get extremely hot while higher elevation sites remain cooler. "It's elevation at 8000 plus feet gives you the chance to see beautiful scenery," notes Roberto R. about Tuolumne Meadows Campground, which offers a significantly cooler alternative to the valley floor during summer months.
Book non-weekend stays when possible: Campgrounds are quieter and often have more available sites. "We were lucky to have booked a good spot on this camp. It's very lively with other campers laughing and playing music," shares Leimmi Z. about Hodgdon Meadow Campground.
Tips from RVers
Limited RV-friendly sites: Most dog-friendly campgrounds near Yosemite Valley have size restrictions for vehicles. "Sites are tight would not recommend a rig over 30. Good access to shuttle system," cautions Rick L. about Upper Pines Campground.
Generator restrictions apply: Most in-park campgrounds limit generator use to specific hours. "The only downside to the spot was everyone else had a RV and had their generators on at 6am. We are not RV people so we don't know why they need to run them," comments Sarah F. from North Pines Campground.
Consider private campgrounds outside the park: These often offer full hookups and more amenities. "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 William V. about Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes.
