Wawona - Yosemite National Park
D
Reviewed Sep. 7, 2018

Great campground you can actually get a reservation for!

Love this campground! Large, well kept campground that has the beautiful Merced river running along side of it. The campsites (particularly those in loop C) are pretty large, with adequate space between them so that you don’t feel crowded, unlike the campsites in the campgrounds in Yosemite Valley. Many of the campsites in loop C have river views. The campground is generally pretty quiet during sleeping hours, 10 p.m. - 7 a.m.

As with all the other other campgrounds in Yosemite, there are no showers. You have to go to housekeeping near Half Dome Village in the Valley for access to showers, or bring a solar shower with a water catch basin to stand in (no dirty/soapy water is allowed to seep into the ground or river). However, the bathrooms do have flush toilets. Each campsite allows parking for two cars and the campground has some free overflow parking spots as well if you have an extra car. Many of the sites are large enough accommodate several tents. The bear boxes are large enough for at least two full size coolers and some bags of food and toiletries. All food, drinks (except water) and toiletries must go in the bear box. So if you have more than a couple of people, you may want to coordinate and plan out the food that you bring to make sure it will all fit in the bear box.

About a mile away is a general store and gas station, which is great for stocking up on ice and snacks. Cell service is very limited at the campground, but if you can’t unplug for your entire trip, the Wawona library is about a mile away (turn right out of the campground, then turn left on Chilnualna Falls Rd. and it’s a good ways down the road) and it has free, unsecured Wi-Fi. Yosemite Valley also has decent cell service.

It is about a 40 minute scenic drive to Yosemite Valley, but the campground is close to the Giant Sequoias, so there are still nearby scenic hiking options. Plus, Glacier Point Road is on the way back (along highway 41) to the campground from the Valley, which is perfect for a trip up to Glacier Point for awesome sunset views of Half Dome and some waterfalls. Just be sure to get there at least an hour or more before sunset (especially on weekends) as there may be a line for parking.

Unlike the valley floor campgrounds, you can usually still get a campsite at this campground, even if you are not clicking reserve on the reservation website at exactly 7:00 a.m.

I really enjoy this campground and will definitely go back!

  • Review photo of Wawona - Yosemite National Park by Denise G., September 7, 2018
  • Review photo of Wawona - Yosemite National Park by Denise G., September 7, 2018
  • Review photo of Wawona - Yosemite National Park by Denise G., September 7, 2018
  • Review photo of Wawona - Yosemite National Park by Denise G., September 7, 2018