RV tenting in our nationwide parks is among the greatest methods to expertise their magnificence, and Yosemite Nationwide Park isn’t any exception. With 9 campgrounds that may accommodate RVs, you’ve acquired choices, too!
Preserve studying to study the perfect RV tenting in Yosemite (and close by).
Contained in the Park
1. The Pines Campgrounds
Three RV-friendly campgrounds are all in the identical primary space of Yosemite and, along with being the one three that require reservations, they share rather a lot in frequent.
The Decrease Pines Campground, Higher Pines Campground, and North Pines Campground are all situated on the valley flooring (about 4,000 ft elevation) within the coronary heart of Yosemite Nationwide Park alongside the Merced River. At close by Yosemite Village and Curry Village, you’ll discover shops with all the things from necessities to park-inspired presents, a number of eating places, showers, and gear leases.
Decrease Pines
The proximity to Half-Dome (an enormous rock formation) and Mirror Lake make Decrease Pines a well-liked spot and among the best locations for RV tenting in Yosemite.
Regardless of it being a well-liked place, the camp hosts and park rangers at Decrease Pines run a decent–however pleasant–ship, so it stays fairly quiet.
Should you’re fortunate, you’ll have superb views of Half-Dome with out ever leaving your campsite.
Reservations could be made as much as 5 months prematurely, however they go quick. The season runs from April by October.
The paved roads round this campground are straightforward to traverse by bike. Deliver yours or hire one and keep away from the trouble of driving or ready in lengthy shuttle strains. The shuttle service that runs by the park has a number of pick-up and drop-off factors round Decrease Pines, and there are a lot of park trailheads within the space.
There are not any showers at Decrease Pines and no hookups. Showers can be found for a charge at Curry Village. The campground does have flushing bogs and complementary bear containers, although!
Higher Pines
Higher Pines Campground is the one Yosemite campground that’s open year-round, making it a well-liked spot for tenting within the winter. It’s a bit rockier than the opposite two Pines, so in case you plan to sleep beneath the celebrities, you’ll want to convey a great sleeping mat. Within the winter, the rocky floor can get very slippery. Deliver footwear with good traction or crampons that can assist you get round safely.
The websites at Higher Pines are among the most stage in all the park, making for among the greatest RV tenting in Yosemite with out having to spend so much of time attempting to stage your rig.
Like Decrease Pines, Higher Pines is in shut proximity to a number of trailheads. Should you’re winter-rigging, hire some cross-country skis in Curry Village and discover!
North Pines
North Pines Campground is throughout the Merced River from Higher and Decrease Pines. It’s open from mid-April to late October.
Along with all of the facilities you’ll discover on the different two Pines campgrounds, North Pines may be very dog-friendly (although observe that most of the trails in Yosemite aren’t).
Wildlife isn’t shy on this facet of the river. Preserve your canines shut and leashed, use your bear field, then get able to see some Yosemite fauna!
2. Crane Flat Campground
Crane Flat Campground is situated on the western fringe of Yosemite. It’s been closed for main renovations and is about to reopen for the 2023 season.
Crane Flat is among the greatest locations to RV in Yosemite in case you wish to camp close to dense forest. Surrounding the camp, you’ll discover copious purple firs, sugar pines, and lodgepole pine. When you enterprise onto among the trails, you possibly can see vanilla-scented Jeffery pine bushes and western junipers.
Most spectacular for forest lovers, although, is that Crane Flat is situated within the middle of two groves of big sequoias–Tuolumne Grove and the Merced Grove. The hike from the campground to both of those groves is a straightforward 3-mile spherical journey.
3. Tuolumne Meadows Campground
In the wrong way from Crane Flat sits the Tuolumne Meadows Campground on the east finish of the park. Like Crane Flat, nonetheless, Tuolumne Meadows is closed for large renovations. It’s set to reopen in 2024 or 2025.
Tuolumne Meadows is the biggest campground in Yosemite and sits near a number of trails, scenic viewpoints, the Tuolumne River, and even a number of lakes. It has a small retailer with necessities and a gasoline station.
Tuolumne differs from the valley and different extra wooded campgrounds in Yosemite in that it’s comparatively flat and clear in spots.
4. Hodgdon Meadow
On the western fringe of the park, you’ll discover the Hodgdon Meadow Campground. This campground is fairly remoted, about 25 miles from Yosemite Valley, with the closest gasoline station and comfort retailer at Crane Flat. Driving to Yosemite Valley will take about 45 minutes to an hour.
Many guests name this campground among the best locations to camp in Yosemite due to its distance from the sights within the valley. It’s quiet and secluded, away from principal roads. Do observe, nonetheless, that it may be troublesome to discover a stage spot at this facility.
Bear containers aren’t normally wanted right here, so if you wish to keep away from a shock bear sighting, this could be the place for you! The containers can be found, simply in case, however they aren’t required like they’re within the valley.
5. Wawona Campground
Positioned on the southern fringe of the park, Wawona Campground websites line the glowing Merced river. Even in case you aren’t lucky sufficient to get a riverside spot, you possibly can hear the frenzy of the water from practically any website on the campground in case you hold your home windows open.
The campground is about 27 miles from Yosemite Valley, but it surely’s solely a brief distance by automobile to the Mariposa big sequoia grove. Historic Wawona can also be shut by, the place you’ll discover the Yosemite Historical past Heart, a customer middle, a market, and among the park’s oldest buildings.
Wish to fish? This campground is among the many greatest to RV camp in Yosemite in case you wish to catch trout. The river is filled with them on this space! Keep in mind to convey tubes or floats for the river, too. This stretch of the river is nice for swimming and tubing.
Be aware that mills are solely allowed to be on for two hour periods all through the day, however meaning the campground does keep comparatively quiet.
6. White Wolf Campground
White Wolf Campground is located on the north finish of Yosemite Nationwide Park. The campground is near the principle highway and is a straightforward drive in.
This high-altitude camp sits at about 8,000 ft and options lake entry by way of a number of totally different trails. Lakes not your factor? A small stream trickles by the campground, and there are myriad rocks which might be excellent for little ones to climb.
The campsites listed below are bigger and comparatively properly spaced. With room to benefit from the seclusion of the gorgeous surroundings, it’s no marvel White Wolf is among the greatest RV tenting spots in Yosemite.
7. Bridalveil Creek Campground
Positioned within the south-central area of Yosemite Nationwide Park, you’ll discover Bridalveil Creek Campground sitting at about 7,200 ft in elevation. This campground has been closed for a while due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it surely’s set to reopen for the 2023 season (July by September).
Bridalveil is a first-come, first-served campground, until you want a gaggle website or a horse website–for these, reservations are required.
The campsites listed below are nestled amongst purple firs and lodgepole pines. Trails of various levels of issue encompass Bridalveil, and the views from close by (7 miles) Glacier Level are priceless.
Outdoors the Park
Should you’re not fortunate sufficient to get a spot contained in the park, otherwise you desire to remain shut however outdoors the park boundaries, you’re in luck. Try these nice locations to RV camp round Yosemite.
8. Yosemite Lakes RV Resort
Simply 5 miles outdoors the western border of Yosemite, Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes RV Resort gives gorgeous views with top-notch facilities. Though you’ll be outdoors the park, that is nonetheless among the best locations to RV when visiting Yosemite.
The Tuolumne River winds by the resort property, giving guests a lot of alternatives to fish and swim (and even attempt their hand at panning for gold!). Should you’re RVing with children, you’ll be completely satisfied to know the resort gives actions (recreation room, mini golf, horseshoes, and the like) and has a big playground. On prime of that, a number of straightforward trails are accessible from the property.
Full hook-ups at this location make tenting a bit of simpler in your RV. Guests reward the constant water stress on the resort, too; you gained’t must forego a pleasant bathe after an extended day of taking part in within the woods!
9. Indian Flat Campground
Additionally on the western fringe of the park is Indian Flat Campground. This location has various ranges of hook-ups in your rig, so be sure you e book appropriately. One factor guests love about this campground is its plethora of stage RV areas!
The good factor about this stunning, scenic campground is that you simply’ll have entry to an outside pool at a close-by lodge, in addition to to their restaurant and bar. River entry is inside strolling distance, too. So, in case you love the liberty of RVing however need one thing rather less rustic than staying within the park, this can be simply your house.
Yosemite Valley is a couple of 45-minute drive from the property, and you may get there by shuttle.
10. Yosemite Westlake Campground & RV Park
Yosemite Westlake Campground and RV Park is about 24 miles from Yosemite, to the west of the park. This campground is a full hook-up joint, with tons of area to unfold out.
The camp hosts are extraordinarily educated about Yosemite (together with guidelines and laws within the park), in addition to concerning the space across the camp.
Yosemite Westlake is much less rustic than tenting contained in the park, however not as amenity-heavy as among the different properties outdoors the park borders. Be aware that, whereas Wi-Fi is accessible, you should be fairly near the camp host’s home (this can be a professional or a con, primarily based on what you’re in search of!).
11. Yosemite Pines RV Park
Yosemite Pines RV Park additionally lies to the west of the park entrance, a couple of 25-minute drive away. The handy location, mixed with the campground’s facilities, make it among the best locations to RV camp round Yosemite!
The property has a comfort retailer, deli, and many actions, like a pool, volleyball courtroom, horseshoes, and petting zoo (Sure. A petting zoo!). That is a particularly family-friendly place to park your RV. What’s greatest concerning the actions is that they’re all included within the value of your website. You may even try a free pan on the basic retailer to go gold panning.
12. Golden Pines RV Park
Should you like greater elevation, take into account parking your RV at Golden Pines RV Park. This campground sits at 5,000 ft and is surrounded by the Stanislaus Nationwide Forest. Close to to June Lake and Gull Lake, the property is secluded, quiet, and comparatively untouched.
Golden Pines has a small playground for the little ones. It’s nothing fancy, but it surely’s one thing to maintain the children occupied between extra thrilling adventures. It additionally has a pool!
And talking of different adventures, if you’d like a shorter journey than going all the way in which into Yosemite, try Calaveras State Park. Solely about 2 miles from the campground, you possibly can marvel on the historical big sequoias.
13. Bass Lake at Yosemite
A mere 18 miles from the southern entrance to Yosemite, Bass Lake is one other excellent spot to RV camp within the space, particularly for households. The location’s recreation room has video games and actions (like billiards) to maintain each children and adults busy after they’re not out having fun with nature. There’s a crystal-clear pool, comfort retailer, and even a lodge to hang around in, with a roaring fireplace in winter and loads of actions all year long.
Bass Lake, itself, is just a couple of 10-minute stroll from the campground. There, you’ll discover all types of water actions, like stand-up paddleboarding, snowboarding, fishing, swimming, and canoeing.
The campground has one thing for everybody, besides possibly somebody who desires a really rustic expertise.
14. Summerdale Campground
Summerdale Campground is just one.5 miles from the doorway to Yosemite, which is why it makes our listing for among the best locations to RV camp within the space.
At this location, you’ll be surrounded by each meadow and forest. Close by Massive Creek gives nice fishing. Nelder Grove can also be shut by, the place you possibly can stroll amongst big sequoias.
This campground solely has vault bogs, and the RV spots could be cosy, however its proximity to Yosemite can’t be beat. Be sure to test the dimensions of your website while you make your reservation.
15. Excessive Sierra RV Park
Near Bass Lake and town of Oakhurst, Excessive Sierra RV Park can also be nearly 13 miles from Yosemite on the banks of the Fresno River. You may again your RV right into a spot proper on the banks and simply go for a dip in one of many many (chilly) swimming holes!
Pull-through websites and full hook-ups additionally make this campground a fascinating location for RVers. Be aware that the websites are pretty small, although. Verify the width of your rig towards the dimensions of the location when making your reservation.
There’s a pleasant canine park on the property, and in case you’re there in the best season, wildflowers abound.
Take pleasure in Yosemite RV Tenting !
There are such a lot of nice locations to RV in and round Yosemite Nationwide Park, you actually can’t go flawed wherever!
Do not forget that reservation-required websites throughout the park replenish quick. Guide early and be versatile! And in case you do find yourself at Yosemite with no reservation, you possibly can all the time attempt your luck at a primary come, first served campground.
Should you can’t get a website throughout the park for the dates that you really want, however you’re not snug winging it, try any of the personal campgrounds listed about for equally exceptional stays.
Wanting to study extra about RVing and different nice spots in your RV holidays? Then go to our RV Tenting web page for extra weblog posts to helps you intend your travels.
