Camping in Yosemite National Park

You’ll need to plan ahead if you’re hoping to camp in Yosemite National Park. The reservation system opens months in advance, and popular campgrounds fill up within minutes during peak season. Beyond securing a spot, you’re also dealing with entry permits, strict bear safety protocols, and specific rules that vary by campground. Miss one requirement, and your trip could be over before it starts. Here’s what actually matters when booking your stay.

Key Takeaways

• Reserve campgrounds five months ahead on Recreation.gov; popular Valley sites book quickly, with some last-minute availability two weeks out.
• Sites accommodate six people and two vehicles maximum; camping limited to 30 nights yearly with peak season restrictions.
• Store all food and scented items in bear-resistant lockers 24/7; violations risk $5,000 fines or campsite removal.
• Extinguish campfires completely using water before leaving; Valley fires must be out by 10 p.m. May through September.
• Peak season day-use reservations required unless holding campground, wilderness, or Half Dome permits; $35 entrance fee plus processing.

Reservation Requirements and Booking Windows

Planning a Yosemite camping trip means maneuvering a competitive reservation system that varies dramatically by season and campground. Most campgrounds require reservations April through October, with Upper Pines operating on a year-round reservation basis. You’ll encounter three different booking windows depending on location: popular Valley sites release five months in advance on the 15th of each month, while some Tuolumne Meadows sites open just two months ahead. Last-minute planners can check rolling windows—two weeks for most campgrounds, one week for Camp 4.

Winter shifts several campgrounds to first-come, first-served status, though holiday weekends fill quickly. Recreation.gov handles all bookings, but you’re limited to two reservations per transaction. Sites typically vanish within minutes at release times, so log in early with payment information ready. Setting your clock accurately is recommended to give yourself the best chance at securing a spot when reservations are released at 7 am Pacific time.

Campground Rules and Site Regulations

Yosemite’s campgrounds enforce strict site regulations to protect both visitors and the park’s natural resources. You’ll need to follow occupancy limits of six people and two vehicles per site, with all cars parked on designated pads rather than in tent areas or along roads. Keep in mind that camping is limited to 30 nights per calendar year , with additional restrictions during peak season from May through mid-September. Fire rules are equally important—campfires must stay in provided metal rings, and some campgrounds like those in Yosemite Valley restrict wood fires to evening hours between 5:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.

Site Capacity and Vehicles

When you’re setting up camp in Yosemite, you’ll need to stick to the park’s capacity limits to maintain a quality experience for everyone. Standard campsites accommodate up to six people, including children, while you can park two motor vehicles on the designated pad. Trailers don’t count toward this vehicle limit if they fit on your parking pad.

Planning to bring an RV or trailer? Yosemite Valley allows RVs up to 40 feet and trailers up to 35 feet, though hookups aren’t available. Ten campgrounds throughout the park accommodate these larger vehicles at varying lengths. A dump station is located at Upper Pines Campground for your convenience.

Group campsites serve 13 to 30 people with tent-only arrangements, allowing up to five vehicles nearby. If your party exceeds site limits, you’ll need to split into separate subgroups for compliance.

Campfire and Safety Rules

Once you’ve secured your campsite and parked your vehicles, you’ll need to understand Yosemite’s campfire regulations to keep yourself and the park safe. The park implements multi-stage fire restrictions that change based on weather conditions and fire danger. You’ll find current restrictions posted online before your arrival.

Location	Wood Fire Hours (May-Sept)	Wood Fire Hours (Oct-April)
Yosemite Valley	5:00 PM – 10:00 PM	Anytime allowed
Hodgdon Meadow	5:00 PM – 10:00 PM	Anytime allowed
Other campgrounds	Check posted rules	Check posted rules

Always use designated fire rings, never leave fires unattended, and extinguish them completely by dousing with water and stirring the ashes. Gas stoves and charcoal are permitted 24/7 unless specific restrictions apply. Never gather live wood—only dead-and-down material is acceptable. If you notice any smoke or flames in the park, immediately call 911 and provide detailed information including location and size .

Peak Season Entry Permits and Fees

From late spring through early fall, visiting Yosemite requires careful planning around multiple overlapping reservation systems. During peak periods—think mid-June through mid-August and holiday weekends—you’ll need a day-use entry reservation if arriving between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. Book these on Recreation.gov, where you’ll pay a small processing fee (around $2 in 2025) plus the standard $35 park entrance fee upon arrival.

Campground reservations run roughly April through October and also go through Recreation.gov, with nightly fees varying by site. All 13 campgrounds will be open during summer 2025, with some high-elevation sites like White Wolf and Tamarack Flat opening in late June and Yosemite Creek Campground starting July 1. If you’re backpacking, wilderness permits require year-round reservations via lottery (24 weeks ahead) or week-ahead windows.

Good news: holding a campground reservation, wilderness permit, or Half Dome permit exempts you from needing that separate day-use entry reservation.

Fire Safety and Food Storage Guidelines

Keeping Yosemite safe from wildfires requires you to follow strict campfire regulations that vary by elevation and season. You’ll need to master proper fire extinguishing techniques and store all your food in bear-resistant containers 24/7—no exceptions. Currently, Stage 1 fire restrictions prohibit all fires below 6,000 feet elevation, though portable stoves using pressurized gas or propane remain permitted. These rules aren’t just suggestions; violating them can result in hefty fines, permit revocation, and put both wildlife and wilderness at serious risk.

Campfire Rules and Restrictions

Understanding Yosemite’s campfire rules is essential before you light your first match, as the park enforces elevation-based fire restrictions that change throughout the year. Fire restrictions commonly prohibit wood and charcoal fires below 6,000 feet, though this threshold varies seasonally. Developed campgrounds and picnic areas are often exempt from these restrictions.

You’re always allowed to use portable gas, propane, or liquid-fuel stoves, even during restrictions. However, twig stoves aren’t permitted anywhere in the park. When campfires are allowed, build them only in designated fire rings and never leave them unattended.

Before departing, extinguish fires completely using the “drown, stir, and feel” method. Violating fire regulations can result in fines and permit revocation. Always check current NPS notices before your trip. During periods of high fire danger , specific campgrounds like Tamarack Flat may have additional prohibitions on wood and charcoal fires to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires.

Proper Food Storage Requirements

Because Yosemite’s bears are intelligent and food-motivated, federal regulations require you to store all food and scented items properly throughout the park—and violations aren’t taken lightly. You’ll face fines up to $5,000 or removal from your campsite if you don’t comply.

“Food” legally includes toiletries, sunscreen, medications, and trash—anything with a scent. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Hanging food is illegal throughout Yosemite; use bear-resistant canisters or designated food lockers instead.
2. Never store food in your car after dark—use provided lockers.
3. Keep bear canisters closed and locked at all times, placed 100 feet from camp.
4. Hard-sided RVs can store food inside if everything’s closed; soft-sided campers cannot.

Backcountry travelers must rent or bring approved bear canisters when lockers aren’t available. The Garcia Backpackers Cache 812 is available for rental in Yosemite for those who need a bear-resistant container.

Extinguishing Fires Safely

Campfires bring warmth and ambiance to your Yosemite camping experience, but they’re also one of the park’s most serious wildfire risks. Properly extinguishing your fire isn’t optional—it’s crucial for protecting the park’s wilderness.

Let your fire burn down to ash, then drown it thoroughly with water, not dirt. Use the “drown, stir, and feel” method: pour water over the ashes, stir them with a stick, and feel with your hand to verify everything’s cold. Never leave a fire unattended or let it smolder overnight.

In Yosemite Valley and Hodgdon Meadow (May through September), you must extinguish all campfires by 10 pm. Your fire must be completely out—cold to the touch—before you leave your campsite or turn in for the night.

RV and Vehicle Accommodations

Yosemite’s campgrounds welcome RVs and trailers, but you’ll need to navigate several important restrictions before hitching up. Length limits vary by location—Yosemite Valley accommodates motorhomes up to 40 feet and trailers to 35 feet, though only eight sites fit the largest rigs. Other campgrounds may restrict vehicles to 27 feet.

Key considerations for your visit:

1. No utility hookups exist anywhere in park campgrounds
2. Generators run only during limited hours (typically 7–9 a.m., noon–2 p.m., 5–7 p.m.)
3. Two motor vehicles maximum per campsite
4. Certain roads prohibit large vehicles entirely—Hetch Hetchy limits vehicles to 25 feet

You’ll face tight turns, steep grades, and narrow roads throughout the park. Check specific campground restrictions on Recreation.gov before booking.

Wilderness and Backcountry Camping Permits

If you’re planning to sleep under the stars in Yosemite’s backcountry, you’ll need a wilderness permit year-round—whether you’re backpacking through alpine meadows, spending the night on a climbing route, or camping anywhere in the park’s wilderness areas.

Day hikers don’t need permits (except Half Dome). However, wilderness permits are issued in limited numbers per trailhead to protect solitude.

You can reserve permits online through recreation.gov from 24 weeks to three days before your trip. Sixty percent of spots are allocated via weekly lottery 24 weeks ahead, while the remaining 40% become available seven days in advance on a first-come, first-served basis.

Permit fees include a $10 application charge plus $5 per person when awarded. Your permit’s valid only for specified dates, trailheads, and group size.

Conclusion

You’ll find camping in Yosemite incredibly rewarding when you follow the park’s guidelines and plan ahead. Remember to secure your reservations early, store food properly, and respect fire restrictions throughout your stay. Whether you’re setting up at a developed campground or heading into the backcountry, you’re responsible for keeping this magnificent park pristine. Pack out what you bring in, stay alert for wildlife, and embrace the adventure that awaits you.