RV tenting in our nationwide parks is among the finest methods to expertise their magnificence, and Yosemite National Park is not any exception. With 9 campgrounds that may accommodate RVs, you’ve obtained choices, too!
Keep studying to study one of the best RV tenting in Yosemite (and close by).
Inside 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 quite a bit in widespread.
The Lower Pines Campground, Upper Pines Campground, and North Pines Campground are all positioned on the valley ground (about 4,000 ft elevation) within the coronary heart of Yosemite National Park alongside the Merced River. At close by Yosemite Village and Curry Village, you’ll discover shops with every thing from necessities to park-inspired presents, a number of eating places, showers, and tools leases.
Lower Pines
The proximity to Half-Dome (a large rock formation) and Mirror Lake make Lower Pines a preferred spot and among the finest locations for RV tenting in Yosemite.
Despite it being a preferred place, the camp hosts and park rangers at Lower Pines run a good–however pleasant–ship, so it stays fairly quiet.
If you’re fortunate, you’ll have wonderful views of Half-Dome with out ever leaving your campsite.
Reservations will be made as much as 5 months upfront, however they go quick. The season runs from April via October.
The paved roads round this campground are simple to traverse by bike. Bring yours or lease one and keep away from the effort of driving or ready in lengthy shuttle strains. The shuttle service that runs via the park has a number of pick-up and drop-off factors round Lower Pines, and there are various park trailheads within the space.
There are not any showers at Lower Pines and no hookups. Showers can be found for a price at Curry Village. The campground does have flushing bogs and complementary bear bins, although!
Upper Pines
Upper Pines Campground is the one Yosemite campground that’s open year-round, making it a preferred spot for tenting within the winter. It’s a bit rockier than the opposite two Pines, so in case you plan to sleep underneath the celebrities, you should definitely deliver an excellent sleeping mat. In the winter, the rocky floor can get very slippery. Bring footwear with good traction or crampons that can assist you get round safely.
The websites at Upper Pines are a few of the most stage in your complete park, making for a few of the finest RV tenting in Yosemite with out having to spend so much of time attempting to stage your rig.
Like Lower Pines, Upper Pines is in shut proximity to a number of trailheads. If you’re winter-rigging, lease some cross-country skis in Curry Village and discover!
North Pines
North Pines Campground is throughout the Merced River from Upper and Lower Pines. It’s open from mid-April to late October.
In addition to all of the facilities you’ll discover on the different two Pines campgrounds, North Pines could be very dog-friendly (although notice that most of the trails in Yosemite aren’t).
Wildlife isn’t shy on this aspect of the river. Keep 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 positioned on the western fringe of Yosemite. It’s been closed for main renovations and is ready to reopen for the 2023 season.
Crane Flat is among the finest locations to RV in Yosemite in case you prefer to camp close to dense forest. Surrounding the camp, you’ll discover copious pink firs, sugar pines, and lodgepole pine. Once you enterprise onto a few of the trails, you’ll be able to see vanilla-scented Jeffery pine timber and western junipers.
Most spectacular for forest lovers, although, is that Crane Flat is positioned within the middle of two groves of large 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 couple 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 finest locations to camp in Yosemite due to its distance from the sights within the valley. It’s quiet and secluded, away from important roads. Do notice, nonetheless, that it may be troublesome to discover a stage spot at this facility.
Bear bins aren’t often wanted right here, so if you wish to keep away from a shock bear sighting, this could be the place for you! The bins can be found, simply in case, however they aren’t required like they’re within the valley.
5. Wawona Campground
Located 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’ll be able to hear the frenzy of the water from almost any web site on the campground in case you preserve your home windows open.
The campground is about 27 miles from Yosemite Valley, however it’s solely a brief distance by automotive to the Mariposa large sequoia grove. Historic Wawona can be shut by, the place you’ll discover the Yosemite History Center, a customer middle, a market, and a few of the park’s oldest constructions.
Like to fish? This campground is among the many finest to RV camp in Yosemite in case you prefer to catch trout. The river is filled with them on this space! Remember to deliver tubes or floats for the river, too. This stretch of the river is nice for swimming and tubing.
Note that turbines are solely allowed to be on for two hour periods all through the day, however which means the campground does keep comparatively quiet.
6. White Wolf Campground
White Wolf Campground is located on the north finish of Yosemite National Park. The campground is near the primary highway and is a straightforward drive in.
This high-altitude camp sits at about 8,000 ft and options lake entry through a couple of completely different trails. Lakes not your factor? A small stream trickles via the campground, and there are myriad rocks which are good 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 finest RV tenting spots in Yosemite.
7. Bridalveil Creek Campground
Located within the south-central area of Yosemite National 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, however it’s set to reopen for the 2023 season (July via September).
Bridalveil is a first-come, first-served campground, until you want a bunch web site or a horse web site–for these, reservations are required.
The campsites listed below are nestled amongst pink firs and lodgepole pines. Trails of various levels of problem encompass Bridalveil, and the views from close by (7 miles) Glacier Point are priceless.
Outside the Park
If you’re not fortunate sufficient to get a spot contained in the park, otherwise you want to remain shut however exterior the park boundaries, you’re in luck. Check out these nice locations to RV camp round Yosemite.
8. Yosemite Lakes RV Resort
Just 5 miles exterior the western border of Yosemite, Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes RV Resort affords gorgeous views with top-notch facilities. Although you’ll be exterior the park, that is nonetheless among the finest locations to RV when visiting Yosemite.
The Tuolumne River winds via the resort property, giving guests numerous alternatives to fish and swim (and even attempt their hand at panning for gold!). If you’re RVing with youngsters, you’ll be comfortable to know the resort affords actions (sport room, mini golf, horseshoes, and the like) and has a big playground. On high of that, a number of simple trails are accessible from the property.
Full hook-ups at this location make tenting slightly simpler in your RV. Visitors reward the constant water stress on the resort, too; you gained’t must forego a pleasant bathe after an extended day of enjoying within the woods!
9. Indian Flat Campground
Also on the western fringe of the park is Indian Flat Campground. This location has various ranges of hook-ups on your rig, so ensure you e-book appropriately. One factor guests love about this campground is its plethora of stage RV areas!
The coolest factor about this lovely, scenic campground is that you just’ll have entry to an out of doors pool at a close-by resort, 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 few 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 house to unfold out.
The camp hosts are extraordinarily educated about Yosemite (together with guidelines and laws within the park), in addition to in regards to the space across the camp.
Yosemite Westlake is much less rustic than tenting contained in the park, however not as amenity-heavy as a few of the different properties exterior the park borders. Note that, whereas Wi-Fi is offered, you have to be fairly near the camp host’s home (this can be a professional or a con, based mostly 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 few 25-minute drive away. The handy location, mixed with the campground’s facilities, make it among the finest locations to RV camp round Yosemite!
The property has a comfort retailer, deli, and plenty of actions, like a pool, volleyball court docket, horseshoes, and petting zoo (Yes. A petting zoo!). This is an especially family-friendly place to park your RV. What’s finest in regards to the actions is that they’re all included within the value of your web site. You may even take a look at a free pan on the basic retailer to go gold panning.
12. Golden Pines RV Park
If you want greater elevation, contemplate parking your RV at Golden Pines RV Park. This campground sits at 5,000 ft and is surrounded by the Stanislaus National Forest. Near 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, however it’s one thing to maintain the youngsters occupied between extra thrilling adventures. It additionally has a pool!
And talking of different adventures, in order for you a shorter journey than going all the best way into Yosemite, take a look at Calaveras State Park. Only about 2 miles from the campground, you’ll be able to marvel on the historic large sequoias.
13. Bass Lake at Yosemite
A mere 18 miles from the southern entrance to Yosemite, Bass Lake is one other excellent place to RV camp within the space, particularly for households. The web site’s recreation room has video games and actions (like billiards) to maintain each youngsters 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 hearth in winter and loads of actions all year long.
Bass Lake, itself, is simply a few 10-minute stroll from the campground. There, you’ll discover every kind 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 only one.5 miles from the doorway to Yosemite, which is why it makes our record for among the finest locations to RV camp within the space.
At this location, you’ll be surrounded by each meadow and forest. Nearby Big Creek affords nice fishing. Nelder Grove can be shut by, the place you’ll be able to stroll amongst large sequoias.
This campground solely has vault bogs, and the RV spots will be cosy, however its proximity to Yosemite can’t be beat. Make positive to verify the dimensions of your web site once you make your reservation.
15. High Sierra RV Park
Close to Bass Lake and town of Oakhurst, High Sierra RV Park can be nearly 13 miles from Yosemite on the banks of the Fresno River. You can 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. Note that the websites are pretty small, although. Check the width of your rig towards the dimensions of the positioning when making your reservation.
There’s a pleasant canine park on the property, and in case you’re there in the correct season, wildflowers abound.
Enjoy Yosemite RV Camping !
There are so many nice locations to RV in and round Yosemite National Park, you actually can’t go improper anyplace!
Remember that reservation-required websites inside the park replenish quick. Book early and be versatile! And in case you do find yourself at Yosemite with no reservation, you’ll be able to all the time attempt your luck at a primary come, first served campground.
If you’ll be able to’t get a web site inside the park for the dates that you really want, however you’re not comfy winging it, take a look at any of the personal campgrounds listed about for equally outstanding stays.
Eager to study extra about RVing and different nice spots on your RV holidays? Then go to our RV Camping web page for extra weblog posts to helps you propose your travels.