Frequently Asked Questions About Yosemite

CAMPING AND CAMPFIRES

Where can I camp tonight?
Can I pull over to the side of the road and sleep for the night?
How many nights can I camp in the park?
Where can I gather campfire wood from the forest?
When and where may I have a campfire in Yosemite Valley?
Which campgrounds are first-come, first-served?
Which campgrounds require reservations?
How far in advance can I make campground reservations?
How can I make campground reservations?
Are there any campground cancellations for tonight?
Can I stay at the Backpackers Campground?
Where is Camp 4? (7? 9? 14? etc.)

Where can I camp tonight?
Usually all campgrounds which require reservations are full five months in advance. The first-come, first-served campgrounds generally fill by late morning or early afternoon. Campgrounds along the Tioga Road are usually the last to fill. If everything in the park is full, suggest the surrounding National Forest units.

Can I pull over to the side of the road and sleep for the night?
No. Visitors caught sleeping in their vehicles in any location outside of a campground will be asked to move (regardless of the time of night they are discovered). Additionally, they may be cited. Only developed campgrounds have the facilities to handle regular camping (e.g., parking areas, fire rings, garbage collection and human waste disposal).

How many nights can I camp in the park?
• May 1 - Sept. 15: Total of seven days in Yosemite Valley and Wawona; a total of 14 days outside the Valley and Wawona.
• Sept. 16 - April 30: Total of 30 days throughout the park.
• Wilderness: From Memorial Day to Labor Day there is a 14-day backcountry limit and a total of 30 days during the rest of the year.

Where can I gather campfire wood from the forest?
Wood may not be gathered in the following areas:
• Yosemite Valley
• Mariposa, Tuolumne, and Merced Groves
• Above 9,600 feet

Downed wood plays an important role as habitat to small animals and as a supplier of nutrients to the soil. Also, much of the wood collected by campers in the Valley is green or wet. Green wood smokes more than dried wood. The combined smoke from all the campfires causes a heavy smoke layer to hang over the Valley. Let people know they can bring wood from home or purchase it at some concession stores. Conifer cones are never permitted as fuel for fires.

When and where may I have a campfire in Yosemite Valley?
To improve air quality in Yosemite Valley, campfires are permitted only between 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. from May 1 - October 15. Campfires may be built using only established campfire rings located in developed campgrounds. Gas stoves are always permitted for use in developed campgrounds and picnic areas.

Which campgrounds are first-come, first-served?
• Sunnyside Walk-In Campground (shared sites)
• Wawona Campground (October - April)
• Bridalveil Creek Campground
• Hodgdon Meadow Campground (October - April)
• Tamarack Flat Campground
• White Wolf Campground
• Yosemite Creek Campground
• Porcupine Flat Campground
• Half of Tuolumne Meadows Campground (same-day reservation)

Which campgrounds require reservations?
• Upper Pines Campground
• Lower Pines Campground
• North Pines Campground
• Wawona Campground (May - September)
• Hodgdon Meadow Campground (May - September)
• Crane Flat Campground
• Half of Tuolumne Meadows Campground

How far in advance can I make campground reservations?
Five months in advance in one month blocks beginning the 15th of each month.

How can I make campground reservations?
• Phone: N.P.R.S. accepts reservations from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific Time at (800) 436-7275 in the U.S./Canada or (301) 722-1257 for international callers. TDD number is (888) 530-9796.
• Mail: Write N.P.R.S., P.O. Box 1600, Cumberland, MD 21502.
• On the net: http://reservations.nps.gov/

Are there any campground cancellations for tonight?
To find if any campsite reservations have been cancelled, contact:
• Valley Campground Office in the Curry Village Day-Use Parking Area
• Big Oak Flat Campground Office
• Tuolumne Meadows Campground Office

Can I stay at the Backpackers Campground?
The Valley, Tuolumne Meadows or Hetch Hetchy Backpackers Campgrounds are for those beginning or ending a wilderness trip. These campgrounds are not advertised to the general public. If persons are inquiring about staying in one of these campgrounds, PLEASE notify them of the following restrictions:
• Limit of one night stay directly before or after a wilderness trip.
• The person must have their wilderness permit in hand.
• Only backpacking-type equipment may be carried in: no coolers, large tents, etc.
• Walk-in only - no parking in campground.
• Also available to bus passengers and bikers after Sunnyside Walk-in Campground fills.

Where is Camp 4? (7? 9? 14? etc.)
The numbering system for camping areas dates back to the 1800s and was formalized during the time of the Cavalry after 1906.
• Camp 4 - Sunnyside Walk-in Campground
• Camp 6 - Day-Use parking area near Yosemite Village Store (also called Camp Tresidder).
• Camp 7 - former Lower River Campground
• Camp 9 - former Valley Group Camp
• Camp 11 - Upper Pines Campground
• Camp 12 - North Pines Campground
• Camp 14 - Lower Pines Campground
• Camp 15 - former Upper River Campground
• Camp 16 - Housekeeping Camp