Yosemite Park RV Camping
Yosemite National Park has 10 campgrounds for RVing travelers. RV camping allows visitors to experience nature with some of the luxuries of home, plus it eliminates the need to unpack and pitch a tent. Yosemite is one of the most popular natural tourist destinations in the United States, so it is best to be prepared by knowing where you can camp, the park rules and the types of things you can do there.
Other People Are Reading
-
Where to Camp
-
There are no hookups available for RV camping at Yosemite, but there are a few campgrounds that have dump stations at or near them. Upper Pines has dump stations year-round, and dumping in the summer is available at Tuolumne and Wawona campgrounds. If you have a 40 foot RV then there are only two places you can camp: North Pines and Lower Pines. RVs that are 35 feet (or less) have more options with camping at Upper Pines, Wawona, Bridalveil Creek, Crane Flat, Tuolumne Meadows and Hodgdon Meadows campgrounds. White Wolf campgrounds takes RVs up to 27 feet in length and Porcupine Flat allows RVs up to 24 feet.
Reservations
-
Space at Yosemite is limited, particularly during the summer months. Some campgrounds require that you reserve a spot year-round, but there are a number of locations that operate on a "first come, first serve" basis. At Lower Pines and North Pines campgrounds you will need to reserve your site. First come, first serve locations include Bridalveil Creek, White Wolf, Porcupine Flat and half of Tuolumne Meadows and Crane Meadows (for the other half of those two, make reservations online). From April 1 to September 27 reserve your spot at Wawona and Hodgdon Meadow, and from March 15 to November 19 at Upper Pines.
-
RV Camping Regulations
-
One of the biggest things to be concerned with when camping in Yosemite is the bears breaking into your vehicle to get to food. These clever creatures can get into virtually any tent or vehicle when they suspect, through smell or site, that there is food in it. The park provides food storage lockers, but they say that as long as your RV is hard-sided you can keep your food inside (as long as it is out of sight and there are no open vents or windows). Pets are allowed at all RV campgrounds except Porcupine Flat. For a full list of all regulations at Yosemite, visit the National Park Service website.
Fees
-
All of the campgrounds' fees run between $10 and $20, as of June 2010. The entrance fee to the park is an additional $20 per vehicle, and it is good for seven days. There are also fees if you wish to get permits that allow you to go backpacking through Yosemite's wilderness, for example.
Activities
-
There are plenty of things to do while staying at Yosemite. Outdoor activities include rock climbing, biking, hiking, water sports, winter sports, horseback riding, bird-watching and fishing. You can also spend time learning about Yosemite from a park ranger, or on a bus tour. The park also welcomes those who enjoy being stewards for the earth by doing volunteer work for a few hours.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Yosemite image by Dave the Rave from Fotolia.com
