Summer Camping Updates in Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park – March 21, 2022 – Are you considering a visit to Yosemite national Park in 2022? Several changes are in place for 2022 that can effect how you enjoy your stay. This is a quick post to get an update on Camping, Entry and Backpacking in Yosemite 2022.
Camping In Yosemite 2022 – Updates:
A reservation is required to drive into Yosemite National Park during peak hours (6 am – 4 pm) from May 20 through September 30, 2022. If you have a campground reservation inside the park, a peak-hours reservation is not required.
Reservations are required for all open campgrounds in 2022. There are no first-come, first-served campgrounds open.
Wawona, Upper Pines, Lower Pines, North Pines, Camp 4, Hodgdon Meadow, Tamarack Flat, White Wolf, and Yosemite Creek Campgrounds should be open with reservations required.
Tuolumne Meadows, Crane Flat , Bridalveil Creek, and Porcupine Flat Campgrounds will be closed in 2022.
Do not come to Yosemite without an overnight reservation if you are intending to stay overnight. Same-day campground reservations are not available in the park.
- Reservations: Campgrounds requiring reservations are full from around April through September. You should make a reservation as early as possible. If you don’t have a reservation, you can try for a reservation one day in advance (May 20–September 30, 2022) at Camp 4 (tents only/no RVs or trailers).
- Tap water and creek water: Campgrounds listed as having creek water have vault toilets (not regular restrooms). Campgrounds listed as having tap water have regular restrooms.
- Showers will be available only at Curry Village beginning March 18, 2022. In normal circumstances, showers are available in Yosemite Valley at Curry Village and Housekeeping Camp. Showers are not available elsewhere in the park.
- Dump stations are available at Upper Pines Campground (all year), near Wawona Campground (summer only), and near Tuolumne Meadows Campground (summer only). No campsites in Yosemite have hook-ups of any kind.
- RV campsites are available in most campgrounds.
- Group campsites are normally available all year at Wawona Campground, and during summer at Hodgdon Meadow, Bridalveil Creek, and Tuolumne Meadows Campgrounds. Reservations are required.
- Horse campsites are available during summer at Wawona, Bridalveil Creek (not in 2022), and Tuolumne Meadows (not in 2022) Campgrounds. Reservations are required.
- Wood smoke: Emissions from campfires can degrade air quality in and near campgrounds. This is especially true at night and in early morning, when inversions trap and concentrate fine particles from those campfires near the ground, creating local conditions that are potentially unhealthy for sensitive individuals.
North Pines Campground: We are piloting a lottery system for North Pines Campground reservations for arrival dates from July 21 through September 14, 2022. Successful lottery applicants will have an opportunity to make a reservation for campsites in North Pines Campground during an early access period.
North and Lower Pines Campgrounds: The following North Pines sites will not be reservable for arrival dates from May 1 through June 30, 2022 due to potential flooding: 136, 200, 204, 206, 301-522. Sites will be released as conditions permit. The following Lower Pines sites will not be reservable for arrival dates from May 1 through June 30, 2022 due to potential flooding: 27, 28, 29, 55, 62, 63, 64, 70. Sites will be released as conditions permit. Check back here for updates.
Camp 4: The lottery will continue in 2022 from May 20 through September 30, 2022.
Wawona Campground: Campground opening depends on completion of utility work
Tamarack Flat, White Wolf, and Yosemite Creek Campgrounds will be available by reservation this summer. Reservations will become available at some point this spring. We’ll post a date here once we know it.
Tuolumne Meadows Campground is undergoing a major rehabilitation project and will remain closed in 2022 and 2023 (and possibly 2024, depending on weather/length of construction season).
Bridalveil Creek and Crane Flat Campgrounds will be closed in 2022 for rehabilitation.
Entrance Reservations
| A reservation will be required to drive into Yosemite National Park from May 20 through September 30, 2022, for those driving into the park between 6 am and 4 pm. Driving through the park will also require a reservation if entering between 6 am and 4 pm..The temporary reservation system will help manage congestion and provide a quality visitor experience while numerous key visitor attractions are closed for critical infrastructure repairs. |
Peak-Hours Reservations Start March 23rd
Seventy percent of reservations for all dates from May 20 through September 30, 2022, will be available on Recreation.gov on March 23. Thirty percent of reservations will be available seven days before the arrival date (e.g., make a reservation for an arrival date of September 30 on September 23).
Reservations are available each day at 8 am Pacific time. Reservations are taken almost immediately. Be sure to have a Recreation.gov account and be logged in and ready to get a reservation promptly at 8 am Pacific daylight time.
The non-refundable reservation fee is $2 (this does not include the $35-per-car park entrance fee).
Each user can make one reservation for each three-day period. For example, if a user makes a reservation for a Friday arrival (valid Friday through Sunday), the user won’t be able to make a second reservation for an arrival that Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. The reservation holder must be in the arriving vehicle and show photo ID at the entrance station.
Peak-hours reservations are valid for three consecutive days (including arrival date).
Wilderness or Half Dome Permits
If you have a wilderness permit reservation (for backpacking) or Half Dome permit, you do not need an additional reservation. You still pay the $35/car entrance fee upon arrival (credit card only) unless you have an annual or lifetime pass. Your reservation allows you to enter the park 24 hours per day for the duration of your reservation or for three days (whichever is longer).
If you have a wilderness permit, you may enter the park a day before the date on your wilderness permit to stay at a backpackers campground.
A Half Dome permit does not allow you to camp in Yosemite.
Regional Transit or Tour Groups – Sustainable Travel
If you enter the park on a Yosemite Area Regional Transporation System (YARTS) bus or with an authorized tour group, you do not need an additional reservation or permit.
Editors Tip: Consider Hammock Camping in Yosemite Wilderness.
