Reduced capacity. Limited communication. Rising safety concerns.
If you’re planning a wilderness trip into Yosemite National Park this year, take note—significant changes are underway that could impact your entire route. And with little notice or explanation, backpackers are scrambling to adjust.
As of April 25, 2025, the Yosemite Valley Backpackers Campground will be temporarily relocated to Camp 4 — one of the most historically significant and busiest campgrounds in the national park system. The decision quietly reduces overnight space for wilderness permit holders by more than half, and no timeline has been given for when (or if) the original campground will reopen. Traditionally the Backpackers camp in Yosemite Valley is used by backpackers trying to get an early start and arriving late the night before or (Like myself) arriving later in the day after days in the Wilderness, looking for a safe place to rest before the bus arrives the next morning to complete my trips.
⛺ What’s Happening:
According to Yosemite’s quiet announcement on their backpackers camp page.:
- Backpackers Campground is moving to Camp 4 sites 1–6, with a maximum nightly capacity of 36 people.
- Previously, the dedicated Backpackers Campground behind North Pines could accommodate 100 or more campers.
- Backpackers are urged to secure alternate lodging due to limited space and availability.
- Reservations for Camp 4 open seven days in advance at 7 a.m. PDT on Recreation.gov.
- Campfires, pets, and car camping are prohibited. Potable water is not available at Camp 4, though vault toilets are provided.
🚶♀️ Why This Matters:
This isn’t just a shuffling of campsites—it’s a serious access issue for wilderness hikers, long-distance trekkers, and those relying on public transit or backcountry permits.
As pointed out by Lasting Adventures ( a Local Guide company specializing in backpack programs in Yosemite, on their social channels, this abrupt change could leave 60+ backpackers without legal camping options every night in Yosemite Valley.
The Backpackers Campground has long served a critical purpose:
- It provides a safe place to rest before catching early morning trailhead shuttles or heading out on foot.
- It supports PCT hikers and long-distance routes, especially with Tuolumne Meadows’ Backpackers Campground delayed until August.
- It helps avoid illegal camping or risky late-night travel, such as descending the Mist Trail in the dark.
- It’s a place to land after days in the wilderness, offering a transitional space before buses or ride shares the next day.
One Sierra Rec reader summed it up well:
“Without that camp, I would’ve had to either descend from Little Yosemite Valley in the dark or wander Curry Village until morning. Instead, I had one night to recover, eat a real meal, and head home safely.”
🧭 Other Options… and Challenges:
Hetch Hetchy is the only backpackers campground expected to remain open year-round — but it’s remote and only accessible during daylight hours.
Camp 4 reservations are notoriously hard to grab, and many wilderness travelers don’t need a multi-day reservation, just a single night before or after their trip. Budget tent cabins at Curry Village could be an alternative, but those often book up months in advance.
Meanwhile, White Wolf Campground will remain closed all of 2025, and the Tuolumne Meadows area won’t open until at least August, leaving a major gap in backcountry support infrastructure for the High Sierra season.
🔇 Lack of Communication = Growing Frustration
Yosemite has provided little to no information on why these changes are happening, leaving hikers, guides, and outfitters in the dark. Is it a staffing issue? Infrastructure upgrades? Sewage repairs? The public doesn’t know.
That lack of clarity has led to speculation, frustration, and growing concern that park policies are trending toward restricting wilderness travel rather than enabling it. Many long-time Yosemite lovers are calling this yet another decision that feels out of touch with real backcountry needs.
📢 What You Can Do
If you’ve benefited from Yosemite’s Backpackers Campground in the past, or you’re concerned about safe, accessible wilderness travel, consider speaking up:
- 📧 Email: yose_superintendent@nps.gov
- ☎️ Call Representative Tom McClintock’s office:
- Sacramento: (916) 786-5560
- Washington, D.C.: (202) 225-2511
Share your personal story. Ask for transparency. Request support for wilderness users.
🙋♂️ Final Thoughts from Sierra Rec:
At Sierra Rec Magazine, we believe in access to the outdoors that is safe, sustainable, and rooted in stewardship. Yosemite is a crown jewel of the Sierra Nevada, and decisions like this one should come with clear reasoning, thoughtful planning, and respect for the thousands who venture into its backcountry each year.
If you’re planning a backpacking trip in 2025, be sure to:
- Check conditions and updates regularly on nps.gov/yose.
- Plan alternate lodging or staging points outside the park if needed.
- Pack for flexibility — and maybe a little extra patience.
We’ll continue following this story and will update as more information becomes available.
