How to Make Yosemite Camping Reservations

Yosemite National Park is one of the most well-known and beautiful parks in the United States. Camping is extremely popular and a campsite can be tough to come by. Yosemite has 13 popular campgrounds, and up to seven of these are available through the park's reservation system. Reservations are required throughout the summer and fall in some of Yosemite's campgrounds, so reserving a campsite is an important step toward ensuring you'll have a place to pitch your tent.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Step 1

Be prepared. Campground reservations are made available on the 15th of the month four months before the start date. So reservations for May 15 through June 14 become available on Jan. 15. Campgrounds often fill up during the same day, if not within minutes, of becoming available.

Step 2

Make reservations online. The National Park Service suggests making reservations online.

Step 3

Go to Recreation.gov. Select "Camping" from the list of activities on the top of the screen.

Step 4

On the left of the screen, enter a specific type of camping, if desired. Enter "Yosemite" under parks and enter the first date of your stay and number of nights in the appropriate fields. If you'd like, you can further specify by the activities and amenities you'd like to have access to. Click "Search Facilities."

Step 5

Select a campground, if available. The system will check your dates and display the available campgrounds. If nothing is available for the dates you've entered, select "Find Next Avail Date" to view a calendar of available dates for the specific campground. Select dates you'd like to book.

Step 6

Book your camping stay. Once you've selected the dates, a screen will come up with the details of the site, including pricing information. Review the details to ensure they meet your needs, then click on "Book these Dates."

Step 7

Enter your username and password or create an account. To finish booking, you'll need an account. Enter all information in the required fields, marked by a red asterisk. Then click on "Create Account" at the bottom of the screen.

Step 8

Enter the specifics of your stay, such as the type of shelter, number of people and number of vehicles.

Step 9

Read through the campsite information and check the "Yes" box to acknowledge you've read it. Click "Continue to Shopping Cart."

Step 10

Review the pricing and details of your reservation to ensure it is acceptable. Hit "Checkout Shopping Cart." Enter your credit card and payment information.

Step 11

Read through the rules and regulations and click the "Yes" box to acknowledge having read them. Click on the "Complete this Purchase" button to finish your reservation.

Tips & Warnings

Reservations can also be made by calling (877) 444-6777 or (877) 833-6777 for TDD. Camping without reservations is permitted in some campgrounds, including Camp 4 (Yosemite Valley), Bridalveil Creek, Tamarack Flat and White Wolf. It is recommended to get there as early as possible as campsites can fill up as early as 8:30 a.m. on popular weekends. If you intend to backpack through Yosemite, a free wilderness permit is required for an overnight stay. Reservations for permits can be made up to 24 weeks in advance.

Reservations can also be made by calling (877) 444-6777 or (877) 833-6777 for TDD.

Camping without reservations is permitted in some campgrounds, including Camp 4 (Yosemite Valley), Bridalveil Creek, Tamarack Flat and White Wolf. It is recommended to get there as early as possible as campsites can fill up as early as 8:30 a.m. on popular weekends.

If you intend to backpack through Yosemite, a free wilderness permit is required for an overnight stay. Reservations for permits can be made up to 24 weeks in advance.

Resources

Article Written By Joe Fletcher

Joe Fletcher has been a writer since 2002, starting his career in politics and legislation. He has written travel and outdoor recreation articles for a variety of print and online publications, including "Rocky Mountain Magazine" and "Bomb Snow." He received a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Rutgers College.

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