Yosemite Campgrounds

Campgrounds in Yosemite National Park abound for wilderness lovers and family vacationers of every disposition. Whether you are traveling to the park for the first time to tour places like the Mercer Caverns, Pine Mountain Lake, or Tuolumne Meadows, or you're looking to lose yourself among the majesty of the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, you can find campgrounds near Yosemite that offer budget accommodations and high value.

Often, camp sites will provide group discounts of 15% off or more. Belonging to Club OutWest can also get you discounts off high quality campground Yosemite National Park lodging. And of course, members of Good Sam, AAA, and military personnel may also qualify for discounts on stays at campgrounds at Yosemite.

It's a common misconception that just because you book a Yosemite National Park campground vacation, you must live in the wilderness and endure rustic privations. In truth, there are many tiers of lodging options available in most Yosemite Park campgrounds. Some RV sites come complete with wi-fi access (usually pay for play), and they provide showers and a communal indoor area. You can also reserve yurts, which are essentially cozy little huts that include futons, refrigerators, kitchen appliances, and other amenities.

A variety of cabin packages are also available at many Yosemite campgrounds and lodging points. Basic cabins can provide beds, small appliances, and even television. The more premium and luxury cabins, on the other hand, can sleep more people, provide an array of heating and cooling options, and serve as essentially rental homes in the woods.

On the other end of the spectrum, you can find campground in Yosemite packages that put you truly into the heart of the wilderness. These oases allow you to just bring your gear, pitch your tent, and enjoy the natural serenity and fresh air of the park. Bear in mind that if you decide to pitch tent in campgrounds near Yosemite, you must abide by ranger rules. Many protected species make their homes in the park, and strict rules for campfires and garbage disposal are enforced.

Also remember that the park is enormous - 750,000 acres all told. There are five main entrances, two rivers, thousands of miles of creeks and streams, and hundreds of miles of roads and hiking trails. It's easy to get lost, so be sure to let friends and family members know where you are camping and to obey all ranger ordinances that pertain to IDing your campground in Yosemite location.

Typically, rates for Yosemite National Park campground rentals vary depending on the season. The character of the park shifts radically from season to season as well. During the spring months, snow and ice meltwater leads to the formation of gushing waterfalls all throughout the park. Be aware that certain roads leading up to even main campgrounds around Yosemite may be rendered inaccessible by weather events.

During summer season, the park becomes slightly more populated - although given that the area is so vast, one can never say that it gets "crowded." Great points to visit during the summer include the Half Dome, the Bridalveil Fall, Yosemite Valley, and the serpentine Tuolumne River. Go hiking past spectacular granite cliff faces, explore frontier towns, pan for gold in still-operating gold mines, bike over undulating hills, and just fill your lungs with some of the freshest mountain air in North America.

Campgrounds in Yosemite stay open during the fall, even though autumn traffic tapers off. Don't expect a burst of color during autumn up here - most of the trees in Yosemite are evergreens, so you don't see leaf turnings like you do in some of the deciduous forests of the east coast. That said, opportunities galore for vacationing, hiking, swimming, wildlife spotting, and trail hiking are open to you. Moreover, campgrounds near Yosemite typically lower their rates during the autumn months.

During the winter months - technically defined as end of November through the end of February - the park becomes an oasis of solitude and quietude. Snowfalls on the evergreens create some of the most picturesque scenery you can ever imagine - everywhere you go looks like a postcard snapshot. Visit the park for skiing, sledding, and other winter action. But do be mindful that most of the park is a protected federal wilderness area: there are limits on the kinds of sports you can carry out here. It's important to understand the park regulations to avoid disturbing habitats or other visitors; if you violate these rules, you can be fined or have your park privileges revoked.

To venture into the designated wilderness areas, you need camping permits all year round for overnight trips. The National Park Service and Yosemite National Park websites provide information about how to obtain such permits.

You should also check out local weather conditions before you plan day-to-day activities. Your campground in Yosemite guides can provide insight about where to find the best seasonal activities, where to find petting farms (home to animals like the curious, kid-friendly alpacas), where to access supplies and food, and where to do laundry and obtain internet access and good cell service.

When planning out a Yosemite campground vacation, it may behoove you to pack for a number of weather contingencies. Bring rain and winter gear, even if you're headed to the park during a relatively warm and sunny time of the year. Also, call ahead to find out whether the roads leading to and from your campground will be accessible.