Camping Without a Reservation

Horsetail Fall: February 2025 Reservation Requirements

Campground reservations will be required for Camp 4, Hodgdon Meadow, and Wawona Campgrounds beginning February 8–February 23, 2025 (these campgrounds normally operate on a first-come, first-served basis in February). All February reservations for Wawona, Camp 4, and Hodgdon Meadow Campgrounds will be released on December 15 at 7 am on Recreation.gov. Upper Pines Campground reservations are always available up to five months in advance.

In order to manage the Horsetail Fall event, reservations will be required for entry to Yosemite on: February 8–9, February 15–17, and February 22–23, 2025.

If you have a campground reservation for Upper Pines, Camp 4, Wawona, or Hodgdon Meadow Campgrounds, you don’t need an additional entrance reservation.

 

Camping in Yosemite

• Making a Reservation
• Campground Reservation FAQ
• Camping Without a Reservation
• Campgrounds
• Camping Regulations

If you don't have a campground reservation in fall, winter, or early spring, you can try to camp in a first-come, first-served campground. These can fill up early, especially during holidays and weekends. Check current campground status by calling 209/372-0266. Campground opening and closing dates are updated whenever we have new information. 

Within Yosemite National Park, you may not sleep in your car or RV unless you are in a campsite that you're registered to stay in (except at Camp 4, where sleeping in cars is not allowed because it's a walk-in campground). Sleeping in your car along the side of the road is also not allowed.

 

Mid-April through October

Campground reservations will be required for Camp 4, Hodgdon Meadow, and Wawona Campgrounds for Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays beginning February 8–February 23, 2025 (these campgrounds normally operate on a first-come, first-served basis in February). All February reservations for Wawona, Camp 4, and Hodgdon Meadow Campgrounds will be released on December 15 at 7 am on Recreation.gov.

There are no first-come, first-served campgrounds open. The only option to camp in Yosemite is to search Recreation.gov frequently; you might find a cancellation in a campground that accepts reservations in or near Yosemite. Do not arrive at Yosemite without a reservation—you'll probably have to leave the park to sleep.

If your visit is more than two weeks from now and you're visiting from approximately July through October, reservations may be available a week or two in advance at the following campgrounds:

• Camp 4 (mid-April through October)
• Crane Flat, White Wolf, and Yosemite Creek Campgrounds (approximately July to early September)
• Tamarack Flat and Porcupine Flat Campgrounds (approximately July to October 15).

November through Early April

If you want to camp in or near Yosemite and you don't already have a reservation, here are some options to try:

• Camp 4 is open on a first-come, first-served basis from late October through mid-May. This very popular campground in Yosemite Valley is only for tents; sleeping in a vehicle (including RVs and trailers) is not allowed. In spring this campground is extremely popular; it's very difficult to get a spot. From mid-April through October, space at Camp 4 is available only by reservation one week in advance.

• Hodgdon Meadow is open on a first-come, first-served basis from late October through early April. The rest of the year, a reservation is required.

• Wawona is open on a first-come, first-served basis from late October through early April. The rest of the year, a reservation is required.

• Search Recreation.gov frequently; you might find a cancellation in a campground that accepts reservations in or near Yosemite.

Within Yosemite National Park, you may not sleep in your car or RV except in a campsite that you're registered to stay in (except at Camp 4, where sleeping in cars is not allowed because it's a walk-in campground). Sleeping in your car along the side of the road is not allowed.