Camping Reservations

Horsetail Fall: Campground reservations will be required for Camp 4, Hodgdon Meadow, and Wawona Campgrounds beginning February 9–February 25, 2024

Campground reservations will be required for Camp 4, Hodgdon Meadow, and Wawona Campgrounds beginning February 9–February 25, 2024 (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.

Horsetail Fall can glow orange when it's backlit by sunset, which can make it appear to be on fire. This unique lighting effect happens only on evenings with a clear sky when the waterfall is flowing and when the sun is at the right angle in mid– to late February. This event attracts many visitors to a small area, causing traffic congestion, parking issues, safety concerns, and impacts to natural and cultural resources.

In order to manage this event, reservations will be required for entry to Yosemite on: February 10–11, February 17–19, and February 24–25, 2024.

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

Learn more by reading through our Frequently Asked Questions.

 

Camping in Yosemite

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

Yosemite National Park has 13 popular campgrounds, all of which are on a reservation system from April through October. During winter, Camp 4, Wawona, and Hodgdon Meadow are first-come, first-served campgrounds, but can fill during holidays and weekends.

Reservations are available at different times depending on the campground. All non-lottery reservations are released at 7 am Pacific time and sell out within minutes.

For your best chance of getting a reservation, be sure your clock is set accurately. Log in and be ready to go at Recreation.gov before 7 am Pacific time. You can find more help making reservations and other frequently asked questions.

 

When to Make a Reservation

Only Upper Pines Campground is on reservations all year. View opening dates and reservation seasons for all campgrounds.

Five Months in Advance

Upper Pines, Lower Pines, North Pines, Wawona, and Hodgdon Meadow campground reservations are released five months in advance on the 15th of each month.

Two Weeks in Advance

Bridalveil Creek, Crane Flat, Tamarack Flat, White Wolf, Yosemite Creek, and Porcupine Flat campground reservations are released two weeks in advance on a rolling daily window (i.e., 14 days in advance of arrival date).

One Week in Advance

Camp 4 reservations are released one week in advance on a rolling daily window (i.e., 7 days in advance of arrival date). Reservations required May 24 through September 30, 2024.

 

Make a Campground Reservation

• Visit www.recreation.gov (recommended)
• 877/444-6777
  (or 877/833-6777 for TDD)
  (or 518/885-3639 from outside the US & Canada)

You may only make two reservations per website visit or phone call (you can start over again or call again to make additional reservations, up to the camping limit).

If you're unable to get a campground reservation, you may want to try a first-come, first-served campground (fall through spring) or keep checking for cancellations. Sleeping in a vehicle is not allowed in Yosemite unless you are in a campsite you have registered for.

Arrival date	First day to make reservations five months in advance 7 am PT
January 15 through February 14	September 15
February 15 through March 14	October 15
March 15 through April 14	November 15
April 15 through May 14	December 15
May 15 through June 14	January 15
June 15 through July 14	February 15
July 15 through August 14	March 15
August 15 through September 14	April 15
September 15 through October 14	May 15
October 15 through November 14	June 15
November 15 through December 14	July 15
December 15 through January 14	August 15