Camping Without a 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. Campground opening and closing dates are updated whenever we have new information. You can also check recreation.gov for seasonal campground 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

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 (approximately mid-April through mid-November)
• 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 (check recreation.gov for seasonal dates and campground status):

• Camp 4 is open on a first-come, first-served basis from approximately mid-November through mid-April. 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 mid-November, 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 approximately 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 approximately 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.