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. 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

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.