Camping Without a Reservation

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

If you don't have a campground reservation in fall, winter, or 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 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 also not allowed.

Early April through mid-May

The only first-come, first-served campground open is Camp 4 (a walk-in campground/tents only). Camp 4 is extremely popular; it's very difficult to get a spot. From late May through September, space at Camp 4 is available only by reservation two weeks in advance.

 

Late May 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 (late May through September)
• White Wolf and Yosemite Creek Campgrounds (approximately July to early September)
• Tamarack Flat and Porcupine Flat Campgrounds (approximately July to October 15).

November through March

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.

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 October 1 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.

• Hodgdon Meadow is open on a first-come, first-served basis from late October through early April.

• Wawona is open on a first-come, first-served basis from late October through early April.

• 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.