Help! I can't find a camping or lodging reservation.

It is very difficult to get campground, lodging, or entrance reservations from spring through fall. Campground and lodging reservations are also difficult to get during holiday periods in winter. If you think you're doing something wrong because you can't find a reservation, you're probably not doing anything wrong. Most likely, there are just no more reservations available.

If you're planning a visit further in the future, plan ahead! Campground reservations are available starting about five months in advance and lodging reservations are available 366 days in advance. Entrance reservations were released earlier this year (2024) for the entire reservation period (through October 27).

What do I do now?

Camping

Reservations

The good news is that people cancel reservations frequently. An alert service is also available that can notify you if space becomes available on a specific date for a specific campground. To set an alert, click or tap on the bell icon above the availability calendar.

If you can't set enough alerts for all your campgrounds or dates, it's worth being very persistent at checking Recreation.gov—you may find a cancellation that you can reserve. The best way to search is to search for the first night you want to camp and just search for one night at a time. As you choose your dates, you'll see potential availability in the calendar. Once you've chosen the arrival and departure dates, you will see see the first night (and several subsequent nights). You'll have to do this for each campground.

From spring through fall, search Upper Pines, Lower Pines, North Pines, Wawona, and Hodgdon Meadow. Starting in June or July (typically), also search for Bridalveil Creek, Crane Flat, Tamarack Flat, White Wolf, Porcupine Creek, and Tuolumne Meadows. (View a list of all campgrounds with opening dates in Yosemite.) There are also campgrounds outside Yosemite available on Recreation.gov (these will also show up when you search for Yosemite). If you reserve a campground outside Yosemite, be sure it's not too far away and be sure to get a peak-hours reservation if required on the dates you're visiting.

Camping without a Reservation

From spring through fall, there are no first-come, first served campgrounds. During this time, do not arrive at Yosemite without a reservation—you'll probably have to leave the park to sleep.

In winter, Camp 4 (tents only), Hodgdon Meadow, and Wawona are open on a first-come, first-served basis. These may fill on weekends and holidays even in winter. Learn more about first-come, first-served campgrounds.

Sleeping in a Car or RV

Sleeping inside a vehicle is only allowed in campsites. You may not park your car or RV in a parking lot or along the side of the road and sleep overnight.

 

Lodging

Cancellations for lodging are also common and become available in the morning. So, check Yosemite Hospitality's website every morning.

If you can't find lodging from Yosemite Hospitality, there are other lodging options inside and outside Yosemite. If you reserve lodging outside the park, be sure it's not too far away.

Peak-Hours Reservations

Reservations

In 2024, a reservation is required to drive into or through Yosemite National Park on some days from April 13 through October 27, 2024, for those driving into the park between 5 am and 4 pm as follows:

• April 13 through June 30: A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and on holidays (May 27 and June 19). A reservation is not required on other days.

• July 1 through August 16: A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm every day.

• August 17 through October 27: A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (September 2 and October 14). A reservation is not required on other days.

Additional reservations are available seven days before the arrival date (e.g., make a reservation for an arrival date of October 27 on October 20) at 8 am Pacific time on Recreation.gov. Reservations available one week in advance are a combination of reservations valid for full days or reservations valid for arrival only in the afternoon on the first day.

Reservations are available each day at 8 am Pacific time. Reservations are taken almost immediately. Be sure to have a Recreation.gov account and be logged in and ready to get a reservation promptly at 8 am Pacific time.

Visiting Yosemite without an Entrance Reservation

If you are unable to get a reservation valid for entry, here are some options to get into Yosemite:

• Enter the park on a YARTS bus (reservation recommended).
• Enter the park on a guided tour. (We don't have a list available of all the tour companies authorized to operate in Yosemite, but you can find options by doing an Internet search.)
• Drive past the entrance station before 5 am or after 4 pm.
• Visit Hetch Hetchy (no reservation required). The Hetch Hetchy area of Yosemite National Park is open from sunrise to sunset, although parking may fill for several hours mid-day, so it's best to arrive earlier or later in the day. You must leave Hetch Hetchy by sunset.