Camping Without a Reservation

Learn and Explore

First-come, first-served camping is not available in 2021. Do not arrive at Yosemite intending to stay overnight if you don't have an overnight reservation.

If you want to camp in or near Yosemite and you don't already have a reservation, here are two options to try (both of which have a low chance of success):

• Camp 4 has a daily lottery for next-day reservations. This very popular campground in Yosemite Valley is only for tents; sleeping in a vehicle (including RVs and trailers) is not allowed.
• Search recreation.gov frequently; you might find a cancellation in a campground that accepts reservations in or near Yosemite. If you get a reservation for a campground outside Yosemite, you will also need a day-use reservation to drive into Yosemite. (If you get a reservation at Upper Pines, Lower Pines, North Pines, Camp 4, Tuolumne Meadows, Bridalveil Creek, or Wawona, you don't need a day-use reservation. If you get a reservation for any other campground, you need a day-use reservation.)

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.

Camping in Yosemite

• Making a Reservation
• Camping Without a Reservation
• RV Camping
• Campgrounds
• Camping Regulations