Camping Without a Reservation

Campground Reservations Required for February 2023

Reservations will be required at Camp 4, Wawona, and Hodgdon Meadow Campgrounds from February 1 through February 28 (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.

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 10–12, February 17–19, and February 24–26, 2023.

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

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 November 1, 2022 through winter (except for February 2023). 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 October 12, 2022 through mid-April (except for February 2023). 
• Wawona is open on a first-come, first-served basis from October 12, 2022 through mid-April (except for February 2023). 
• 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.