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 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, reservations are available two weeks in advance at Camp 4 (starting in late May) and, starting around July, at Tamarack Flat, White Wolf, Yosemite Creek, and Porcupine Flat Campgrounds.

November through March

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 through mid- to late 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.