Plan B Basecamp: What to Do When Yosemite Campsites Are Unavailable

Many of us on the West Coast know the drill when it comes to snagging a campsite in Yosemite National Park. Set your coffee maker for 6:30 am, log in to Recreation.gov at 6:45 and stretch out those fingers for the magic moment when the clock strikes 7:00.  Then it’s a flurry of keystrokes that may or may not pay off as the family dog watches curiously from the couch. Ah, the dedication of a modern camper.

Considering the irresistibility of Yosemite’s citadel of stone and cascading snowmelt, it’s no surprise the quest to secure a campsite is so competitive.  But fear not. Yosemite Mariposa County is an obliging partner for travelers from across the globe who need help planning their California getaway.  Here are some friendly hacks, maneuvers, and workarounds for those situations when Yosemite campsites are all booked up.

Camping Alternatives Inside Yosemite National Park

Yosemite Valley

The granite-walled hug that is Yosemite Valley indeed proves a challenging spot for securing a peak season campsite, but Curry Village lets you feel that uplifting embrace with several basecamp alternatives.  Canvas-sided tent cabins (heated and non-heated) accommodate 2 to 5 campers and are nestled at the eastern end of the Valley 3,200 feet below Glacier Point.  Rustic wood cabins are also available if canvas doesn’t suit your mood, while dining options can be enjoyed on-site.

Cradled in a bend along the Merced River, Housekeeping Camp offers an elevated camping experience in three-sided concrete structures with canvas roof and privacy curtain. The cabins accommodate up to six guests and have lights/electrical outlets, not to mention a fire ring for grilling. Meals can be enjoyed on the covered patio or under the stars. Riverside vibes, indeed.

For visitors willing to trade in their tents for luxe amenities, the venerated Ahwahnee Hotel provides history and hospitality in equal measure. Stone and wood architecture set the mood in this National Historic Landmark, with 34-foot beamed ceilings framing the elegant dining room. The Yosemite Valley Lodge is another hard-sided hack. Tucked between the Merced River and Yosemite Falls, its location is hard to beat while offering Family Rooms and Bunk Rooms for a gear-free escape that’s family friendly.

Northern Yosemite

The High Country of  Northern Yosemite is a summer rite of passage when visiting the Park, and the tent cabins at Tuolumne Meadows Lodge provide the perfect camping-light lodging experience.  Set at 8,700 feet along the Dana Fork of the Tuolumne River, the cabins are typically open mid-June to mid-September (dependent on weather conditions) and offer different bed configurations (four twins or one double with two twins) catering to your group, along with a solar-powered lantern and a wood burning stove for those cool Sierra nights.

Set at 7,800 ft near the Middle Fork of the Tuolumne River, the tent cabins at the White Wolf Lodge feature two twin beds and a wood-burning stove, while four traditional wood cabins provide propane heaters, private bathroom and wall outlets for charging. Breakfast and dinner are served on-site at the White Wolf Lodge Dining Hall. Note: The National Park Service has ordered the White Wolf Lodge to close due to damaged sewer lines.  It is unclear if it will re-open.

Southern Yosemite 

Though there are no tent cabin alternatives in Southern Yosemite, the quiet enclave of Wawona  offers some hard-sided options and has plenty to explore just outside your door.  Originally built in 1876 and expanded over the next four decades, the historic Wawona Hotel has over 100 rooms set amid whitewashed Victorian elegance. Piano music in the lounge, Saturday night barbecues and a golf course surrounded by the pines fill out the scene. Note: The Wawona Hotel is currently closed as the National Park Service completes a comprehensive assessment of this historic hotel’s condition.

If you’re willing to take the step up from camping, cabin rentals in Wawona capture the backwoods spirit while providing first-rate amenities. The Redwoods In Yosemite offer over 120 cabins and luxury homes, whether you’re searching for a romantic couple’s getaway by the fireplace or a family swim fest along the South Fork of the Merced River.

Glacier Point Road

The Glacier Point Road region similarly has no tent cabin options, but does offer that upgrade to vacation rentals should you feel the need to pamper. Lodging here is found in the enclave of Yosemite West, a historic community of over 200 homes that range from fun & funky to downright opulent. Most of the properties are managed by Yosemite Scenic Wonders and worth exploring if only for the wealth of activities nearby. 

Camping Alternatives Outside Yosemite National Park

With a little bit of planning and a trusted regional map, camping alternatives in greater Mariposa County are easier to book and provide easy access to Yosemite’s countless attractions.

Central Mariposa County

As the Sierra foothills climb towards Yosemite’s majestic peaks, Central Mariposa County is the perfect staging area for day trips into the Park via the western Arch Rock Entrance along Highway 140.

Tent cabins at the Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort capture that rustic camping vibe with some perks to boot.  On-site June Bug Cafe is a great place for beer & bites after your day of hiking, while the Yosemite Health Spa offers soaking tubs and massage to rejuvenate before the next day’s journey. Located in Midpines, the Bug is 22 pleasant miles to Yosemite as you weave alongside the beautiful Merced River.

Another unique Midpines camping alternative is the gleaming fleet of Airstream trailers at AutoCamp Yosemite. Trade in your tent for van life the easy way while enjoying on-site yoga, a variety of curated tours and “experiences,” plus live music around outdoor fire pits. If your co-pilot happens to be of the furry persuasion, AutoCamp welcomes well-behaved dogs.

Located just 8 miles from the Arch Rock Entrance to Yosemite, Indian Flat RV Campground offers 25 RV sites and 25 tent sites which translates to unbeatable access to your Park adventure. Nearby picnic areas along the Merced River provide a golden opportunity to lay out your blanket and enjoy some Yosemite Mariposa “trailgating.”

 If you want to glamp things up, check out Wildhaven Yosemite with its luxurious tent cabins, high thread counts and hilltop deck (with propane fireplace) where you can watch epic autumn sunsets. Just 5 minutes from downtown Mariposa, Wildhaven Yosemite balances the convenience of town with natural beauty.

Of course there are Central Mariposa County cabin rentals available with a range of prices and provisions. From well-appointed kitchens to fireplaces and hot tubs, Yosemite is a straight shot up All-Season Highway 140 where you can recreate to your heart’s desire.

Northwest Mariposa County 

Though a bit farther and lower in elevation, the park cabins at Lake McClure and the park cabins at Lake McSwain provide a nice water sports basecamp as day trips into Yosemite are still within reach.  The hot summers in Northwest Mariposa County beg for a dip, while Splash’N’Dash Aqua Park elicits whoops & hollers of joy for the entire family.  Wakeboards and fishing rods welcome!

Campgrounds Outside Yosemite National Park

If a classic tent experience is a must, the astute camper can secure a peak-season campsite outside Yosemite in Mariposa County. There might be some greater distances to travel, but these campgrounds have their own local rewards while day trips into the Park are easy to map out. 

The four campgrounds of the Merced River Recreation Management Area are set in a rugged river valley and are some of the only first-come/first-served sites near Yosemite.  Located along Highway 140, turn off at the Briceburg Suspension Bridge for your Merced River adventure and consider arriving midweek to increase your chances of securing a spot.

Two of the closest campgrounds to Yosemite’s western Arch Rock Entrance — Dirt Flat and Dry Gulch — are managed by the Sierra National Forest. Dirt Flat Campground rests on the north banks of the Merced River and features campfire rings and grills, while nearby Dry Gulch Campground offers a peaceful car camping experience amid a grove of pine and oak trees. Though reservable, these campgrounds can be difficult to book peak season.

For a camping experience “in town,” the Mariposa Fairgrounds RV Park & Campground offers visitors to access Yosemite while enjoying the lively culture of downtown Mariposa. Nestled amid shade trees and with a central picnic area, where else can you hike Yosemite by day and come home for dinner and local beer by night? A camp combo that’s hard to beat!

Located just one and a half miles from Yosemite’s South Entrance, Summerdale Campground in Fish Camp is set at 5,000 ft elevation near Big Creek.  This means cooler summer temps and the opportunity to fish for rainbow trout, not to mention super close access to one of Yosemite’s most coveted attractions — the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. 

Camping at any one of the five Lake McClure & Lake McSwain campgrounds is an H20-centric experience where summers are hot (due to lower elevation), and the activities range from wakeboarding and fishing to kayaking and swimming.  Yosemite may be 60 miles away, but it’s a beautiful drive up the hill along Highway 140 and you can plan a stop in lively downtown Mariposa for a breakfast/dinner bookend to your day. Another must-visit nearby is the historic town of Coulterville, brimming with Gold Rush bona fides and voted “Nicest Place In America” by Reader’s Digest.

If you’re the rugged sort and want some off-road camping experiences, consider getting a permit for a dispersed campsite within the confines of Sierra National Forest.  This option affords some freedom, but also responsibility: OHV roads are not always passable by passenger cars, and fire safety is essential in this fragile backcountry. Note: dispersed camping in not allowed in the Merced River Canyon.

Yosemite Camping Clues

Though booking a peak season campsite in Yosemite can feel akin to procuring tickets to see your favorite band, there’s always a rewarding path up the hill.  Stay strong!  And keep these pro tips in mind as you map out your Yosemite Mariposa adventure….

• Midweek camping increases your chances of finding a peak season spot.  Combine this with a weekend booking at a Mariposa County hotel, lodge, or vacation rental outside the Park and you have the perfect hybrid getaway. 

• Consider visiting Yosemite outside of the peak summer season (fall through early spring).  While higher elevation campgrounds close for the winter, many are open year-round and there’s nothing like a hot buttered beverage around a warm campfire!

• When staying in tent cabins, be sure to check what is provided and pack accordingly.  Of course, you’ll be able to leave your tent at home, but other camping gear will be needed.

• The entry gates to Yosemite are open 24 hours a day (except Hetch Hetchy) which means that nighttime visits and sunrise hikes are easily accessible when staying outside the Park.

• Utilize the maps and information from our Regional Guide to Yosemite Mariposa to plan your stay. There are so many hidden gems in and around Yosemite!