Description

California, Yosemite National Park is a very large park covering 1,200 square miles in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.  Yosemite is high enough to receive snow during the winter months.  The park is open all year however, some roads and campgrounds do close.  The park is set in rugged mountains surrounded by beautiful forest's.   There are four entrances into the park.  Each entrance has a unique name.  They are the South Entrance (on Wawona road and Highway 41), Arch Rock Entrance (Highway 140 from the West), Big Oak Flat Entrance (From the West on Highway 120), and the Tioga Pass Entrance (From the East on Highway 120).  Most roads in Yosemite are challenging for larger RV's.  The lanes are small, winding, and there are overhangs in spots.  The Tioga Pass entrance is the most difficult with a steep ascent into the park followed by rough roads.

Directions:

From Los Angeles:

Distance: 313 mi / 504 km. Time: 6 hours. Take I-5 north (or I-405 north to I-5) to Highway 99 north to Highway 41 north (Fresno) into Yosemite National Park.  The highway is a challenge for large RV's up to 35 feet but, passable.  There are plenty of turn-outs to allow traffic to pass.

Please see the Campbase map tab provided here for a general park location. 

Comment

There are 13 different campgrounds in Yosemite National Park and approximately nine lodges or camps.  Only 10 of these campgrounds can accommodate RV's.  Two of the 10 can only accommodate small RV's leaving eight campgrounds that can accommodate 35 foot RV's.

Most camp sites have parking for only two vehicles.  Usually a car and one trailer.  All other vehicles in your party will need to park in the general parking lots throughout the area.  Be mindful of bears if you park in these areas.

Reservations are available on-line at www.reserveamerica.com or by calling (801) 559-4884 or (877) 444-6777.  Also check https://www.travelyosemite.com/ for lodging and lodging reservations.  Reservations sell out to the minute, six months ahead of your visiting month.  If you are going to use the online service, visit the web site first and create an account.  Practice using the reservation system before the date that you actually need it.  Know what camp ground and site you want to reserve.  You are going to want to select and reserve your site as quickly as possible.  Reservations for campgrounds usually open up at 07:00 six months before the visit month.  Online reservations will sell out within 15 minutes so type quickly.  Visit the NPS.GOV website to see a schedule of "opening" reservation dates.  If you don't get the reservations you want, all is NOT lost.  Some campgrounds are first come first served.  However, the best camping areas do require reservations.  The lists below indicate what campgrounds require reservations and what campgrounds are first come first serve.  If you didn't get reservations or didn't get all the nights you need, don't let that stop you from going.  The park service sells canceled reservations every day in the park.  Go to the ranger station in the parking lot at Curry Village.  They open at 08:00, be there in line by 07:30.  When the doors open at 08:00 give the ranger your name and they will tell you what number in line your are.  They will also tell you when to come back for the reading of available camp spots.  If you are not there for the campground reading, they move on to the next persons name that was taken in the morning.  If you play your cards right, you will get a spot.  Good luck.

CAMPGROUNDS   FCFS = First Come, First Served.  RR = Reservations Required.

In addition to the campgrounds mentioned above, you may choose to stay in Half Dome Village or Housekeeping.  Click the links here to see either of these tent villages.  Each has the living structure/tent set up for you.  Yes, it's still camping.

Yosemite is an amazing wilderness area with every kind of activity imaginable.  Campbase likes staying in the Yosemite Valley area.  It's a great base camp area for visiting the entire park.  The sights from the valley are spectacular. There is a free shuttle that circles the Yosemite Valley with 21 stops.  Its a wonderful service and is very interesting.  There is a park swimming pool at Half Dome Village that is open only during the summer.  There are also showers, laundry, markets, restaurants, and bicycle rentals available in Yosemite Valley.  Most trails also lead to or from Yosemite Valley.  There are no RV hookup sites in the entire park.  All campgrounds are dry camping.

Only four campgrounds are open all year they are: Upper Pines, Camp4, Wawona, and Hodgdon Meadows.  Many campgrounds close in late September or early October.  The Pool and other services like the Toulumne Meadows Gas station also close for the season.

Fuel is available at limited locations in Yosemite National Park.  Fuel is available near the Wawona Visitors Center, near Crane Flats, and near Tuolumne Meadows Campground.  The Crane Flat Service station also has Diesel fuel.  The Tuolumne Meadows station is seasonal and not open after September.  Campbase recommends filling your tank before entering the park.

There is a variety of lodging in Yosemite including The Ahwahnee, Yosemite Lodge, Housekeeping, Tuolumne Meadows Lodge, White Wolf Lodge, Wawona, and Curry Village.  Curry Village has canvas tent cabins.  Housekeeping is similar to Curry Village.  

WiFi is available for purchase at Yosemite Lodge and The Ahwahnee Lodge.  It's also available for free at Curry Village however, there are so many users the network seldom works.

Don't forget to bring or rent bikes in Yosemite Valley.  Just park the car and use the bikes.  You are helping the environment and its a ton of fun to bike ride.  The bike paths are excellent and paved.  Also, in Yosemite Valley, bring or rent float toys.  The stream that runs through the valley in summer is usually warm enough and calm enough for a fun float.  Get out of the stream at the right spot and the bus stop is just 100 yards away.  Deflate your float and jump on the free bus ride back to where you started.  Note, it may be unsafe to go in the water at different times of the year or at different river entry points.  Check with the rangers before you enter the water.

Caution: Wherever you stay in Yosemite, watch out for the bears.  They can be found in every campground, every night.  Bears are very stealthy and can be just feet away without you knowing it.  Don't leave food out and don't leave food or gum in your car.  The gum smell attracts them and they will open your car like a can opener.

Also, take a look at the Yosemite Chic website for first hand hiking, maps, photos, and trail information.  

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