Trip notes: Tamarack Flat: The road to this campground looks something like the surface of the moon. Then you arrive and find one of the few primitive drive-to camps in Yosemite National Park, 6,300 feet in elevation. From the trailhead at camp, you can link up with the El Capitan Trail, then hike across Ribbon Meadow on up to the north valley rim at El Capitan, 7,569 feet. This is the largest single piece of granite in the world, and standing atop it for both the sensation and the divine view is a breathtaking experience. From camp, Yosemite Valley is 23 miles away.
Tuolumne Meadows: This is Yosemite's biggest camp, and for the variety of nearby adventures, it might also be the best. It is set in the high country, at 8,600 feet, and can be used as a base camp for fishing, hiking, and horseback riding, or as a jump-off point for a backpacking trip (wilderness permits required). There are two outstanding and easy day hikes from here, one heading north on the Pacific Crest Trail for the near-level walk to Tuolumne Falls, the other heading south up Lyell Fork, with good fishing for small brook trout. With a backpack, either route can be extended for as long as desired into remote and beautiful country. The campground is huge, and neighbors are guaranteed, but it is well wooded and feels somewhat secluded, even with all the RVs and tents. There are lots of food-raiding bears in the area, so use of the food lockers is required.
Upper Pines: Of the campgrounds in Yosemite Valley, Upper Pines is located closest to the jump-off to paradise, providing you can get a campsite at the far south end of the camp. From here it is a short walk to the Happy Isles Trailhead and with it the chance to hike to Vernal Falls on the Mist Trail (steep), or beyond to Nevada Falls (very steep) at the foot of Liberty Cap. But crowded this camp is, and you'd best expect it. People come from all over the world to camp here. Sometimes it appears as if they are from other worlds as well. The elevation is 4,000 feet.
Wawona: Wawona Camp is an attractive alternative to the packed camps in Yosemite Valley, providing you don't mind the relatively long drives to the best destinations. The camp is set along the South Fork Merced River with the sites more spaciously situated that at most other drive-to camps in the park. The nearest attraction is the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias. The best nearby hike is a strenuous eight-mile round-trip to Chilnualna Falls, the prettiest sight in the southern region of the park, with its trailhead located at the east end of the Redwoods in North Wawona. It's a 45-minute drive to either Glacier Point or Yosemite Valley.
White Wolf: This is one of Yosemite National Park's prime mountain camps for people who like to hike, either for great day hikes in the immediate area and beyond, or for overnight backpacking trips. The day hike to Lukens Lake is an easy two-mile trip, the payoff being this pretty little alpine lake set amid a meadow, pines, and granite. Just about everybody who camps at White Wolf makes the trip. Backpackers can make the overnight trip into the Ten Lakes Basin, set below Grand Mountain and Colby Mountain. Bears are common at this camp, so be certain to secure your food in the bear-proof lockers. The elevation is 8,000 feet.
Yosemite Creek: This is the most remote drive-to camp in Yosemite National Park, a great alternative to camping in the valley or at Tuolumne Meadows, and the rough, curvy access road keeps many out-of-state tourists away. It is set along Yosemite Creek at 7,659 feet, with poor trout fishing but a trailhead for a spectacular hike. If you arrange a shuttle ride, you can make a great one-way trip down to the north side of the Yosemite Canyon rim, skirting past the top of Yosemite Falls (a side trip to Yosemite Point is a must!), then tackling the unbelievable descent into the valley, emerging at Sunnyside Campground.

 

 

 

 

 

Where to go Camping

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Miwok Lodge 439