So, can you sleep in Yosemite National Park? Yes, You absolutely can sleep in Yosemite. Sleeping in Yosemite National Park is a unique experience that should not be missed! There are many different ways to sleep in Yosemite, from camping and backpacking to staying in a hotel or lodge. We have all the details you may need to make the best decision for your trip.
Of course, we want you to have the best time while you’re here. Thus, we’ve compiled some of the best places to stay near and within the park, so that you know your options!
Are you Allowed to Sleep at Yosemite?
Yes, you are. When staying the night at Yosemite National Park, there are many options for lodging. They can either be tent camps, cabins, or hotel-type of lodging.
It’s not an easy task to get a Yosemite reservation. Make sure you plan your trip well in advance and use the Yosemite Camping Reservation Page to guide you. This page will tell you the exact time and date you need to book your camping trip. If you aren’t able to get your reservation the first time you try don’t give up hope, You can use this link to check for cancellations. Cancellations happen often so use the recreation.gov to check your campground everyday.
Some of Yosemite National Park Campgrounds that are great to book include: the North Pines Campground, Wawona Campground, Porcupine Campground, Tamarack Campground, and more! So, start planning ahead!
However, if you can’t get a campground, Yosemite offers many other lodging options located just outside the park! Some of these are the Tenaya Lodge, Gateway Inn in Oakhurst Comfort, Comfort Inn Cedar Lodge, and Yosemite View Lodge.
Sleep at Yosemite For A Memorable Vacation Experience
If you’re like most people, you perhaps enjoy getting out and exploring nature. There’s nothing quite like spending a weekend camping in Yosemite National Park or hiking through the redwoods of Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.
Imagine being able to stay in the heart of Yosemite National Park, surrounded by some of the most beautiful sceneries. Yosemite can offer all the comforts of home, with the added bonus of waking up to breathtaking views.
Where Can You Camp in Yosemite National Park?
Here are our best picks for camping around the park! They all offer breathtaking views, and you will surely love them.
North Pines Campground
The North Pines Campground boasts a woodsy atmosphere, fantastic location, and a spectacular setting. It is amidst the granite cliff wales, towering pines, surrounded by a rushing river.
This is located at the other end of Yosemite Valley, close to the Curry Village. You can also walk around the campground to access the hiking trails nearby.
It has almost 81 sites that are all spacious, making it great for those seeking solitude and privacy. You can enjoy the sites from the riverside too. Also, it can accommodate tents, recreational vehicles up to 40 ft., and camping trailers up to 35 feet.
Wawona Campground
This campground is along Highway 41’s south entrance, the road to Fresno’s direction. Wawona is an hour away from Yosemite Valley but can take longer with congestion and traffic jams.
Also, this campground is located along the South Fork Merced River with sites of spread-out pines with an elevation of around 4,000 ft.
Reservations can be made 5 months ahead of April to September. The sites are on a first-come and first-served basis from October to April. If you can’t get a reservation, the Mariposa Grove nearby is a great place to go.
Porcupine Campground
The Porcupine Flat Campground is away from Tioga Road, which is about 30 minutes west of Tuolumne Meadows and less than a 2 hour drive from Yosemite Valley.
Few of the 52 campsites at the campground are near Porcupine Creek. However, a part of the campground across the creek is not suitable for trailers and RVs.
The sites are spacious with lots of shade, but no tap water is available. So, campers should treat, boil, or filter creek water before use. Ensure to place all food items in the lockers. Lastly, the area offers outdoor recreation like mountain biking, fishing, picnicking, wildlife viewing, and backpacking.
Tamarack Campground
Tamarack Flat Campground’s 52 sites are perfect for tents. It is situated approximately 45 minutes north of Yosemite Valley and provides a way to Tuolumne Meadows via the Tioga Road.
Popular outdoor recreational activities include backpacking, wildlife viewing, and hiking. You can also take the service road or trail from the campground. It leads to El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, and Yosemite Valley, which are 8 to 16 miles away.
Whitewolf
The White Wolf Campground is located in Yosemite National Park’s Central California’s rugged Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Additionally, the campground houses 74 sites, which is enough space for recreational vehicles and trailers up to 27 feet.
It is near Tioga Road and approximately an hour to the northeast of Yosemite Valley. With an elevation of 8000 ft., the place is naturally cooler and even colder at night.
Can You Camp Anywhere in Yosemite National Park?
There are only a few campgrounds in the park that you can go anywhere you want. You just have to obey the wilderness regulations. However, the Little Yosemite Valley area and near the 5 High Sierra Camps have strictly designated campgrounds where camping is allowed.
Also, camping around the wilderness is allowed but only around 2 miles from the campground of Little Yosemite Valley. Lastly, there is no camping along the Lost Lake and the top of Half Dome.
Where Can You Sleep in a Hotel in Yosemite National Park?
There are many hotels to stay at in Yosemite National Park. Here are our top picks you can choose from!
Glacier Point Ski Hut
Glacier Point Ski Hut is 10.5 miles of guided cross-country ski trip. It can take you to Yosemite’s breathtaking backcountry. You will be enticed with the rustic accommodations in this beautiful log and stone building.
Experienced and professional skiers can do a roundtrip for 5 hours at maximum. Also, children should be at least 14 years of age and be supervised by an adult to stay here.
Curry Village
The Curry Village is just beneath Glacier Point’s grandeur it offers a hospitable and warm feeling instilled by its founders, Jenny and David Curry. Generally, the hotel features wood cabins, canvas tent cabins, and standard hotel room accommodations. It is fully open from March to New Year and regularly opens from Friday to Saturday.
High Sierra Camps
The High Sierra Camps are nestled high in the wilderness and are fully surrounded by nature. It can be accessed by mule or foot, you can explore the backcountry after arriving to the area. The camps have 6 to 10 miles of space from each other along with the loop travel.
If you are new to wilderness travel, guided hiking and mule trips are available. Also, since there is high demand for reservations at this camp, lottery entries are submitted on a specific month of the year.
Tuolumne Meadows Lodge
The Tuolumne Meadows Lodge is 60 miles away from the Yosemite Valley at 8700 feet above sea level. It houses 69 canvas-tent bins, and they are available from June to September with permits.
Located near the meadows and next to the river, it’s the ideal place for settling in after a Yosemite hike or before going on your next backpacking trip.
Also, guided hikes and free-range led campfire programs are available daily for the lodge guests. You just have to sign up at their front desk.
Housekeeping Camp
The Housekeeping Camp is one of the most inexpensive lodges for Yosemite National Park’s visitors. It is located along the Merced River in the middle of Yosemite Valley, and it is open from April to October. This would be ideal for visitors who like camping outdoors without the hassle of setting up their tents.
It has nearby sandy beaches that are great for relaxing by the river. You can also have incomparable views of Half Dome and Yosemite Falls while you camp outside next to your campfire ring’s grill.
Can I Sleep in the Car in Yosemite National Park?
Sleeping in cars and recreational vehicles is not allowed in the national park along the roadside or at Visitors’ parking, Backpacker’s Campground, and Trailhead Parking.
12 out of 13 campsites in Yosemite allow sleeping in vehicles but only when the vehicle is registered on that particular campsite.
The specific areas when sleeping in your vehicles are allowed at the following:
North Yosemite Valley’s Campgrounds
- Carne Flat
- Hodgdon Meadow
- Yosemite Creek
- Tuolumne Meadows
- White Wolf
- Porcupine Creek and Flat
- Tamarack Flat
Yosemite Valley’s Campgrounds
- North Pines
- Upper Pines
- Lower Pines
South Yosemite Valley’s Campgrounds
- Bridalveil Creek
- Wawona
Spend the Best Nights at Yosemite
Yosemite National Park is among the most beautiful places, and it offers visitors plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation and sightseeing. There’s something for everyone in Yosemite – from challenging hikes to easy nature walks, from world-famous waterfalls to tranquil lakes.
You can spend your days wandering around experiencing all that Yosemite offers, then retire to your comfortable room at night. Yosemite’s campgrounds, hotel’s and lodge’s are perfect for couples, families, or groups of friends – everyone will be happy with their stay at Yosemite.
