If you’re looking for a great camping site that has plenty of scenic beauty and recreational activities to offer, then Hodgdon Meadow Campground Yosemite is a great option to consider. This beautiful campground is nestled close to the Big Oak Flat Entrance, Yosemite National Park. With a 4-wheeler, it will take just 45 minutes to reach the site located in the northwest of Yosemite Valley. It is great for nature lovers who are looking for a stay right in the lap of nature, far from urban life. The site is surrounded by luscious green trees making it the perfect hideout destination.
Hodgdon Meadow Campground – General Information
The Hodgdon Meadow campground has a lot to offer its visitors. It has plenty of group sites as well as individual sites that are close to highway 120. The campground is very peaceful and calm, away from all the distraction and disturbance. It’s a great destination for those who want to stay in the park but want to stay away from the hustle and bustle of Yosemite Valley.
You will be staying near the horseback riding areas, Tuolumne Meadows and a few other popular activity areas in the park but at the same time, you’ll be distanced from the rush of Yosemite Valley.
There are a total of thirteen luscious and huge campgrounds within Yosemite National Park. Out of these thirteen, 4 are situated in the Yosemite Valley, 5 near the Tuolumne Meadows and Tioga Pass and remaining are close to 120 and 140 Highways.
General Details
Total Number Of Sites: 105 sites which have enough space for trailers up to 27ft and RVs up to 35ft.
Group sites: 4 Group sites where no trailers and RVs are allowed.
Also, all the sites have different regulations. Every site can’t accommodate the same equipment. So, make sure to check out the details at the time of making reservations on the official site of recreation.gov. Make sure that your equipment fits into the site you’re making reservations for. A good idea is to go through the FAQs mentioned on the site or directly ask the management staff by calling at Big Oak Flat Campground office.
Location: Near Big Oak Flat Entrance, 45 miles northwest from the Yosemite Valley.
Campsite Charges: $26 per night
Checkin/Checkout Time: The check-in & checkout time for the campground is noon. If you have a reservation, you can arrive in the park any time afternoon but after the first night, you need to check in before 10 in the morning otherwise your reservation will be cancelled.
Utilities: Connecting to the basic utility systems is not allowed in the campground. Also note that, there are no hookups and dump stations here. However, you can use the dump stations in Upper Pines Campground in Yosemite Valley.
Services: For groceries, you can head on to any one of these stores – Yosemite Valley store, Curry Village Store, Half Dome Village Store, Yosemite Valley Lodge Store etc. You can also get your groceries from the grocery store situated near the Crane Flat.
Showers: Showers are only available at the Curry Village, Half Dome Village and Housekeeping Camp.
Wastewater Disposal: Wastewater should be disposed of strictly in the designated drains only. Apart from it, you have to dump the camp waste at the designated dump stations which are situated in Yosemite Valley.
Hammocks, Clotheslines: Attaching the clotheslines, slacklines, hammocks and other similar things to the oak trees is not allowed. However, you can install them on other trees within your campsite on a condition that they should be well padded so that they don’t cause any damage to the trees.
Quiet and Generator Hours: Quiet hours in Hodgdon Meadow Campground are usually from 10 pm to 6 am. Also, generators can only be used from 7 am to 9 am in the morning, from 12 pm to 2 pm in the afternoon and 5 pm to 7 pm in the evening. Apart from these fixed timings, you can’t use a generator in the campground.
Camping Limit: Hodgdon Campground offers a maximum of 7-day camping limit. This means you can’t stay there for more than 7 days.
Firewood Collection: Firewood collection is strictly prohibited in the Yosemite Valley. But the good thing is, you can collect enough firewood that is available in your campground. Moreover, visitors are also allowed to collect firewood below 6 Inches in diameter outside the Yosemite Valley.
Another important thing to remember is, you can’t bring the firewood from more than 80 kilometres or 50 miles away. This is to prevent issues of forest pests. Further, you are not allowed to collect pine cones, needles, sequoia wood etc. If you need any charcoal or other fuel for your campfires or grills, you can purchase it from the nearby stores.
Hodgdon Meadow Campground – Amenities
Picnic Tables
Campground Hosts
Fire Rings
Grills
Fire Pit
Campsite Furniture
Food Lockers (Group sites have 4)
Bathrooms / Flush Toilets
Drinking-Water
Firewood
Hodgdon Meadow Campground – Activities
Visitor Center
Wildlife Watching
Backpacking
Boating
Canoeing
Biking
Cross Country Skiing
Horseback riding
Creek
Climbing
Bird watching
Stargazing
Cycling
Picnicking
Boating
Mountain biking
Photography
River rafting
Swimming
Kayaking
Walking trails
Rock climbing
Tubing
Hodgdon Meadow Campground – Regulations
Number of visitors per site: Each campsite can only hold up to 6 visitors including the children. But, you’re allowed to bring any number of tents that can fit into your site.
Fires: You can light-up charcoal fires in all the seasons. However, wood fires are only allowed from October to April months. Also, between the months of May and September, campfire is only allowed between 5 pm to 10 pm.
Pets: Pets are allowed at the campground on a condition that they should always be on a leash which is at least 6ft long. Also, horses and group animals aren’t allowed.
Food Storage: Food and other consumables should be kept in bear safety boxes all the time. This is because this area has a good bear population. While they don’t come near the visitors, they can attack and ruin the food items lying in the campsites unprotected. So, always keep your food and drinks well-stored in the bear safe boxes that are provided on the site.
Hodgdon Meadow Campground – How to Make Reservations?
Hodgdon campground is a much sought-after place for the visitors. So, if you’re planning to go without reservations, it’s probably a bad idea. We recommend making reservations several days in advance because they are offered on a first come first serve basis. You can reserve your campsite about 5 months in advance, so be an early bird and make the bookings as soon as they open. Keep in mind that they are filled within minutes in the peak seasons.
Here is how you can make a reservation at Hodgdon Meadows campground :
- By visiting the official website of the campground – recreation.gov.
- By calling on 518-885-3639 or 877-444-6777
If you’re from the US itself, we recommend making reservations through the website only. Also, with each site visit or phone call, you can make only two reservations. So, if you want to make additional bookings, start over again. Moreover, if you don’t manage to get a campsite in the peak seasons, keep looking for the cancellations, if it’s your lucky day, you’ll be able to get your site.
Hodgdon Meadow Campground – Changes & Cancellations
If you happen to cancel your reservations, a service fee of $20 and the fee of first-night stay will be charged. If you cancel the bookings within 48 hours before the arrival date, you’ll have to pay $10 plus the price of one night.
Hodgdon Meadow Campground – How Well the Campground is Kept Up by Staff
Hodgdon campground is managed very well by the staff. It is clean and tidy, you’ll not find any traces of waste here and there. Bathrooms and toilets are super clean and well maintained and all the necessary supplies are pre-loaded such as soaps, shampoos and toilet papers. But we recommend taking your own soaps and shampoos to avoid any contamination and to stay hygienic. If you want to have a shower, you have to visit the nearby villages which charge about $5 per shower stall. While the sites are mostly clean, there is still a mosquito issue. So, make sure to bring mosquito repellent creams, sprays, candles, lanterns etc. Moreover, don’t bring bear repellent spray with you as it is strictly prohibited in the campgrounds.
Hodgdon Meadow Campground – How Friendly and Helpful are the Staff?
All the management staff at the Hodgdon Meadows Campground including the camp hosts and park rangers are very friendly, helpful and supportive. They readily offer great advice and guide the visitors throughout their stay. However, they will not tolerate any non-compliance with the regulations of the site.
Hodgdon Meadow Campground – Packing Tips
- Pack your own soaps and shampoos.
- Pack anti-mosquito creams, lanterns or candles to protect yourselves.
- Consider having a well-padded hammock especially if you have kids with you.
- Take your air mattresses for added comfort.
- Keep your earplugs and instruments like guitar, ukulele to enjoy the trip.
Hodgdon Meadow Campground – Summary
There is no doubt that Yosemite National Park is one of the most beautiful parks in California that everyone should visit at least once. For those campers who are looking for a calm, peaceful and beautiful campsites away from the rush and hustle-bustle of Yosemite Valley, Hodgdon Meadow Yosemite is a perfect option.
