How Much Does it Cost to Camp at Yosemite National Park?

Yosemite National Park is one of the most famous outdoor destinations in the US. Millions of visitors come to enjoy the falls, campsites, and nature every year. However, not everyone knows how much it cost to camp at Yosemite. Being unaware of the price will make it hard to spot a good campsite, especially during the peak season. 

There are 13 camping grounds and 1,445 campsites available in Yosemite National Park. Reservations are open for these areas. Now, you might be thinking about how far in advance you can book Yosemite Camping.

How Far in Advance can you Book Yosemite Camping

Many tourists enjoy the outdoors at Yosemite National Park, it pays to prepare and secure your spot if you plan to visit. It is also important to have a list of the numbers that would cost to camp at Yosemite.

First, remember that there are only seven campgrounds with great views that require booking. Second, you should book in advance, at least five months before your target date to camp. As for the remaining campgrounds, it is on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

With more than 800 miles of trails, camping at Yosemite National Park has been a tradition in the US. The park has helped the economy by bringing opportunities to the local and regional communities. Overall, Yosemite National Park produces millions of dollars in financial benefits and has created thousands of jobs.

Yosemite National Park RV Camping Fees

Reserving a camping site in advance is one way to prevent challenges in securing a spot in Yosemite National Park. However, the reservation process will test your patience. When the park service begins their booking, almost all campsites get reserved on the first day it opens. Additionally, it only takes a few minutes to get these campsites filled once reservations are open to the public.

You can avoid these from happening by trying out RV camping sites. Just make sure you also know the cost to camp RVs at Yosemite. Campgrounds are usually reserved from April to September. With that information, it is best to reserve as early as you can. After all, Yosemite National Park has ten camping grounds that can accommodate Recreational Vehicles for you to enjoy.

How much is the cost to camp in Yosemite National Park RV? First, for an RV site that is standard pull-in or back-in, the fee ranges from $30 to $56. Second, for an RV riverside, the price starts at $35 and can go up to $61. Third, for an RV site deluxe, the price ranges from $32 to $59. Fourth, in an RV site with a premium pull-thru, the price starts at $42 up to $68. Keep these numbers in mind. 

Most of these RV sites can accommodate five people. Moreover, an additional person can cost up to $7. The price can vary depending on the season and the date you choose. You tend to pay more if the date you want falls on a weekend, weekday, or holiday.  

The maximum RV camping length is only 40 feet, and for the trailer length, the maximum is 35 feet. Although there can be some exceptions, only eight sites can fully accommodate an RV of this size. Six of these sites are located in Lower Pines, and two of these are in North Pines.

Yosemite National Park Tent Camping Cost

It has been a great tradition for American families to camp in Yosemite National Park. The best camping set-up is still using a tent. Similarly, you can still book a camping site with a tent in Yosemite National Park with diligence and perseverance.

If you are good with traveling at a distance, check out High Sierra Camps. The camp is 6 to 10 miles apart from the Northeast of Yosemite Valley. Also, their tents have great amenities, and the camp itself offers beautiful views. Altogether, High Sierra Camps can provide maximum relaxation for you because they offer dinner and breakfast meals. The fee in High Sierra Camps is $70 for adults and $35 for a child.

Moreover, you can enjoy a more affordable camping experience in Tamarack Flat Campground. This campsite is located on the south of Tioga Road, roughly 6 kilometers east of Big Oak Flat Road. In detail, the campground is only a 45-minute drive if you are coming from Yosemite Valley. Tamarack Flat Campground is open from July to October if the weather is favorable, and cost is $12 per night. 

In general, a tent site by the riverside can cost you $20 to $42 for a maximum of 4 people. At the same time, the basic tent site ranges from $18 to $40 for four guests. For both of these sites, an additional person costs $7. Like the RV sites, prices vary depending on their peak and your chosen date.

Yosemite National Park Cabin Camping Prices

Enjoy camping without the crowd by checking in the cabin camping sites. It might be better to pay the cost to camp at Yosemite so that you can still enjoy your trip. 

The Cedar 1 Room Yosemite cabin has a bunk bed and full-size bed that includes a television, refrigerator, and microwave. How much does cabin camping cost? Given the convenience of this cabin, the price starts at $69, and it can go as high as $179. Moreover, it can accommodate four people at maximum. Again, the price can change based on the peak season and the date of your choice. 

One of the cabin rentals in Yosemite National Park is the Delaware North Companies (DNC). You can choose from their tent-type cabins to their comfortable wooden ones that have their own bath. Comparatively, tents are the cheaper way to get into a cabin in Yosemite. Prices range from around $65 to $100. 

The majority of the cabin rentals at Delaware North Companies have restaurants, dining areas, stores, and parking. 

Choose from over 125 cabin rentals at Redwood Cabins Yosemite. It can cost $150 to $400 depending on the season and its categories – economy cabins, standard, and premium. The premium cabins are big homes that usually have garages. It may be costly in this cabin, but it provides the relaxation and vacation you are looking for.  

Can You Camp For Free In Yosemite

The number of people looking for a spot to camp at Yosemite National Park can be disheartening. But, you still have an option to enjoy their free camping sites. Not only can you save a whole lot of money, but you can still get the full nature experience in Yosemite. You can cut on your cost to camp at Yosemite in these places.

To begin with, note that free camping requires more preparation than reserved campsites. Often these campsites do not offer any services. Thus, it means you are in charge of your water, food, electricity, and waste disposal. 

Here is the best free camping site in Yosemite National Park:

Glass Creek Campground

Located in the Inyo National Forest, the Glass Creek Campground is approximately 90 miles away from Yosemite Visitor Center. You can get the comfort of having picnic tables and vault toilets in this campground. Furthermore, it’s also a rig-friendly site that has bear boxes, which you’ll be needing if you’re camping in a tent. 

Redinger Campground

The Redinger Campground will take you away from the crowd of Yosemite National Park tourists. Equally important, you can enjoy a great view of the skies during the night at this camping site. Trash containers and vault toilets are also accessible here.

If you love fishing, Redinger Campground is the perfect free camping site for you. Given that, forget your fishing pole with you because there’s a fishing spot at this campground. Beforehand, you can inquire about the permission and guidelines to fish. 

Glass Flow Road

Glass Flow Road is 88 miles apart from the Yosemite Visitor Center. It’s accessible for vans and cars; furthermore, it’s also near the Yosemite entrance and other destinations. On the negative side, there are no amenities in Glass Flow Road. 

Buttermilk Road

Buttermilk Road is 143 miles away from the Yosemite Visitor Center. It has wonderful scenery, and surprisingly, it has strong mobile connectivity. It’s the perfect campsite for those tourists working remotely. On the other hand, the road can be a challenge for cars, vans, and other vehicles. 

Pine Creek

Pine Creek is ideal for tourists with bigger RVs. You can choose to camp near the creek on this remote campsite. Additionally, there are toilets accessible for tourists. 

On the negative side, it has no cellular connectivity. 

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Key Takeaways on the Cost to Camp at Yosemite

It has been a great tradition to visit Yosemite National Park. Aside from camping, it is an ideal spot for hiking, climbing, photography, and more.

It doesn’t have to cost a lot to camp at Yosemite National Park. The fees to camp vary, depending on the camping spot of your choice. An RV and a tent site are relatively cheaper than a cabin. However, cabin campsites offer convenience and a more stable lodging experience. 

If you prefer the most affordable way to enjoy camping at Yosemite National Park, you can choose from the free camping sites available. Different from the convenience of a cabin, you have to prepare more for this. These free campsites do not offer the same services that a cabin, RV, and tent site.

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