Discover the Adventure
Yosemite Camping

Are You a Camper? So Are We!

We just love camping - especially in Yosemite camping! And for us, a tent is the only way to go! If you've never tent camped before, you may wonder why we would say that.

It's simple really - when you camp in a tent, there's not much separating you from Mother Nature.

You're surrounded by the aromas from the flowers and trees; you can't miss the soft gurgles of the little creek running nearby or the piercing call of the bald eagle flying overhead; and you don't spend a lot of time inside the tent - you're outdoors more, hiking and swimming, or sitting around a campfire as a small family of deer wanders just past your campsite.

Of course, some people might be thinking that's the problem with tents! Too much Mother Nature, not enough comfort!

Now that we've grown a little older, and our boys have grown up and are taking their own kids camping, Wolf has decided that roughing it means spending the night at Yosemite Lodge instead of at The Ahwahnee. So, for those of you who prefer glamping, we do understand.

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If you're camping for an extended time period, you can balance the two by splurging for a night or two amid more comfortable surrounds. Check availability and pricing at HotelsCombined.com:

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The Yosemite Camping Experience

And starting a fire in the fire pit to get the coffee going, then sitting back in your camp chair, warming your hands around a steamy mug, feet propped on the edge of the fire pit as a four-point buck eyes you while he ambles through your camp;

And having the kids come out of their tent all sleepy-eyed, and crawl up in your lap to cuddle and get warm;

There's nothing like sitting around the campfire after a great dinner of hot dogs and beans (surely it's the best food you've ever tasted!), while you roast marshmallows and sing camp songs, or tell ghost stories;

Or having your young son play Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star on his flute - the haunting notes floating through the forest - and the campers around you applauding his efforts in the silence that follows his last note;

Or falling asleep to the sound of the wind soughing through the tree tops as you snuggle, warm and cozy, in your sleeping bag.

There's absolutely nothing to compare with camping in Yosemite!

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Yosemite Campground Rules

There are 13 campgrounds in Yosemite National Park, some in Yosemite Valley, and some in the High Country. The following rules, established by the National Park Service, apply to all of them:

• Beware of Bears!
  All food items, sundries that have a smell (like toothpaste), etc. must (for your own safety) be stored in the food lockers provided for that purpose. Bears are very clever at breaking into cars!
• Campfires
  Campfires are allowed in all campgrounds at all times, except - between May 1st and October 1st in the Valley. During those months, campfires in the Valley are allowed only between 5 pm and 10 pm.
• Camp in Campgrounds Only
  There's no camping (or sleeping in cars) allowed outside of designated campgrounds, unless you have a Wilderness Permit.
• Maximums
  No more than 6 people and 2 vehicles per campsite; no more than 30 days camping per year (during summer months your camping is limited to 14 days).
• Pets
  Pets, properly attended and leashed, are allowed in all campgrounds except Camp 4, Tamarack, Porcupine, and group sites.
• Quiet Hours
  Quiet hours in campgrounds are 10 pm to 6 am.
• Wastewater
  All camp wastewater must be properly disposed of.
• Restroom Outlets
  Plugging extension cords into restroom outlets is not allowed.

I hope that listing the above rules will help you to know what to expect and to better prepare for your camping experience at Yosemite National Park!

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Want to know more about Yosemite campgrounds and camping in the park? Just click below:

• Yosemites Campgrounds
  Whether you're wish is to camp in Yosemite Valley, near Wawona or Glacier Point, or in the High Sierra camps, you'll find the information you need at Yosemite Campgrounds.

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