Camping / RV Camping Yosemite National Park, California
If you’ve never experienced Yosemite, it’s time to start planning! Yosemite’s spectacular waterfalls draw millions of visitors each year, as well as those seeking hiking, fishing and photographic opportunities. One of America’s best-loved attractions, Yosemite is the perfect place for RV campers (but start planning early, because reservations disappear fast!)
RV VACATIONS TO Yosemite National Park, California
Yosemite was established as the third National Park in the United States on October 1, 1890. The park consists of over three quarter of a million acres of land in the eastern portions of California's Tuolumne, Mariposa and Madera counties.
"Incredible" is the word that comes to mind the first time you visit Yosemite. Wildlife, ancient trees, mountain waterfalls - this great wilderness calls RV campers back again and again. Why not find out why Yosemite National Park is one of the most-visited National Parks in the US? With an El Monte RV motorhome rental, getting there and camping in comfort are simple. Here's more information to help you start planning your Yosemite vacation.
Yosemite Spots You Can't Miss
Savvy RV campers know to book campsites early, as Yosemite is home to millions of visitors each year. With some planning, you can pick up your El Monte RV rental and park it right in the middle of breathtaking scenery. To make things even simpler, take advantage of the shuttle service that runs throughout the day between major Yosemite attractions.
There's so much to do, see and experience at Yosemite National Park, it can be overwhelming! These are the places Park visitors tell us you simply can't miss on your trip:
- Yosemite Valley: Most familiar to Yosemite National Park visitors, the Valley is home to Yosemite Falls, the highest waterfall in North America, as well as Bridalveil, Sentinel and Ribbon Falls, just to name a few. Not to outdone by the Falls for scenic beauty are stunning rock formations such as El Capitan, Half Dome and the Royal Arches.
- Glacier Point: Some visitors never venture outside Yosemite Valley into the vast wilderness that makes up most of the National Park. If you're adventurous, make the drive to Glacier Point, where you'll have one of the best views possible of Yosemite's natural wonders. It's definitely worth the trip; be sure to pack extra batteries for your camera!
- Mariposa Grove: Hiking through a stand of gigantic Sequoias is an experience no Yosemite visitor should miss. Mariposa Grove is the site of the largest stand of giant redwoods in the Park, and has trails for every level of hiker. Save time to visit nearby Wawona, where you'll find the picturesque, historic Wawona Hotel and the Pioneer Museum.
- Happy Isle Nature Center: Families with young ones will appreciate the kid-friendly nature paths that surround the Center. An added benefit - the exhibits at the Nature Center are so much fun, the kids won't mind they're being educated!
- Half Dome: Eighty eight hundred feet of granite rise up at the end of Yosemite Valley to form Half Dome, one of the most-photographed natural attractions in America. Hearty hikers can climb the face of Half Dome via the cable runs, but the less adventurous can still enjoy spectacular views from the many trails in the area.
- Ansel Adams Gallery: Ansel Adams' awe-inspiring photos of Yosemite focused the world's attention on the area, and the Ansel Adams Gallery within the Park continues his legacy by offering photography workshops throughout the year. Visit their website for more information.
Things to Do in Yosemite National Park
In addition to simply taking in the great beauty of Yosemite, activities in the park include:
RV Camping in Yosemite National Park
There are 13 campgrounds in Yosemite National Park, 10 of which accept RVs and trailers. 3 of the campgrounds that have campsites for RVs and trailers are open year-round.
Yosemite National Park campgrounds that accept RVs and trailers have maximum length restrictions. Depending on the campground, RVs can range from as short as 24 feet to as long as 40 feet. Trailers can range in size from 24 to 35 feet. See RV Camping for information about RV and trailer lengths.
Approximately half of the Yosemite campgrounds require reservations, the remainder are on a first-come-first-served basis. Reservation campgrounds are typically full from April through September so plan on making your reservations well in advance. Campground reservations can be made at recreation.gov.
As a general rule of thumb, you should plan on arriving at a first-come-first-served campground by mid-morning on weekends and by noon on week days. Once you obtain a first-come-first-served campsite you can register for more than one night.
There are no hookups at Yosemite's campgrounds. There are dump stations in three campgrounds at Yosemite National Park:
- Upper Pines Campground (all year)
- Near Wawona Campground (summer only)
- Near Tuolumne Meadows Campground (summer only)
Most of the campgrounds have tap water but some have creek water that needs to be boiled. In the campgrounds with tap water there are regular restroom facilities. Creek water campgrounds have vault toilets. Showers are only available at Curry Village and the Housekeeping Camp.
Campgrounds Near Yosemite National Park
If you would like to find camping near Yosemite National Park check out these sites:
Where to Find More Information about Yosemite National Park
Before you plan your RV camping trip to Yosemite, be sure to visit the National Parks site for more information. If you're planning some serious hiking once you park your motorhome, check the Yosemite National Park Hiking Guide for trail descriptions.
Here's one more helpful site about Yosemite area amenities: Sierra Gateway Map. For help booking a campsite within the Park itself, go to Recreation.gov.
El Monte RV Locations Near Yosemite
Ready to book your motorhome rental? El Monte RV can help, with rental locations near Yosemite National Park such as: