Pavitra happened across the blog the other day and thought to write in with a great question.
I’m planning a 4 or 5-day camping trip to Yosemite in mid-June and need your help finding a campground. All the campsites in yosemite are reserved already, so I am now looking at places outside the park. (I hope the lines won’t be too long to get in each day!) I saw that you’d suggested Dimond O, and there might be a few sites available there. But are there any other places you’d recommend?
FYI: We’re 2 people, driving in from SF/Palo Alto, so the best entrance is probably the one of the west side. A relatively quiet site would be great, but more importantly, we’re hoping to get lots of good (moderate-strenuous) day hikes in.
Any suggestions re. hikes and campgrounds outside the park would be most appreciated. Thanks so much!
Dimond O is a great place if you can get a site. It’s set close to the river and usually fills quickly with overflow from Yosemite. I’d say if you can get a site do it. You’re still close to all the Yosemite hikes with just a short drive as well as Hetch Hetchy.
There are a couple more NFS campgrounds on your way up (The Pines and what not) that are OK but they’re not as centrally located. I’d say your best bet is Dimond O.
As for hikes I’m going to recommend the Panorama Trail. If the Glacier Point road is open park at Yosemite Lodge and catch the shuttle to the Point. Take the trail down across Illilouette Creek right above the falls and climb back up to hike along the Panorama Cliffs. Then meet up with the JMT just above Nevada Fall. Take the Mist Trail down passing Nevada and Vernal Falls and then hike back to your car at the lodge. Be sure to stop at Curry Village for a Haagen Daaz. It’s a great way to finish a hike. All together you’re looking about 11 miles or so of hiking.
Good luck and have a great trip.
Technorati Tags: advice, California, camping, Curry Village, Hetch Hetchy, hiking, Things to do, trails, vacation, yosemite
Comments
5 responses to “Campgrounds are full where should we go?”
I realize I didn’t ask the right question yesterday. I am interested in an overnight (or maybe two nights) wilderness hike on the Panorama Trail around June 8th, leaving from Glacier Point and returning to Yosemite Valley. I want to spend at least one night in Little Yosemite Valley. IN applying for the widerness permit, I can’t find an exit trailhead that would be for Yosemite Valley. Can you help? Can you suggest any other trails from the valley or Glacier Point that would be candidates for two nights on the trail? My buddy wants to go Toulomne Meadows to White Wolf again, but that area doesn’t look like it will be open when we are there.
Thanks,
Charles
I agree with Diamond-0. It can be difficult to get a site, but if you get there on Thursday your chances may be better! Have a great trip! I love this area and the hike to Carlon falls is pretty easy with some great flows this time of year!
any free or really cheap campsites in or near Yosemite? im planing a 10 day stay there in early sept.
We have an extra camp site for Labor Day Weekend in Upper Pines. 5 days, 4 nights. Please check the sfbay.craigslist.com site for more information or to contact me.
Persistence often pays great rewards….If you are at all flexible and willing to call 5 or 6 times a day you can get reservations in Yosemite. Try all the campgrounds and housekeeping camp. I go 4 or five times a year and I have always managed to get a reservation even in the summer!
Sometimes I get the same reservation agent and they laugh at me and but they keep checking and sometimes they are even surprised when the space opens pops up.