Kim writes in:
“My boyfriend and I are planning a trip up North to Yosemite in August. We would like to stop in mid-week (Tue/Wed) and stay a couple of nights til Thur. As you probably know, reservations by now are impossible to obtain. It’s probably a blessing, for we’d rather avoid the high-traffic, crowded, locations. Neither of us are familiar with the area, but I’ve done some research of campsites online. It’s clear to us we will be looking for a first come, first served site, but not sure what the odds of finding a place to stay will be. From what I’ve researched, I’ve found BridalVeil and Tuolume Meadows as good options. We’d like a tent site with plenty of trees and within a decent distance to things within Yosemite. Although, we don’t mind driving a bit to some great hike/falls locations.
If we make the long drive up what do you think our odds are of finding a site available at either, BridalVeil or Tuolume Meadows? Of the two, which would you recommend? If neither, any other suggestions?”
I think a lot of people would stand behind me when I say Tuolumne Meadows is by far not only your best bet to get a camp site but also a great place to be in August.
I like Tuolumne Meadows because it’s 1) much less crowded than the Valley 2) excessively beautiful 3) a lot cooler than the lower elevations in the middle of summer and 4) close to a lot of cool places to go and photograph.
Close to Tuolumne Meadows you’ve got Tioga Pass and all the lakes, Mono Lake just down the hill, Tenaya Lake, Olmsted Point, Bodie (down the hill and up 395 – yes, it’s a real ghost town), Cathedral Lakes, Mount Dana and Tuolumne Meadows itself. All are EXCELLENT day hikes/trips that put you in some of the most scenic parts of Yosemite. I’m personally a big fan of Olmsted at sunset in the summer. It’s a great place to catch the last rays of the sun on the face of Half Dome.
In the summer the rangers have a nightly campfire story/sing along at Tuolumne Meadows which is very cool and quite fun for everyone. The river is very close to camp so if either of you fish, or just want to take a quick dip it’s not too far.
Don’t worry about missing the waterfalls in the Valley in August, they’re usually long since dried up by August. So, stay in Tuolumne Meadows, enjoy the Yosemite high country and have a great time.
Comments
2 responses to “Tuolumne Meadows or Bridalveil Creek?”
Agreed.
If you do go down to Mono Lake don’t forget the South Tufa. Also, just past the snow gate at the bottom of Tioga pass is Lee Vining Creek. There are several county campgrounds there, though they are often busy in the late summer months. The creek is lovely and stocked with hatchery trout.