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Yosemite National Park is so breathtakingly beautiful, it almost looks surreal in person. From the scenic overlook at Tunnel View to the varying sights of Half Dome and the majestic falls throughout the park, it’s easy to fall head over heels for Yosemite. Camping in Yosemite Valley is one of the best ways to explore the park because it’s considered the heart of Yosemite National Park. If you can get a reservation at Upper Pines Campground or one of the other campgrounds, take it!
Upper Pines Campground in Yosemite Valley
There are four campgrounds in Yosemite Valley: Upper Pines, Lower Pines, North Pines and Camp 4 (no trailers/RVs, no pets). Upper Pines campground is open all year and accepts online reservations. It is also the largest campground with 235 individual sites. Some sites can accommodate RVs up to 35 feet and trailers up to 25 feet.
While camping at Kings Canyon, I was able to book a last minute reservation at Upper Pines on recreation.gov. From our experience, reservations seem to open up in the afternoons and on days with rain in the forecast. We were happy to visit Yosemite rain or shine so it didn’t make a difference to us.
Being able to camp in Yosemite Valley made our experience all the more enjoyable. Each time we stepped out of the camper van, we were greeted by the park’s iconic granite dome. The Ahwahnee Yosemite Hotel, Yosemite Valley Visitor Center and Half Dome Village are all walking distance from Upper Pines Campground. We even walked to Mirror Lake Trail and the John Muir Vernal Falls Trail Head.
Best Campsites at Upper Pines Campground
Our campsite (#222) was in the last loop that backed into the woods. We think it was one of the best campsites at Upper Pines along with sites 202, 204, 206, 207, 208, 210, 211, 216, 220, 226, 228, 230, 238, 239 and 240. The max vehicle length does vary from site to site, so double check when you make the reservation. One benefit of RV camping in a 21 feet camper van is we can easy fit in any of these sites.
Campground Amenities
With the high amount of snow melt, a few sites were partially flooded and the mosquitos were out in full force. Luckily, we were able to keep them at bay with the mosquito repellent lantern.
Similar to Crystal Creek Campground, each site has a fire ring, picnic table and bear proof box. Firewood gathering is not permitted in Yosemite Valley, but wood is available for sale. Someone in a truck drove by every afternoon with boxes of firewood and bags of ice for sale.
The bathrooms at Upper Pines are clean with flushing toilets and running water. Even with the campground being full, the staff did a great job of keeping the bathrooms clean and well stocked with toilet paper.
The closest shower facility is at Half Dome Village. For $5 (cash only), you get a towel, access to individual shower stalls and unlimited water. The showers are open 24/7 except when closed for cleaning. According to the shower facility staff, 7-9pm is the busiest time.
We spent three unforgettable nights camping at Yosemite National Park. With so much to see and do, it would be easy to spend a month camping in different parts of Yosemite. Staying at Upper Pines Campground now ranks as one of our favorite camping experiences.
Notes:
$36/night no hookups, dump station at campground
Reservations highly recommended
35 feet maximum RV length
25 feet maximum trailer length
Bathroom with flushing toilets and running water
Bear box at each site
Dog friendly
LTE Verizon cell service – data can be extremely slow to unusable during prime hours at the campground when all the campers are back, best data from 5-7am
did you stay at upper pines site #133? when I search online, your blog comes up but I haven’t seen in writing or heard in your RVFTA podcast labeled “review of upper pines#133” an actual review of this site. if you stayed here, do you have specifics on the size, the surroundings, and/or photos of the site? any details would be appreciated! Thanks!
Hey Teresa, we camped in site #222 at Upper Pines Campground.
I am hoping you can help us. We need some advice from someone who knows Yosemite. We want to camp at Upper Pines but here is our problem. We are a 31′ RV that is 12’6″ tall. The tunnels state they are 10’4″. So how do the big RV’s we see on line get there? Also the Mountain Guide book states that all the roads going into Yosemite are very steep with sharp curves. We want to enter from the west on 120 and then proceed to the valley. When we leave, we would like to go out the south end on 41. Is this possible? Any information you can provide will be appreciated.
Thank you.
Howdy! New to the. Log but have been watching your YouTube channel since you switched to the class b. I enjoy the videos very much. I have a question: what cameras are you using, and what software do you use for editing, and where do you get your music?
Thanks so much,
PitRatPat
Hey Pat,
We’re using my iPhone 6s using this lens: http://amzn.to/2uKEP96 and this Sony which we like very much: http://amzn.to/2sqmltF
For editing, that is done using Final Cut Pro and we get all of our music through YouTube’s free library.
Thanks and very happy you’ve been enjoying the videos!
Joe
Hi Kait and Joe
I’m following you to Yosemite! Seriously, been planning this road trip with four of my teen grandkids. Leaving 7/20. Hopefully, u can ease my worries. Will I have trouble getting a space if I’m at 25’10”? If we stay at an Rv park just outside of the NP, will shuttle be available or should I take my dinghy car? What road did you take (I’m assuming you went thru Fresno). I’m buying the mosquito lantern you used since we’ll be eating outside. Do I need refills? Your answers will be greatly appreciated.
Hey Marti! We took the 41 into Yosemite. As for your worries, as long as your camper isn’t longer than the max length allowed at that campsite, you should have no problems getting into the spot. There is public transportation to and around Yosemite, check out this resource page. Regarding the lantern, it wouldn’t hurt to have refills with you, especially if you’ll be using it often and staying a while. Have a great time with the grandkids!
When you say RV length I am understanding that that is just the RV not including the truck is that correct? Our RV is 34 ft. without the truck. And BTW Yosemite is our favorite place in the world. On a brochure at Yosemite it is said that a Ranger was asked “If you only had 1 day to spend at Yosemite, what would you do. He replied Cry”. It’s an amazing place. Love your blog. Thanks for all the info!!
Hey Carin!
You’re correct, the RV length is only for the RV itself and not your towed vehicle. The problem is that most sites wouldn’t have room for both the RV and a towed car. If/when you try booking a site, it should give you the length of the site so you have a better idea.