# Yosemite National Park

> Yosemite lies in California's Sierra Nevada. For campers, three things matter: campground reservations, winter road closures and length limits on some roads.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/destinations/yosemite/

Yosemite lies in California's Sierra Nevada. For campers, three things matter: campground reservations, winter road closures and length limits on some roads.

- **State:** California
- **Established:** 1890
- **Best season:** Jun–Oct
- **UNESCO:** World Heritage Site

## Before you go

- The 13 popular campgrounds work on a reservation system from April to October. Slots are released in stages.
- Sleeping in a vehicle is not allowed unless you are in a campsite you have registered for. Overnight RV stays outside campgrounds are prohibited.
- Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road usually close for snow from about November to late May or early June.
- Vehicle entry reservations are not planned for 2026. Check the National Park Service page for current rules before you travel.

## Planning

Yosemite's campground reservations are released at set times: five months ahead for most, two months ahead for Tuolumne Meadows, and on a rolling one- to two-week basis for others. Release is at 7 am Pacific time. Only Upper Pines is on reservation all year. Camp 4, Wawona and Hodgdon Meadow run first-come, first-served outside the reservation season.

## Camping

Most Yosemite campgrounds accept RVs and trailers. Sleeping in a vehicle is only allowed in a campsite registered in your name, and overnight RV sleeping outside campgrounds is prohibited. Most campgrounds are open roughly from July to early October, some from April or May. Some roads, including Glacier Point Road, Mariposa Grove Road and Hetch Hetchy Road, restrict some RVs and most trailers.

## Getting around

On Glacier Point Road, only RVs of 30 feet or shorter may go beyond Sentinel Dome or to Glacier Point. For RVs, the park names set parking areas in Yosemite Valley, such as at Curry Village and Yosemite Falls. Tire chains may be required on open roads from about October to April. There is no gas station in Yosemite Valley; stations are at Wawona, Crane Flat and El Portal. GPS units are not always accurate, so follow road signs.

## FAQs

**Can I sleep in my camper outside a campground in Yosemite?**
No. Sleeping in a vehicle is only allowed in a campsite you have registered for, and overnight RV sleeping outside campgrounds is prohibited.

**When are Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road open?**
Both usually close for snow from about November to late May or early June. The first miles of Glacier Point Road stay open for the ski area for part of winter. Check current road status with the park.

**Is there a length limit for RVs in Yosemite?**
On some roads, yes. Past Sentinel Dome and at Glacier Point only RVs up to 30 feet (about 9 m) are allowed. Mariposa Grove Road and Hetch Hetchy Road also have restrictions.

## Places to see

- [Olmsted Point](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b17-olmsted-point/)
- [Tenaya Lake](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b17-tenaya-lake/)
- [Glacier Point](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b17-glacier-point/)
- [Tuolumne Meadows](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b17-tuolumne-meadows/)
- [Tunnel View, Yosemite](https://camping-spirit.com/places/tunnel-view/)
- [Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b17-mariposa-grove/)
- [June Lake Loop](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b17-june-lake-loop/)