Tuolumne Meadows Campground

Overview

Set at roughly 8,600 feet along Tioga Road, Tuolumne Meadows Campground is the park’s high-country basecamp—quiet, scenic, and newly refreshed. After a multi‑year rehabilitation, it reopened in 2025 with improved sites and facilities. Expect broad subalpine meadows, granite domes on the horizon, and famously dark skies for stargazing. It’s typically calmer than the Valley scene, especially outside peak dates, but campsites are fiercely competitive.

Campsites & Amenities

There are about 304 sites for tents, many RVs (up to 35 feet), and trailers (up to 24 feet). Each site has a picnic table, fire ring, and a metal food locker; restrooms are flush, and there’s potable water. No hookups at sites, but a dump station is nearby. An amphitheater hosts evening programs in season, and both a small general store and the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center are within walking distance.

Bear safety is non‑negotiable here: store all food and scented items in the provided lockers (roughly 35" D x 43" W x 28" H) 24/7, and never in vehicles. Trash goes straight into bear‑proof dumpsters.

Reservations, Entry Rules & Connectivity

This campground is hot property—sites can disappear within minutes of release. Be ready on booking morning. During summer, Yosemite uses a midday day‑use reservation system on specific dates, but a valid camping reservation exempts you from that window (you’ll still pay the park entrance fee). There’s no cell or internet service in Tuolumne Meadows, so bring an offline copy of your confirmation and any maps you need.

Parking & Logistics

Many sites only fit one vehicle. Overflow options are signed nearby (including the Parsons Lodge Trailhead area and the old gas station lot by the grill/store); overnight parking is not allowed at the Lembert Dome lot. There’s no fuel in Tuolumne Meadows—top off before you climb Tioga Road. If you’ll arrive late, contact the campground so you’re not marked a no‑show.

Trails & What to Do

You can hike straight from camp. The Elizabeth Lake trail starts inside the campground and makes a great half‑day to a glacier‑carved lake beneath Unicorn Peak. Nearby favorites include Soda Springs and Parsons Lodge, Lyell Canyon via the John Muir Trail, Cathedral Lakes, Mono Pass, and Glen Aulin. Tenaya Lake is close for picnicking and swimming when weather allows.

Nature & Wildlife

This is classic high Sierra: lodgepole and hemlock forests framing big, flower‑flecked meadows cut by the Tuolumne River. Deer and raptors are common sightings, and the clear, thin air means standout stargazing. Bears do roam the area—use those lockers and keep a clean camp.

Weather & Altitude

At 8,600 feet, nights run cold even in mid‑summer, and afternoon thunderstorms are possible. If you’re coming from sea level, take it easy on day one and drink plenty of water. Early summer can bring mosquitoes around meadows and water.

Best Time to Visit

• For quieter vibes, aim for shoulder periods outside the busiest summer dates (the campground itself may still book out instantly).
• Photographers: sunrise and golden hour light the meadows and domes beautifully; mid‑day can be harsh.
• Stargazing is excellent on moonless nights thanks to minimal light pollution.
• Watch the forecast for afternoon storms; start longer hikes early.