Upper Pines Campground

Upper Pines is a developed 236-site campground near the Merced River in Yosemite Valley, at about 4,000 feet. It’s a practical place to stay if you want to spend most of your time in the Valley: many services and trailheads are within walking or biking distance, and the free shuttle serves the Pines campgrounds. Sites are close together and some get foot traffic, so expect a busy feel rather than much privacy.

Reservations are required year-round. They open in one-month blocks, up to five months ahead, on the 15th of each month at 7 a.m. Pacific. May through September and some other busy dates can go quickly on release day. Upper Pines stays open through winter, but usually only its first two loops, about 90 sites, are available then.

Check the individual site’s dimensions before booking. Upper Pines accepts RVs up to 35 feet and trailers up to 24 feet only where a site can fit them; a site is limited to six people and two motor vehicles. Follow Southside Drive and the campground signs once you reach Yosemite Valley.

Each campsite has a picnic table, fire ring and metal food locker. Flush toilets and potable water are nearby, and there’s a dump station by the entrance. There are no showers, electric hookups or camp store here; Curry Village has nearby showers, food and groceries, with more food and grocery options at Yosemite Village.

Wood fires are permitted year-round, but from May through September Yosemite Valley limits them to 5–10 p.m.; charcoal fires are allowed any time. Wheelchair-suitable sites are 6, 7, 21, 26–29, 39, 42 and 43, with extended-top tables and accessible restrooms nearby. Those sites are limited to people with disabilities.

Upper, Lower and North Pines were reconstructed with Civilian Conservation Corps labor in 1940–41, after damage from free-form camping led the park to restrict camping to designated sites at the head of the Valley. The plan grouped car parking, tent space, water, fire rings, picnic tables and restrooms at designated sites. The campgrounds have since been renovated, so it’s unclear what, if anything, from that work remains.