California / Mariposa County / Yosemite National Park

Upper Pines Campground

Open — Open year-round with reservations required. During winter, only the first two loops are open with approximately 94 sites available. The campground will be closed March 30 through April 9, 2026 for hazard tree removal and May 26 through June 8, 2026 for internal road construction.

About

Upper Pines Campground is situated in breathtaking Yosemite Valley within Yosemite National Park at an elevation of 4,000 feet in California's rugged Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. As the largest of the three reservation campgrounds in the valley, it offers 238 sites accommodating tents, RVs up to 35 feet, and trailers up to 24 feet. The campground provides paved roads and parking spurs, flush toilets, and drinking water throughout the season. Each campsite features a picnic table, fire ring, and bear-proof food storage locker. The campground's location in Yosemite Valley provides unparalleled access to the park's most famous features, with granite cliffs, waterfalls, and meadows visible through the forest canopy of California black oak, Ponderosa pine, incense-cedar, and white fir. The gentle Merced River flows nearby, offering opportunities for rafting during summer months when water levels permit. Yosemite's free shuttle bus stops at the campground entrance, providing easy access to trailheads, visitor centers, museums, and other valley attractions. Historic Curry Village is nearby, offering fee-based showers, a general store, restaurants, and a tour desk. Popular trails accessible from the campground include the easy two-mile roundtrip to Mirror Lake and the challenging 14-16 mile trek to Half Dome, which requires a permit. The campground operates year-round on a reservation basis, with reduced capacity during winter months when only the first two loops remain open. Campsites are highly sought after and typically sell out within minutes when released monthly, five months in advance on the 15th of each month at 7:00 a.m. PST. No hookups are available, but a free dump station is located on-site.

Directions

From Highway 41 north from Fresno, Highway 140 east from Merced, or Highway 120 east from Manteca, enter Yosemite National Park and follow signs to Yosemite Valley. Once in the valley, follow Southside Drive and signs for Valley campgrounds to Upper Pines Campground.

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