California / Mariposa County / Yosemite National Park

Yosemite Creek Campground

Closed — Closed for the winter. Typically open mid-July through early September. Reservations are released two weeks in advance on a rolling daily window at 7 am Pacific time.

About

Yosemite Creek Campground is one of Yosemite's most primitive and secluded camping experiences, located at 7,700 feet elevation in the forest. The campground is accessed via a challenging 5-mile single-lane dirt road off Tioga Road, making it unsuitable for motorhomes and trailers. This difficult access keeps crowds down and creates a peaceful atmosphere among the pines and granite boulders. The campground features 75 campsites, many positioned close to Yosemite Creek as it meanders through the forest on its way to Yosemite Valley. The creek is the only water source and must be filtered, treated, or boiled before consumption. Vault toilets and food storage lockers are provided seasonally, but there are no showers or potable water. Each campsite includes a picnic table and fire ring. The location offers excellent opportunities for hiking, bouldering, bird watching, and exploring nearby attractions like Tuolumne Meadows and Tenaya Lake. Due to its high elevation and remote location, the campground operates seasonally, typically from mid-July through early September. Reservations are required during the open season and are released on a rolling two-week window at 7 am Pacific time. Sites fill quickly, often within minutes of becoming available. The nightly fee is $24 per site, with a maximum of 6 people and 2 vehicles allowed per campsite.

Directions

Located off Tioga Road, 21 miles west of Tioga Pass entrance (40 minutes) and 34 miles from Yosemite Valley (just over 1 hour). From Tioga Road, travel 5 miles down a narrow, winding, rough single-lane dirt road to reach the campground. RVs and trailers cannot navigate this access road.

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