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Hodgdon Meadow Campground

Yosemite’s easiest reservation — Big Oak Flat entrance, year-round access

Location: Yosemite National Park, CA (Big Oak Flat Entrance), CA

Price: From $36 per night

Rating: 4.3 out of 5 (1654 reviews)

Season: Year-round (limited winter sites)

Hodgdon Meadow is the most accessible and easiest-to-book campground in Yosemite, sitting just inside the Big Oak Flat entrance at 4,872 feet. 105 sites in a mixed pine and cedar forest next to a meadow. Year-round access (some sites open all winter with pit toilets) makes it the go-to for shoulder season and winter visits. 30 minutes from the Valley floor. Significantly less competitive than Valley or Tuolumne reservations — often available on short notice even in summer. The Big Trees Loop tra

Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 0%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.

Amenities: Flush Toilets (seasonal), Pit Toilets (year-round), Potable Water, Fire Rings, Bear Boxes, Pet Friendly (leash), Picnic Tables, Meadow Access

Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/hodgdon-meadow-yosemite to be notified when sites open up.

The westernmost campground in Yosemite, just inside the Big Oak Flat entrance. 105 sites in a quiet forest setting, much easier to book than Valley or Tuolumne. Good base for exploring both the Valley and the northern part of the park.

The meadow itself at dawn has elk grazing — they’ve returned to this area in recent years and almost nobody knows about it. The Tuolumne and Merced Grove trails nearby are among the least-crowded old-growth walks in the park.

What is new at Hodgdon Meadow Campground: Walk-up site availability confirmed for 2024 season. Check nps.gov/yose for current policies.

Wildlife alert: Black bears active. Bear boxes mandatory. Coyotes and gray foxes visit the meadow regularly.

Fire rules: Campfires in fire grates only. Yosemite restrictions apply. Check nps.gov/yose.

Things to do near Hodgdon Meadow Campground: Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias (2 mi) — walk-in only, 25 mature sequoias with minimal crowds. Early morning drive to Yosemite Valley (25 min) before parking lots fill. Hetch Hetchy Reservoir (30 min drive) — excellent hiking, almost no other visitors.

Insider tips for Hodgdon Meadow Campground: Walk-up sites available even in summer — a rarity in Yosemite. Arrive before 10am Half the sites are first-come walk-up; reserve the others on Recreation.gov

Skip Hodgdon Meadow Campground if: You want to walk to Valley attractions — 25-minute drive, not walkable.

Best time to visit Hodgdon Meadow Campground: May–Oct — Big Oak Flat Road open. Excellent shoulder season availability..

Common issues at Hodgdon Meadow Campground: Walk-up sites can fill by 11am on summer weekends. Arrive by 9am Friday morning. Weekday walk-ups almost always available.

What campers say about Hodgdon Meadow Campground: "Quiet, dark, a real forest. Easy drive to the Valley in the morning before the crowds arrive." — Recreation.gov reviewer

Nearby campgrounds: Dimond O (GROVELAND, CA), Crane Flat Campground (Yosemite National Park, CA), Tamarack Flat Campground (Yosemite National Park, CA), Sweetwater (Stanislaus National Forest) (Groveland, CA).

Cell Phone Coverage at Hodgdon Meadow Campground

Cell signal at Hodgdon Meadow Campground (Yosemite National Park, CA (Big Oak Flat Entrance)): weak overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.

  • Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage

Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.

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Hodgdon Meadow Campground

Yosemite’s easiest reservation — Big Oak Flat entrance, year-round access

Yosemite National Park, CA (Big Oak Flat Entrance)4.3 (1654)4,872 ft
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Why campers choose Hodgdon Meadow Campground

The westernmost campground in Yosemite, just inside the Big Oak Flat entrance. 105 sites in a quiet forest setting, much easier to book than Valley or Tuolumne. Good base for exploring both the Valley and the northern part of the park.
Walk-up sites available even in summer — a rarity in Yosemite. Arrive before 10am
Half the sites are first-come walk-up; reserve the others on Recreation.gov
No hookups. Further from Valley attractions than other campgrounds. Limited services nearby. Some highway noise from Big Oak Flat Road.

Check-in

12:00 PM

Check-out

11:00 AM

Season

Year-round (limited winter sites)

Stay limit

14 days

Max RV

35 ft

Hookups

None — dry camping

Cell signal:

Hodgdon Meadow is the most accessible and easiest-to-book campground in Yosemite, sitting just inside the Big Oak Flat entrance at 4,872 feet. 105 sites in a mixed pine and cedar forest next to a meadow. Year-round access (some sites open all winter with pit toilets) makes it the go-to for shoulder season and winter visits. 30 minutes from the Valley floor. Significantly less competitive than Valley or Tuolumne reservations — often available on short notice even in summer. The Big Trees Loop trail to the Tuolumne Grove of giant sequoias starts nearby.

Things to do nearby

Tuolumne Grove sequoiasMerced GroveValley FloorTuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias

Best For

Last-minute Yosemite visitorsWinter campersFamilies wanting easier bookingSequoia grove visitorsBudget-conscious campers

Site Types

TentRV (no hookups, max 35ft)

Amenities

Flush Toilets (seasonal)
Pit Toilets (year-round)
Potable Water
Fire Rings
Bear Boxes
Pet Friendly (leash)
Picnic Tables
Meadow Access
Check-in

12:00 PM

Check-out

11:00 AM

Season

Year-round (limited winter sites)

Max/site

6 people

Known Issues

No hookups. Further from Valley attractions than other campgrounds. Limited services nearby. Some highway noise from Big Oak Flat Road.

Cancellation Policy

Recreation.gov standard policy.

Why campers love Hodgdon Meadow Campground

The westernmost campground in Yosemite, just inside the Big Oak Flat entrance. 105 sites in a quiet forest setting, much easier to book than Valley or Tuolumne. Good base for exploring both the Valley and the northern part of the park.

What's new in 2026

Walk-up site availability confirmed for 2024 season. Check nps.gov/yose for current policies.

What campers say about Hodgdon Meadow Campground

"Quiet, dark, a real forest. Easy drive to the Valley in the morning before the crowds arrive."

— Recreation.gov reviewer

Not the right fit if…

  • ✕You want to walk to Valley attractions — 25-minute drive, not walkable

Frequently asked questions

How much does Hodgdon Meadow Campground cost per night?+
Hodgdon Meadow Campground costs $36 per night depending on site type and season. Hookup options: None — dry camping.
What season is Hodgdon Meadow Campground open?+
Hodgdon Meadow Campground is open Year-round (limited winter sites). Check-in is 12:00 PM, check-out is 11:00 AM.
Does Hodgdon Meadow Campground have hookups?+
None — dry camping.
What is the maximum RV length at Hodgdon Meadow Campground?+
Hodgdon Meadow Campground can accommodate RVs up to 35 feet long.
How do I make reservations at Hodgdon Meadow Campground?+
Hodgdon Meadow Campground is a federal campground — reservations open 6 months in advance at Recreation.gov. Sites sell out quickly. Set a free CamperWatch cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/alerts to be notified the moment a site opens.
Are pets allowed at Hodgdon Meadow Campground?+
Hodgdon Meadow Campground is pet friendly. Pets must be kept on leash.
What is the cell service like at Hodgdon Meadow Campground?+
According to FCC coverage maps, cell signal at Hodgdon Meadow Campground is rated weak. Best carrier: Verizon. Coverage available: Verizon 4G. Note: FCC maps show theoretical coverage — actual signal in remote, mountainous, or heavily forested areas may be weaker. Check camper reports on the page for real-world experience.
How far is Hodgdon Meadow Campground from the nearest town?+
Nearest services: Buck Meadows (outside park) — 2 miles. Valley stores 30 miles.
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Nearby Campgrounds

Dimond O Stanislaus National Forest

Dimond O

GROVELAND, CA

From $38/night

Conifer forest campground in Yosemite National Park California pine trees evening light

Crane Flat Campground

Yosemite National Park, CA

From $36/night

Tamarack Flat Campground Yosemite National Park

Tamarack Flat Campground

Yosemite National Park, CA

From $24/night

Sweetwater (Stanislaus National Forest) Stanislaus National Forest

Sweetwater (Stanislaus National Forest)

Groveland, CA

From $29/night

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$36/night
4.3(1654)
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