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).