Does North Pines Campground have cell service?

Weak signal at North Pines Campground. Available: Verizon 4G. Best carrier: Verizon. Source: FCC Broadband Data.

What are the fire rules at North Pines Campground?

Fire rules at North Pines Campground: Campfires in fire rings only. No outside firewood. No fires during elevated fire danger periods. Check current conditions at nps.gov/yose.

What is the best time to visit North Pines Campground?

May: Waterfalls at peak flow. Valley relatively uncrowded. Jun: Long days, warm river, wildflowers on valley floor. Sep: Crowds drop. Cooler temps. Best light for photography.

What are the best things to do near North Pines Campground?

Near North Pines Campground: Merced River swimming from camp. Mirror Lake loop (0.5 mi). Half Dome via Mist Trail (14-16 mi RT). Free Valley shuttle to Yosemite Falls.

Is there wildlife at North Pines Campground?

Wildlife alert for North Pines Campground: Black bears are highly active in Yosemite Valley. Food storage lockers are mandatory 24 hours a day for everything — food, drinks, toiletries, trash. Bears WILL break into cars. Do not leave anything in your vehicle.

What are the common problems at North Pines Campground?

At North Pines Campground: Impossible to book in summer — sells out in minutes on the 15th. Solution: Set an alarm for 6:55am PT on the release date. Log in before 7am. Have your site selection and dates ready. Any hesitation and it's gone.

What makes North Pines Campground unique?

Site 524 and nearby riverfront sites have direct Merced River bank access with a double driveway — book one of these if you can and you basically have a private swimming hole outside your tent.

How do I book a campsite at North Pines Campground?

North Pines Campground is a federal campground — book at Recreation.gov (search "North Pines Campground"). Sites are released 6 months in advance and sell out quickly. Set a free CamperWatch cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/north-pines-campground-yosemite to be notified the moment a site opens up.

North Pines Campground

Merced River frontage in the heart of Yosemite Valley

Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, CA4.8 (4210)4,000 ft

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Why campers choose North Pines Campground

North Pines is the best of the three Yosemite Valley reservation campgrounds for one reason: Merced River frontage. Many sites back up directly to the riverbank. You wake up, walk ten feet, and you're swimming in one of the most iconic rivers in the Sierra. Every trailhead in the Valley is within walking distance or a free shuttle stop away.

The dump station is at adjacent Upper Pines and is free to use — no need to go elsewhere

Curry Village showers are 0.3 miles away — $5 for campers

7-night limit May 1 – Sep 14. Photo ID required at check-in. Max 27 ft for most sites (select sites to 35 ft). Trailers max 24 ft. No hookups. Bears active — use food lockers 24/7.

Check-in

12:00 PM

Check-out

12:00 PM

Season

April – October (flood-dependent on some sites)

Stay limit

14 days

Max RV

35 ft

Hookups

None

Cell signal:

North Pines sits directly on the Merced River, making it the most scenic of the three Valley reservation campgrounds. Many sites back up to the riverbank with direct water access for swimming and fishing. At 4,000 ft in the center of Yosemite Valley, it’s walking distance to Curry Village showers and store, the free shuttle network, and the Valley’s main trailheads. The 2026 season uses an Early Access Lottery for the full season — remaining spots drop monthly on the 15th at 7:00 a.m. PT. Flood risk on some sites in May–June: the park holds those sites until river levels are confirmed safe.

Things to do nearby

Curry VillageMirror Lake TrailHappy Isles / Half Dome TrailheadMerced River swimming from camp

Best For

FamiliesRiver swimmersYosemite Valley hikersFirst-time Yosemite campers

Site Types

TentRV (max 35 ft)Trailer (max 24 ft)

Amenities

Flush Toilets

Drinking Water

Dump Station (Upper Pines, adjacent)

Picnic Tables

Fire Rings

Food Storage Lockers

Free Valley Shuttle Stop

Merced River Access

Check-in

12:00 PM

Check-out

12:00 PM

Season

April – October (flood-dependent on some sites)

Max/site

6 people

Known Issues

7-night limit May 1 – Sep 14. Photo ID required at check-in. Max 27 ft for most sites (select sites to 35 ft). Trailers max 24 ft. No hookups. Bears active — use food lockers 24/7.

Cancellation Policy

Recreation.gov standard: full refund if cancelled 2+ days before arrival. $10 non-refundable reservation fee.

Why campers love North Pines Campground

What's new in 2026

2026: Early Access Lottery opened for the full season. Remaining availability releases monthly on the 15th at 7am PT. Check nps.gov/yose for current lottery status.

What campers say about North Pines Campground

"Our site was literally on the Merced River. Kids swam all day while we read in camp chairs. Perfect."

— Google Reviews

"Photo ID required at check-in. They will cancel your reservation if you don't show up by noon the next day."

— Recreation.gov reviews

"Free shuttle stops at the campground. Never needed the car once we arrived."

— The Dyrt

Not the right fit if…

✕You have a rig longer than 35 ft
✕You need hookups
✕You can't book exactly on release day

Frequently asked questions

How much does North Pines Campground cost per night?+

North Pines Campground costs $16–$48 per night depending on site type and season. Hookup options: None. Dump station at Upper Pines (adjacent) — free.

What season is North Pines Campground open?+

North Pines Campground is open April – October (flood-dependent on some sites). Check-in is 12:00 PM, check-out is 12:00 PM.

Does North Pines Campground have hookups?+

None. Dump station at Upper Pines (adjacent) — free.

What is the maximum RV length at North Pines Campground?+

North Pines Campground can accommodate RVs up to 35 feet long.

How do I make reservations at North Pines Campground?+

North Pines 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.

What is the cell service like at North Pines Campground?+

According to FCC coverage maps, cell signal at North Pines 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 North Pines Campground from the nearest town?+

Nearest services: Curry Village General Store — 0.3 miles. Yosemite Village — 1.5 miles.