Tuolumne Meadows Campground

High Sierra solitude — Yosemite’s backcountry basecamp at 8,600 ft

Location: Yosemite National Park, CA (High Country), CA

Price: From $36 per night

Price range: $36–$60 per night

Rating: 4.8 out of 5 (3812 reviews)

Season: Late June – October (snow-dependent)

The largest campground in Yosemite at 8,600 feet elevation in the high Sierra. 304 sites spread across sub-alpine meadows along the Tuolumne River. Far less crowded than the Valley floor, and the launchpad for Half Dome via the backside route, Cathedral Lakes, and dozens of high-country day hikes. Sites are dry camping — no hookups — with cold running water and flush toilets in summer. One of the most popular campgrounds in the entire NPS system, opens late June when snow clears. Books out in se

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), Potable Water, Fire Rings, Bear Boxes (required), Dump Station, Tuolumne Meadows Store (nearby), Wilderness Permits Issued Here, Pet Friendly (leash), Picnic Tables

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

The largest campground in Yosemite at 8,600 feet in the high Sierra. Cooler than the valley by 20F in summer. 304 sites across sub-alpine meadows along the Tuolumne River. The launchpad for Cathedral Lakes, Half Dome’s backside route, and the best high country hiking.

The Pothole Dome trail (1.5 mi RT) just west of the campground is a rounded granite dome with 360 views of Tuolumne Meadows. Almost nobody does it because it’s not in any Yosemite top 10 list. Best at sunset. Takes 45 minutes.

What is new at Tuolumne Meadows Campground: Tuolumne Meadows Lodge and store returned to full service 2023.

Wildlife alert: Black bears extremely active at Tuolumne. Bear boxes mandatory, fines up to $5,000 for violations. Marmots will chew brake lines — place chicken wire under your vehicle for extended stays.

Fire rules: Campfires in fire grates only. Yosemite restrictions common July–September. Check nps.gov/yose.

Things to do near Tuolumne Meadows Campground: Cathedral Lakes (7 mi RT) — the most beautiful hike in Yosemite that isn’t Half Dome. Lembert Dome scramble (2.8 mi RT) — panoramic views of the entire high country. Tuolumne Meadows at dawn — deer and coyotes graze the meadow in the low morning light.

Insider tips for Tuolumne Meadows Campground: Book exactly at the 5-month window at 7am Pacific — sites sell in under 2 minutes for July–August Check daily for cancellations after your target date sells out The Tuolumne Meadows store and grill (0.5 mi) have surprisingly good burgers

Skip Tuolumne Meadows Campground if: You want hookups or showers — dry camping with flush toilets and cold water only.

Best time to visit Tuolumne Meadows Campground: Jul–Aug — Snow cleared, all trails open. Book 5 months in advance.. Sep — Crowds drop, temperatures perfect, mosquitoes gone. Easier to book..

Common issues at Tuolumne Meadows Campground: Tioga Road closes with first major snowfall, typically October–June. Check nps.gov/yose for road status before making the drive.

What campers say about Tuolumne Meadows Campground: "The meadow at dusk with the mountains reflecting in the Tuolumne River. No valley crowds, no shuttle lines, just the high Sierra." — Recreation.gov reviewer "This is what Yosemite was like before the crowds. Get up here." — AllTrails reviewer "Sells out in under 2 minutes at the reservation window. Set an alarm." — Recreation.gov reviewer

Nearby campgrounds: Tuolumne Horse Campsites (Yosemite National Park, CA), Saddlebag Lake Trailhead Group Camp (Lee Vining, CA), Porcupine Flat Campground (Yosemite National Park, CA), Yosemite Creek Campground (Yosemite National Park, CA).