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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).

Cell Phone Coverage at Tuolumne Meadows Campground

Cell signal at Tuolumne Meadows Campground (Yosemite National Park, CA (High Country)): 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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Tuolumne Meadows Campground

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

Yosemite National Park, CA (High Country)4.8 (3812)8,600 ft
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Why campers choose Tuolumne Meadows Campground

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.
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
No hookups. Cold nights year-round. Altitude sickness possible for those arriving from sea level. Strict 7-night stay limit. Extremely hard to get a reservation.

Check-in

12:00 PM

Check-out

11:00 AM

Season

Late June – October (snow-dependent)

Stay limit

14 days

Max RV

35 ft

Hookups

None — dry camping

Cell signal:

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 seconds at the 5-month reservation window.

Things to do nearby

Cathedral Lakes TrailheadHalf Dome via backsideLembert DomeCathedral Lakes

Best For

High Sierra hikersHalf Dome backpackersPhotographyFamilies escaping Valley crowdsStargazing

Site Types

TentRV (no hookups, max 35ft)

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
Check-in

12:00 PM

Check-out

11:00 AM

Season

Late June – October (snow-dependent)

Max/site

6 people

Known Issues

No hookups. Cold nights year-round. Altitude sickness possible for those arriving from sea level. Strict 7-night stay limit. Extremely hard to get a reservation.

Cancellation Policy

Recreation.gov standard policy.

Why campers love Tuolumne Meadows Campground

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.

What's new in 2026

Tuolumne Meadows Lodge and store returned to full service 2023.

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

Not the right fit if…

  • ✕You want hookups or showers — dry camping with flush toilets and cold water only

Frequently asked questions

How much does Tuolumne Meadows Campground cost per night?+
Tuolumne Meadows Campground costs $36–$60 per night depending on site type and season. Hookup options: None — dry camping. Bear canisters required for tent campers.
What season is Tuolumne Meadows Campground open?+
Tuolumne Meadows Campground is open Late June – October (snow-dependent). Check-in is 12:00 PM, check-out is 11:00 AM.
Does Tuolumne Meadows Campground have hookups?+
None — dry camping. Bear canisters required for tent campers.
What is the maximum RV length at Tuolumne Meadows Campground?+
Tuolumne Meadows Campground can accommodate RVs up to 35 feet long.
How do I make reservations at Tuolumne Meadows Campground?+
Tuolumne Meadows 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 Tuolumne Meadows Campground?+
Tuolumne Meadows Campground is pet friendly. Pets must be kept on leash.
What is the cell service like at Tuolumne Meadows Campground?+
According to FCC coverage maps, cell signal at Tuolumne Meadows 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 Tuolumne Meadows Campground from the nearest town?+
Nearest services: Tuolumne Meadows Lodge — 0.5 miles
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Nearby Campgrounds

Tuolumne Horse Campsites Yosemite National Park

Tuolumne Horse Campsites

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Saddlebag Lake Trailhead Group Camp Inyo National Forest

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Porcupine Flat Campground Yosemite National Park

Porcupine Flat Campground

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From $24/night

Yosemite Creek Campground Yosemite National Park

Yosemite Creek Campground

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From $24/night

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$36/night
4.8(3812)
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