Upper Pines Campground
Wake up in Yosemite Valley — Half Dome, El Capitan, and the Merced River at your door
Location: Yosemite Valley, CA, CA
Price: From $36 per night
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (4200 reviews)
Elevation: 4078 feet
Season: Year-round (closed May 26–Jun 8, 2026 for road construction)
The largest and most central campground in Yosemite Valley. Upper Pines' 238 sites sit along the Merced River within walking distance of Happy Isles, the Mist Trail, Half Dome trailhead, Mirror Lake, and Curry Village. El Capitan and Half Dome peek through the pines from multiple sites. Open year-round — the only valley campground that stays open in winter. Reservations open 5 months ahead on the 15th of each month at exactly 7am PST and sell out within minutes.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: AT&T. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Flush Toilets, Drinking Water, Dump Station, Fire Rings, Bear Lockers (mandatory), Picnic Tables, Recycling, Valley Shuttle Stop, Bike Rental Nearby, Accessible Sites
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/upper-pines-yosemite to be notified when sites open up.
There is no more iconic camping address in America. Upper Pines puts you inside Yosemite Valley — the birthplace of American conservation — with El Capitan and Half Dome visible through your tent opening. Every world-class trail in the valley is walkable or a short free shuttle ride away. The Merced River runs alongside the campground. For anyone visiting Yosemite, camping inside the valley is dramatically superior to commuting from gateway towns — you're there at first light before day visitors arrive.
Yosemite Valley in winter (December–February) is a completely different experience. Upper Pines stays open, sites go first-come first-served, waterfalls run full from snowmelt, and the valley floor is often dusted with snow while the granite walls are sunlit. Campfires are allowed anytime (not just the summer 5–10pm restriction). It's the valley Ansel Adams photographed — essentially empty. Most people never attempt it.
What is new at Upper Pines Campground: Upper Pines closed May 26–June 8, 2026 for road construction. No advance reservation required for Yosemite day visits in 2026 (major change from 2023–2025 timed entry). $100/person non-resident surcharge effective 2026 (same as Zion).
Wildlife alert: BEARS are highly habituated to human food in Yosemite Valley. They know to look in cars and tents. Metal lockers are mandatory for everything with a scent — rangers cite violations and fine heavily. This rule exists because of decades of bear conditioning to human food.
Fire rules: Campfires permitted year-round in fire rings. May–September restricted to 5pm–10pm only. Charcoal fires anytime. Bears associate fire smoke with food — extinguish fires completely before sleeping.
Things to do near Upper Pines Campground: Half Dome via Mist Trail (16 mi, permit required via lottery) — start from the campground. Mist Trail to Vernal Falls (3 mi round trip) — starts 0.5 miles from camp, one of the best short hikes in America. Mirror Lake loop (5 mi) — walk from camp, Half Dome reflection in still morning water. Valley bike path (12 mi loop) — rent bikes at Curry Village, see the entire valley floor. Yosemite Falls trail (7.2 mi) — best in spring when falls are at full volume.
Insider tips for Upper Pines Campground: Book on the 15th at 7:00am PST exactly, 5 months ahead — have payment info pre-saved Best sites: 8, 9, 10, 46, 172, 208, 210, 220 Shop in Mariposa before entry — Village Store prices are 40-50% higher Rent bikes at Curry Village for the valley loop — best way to see everything
Skip Upper Pines Campground if: You value privacy — this is not that camping experience. You have an RV over 35ft. You're visiting May 26–Jun 8, 2026 (road closure — book Lower Pines instead).
Best time to visit Upper Pines Campground: Apr–May — Waterfalls at peak from snowmelt. Merced River full. Fewer crowds than summer.. Dec–Feb — Walk-up sites available. Valley essentially empty. Snow-dusted granite. Campfires anytime..
Common issues at Upper Pines Campground: Sites are extremely close together — you can hear your neighbors breathing in summer. Book weekdays (Tue–Thu) if possible — slightly less packed. Sites 8, 9, 10, 172, 208, 210, 220 are specifically praised for better positioning. Generator noise during allowed hours (three 2-hour slots daily). Request tent-only loops away from the RV section. Upper Pines has an RV-adjacent section that concentrates generator noise. Bear activity requires locking absolutely everything in metal bear lockers — rangers cite violations. The rule is total. Toothpaste, sunscreen, lip balm, any snack packaging — all in the locker. Rangers will cite you. Bears have learned to open car doors in this valley. Reservations open on the 15th of each month at 7am PST, 5 months ahead — gone in minutes. Set a recurring monthly alarm for 6:58am PST on the 15th. Log into Recreation.gov before 7am. Have payment info saved. Be ready for Tuesday–Thursday dates which are marginally easier. Closed May 26–June 8, 2026 for internal road construction. Lower Pines and North Pines remain open during this closure. Book those instead for this date range.
What campers say about Upper Pines Campground: "Stayed here 15+ times. Beautiful views every time. Clean restrooms. Friendly staff. It never gets old." — PerfectCamp Jan 2026 "Camp host Tony went out of his way for our two girls. The whole valley is your backyard. Nothing compares to waking up here." — PerfectCamp Feb 2026 "If you're OK with close-quarters camping, this is perfect. People respect quiet hours, bathrooms cleaned every morning, bear boxes simple to use." — The Dyrt Jun 2025 "Winter camping here: fewer crowds, sites often available walk-up, Yosemite Falls running full, campfires anytime. This is how I prefer it." — PerfectCamp Jan 2026
What are the best sites at Upper Pines Campground Yosemite? Sites 001–020 are closest to the Merced River and offer the best access to swimming holes. Sites in the 70s and 80s back up against the forest for more shade and privacy. Avoid sites numbered 100+ — they're closest to the road and get more foot traffic. Upper Pines is the largest Yosemite Valley campground (238 sites) and your best option if Lower or North Pines are full.
How do I get a reservation at Upper Pines Yosemite? Upper Pines reservations open 5 months in advance at 7:00 AM Pacific Time on Recreation.gov. Peak dates (June–August weekends) sell out within seconds of release. The working strategy: set a Recreation.gov alert, check at exactly 7:00 AM daily for cancellations, and target shoulder-season dates (May or September) which are significantly easier to get. Weekday availability is consistently better than weekends.
Can I park an RV at Upper Pines Yosemite? Yes — Upper Pines accepts RVs and trailers. Maximum combined length is 35 feet. No hookups available. Generator use is limited to specific hours (7–9 AM, 12–2 PM, 5–7 PM). A dump station is available near the campground. The Valley shuttle stops at the campground, so parking your rig and riding the bus is strongly recommended in summer.
Is Upper Pines walk-in only? No — Upper Pines is a drive-in campground with spaces for tents and RVs. North Pines and Lower Pines are the other Yosemite Valley campgrounds. Camp 4 is the only walk-in campground in the valley.
