Visiting Yosemite National Park in Your RV
TL;DR: Explore the majesty of Yosemite National Park with RV camping tips: book early, consider FCFS campgrounds, stock up on essentials, visit off-season, start days early, plan hikes, enjoy unique activities, and relax amidst natural beauty.
Yosemite National Park is truly one of the most magnificent places in America. From glacially-carved cliffsides to sparkling waterfalls, vast meadows, glistening lakes, and towering, vertical rock faces, Yosemite is truly a sight to behold. For centuries, people from all over have flocked to this area to explore this national treasure. Today, Yosemite receives nearly four million guests per year, and many of these visitors come via RV.
With nine campgrounds to choose from and a variety of other amenities, Yosemite is a great place for a vacation any time of year. However, there is some careful planning that must go into taking an RV camping trip to Yosemite. Follow along for the best tips and ideas for planning your next trip to Yosemite National Park.
1. Book Yosemite Valley campgrounds way ahead/check for cancellations
Many Yosemite National Park campsites are available by reservation, and those who plan to visit the park should take advantage of the reservable campsites, especially if they plan to camp in the valley. The three campgrounds in Yosemite Valley see the most traffic out of all the park campgrounds, and many of them are booked up to six months in advance. If you want to camp in the valley, try to book your campsites as soon as your travel dates are set. If the campgrounds are already fully booked, keep an eye on the site, as there may be a cancellation to snag.
2. Try FCFS campgrounds if you didn’t get early reservations
If you don’t have reservations to camp in the valley, there are still six other campgrounds to choose from! Of these campgrounds, five are first come, first-served, so planning for exact dates is not required. If you plan to stay in a first come, first-served campground, be sure to arrive early in the day to snag a campsite before they fill up. Especially if you require hookups such as water, sewer, or 30 amp service for your RV. And if those don't work you can always look for glamping options near Yosemite National Park.
3. Pack plenty of groceries and get gas before you arrive
Although there are a few towns in proximity to Yosemite, most are still over an hour from Yosemite Valley. Plan to stock up on groceries and fill your gas tank before you enter the park to avoid driving far distances for necessary supplies. This will allow you to make the most of your time spent in the park.