Why Camping Near Yosemite Doesn't Have to Break the Bank
Yosemite is one of the most popular national parks in the country, and lodging inside the park reflects that — Curry Village tent cabins start around $150/night, and the Ahwahnee costs $400+. But here's the secret: some of the best camping near Yosemite costs nothing at all, and even developed campgrounds in the surrounding national forests run just $10–25/night.
This guide covers every option — from free dispersed camping to budget-friendly developed campgrounds — all within 45 minutes of a park entrance.
Yosemite In-Park Campgrounds: The Basics
Before diving into off-park options, know that Yosemite has 13 campgrounds inside the park, ranging from $15–36/night. These are the cheapest in-park options but require advance reservations (or luck with first-come, first-served sites).
Reservable Campgrounds (Recreation.gov)
| Campground | Price/Night | Sites | Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Pines | $26 | 238 | Year-round | Most sites; close to trailheads |
| Lower Pines | $26 | 60 | Apr–Oct | Riversides; book fast |
| North Pines | $26 | 51 | Apr–Oct | Near Merced River |
| Camp 4 | $10/person | 35 | Year-round | Walk-in tent sites only; famous rock climbing camp |
| Hodgdon Meadow | $26 | 105 | Year-round | Near Big Oak Flat entrance |
| Wawona | $26 | 95 | Mar–Oct | Near south entrance |
First-Come, First-Served Campgrounds
| Campground | Price/Night | Sites | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuolumne Meadows | $15 | 52 | Jul–Sep |
| Bridalveil Creek | $21 | 55 | Jul–Sep |
| White Wolf | $18 | 55 | Jul–Sep |
| Porcupine Creek | $15 | 12 | Jul–Sep |
Pro tip: Camp 4 is $10/person/night and doesn't take reservations — it's walk-in tent camping with legendary climbing culture. Arrive by 7 AM in summer to get a spot.
Free Dispersed Camping Near Yosemite
Dispersed camping (also called "boondocking" or "wild camping") is free, legal camping on national forest land outside the park. No amenities — bring your own water, pack out all trash, and follow Leave No Trace principles.
1. Foresta Road (Bishop Creek Area)
Distance from Yosemite Valley: 30 minutes via Highway 120
Cost: Free
Best for: Tent campers and small RVs
Details: Several pullouts along the road leading to the old mining town of Foresta. Good cell signal in spots. Bear canister required for food storage. Limited to 14-day stay.
2. Lost Lake Camp / Evergreen Road
Distance from Yosemite (Big Oak Flat entrance): 20 minutes
Cost: Free
Best for: Tent and car campers
Details: Multiple sites along Evergreen Road in Stanislaus National Forest. Some sites have lake access. Get there by Thursday for weekend spots in summer.
3. Carlon Falls Trailhead Area
Distance from Yosemite (Big Oak Flat entrance): 10 minutes
Cost: Free
Best for: Tent campers seeking quick park access
Details: Dispersed sites along the road to Carlon Falls trailhead in Stanislaus National Forest. Close to the park entrance — you can practically see the boundary. Limited spots (4–5 pullouts).
4. Rush Creek / Silver Lake Area
Distance from Yosemite (Tioga Pass entrance): 15 minutes
Cost: Free
Best for: High-altitude camping near Tioga Pass
Details: Dispersed sites along the road to Silver Lake in Inyo National Forest. Elevation ~7,200 feet. Bring warm layers — nights are cold even in summer. Bring a quality sleeping bag rated to 20°F.
5. Aspen Valley Road
Distance from Yosemite Valley: 35 minutes
Cost: Free
Best for: Secluded forest camping
Details: Multiple dispersed sites along this forest road in Stanislaus National Forest. Quiet, shady, and away from the crowds. The road can be rough — high clearance vehicles recommended.
6. Jerseydale / Darrah Road Area
Distance from Yosemite (South entrance): 25 minutes
Cost: Free
Best for: Campers accessing Glacier Point and Wawona
Details: Dispersed sites in Sierra National Forest south of the park. Good for accessing the southern sections of Yosemite. Limited in number but rarely full.
Budget Developed Campgrounds Near Yosemite
These campgrounds offer basic amenities (pit toilets, fire rings, sometimes water) for a fraction of in-park prices.
Near the West Entrance (Highway 120)
7.Stanislaus National Forest Campgrounds
| Campground | Price | Sites | Season | Amenities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pines Campground | $20 | 28 | May–Oct | Toilets, water |
| Rivers Edge | $22 | 14 | May–Oct | Toilets, water, river access |
| Lost Claim | $15 | 8 | May–Oct | Toilets, no water |
Near the South Entrance (Highway 41)
8. Bass Lake Campgrounds (Sierra National Forest)
| Campground | Price | Sites | Season | Amenities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recreation Point | $25 | 40 | May–Oct | Toilets, water, lake |
| Silver Tip | $20 | 22 | May–Oct | Toilets, water |
| Wishon Cove | $22 | 15 | May–Oct | Toilets, boat ramp |
- Bonus: Bass Lake has swimming, boating, and a grocery store
- Reservations: Available on Recreation.gov for summer months
9. Summerdale Campground
- Cost: $22/night (half price with America the Beautiful Pass for seniors and access pass holders)
- Sites: 20
- Season: May–October
- Distance from south entrance: 15 minutes
- Amenities: Flush toilets, potable water, fire rings
- Best feature: Walking distance to a creek and meadow with fall color views
Near Tioga Pass (East Side)
10. Tuolumne Meadows (In-Park, HCFS)
- Cost: $15/night
- Sites: 52 (half reservable, half first-come, first-served)
- Season: July–September
- Best feature: High country camping at 8,600 feet surrounded by granite peaks
11. Ellery Lake Campground
- Cost: Free (Inyo National Forest dispersed with toilets)
- Sites: ~12 informal sites
- Season: June–October
- Distance from Tioga Pass entrance: 10 minutes (east side)
- Best feature: Stunning alpine lake at 9,600 feet — literally across the road from the lake
Near Hetch Hetchy (Northwest)
12. Mather Campground
- Cost: $18/night
- Sites: 11
- Season: May–October
- Distance from Hetch Hetchy entrance: 10 minutes
- Amenities: Pit toilets, bear boxes, picnic tables
- Best feature: Quiet, forested, closest developed campground to Hetch Hetchy
Free Camping: Rules You Need to Know
- Stay limit: 14 days maximum in national forest areas (some areas 14 days per 30-day period)
- No amenities: Bring your own water, pack out all trash, and bring a portable toilet system if staying multiple days
- Bear safety: Yosemite's black bears are habituated. Use bear canisters or bear boxes — hanging food is not enough in this area
- Fire restrictions: Check with the appropriate national forest (Stanislaus, Sierra, or Inyo) for current fire restrictions. Campfire permits are required for dispersed camping.
- Stay on roads: Don't drive off-road to create campsites. Use established pullouts.
- Cell service: Spotty to nonexistent near most dispersed sites — download offline maps
Budget Camping Money-Saving Tips
- Camp mid-week: Friday and Saturday nights fill first. Tuesday–Wednesday camping is almost always available.
- Use the America the Beautiful Pass: The $80 annual pass covers entrance fees, and Senior/Access passes give 50% off federal campground fees.
- Bring your own firewood: Firewood in gateway towns costs $8–12/bundle. A collapsible firewood carrier helps if you're foraging.
- Fill water jugs in gateway towns: Free water at visitor centers and grocery stores — don't buy bottled.
- Cook at camp: A simple camp stove setup costs less than one restaurant meal in Yosemite Valley.
- Use first-come, first-served campgrounds strategically: Arrive by 8 AM on weekdays and you'll almost always find a site at in-park FCFS campgrounds.
Yosemite Camping FAQ
Can I sleep in my car at Yosemite?
Not legally inside the park outside designated campgrounds. However, dispersed camping on national forest land allows car and RV sleeping. Check our car camping gear guide for comfort setups.What months are cheapest?
October through April (except holidays). Campground fees drop, first-come-first-served sites are easy to get, and in-park campgrounds like Camp 4 stay affordable year-round.Are campfires allowed at dispersed sites?
Only with a valid California Campfire Permit (free from any national forest ranger station). Check fire restrictions — they're often in effect from June through October.Is dispersed camping safe?
Yes, with basic precautions. Store food properly, let someone know your plans, and carry a satellite communicator since cell service is unreliable.Plan Your Budget Yosemite Camping Trip
From free dispersed sites in the national forest to $10/night walk-in camping at Camp 4, you don't need to spend $40+/night to experience Yosemite. The best mornings start with coffee at camp and end with sunrise at Glacier Point — and those views are free.
👉 Ready to plan? See our complete Yosemite guide for trail recommendations, or find Yosemite-area lodging for nights you want a real bed.