Yosemite Lodging/Camping

I haven't climbed in Yosemite, but would like to plan a trip there in late May. I wouldn't be doing any big wall stuff, but am interested in doing some of the classic moderates like Snake Dike, Nutcracker, maybe the Matthes Crest and Cathedral Peak in Tuolumne. I'm interested to know where you all stay during your trips to Yosemite. The climbs I'm interested in doing are spread out all over the place. I read about the approach to Snake Dike being long and that it is advisable to camp somewhere close (I thought I read about a campground that is closer to the base of the climb). For what I'm interested in doing, does it make more sense to stay outside the park and drive in each day? Should I try to get a campsite somewhere in the park and make that my base of operations? Or do you move around to different campsites depending on where you want to climb?

Stay at Camp 4, or make friends with someone who has a site at another campground, and ask if you can share. Nothing is very far away, if you are climbing in the valley. If you want to go after objectives in Tuolumne, then get a site up there. Depending on the time of year, it may be easier to get a site up there anyway.

The Snake Dike approach isn't bad. These days, there is a pretty well beaten trail, but can sometimes be hard to find right away.

Yes, as John said, you'll need to make sure Highway 120 is open, so you have access to Tuolumne Meadows. You need to be able to drive there for the trailheads for Matthes Crest and Cathedral Peak. In a big snow year, it could open late. You can check online to see when the road opens.

Also, you can reserve campsites on Recreation.gov. If they're all full, check back daily for cancellations, as you can often find last-minute openings. Although Camp 4 is climber central, it's crowded and the other campsites are nicer and larger (Upper Pines, etc.)

You don't need to move to different campsites for different climbs.

Edit: Keep in mind that Tuolumne Meadows is an hour to an hour and a half drive from the Valley, so you may want to camp there for those climbs. Or, get up super early and drive. Cathedral Peak is a zoo, so you want to be first on the route, if possible.

We found Porcupine Flats to be reasonable after a few nights at TM. A bit of a drive but much quieter and cheaper. The Valley is still a bit of a haul but not too bad. Not sure how it would be in May though.

FrankPS wrote:...you'll need to make sure Highway 120 is open, so you have access to Tuolumne Meadows. You need to be able to drive there for the trailheads for Matthes Crest and Cathredral Peak. In a big snow year, it could open late. You can check online to see when the road opens.

120 is usually open by late May, but not always. Even after the road is plowed, the TM Campground may not open until June or even July.

Historic road open/close dates:
nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/…

Given the amount of snow this year, my bet is Hwy 120 won't open until June

Yeah Camp 4 sounds like a zoo. I was hoping to avoid it actually. I understand that you have to get there pretty early to get a spot. Can you find a spot most days? What happens when you can't get a spot? It looks like you would still need to drive from Camp 4 to different parking lots depending on what climb you are doing, right? You're not hiking from Camp 4 everyday..or do you?

My advice is to make a reservation at Summerdale campground (Sierra National Forest) on Hwy 41. You have to drive 30-40 min to the valley, but at least you don't have to wait in line at 2am to get a spot in camp 4.

Many snow pack levels are already over 100% of average, I would not count on Tuolumne being open/ free of snow in late May...I would try to stay in the park if possible , and just do Snake Dike car to car in a long day .... good luck

Bob Johnson wrote:It looks like you would still need to drive from Camp 4 to different parking lots depending on what climb you are doing, right? You're not hiking from Camp 4 everyday..or do you?

Mostly you'll be using the free shuttle buses except for areas that are easily reached by walking from Camp 4 or objectives beyond the shuttle routes. In many cases it's easier to take the shuttle than to try and find a parking spot.

Bob Johnson wrote:Yeah Camp 4 sounds like a zoo. I was hoping to avoid it actually.

I've camped in the Valley on over 30 climbing trips and have (intentionally) never stayed in Camp 4. Usually it was the Upper Pines CG.

If there's any way to get it there, a bicycle is by far the best way to get around Yosemite Valley.

In my experience if you show up at Camp 4 and get in line in front of the Ranger kiosk by around 5 am you should be able to get a spot. Last summer I was there late May and I noticed some people actually sleeping in line at midnight. I'm not sure if they had vehicles in the parking lot but this seems to be what is going on. We just camped in USFS land a couple of hours out and hit the road in the middle of the night to get in line. It is an awesome experience. No more or less of a zoo than any other campground. There is excellent fellowship with climbers and hikers of all nationalities. This place is saturated with psyche, dreams, and motivation. I wouldn't stay anywhere else but that's just me.

John Ryan wrote:It is an awesome experience. No more or less of a zoo than any other campground. There is excellent fellowship with climbers and hikers of all nationalities. This place is saturated with psyche, dreams, and motivation. I wouldn't stay anywhere else but that's just me.

The usual objection to Camp 4 is the noise - both from the late night talkers, and, only a few hours later, the super-early alpine starters, racking up in the next campsite at 4am. It's not bad if you don't intend to get much sleep.

Ok I think I will leave Tuolumne for another time and just climb in Yosemite Valley at the end of May. A quick look on Recreation.gov shows that Upper Pines, Lower Pines and North Pines Campgrounds are booked solid with an occasional night available here or there. I'll continue to check for openings and will consider Camp 4 as a viable option. Any other thoughts about where to stay if these two options fail?

C Brooks wrote:My advice is to make a reservation at Summerdale campground (Sierra National Forest) on Hwy 41. You have to drive 30-40 min to the valley, but at least you don't have to wait in line at 2am to get a spot in camp 4.

Is it usually easy to find parking in the Valley if you stay outside?

Easy to find parking if you are in the Valley before 8-9 am.

I secured a site at Wawona Campground while I continue checking for openings in the Valley. We're definitely going to do the alpine start for Snake Dike one day. Where should we park? Can we park here goo.gl/maps/hKLFM54rMCR2 ? Probably gonna start the approach around 4am-ish. Are there any issues with parking in the Valley that early? For example, will there be some parking lots that are closed that early?

Bob Johnson wrote:I secured a site at Wawona Campground while I continue checking for openings in the Valley. We're definitely going to do the alpine start for Snake Dike one day. Where should we park? Can we park here goo.gl/maps/hKLFM54rMCR2 ? Probably gonna start the approach around 4am-ish. Are there any issues with parking in the Valley that early? For example, will there be some parking lots that are closed that early?

You're over-thinking this. A couple of hours in the Valley and all will become crystal clear. After all, the Valley is only 7 miles long and one mile wide - it isn't a huge place.

I think there's parking at the Happy Isles trailhead. You've gone to the NPS site and viewed the park map, yes? None of the parking lots have operating hours nor are they closed.

Turner wrote:...or sleep in your rig.

Only in a designated camp site in a camp ground. If you try that in a parking lot, you will be busted.

^^^ you might get busted for sleeping in your car or maybe not . It's not legal but it's an option if your careful . Leave windows cracked , don't store food in your car , don't sleep in Curry area , and be up at dawn if u bivy in your car .

Ticket is like $98 bucks ...

can i come?