Staying in Yosemite?

Hi All,
Taking our first trip to Yosemite this fall. Looking to just sleep in our truck. Does anyone have advice on a good spot that we can park at night without causing an issue?

Forget staying in the valley. The snow play area outside of the Hwy 41 entrance is a possibility.

Outside of the Park..

Yosemite Valley has a pretty heavy law enforcement presence, and people sleeping in their vehicles are surprisingly high on the ranger's list of things to look out for. I would do any sleeping vehicles outside the park, or just get in line before dawn for a spot in Camp 4.

Get a campsite. Lots of nice camping in the park. And you have plenty of time to reserve now for fall.

nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/…

Get a campsite (it's fairly cheap) or drive out 140 every night and sleep on a pull out. Don't try to stay in your vehicle inside the park.

You can reserve a campground or just go out to El Portal every day and sleep at the pull offs. I was there last fall and trying to get into camp 4 was a laugh, people lined up at 1 am.

Andy.J.Stevens wrote:Hi All, Taking our first trip to Yosemite this fall. Looking to just sleep in our truck. Does anyone have advice on a good spot that we can park at night without causing an issue?

lol

This hasn't been viable for 30 years.

Yeah, camp 4 sounds awful and pretty much all reservable campsites are booked already. Of course we're not sleeping inside the park, come on. Sounds like Hwy 140 / El Portal is the best option? Thanks to everyone who had useful advice

The pizza place across the street from the parking is solid and has decent beer as well. Especially if it is dark when you get back and don't wan to cook by head lamp.

Andy.J.Stevens wrote:Yeah, camp 4 sounds awful and pretty much all reservable campsites are booked already. Of course we're not sleeping inside the park, come on. Sounds like Hwy 140 / El Portal is the best option? Thanks to everyone who had useful advice

Depends on the time of the year when you are there. We had no problem getting into camp 4 when I was there and it is fun meeting a bunch of random people. The only problem is the limited amount of time you can stay there, so work on getting some fake IDs to use!

Andy.J.Stevens wrote:Yeah, camp 4 sounds awful and pretty much all reservable campsites are booked already. Of course we're not sleeping inside the park, come on. Sounds like Hwy 140 / El Portal is the best option? Thanks to everyone who had useful advice

In the Fall it is going to be hot and dry in the Merced River canyon below El Portal at ~2000' elevation, better to get higher and cooler.

Better rec would be Hwy 120 between Rainbow Pools and Hardin Flat. Many forest service roads through National Forest lands that have free and legal camping. Maybe 15-30 mins to Entrance on that side.

Roads are easily seen on Google Maps etc.

120 is currently closed due to slides, but will be open in the fall.

King Tut wrote: In the Fall it is going to be hot and dry in the Merced River canyon below El Portal at ~2000' elevation, better to get higher and cooler. Better rec would be Hwy 120 between Rainbow Pools and Hardin Flat. Many forest service roads through National Forest lands that have free and legal camping. Maybe 15-30 mins to Entrance on that side. Roads are easily seen on Google Maps etc. 120 is currently closed due to slides, but will be open in the fall.

Or, if you're going to do all that commuting, just get a campsite at Crane Flat or Tamarack Flat.

Crashing outside the gates is an essential Yosemite experience, I do this every weekend (driving up from the Bay Area) and find it very comfortable. Best place is the sandlot (sometimes called the cat box by boondockers) if you're combining in via 140 which can be busy but generally never really gets rousted. (One time in the last decade since I've been staying there. Plenty of other spots in the general area even if you do get rousted. Plenty of forest roads just before the gate if you're coming in via 41. Same with 120 which is your best bet (though a longer drive in) if it's super hot.

When I was young, dumb, and new to Yosemite, I commuted from out 120. That was a stupid commute.

Camp 4 is nuts, but really isn't that bad. If you just plan to show up at 5AM your first day in the valley, you'll probably get a spot.

Also check periodically to see if reservable sites have become available through cancellation. It happens.

Marc801 wrote: Or, if you're going to do all that commuting, just get a campsite at Crane Flat or Tamarack Flat.

Or even the Meadows. Late in the year lots of space...

"fake IDs"

^^ lol that's awesome! Must be fun!

Andy.J.Stevens wrote:Yeah, camp 4 sounds awful and pretty much all reservable campsites are booked already.

When are you going? I thought you said fall, and most sites cannot be reserved now for September on. It will show no availability if you try to book now, but they will all become available once the reservation window opens.

Here's a chart showing when the reservation windows open.

Braden Beane wrote:

Walk into camp 4 with a bottle and weed. You'll survive   

Did you smoke crack before making this post?

Danny Herrera wrote:

Did you smoke crack before making this post?

Braden joined MP yesterday and has made two posts. His other one is just as bad.