If you are looking to stay in the heart of Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park and not bring your own tent you will love Housekeeping Camp.
You don't have to worry about packing an air mattress or tent just your sleeping bag and travel gear.
Housekeeping Camp is located near Curry Village with easy access to the free Yosemite Shuttles to explore the park. You can wake up and hit the park early to see as much as possible.
Housekeeping Camp
This is sort of glamping but in a very basic form. The Housekeeping Camp features three-sided concrete structures and a canvas flap at the front. There are roofs and privacy curtains.
Within the tent structures are a double bed and a bunk bed along with an electrical outlet and a small shelf.
These are VERY BASIC but you do not have to pack a tent with you and you are in the heart of Yosemite.
If you are looking for privacy or a quiet space you may want to look at booking a room in one of the Yosemite Lodges (Ahawanee, Yosemite Valley Lodge or Wawona Hotel).
If you are looking to enjoy more of nature, being outside, and close to everything than you will love Housekeeping Camp.
I feel like I need to repeat mentioning that this is not fancy and you will want to be prepared to be outside.
We have heard from people that they were surprised by how cold it was at night and were glad they brought a good sleeping bag. You can rent sheets and a blanket from Housekeeping Camp but remember you are at 4,000 feet and it can get cold at night.
There are Standard Units and River Units that are nearby sandy beaches perfect for relaxing and soaking in views of Yosemite Falls
You honestly get to enjoy unmatched views of Yosemite from the moment you wake up in the morning. The Merced River is your backyard and easy to get to especially if you book a river unit.
No stress setting up a tent, you just pull up and unload into your covered patio. If you love camping outdoors you will love the sights and sounds of Housekeeping Camp.
Truly a Yosemite favorite for many visitors to Yosemite National Park!
Plus if the weather turns you have a canvas roof to listen to the rain all night long.
Yosemite National Park Entrance Fee
Remember that Yosemite National Park has an entrance fee separate from camping and lodging fees.
Park Entrance Pass - $35.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $30.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Per-Person Entrance Pass—$20.00. Visitors 16 years of age or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.
Annual Yosemite Park Entrance Pass - $70.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle to Yosemite National Park only. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.
America the Beautiful/National Park Pass - $80.00 (Also known as the Interagency Annual Pass or Interagency Pass) covers entrance fees for an entire year to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites.
This is very worthwhile if you plan a National Park vacation, especially for visitors to Yosemite and Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks!
The park pass covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy on REI.com, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the annual five free entrance days the National Park Service offers.
Housekeeping Camp
Season: April 12 - October 14, 2019
Number of Sites: 266 units in the Housekeeping Camp
Location in the park: Near Curry Village in the heart of Yosemite Valley
Campsite cost: $108.00 a night
Reservations: Yes (see how and when to make a reservation below)
Latitude/Longitude: 37.7409° N, 119.5795° W
Elevation: 4,000 feet (1,200 m)
Pets Allowed: There are no pets allowed on the property.
Housekeeping Camp Reservations
Click here to book your stay at Housekeeping Camp.
How Far Ahead can you make a reservation? Reservations are available 366 days in advance and are strongly recommended, especially from spring through fall and during holidays.
Housekeeping Camp Amenities
Flush Toilets: Yes
Payphone: Yes
Is wifi available? No (Complimentary WiFi is available at Degnan's Kitchen near the visitor center (bandwidth is limited)
Is cellular Phone Service Available? Maybe, It will depend on your carrier. Some trips we have service with T-mobile in this area of the park.
Is firewood available for purchase? Yes, You can buy charcoal and firewood at the Housekeeping Camp Store.
Amenities at each Housekeeping Camp Tent
Each Housekeeping Camp unit features two electrical outlets, one inside the sleeping area and one outside. Each outlet has one plug.
You may want to pack a charging bar if you have camera batteries and multiple phones to charge.
There is one light in the sleeping area and one light in the patio area.
You can rent Bed Packs for $10.00 at Housekeeping Camp when you arrive. The pack includes two blankets, two sheets, and two pillows.
Firepit in the site? Yes, there are fire rings at each campsite.
Wood fires are only allowed from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
Picnic Table in the site? Yes
Bear Box in site/area? Yes, All units have a campfire ring with a grill grate and a bear-proof food storage locker.
You are required to store food properly in order to protect Yosemite’s bears.
Food storage lockers are provided in all campsites 35″(D)x43″(W)x28″(H)
Potable Water? Yes, there is drinking water available in the campground
Laundry: Open seven days a week from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm, the laundry room features coin-operated washers and dryers.
Showers: Shower house is open from 7:00 am - 10:00 pm.
Camp Store: Open seven days a week from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
Don't forget to pack with you
Padlock for your food storage locker.
Shower shoes for the public community showers and walks to the restroom at night.
Earplugs for additional sleeping support.
String lights to help you find your tent at night
A water bottle that you can refill.
Flashlight or LED headlamp and extra batteries.
Closeable plastic food containers to store in the locker.
Inflatable Hammock for lounging and checking the epic Yosemite scenery.
Marshmallow Roasting Sticks to make epic smores over the campfire.
Bleach wipes to wipe down cooking areas and remove all food and scents.
The best thing to remember to bring is your sense of adventure! Yosemite will be your backyard while staying in Housekeeping Camp and there is so much to see and do!
You will want to bring camping chairs with you or rent them at the Housekeeping Camp rental store. If you plan on renting them make sure to get there early so they do not sell out.
How to get to Housekeeping Camp
Location: Yosemite Valley
Housekeeping Camp Address:
Southside Dr,
Yosemite Valley, CA 95389
Housekeeping Camp Phone:
(888) 413-8869
Housekeeping Camp Regulations
The maximum number of people in a campsite: A maximum of six people (including children) are allowed per campsite.
The number of cars per campsite: Two motorized vehicles per campsite. A valid campground car pass must be displayed.
Check-in Time: 4 pm
Checkout time: 11 am
Quiet Hours: Quiet Hours are from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am, seven days a week.
Cancellation Policy: $10.00 cancellation fee for cancellations made 7 or more days prior to arrival. Reservations canceled within 7 days of arrival will forfeit the deposit paid.
Smoking: Smoking is strictly prohibited at all accommodations and buildings in Yosemite.
Additional Yosemite National Park Resources
Complete Guide to Exploring Yosemite National Park - Complete guide to exploring Yosemite National Park.
Make sure also to check out my articles on Things to do in Yosemite, 1-Day in Yosemite guide, Curry Village, Yosemite Winter Guide, Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Falls, Yosemite Valley Guide, Glacier Point, Tunnel View, Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, Midnight Yosemite Valley Floor Tour, and Bracebridge Dinner - which I have selected as one of my top 100 Experiences in the U.S. National Park!
Yosemite National Park Lodges
Complete Guide to Yosemite National Park Lodges - Guide to all of Yosemite National Park Lodges, including a map showing each location in the park. National Park Lodges include The Ahwahnee Hotel, Yosemite Valley Lodge, Wawona Hotel , Curry Village Cabins, and Tuolumne Meadows Lodge.
Yosemite National Park Campgrounds
Yosemite National Park Camping Guide - Guide to all of Yosemite National Park's campgrounds including a map showing their location within the park. Campgrounds include the North Pines Campground, Upper Pines Campground, Lower Pines Campground, Camp 4, Wawona Campground, Housekeeping Camp, Hodgdon Meadow Campground, Porcupine Flat Campground, Bridalveil Creek Campground, Crane Flat Campground, Tamarack Flat Campground, Tuolumne Meadows Campground, and Yosemite Creek Campground.
Additional Information on Oakhurst/Bass Lake, California
Guide to exploring Oakhurst, California, the southern entrance to Yosemite
Bass Lake Camping Guide, including the Lupine Campground and the Cedar Bluff Campground.
Check out all of the National Parks in California and neighboring National Parks in Oregon, National Parks in Nevada, and National Parks in Arizona.
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