One thing to know about camping in Yosemite is it is crazy popular! Tamarack Flat Campground is located off the Tioga Road and offers 52 first come first serve tent camping.
Tamarack Flat Campground
We pulled into the campground at 740 am on a weekday to see if we could check it out. There were more than 20 cars lined up waiting to see if they could get a campsite!!!!
The first car arrived before 3 am to try and get in line for a spot.
This was before most of the other Tioga Road campgrounds had opened so getting a site was a bit intense.
If you are planning a Yosemite National Park Camping trip you will want to be prepared!
Especially during the late spring-early summer when campgrounds are slowly opening depending on snow and staffing. If you can get a reservation for at least your first couple of nights you will at least know you have a place to stay!
Tamarack Flat Campground offers amazing access to Tuolumne Meadows via the Tioga Road!
Each campsite contains a fire ring, picnic table, and food locker. The campground does not have running water so you will want to be prepared with a water jug.
There is a vault toilet available for campers.
Season: approximately late June through September
Number of Sites: 52 Tent sites (RVs and trailers are not recommended)
Location in the park: Off the Tioga Road (Highway 120), about 45 minutes north of Yosemite Valley and Yosemite Village
Campsite cost: $12/night
Payments accepted:
Reservations: No reservations are available; the campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis
Campground Address: Tioga Pass, Tuolumne County, CA
Latitude/Longitude: 37.7503° N, 119.7352° W
Elevation: 6,300 feet (1,900 m)
Accessible Sites: Sites 21, 22, 23, 24, and 38
Campsites are suitable for wheelchairs and include picnic tables with extended tops. The closest restrooms to these campsites are also wheelchair accessible.
Pets Allowed: Pets are allowed but they must be on a leash less than 6 feet long.
Pets are not allowed inside park buildings or on specific trails.
Yosemite National Park Entrance Fee
Park entrance fees are 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 or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.
Annual Park Entrance Pass - $70.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.
$0.00 for Education/Academic Group
$300.00 for Non-Commercial Group (16+ persons)
$45.00-$125.00 for Commercial Sedan with 1-6 seats and non-commercial groups (16+ persons)
$125.00 for Commercial Van with 7-15 seats
$200.00 for Commercial Mini-Bus with 16-25 seats
$300.00 for Commercial Motor Coach with 26+ seats
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.
Campground Reservations
Are campground Reservations Available? No reservations are available; the campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis
First Come, First Served? Yes
Campground Amenities
Flush Toilets: Yes
Payphone: No
Is wifi available? No
Is cellular Phone Service Available? No
Is camp host available on site? Yes
Is firewood available for purchase? Yes, firewood can be purchased at the Yosemite Valley grocery store or Crane Flat gas station.
Amenities at each campsite:
Fire ring in the site? Yes, Wood and charcoal fires are permitted
Picnic Table in the site? Yes
Bear Box in site/area? Yes,
You are required to store food properly in order to protect Yosemite's bears. Bear storage lockers are provided in all campsites 35"(D)x43"(W)x28"(H)
Potable Water? No, Stream water must be treated (by boiling, using a filter, or using iodine). No potable water available.
Closest Showers: Yosemite Valley (Curry Village and Housekeeping Camp)
Don't forget to pack
Insect repellent is always a great idea outdoors, especially around any body of water.
We use Permethrin Spray on our clothes before our park trips. Please read my article on preventing biting insects while enjoying the outdoors.
Sunscreen - I buy environmentally friendly sunscreen whenever possible because you inevitably pull it out at the beach.
Bring your water bottle and plenty of water with you. Plastic water bottles are not sold in the park.
Sunglasses - I always bring sunglasses with me. I personally love Goodr sunglasses because they are lightweight, durable, and have awesome National Park Designs from several National Parks like Joshua Tree, Yellowstone, Hawaii Volcanoes, Acadia, Denali, and more!
Click here to get your National Parks Edition of Goodr Sunglasses!
Binoculars/Spotting Scope - These will help spot birds and wildlife and make them easier to identify. We tend to see waterfowl in the distance, and they are always just a bit too far to identify them without binoculars.
RV Camping at Tamarack Flat Campground
RVs and trailers are not recommended due to the road leading to the campground.
For a fun adventure check out Escape Campervans. These campervans have built in beds, kitchen area with refrigerators, and more. You can have them fully set up with kitchen supplies, bedding, and other fun extras. They are painted with epic designs you can't miss!
Escape Campervans has offices in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, New York, and Orlando
Tamarack Flat Campground Regulations
The maximum number of people in a campsite: A maximum of six people (including children) are allowed per campsite. There is no limit on the number of tents (as long as they all fit into the campsite).
The number of cars per campsite: Two motorized vehicles per campsite. A valid campground car pass must be displayed.
Checkout time: 12 noon
Quiet Hours: Quiet hours are from 10 pm to 6 am
Maximum Stay: 7-day maximum stay limit.
Tamarack Flat Campground Map
Photos of Tamarack Flat Campground
The road leading into Tamarack Flat Campground is not very wide!
Cars lined up at 8 am hoping to get a site! The camp host was there directing traffic and keeping the campground quiet for sleeping campers.
Check out our complete Yosemite NP Travel Planning Guide for all the info you need to plan a visit.
Yosemite National Park Lodging
If you are wondering where to stay in Yosemite National Park there are multiple options available ranging from tent cabins to national park lodges.
Ahwahnee Hotel
The Ahwahnee Hotel is located in Yosemite Valley and is known throughout the world as one of the most luxurious National Park Lodges.
Wawona Hotel - Currently Closed
Built in 1856 the Wawona Hotel formerly Big Trees Lodge is on the National Historic Landmark located near the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias and the Pioneer History Center in Yosemite National Park.
Yosemite Valley Lodge
If you are looking to stay in the heart of Yosemite National Park than you will love Yosemite Valley Lodge.
The lodge is located close to Yosemite Falls which makes it a great base for a Yosemite vacation.
Curry Village Cabins
Part of the Curry Village complex that was previously known as Half Dome Village.
Curry Village Tent Cabins
The Curry Village Tent Cabins are a great option for staying in Yosemite Valley. Available for booking on Expedia
Housekeeping Camp
If you are looking to stay in the heart of Yosemite Valley and not bring your own tent you will love Housekeeping Camp.
Tuolumne Meadows Lodge
Located off the Tioga Road in Yosemite National Park the Tuolumne Meadows Lodge includes 69 canvas-tent cabins without electricity.
Where to stay near Yosemite
There are great options for lodging near Yosemite National Park. We are huge fans of staying in Oakhurst, California and entering the park from the southern entrance.
A few of our favorite places to stay in Oakhurst include:
Chateau du Sureau
The Pines Resort at Bass Lake
Sierra Sky Ranch
Hounds Tooth Inn
Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn - At Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn, you can look forward to a terrace, a playground, and laundry facilities. For some rest and relaxation, visit the 2 hot tubs. The onsite restaurant, Yosemite Gateway, features American cuisine. Free Wi-Fi in public areas is available to all guests, along with a bar and a gym.
Yosemite Southgate Hotel & Suites - At Yosemite Southgate Hotel & Suites, you can look forward to free continental breakfast, laundry facilities, and a 24-hour business center. For some rest and relaxation, visit the sauna or the steam room. Stay connected with free in-room Wi-Fi.
Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite - 4-star eco-friendly resort near Yosemite. You can look forward to a poolside bar, a terrace, and shopping on site at Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite. Adventurous travelers may like the rock climbing, snowshoeing, and ice skating at this resort. Indulge in a deep-tissue massage, a body treatment, and aromatherapy at Ascent Spa, the onsite spa. Enjoy pizza and more at the two onsite restaurants. Enjoy the gym, as well as activities like mountain biking and archery. In addition to a coffee shop/café and a garden, guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.
Rush Creek Lodge - 3.5-star family-friendly hotel near Yosemite. Take advantage of a poolside bar, a grocery/convenience store, and a terrace at Rush Creek Lodge at Yosemite. Adventurous travelers may like the mountain biking and ecotours at this hotel. For some rest and relaxation, visit the 2 hot tubs. The onsite restaurant, Rush Creek Restaurant, features local cuisine. In addition to a coffee shop/café and a garden, guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.
Yosemite Sierra Inn - Yosemite Sierra Inn provides a business center and more. Stay connected with free Wi-Fi in public areas.
Queen's Inn By the River - Enjoy visiting the attached winery, a terrace, and a garden at Queen's Inn By the River. The onsite restaurant, Idle Hour Winery &Kitchen, features garden views and brunch. Stay connected with free Wi-Fi in public areas, and guests can find other amenities such as 2 bars.
For additional lodging options click on the map below for current rates and availability for lodging and vacation rentals near Yosemite NP.
Make sure to follow Park Ranger John on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok
Leave a Reply