Tuolumne Meadows Campground - Yosemite National Park

Tuolumne Meadows Campground in Yosemite National Park, California may be one of the most beautiful campgrounds we have spent time in. 

Located off of the Tioga Road the Tuolumne Meadows Campground offers direct access to the Tuolumne Meadows area right across the street.

Tuolumne Meadows Campground is the largest campground within Yosemite National Park with 304 sites. 

Tuolumne Meadows Campground - Yosemite National Park

Tuolumne Meadows Campground is undergoing a major rehabilitation project and will remain closed until 2025, depending on weather/length of construction season).

Changes being made to the campground - 

• Improved and simplified road system
• Rehabilitated restrooms, with two new restrooms added
• Redesigned campsites with hardened parking pads
• Seventeen campsites relocated from along the river in A loop to an area away from the river (no change in the total number of campsites in the campground)
• Backpackers campground relocated within the campground to the John Muir Trail trailhead
• Twelve walk-to campsites (with nearby parking)
• New picnic tables, food lockers, fire rings in each campsite
• Improved accessibility for people with disabilities, including at the Dana Campfire Circle
• Updated water and sewer system

Along with access to Lembert Dome, Elizabeth Lake, and the Tuolumne River running through the campground!

Half of the sites are available for reservations five months ahead of time. The other half are first come first serve and they sell out nightly!

If you know the dates you are planning to visit the park you will want to get a reservation if possible so you are guaranteed at least one night in this gorgeous Yosemite Campground! 

Sites in Loop A are closest to the Tuolumne River but are also closer to each other.

You can easily access the Tuolumne Meadows visitor center, store, and post office near the campground. 

Check out all of the Yosemite Camping options! There are 13 campgrounds within Yosemite National Park! 

Season: Closed until 2025

Number of Sites:  304

Location in the park: Five miles from the Tioga Pass Entrance Station

Campsite Cost: 

Tent sites: $26/night
Group sites:  $50/night
Horse sites: $30/night

Reservations: Yes, Recreation.Gov

Tent Sites: Half of the campground is available by advanced reservation, the other half is open on a same-day sale basis, and still fills nightly
Group sites: Required and available online. 
Horse sites: Required and available only by calling 877/444-6777. 

Latitude/Longitude: 

• Latitude:
• 37.8711111
• 37° 52' 16.0000" N

• Longitude:
• -119.36
• 119° 21' 36.0000" W

Elevation: 8,600 feet

Accessible Sites: Loop B: sites 37, 38, and 39
Loop C: site 1, 89, and 90

Pets Allowed: Pets are not permitted in group campsites but are allowed in family and horse sites

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.

Tuolumne Meadows Campground Reservations

Are campground Reservations Available?

Yes, Half of the campground is available by advanced reservation, the other half is open on a same-day sale basis, and still fills nightly

Phone Number? 1-877-444-6777

Online? Recreation.Gov

How Far Ahead can you make a reservation? Up to five months in advance on the 15th of each month at 7:00 a.m. (PT) or 10:00 a.m (ET).

First Come, First Served? Yes, half the campground 

First-night rent plus a one-time transaction fee of $4.50 will be charged at the time of reservation and is non-refundable.

Campground Amenities

Flush Toilets: Yes

Payphone: Yes

Is wifi available? No

Is cellular Phone Service Available? No

Is camp host available on site? Yes

Is firewood available for purchase? Yes, in Curry Village/Half Dome Village or at the Yosemite Village store.

They also sell firewood at the Crane Flat gas station at the start of the Tioga Road. 

 

Amenities at each campsite:

Each campsite has a picnic table, fire ring

Firepit in the site? Yes, there are fire rings at each campsite. 

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. 

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

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 Tuolumne Meadows Campground

RV Length: RVs and trailers up to 35 feet

Not every site can accommodate equipment of these lengths. Be sure to read the site details when making a reservation on recreation.gov to ensure your equipment will fit into the site you're reserving. 

Dump Station: Yes, on the Tioga Road just west of the campground

Generators: 7 am to 9 am, noon to 2 pm, and 5 pm to 7 pm

Hookups: No, There are no electric, water, or sewer hook-ups at this facility

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

How to get to Tuolumne Meadows Campground

Take Highway 41 north from Fresno, Highway 140 east from Merced, Highway 120 east from Manteca or west from Lee Vining (State Route 395) into Yosemite National Park.

Tuolumne Meadows Campground is located 5 miles from the Tioga Pass Entrance station (Hwy 120 from the east) and is 55 miles (2 hours) from Yosemite Valley.

 

 

Tuolumne Meadows 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.

Tuolumne Meadows Campground Map

Photos of Tuolumne Meadows Campground

Tuolumne Meadows Campground provides easy access to the Pacific Crest Trail and the John Muir Trail.

One thing to know is many PCT hikers stop at the grocery store near the campground. Many of them have been on the trail for months without a shower.

If you are sensitive to strong smells you may want to be prepared if the store is crowded. 

A Loop

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B Loop

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

C Loop

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

D Loop

 

 

 

E Loop

 

 

 

F Loop 

 

 

 

G Loop

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

Check out our complete Yosemite National Park Travel Guide for everything you need to know to plan an epic visit to the park. 

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