Introduction
Book your campsite for Hodgdon Meadow Campground at Yosemite National Park six months ahead if you're visiting between mid-April and mid-October - that reservation window fills fast, and for good reason. Located just inside the Big Oak Flat Entrance at 4,900 feet elevation, this 105-site campground offers something the valley floor campgrounds cannot: quiet. You are 25 miles and roughly 45 minutes from Yosemite Valley, which means fewer crowds, cooler nights, and the sound of wind through pine trees instead of RV generators running all night.
Most visitors driving into Yosemite from the west side pass right by the turnoff. That is the point.
Location and Getting There
The Hodgdon Meadow Campground sits immediately on your left after entering through the Big Oak Flat Entrance on Big Oak Flat Road. If you are coming from Highway 120 west, you hit the entrance station and then the campground entrance within a quarter mile. Hard to miss it.
Driving times and what to expect
- To Yosemite Valley: 25 miles, about 45 minutes. That sounds close. It is not close when the valley parking fills by 9 AM and you are circling for forty minutes. Factor that in.
- To Crane Flat: A short drive. Crane Flat has a gas station and minimal convenience items - enough to cover forgotten matches or an extra bag of ice, but do not count on it for real supplies.
- To the giant sequoia groves: Trailheads for both the Merced Grove and Tuolumne Grove are within a short drive. More on those below.
The road in is paved and well-maintained. No high-clearance vehicle needed here, unlike some of the rougher campgrounds off Tioga Road.
Campsite Details and Fees
The campground has 105 sites total, including 9 tent-only spots. As of 2026, the fee structure breaks down like this:
| Fee Type | Cost | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Non-group site (reservation) | $36.00 | Mid-April through mid-October |
| Non-group site (first-come, first-served) | $28.00 | Mid-October through mid-April |
| Group site | $75.00 | Mid-April through mid-October |
The group sites are closed during the first-come, first-served period. If you need a group site, you are looking at the April through October window exclusively.
Reservation system
From approximately mid-April through mid-October, every site requires a reservation. You book through Recreation.gov. From mid-October through mid-April, sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis. The group sites do not participate in the first-come period - they close.
Here is what the park website does not emphasize enough: the first-come, first-served period is not a free-for-all. The campground still has a check-in process. You claim an empty site, then register at the self-pay station. If every site is taken by late afternoon, you are out of luck.
When to Go: Seasonal Considerations
Summer season (peak)
Late June through August brings warm days and cool nights. Expect daytime temperatures in the 70s and 80s at this elevation, with overnight lows dipping into the 40s. That temperature drop surprises people who only packed for Valley heat. Pack a real sleeping bag, not just a sheet.
Spring and fall shoulder seasons
May and September are excellent. The crowds thin out, the temperatures are milder, and the mosquitoes are less aggressive. October can be beautiful, but the Tioga Road closure risk increases. As of this writing, an active alert notes Tioga Road is temporarily closed due to a forecast of snow - call 209/372-0200 (then press 1, 1) for current road status.
Winter
The first-come, first-served period runs through winter, but expect cold. Snow is possible. The campground remains open, but the nearby Badger Pass Ski Area operates from mid-December through March (conditions permitting). Winter camping here requires serious cold-weather gear.
Nearby Attractions and Activities
Giant sequoia groves
The Merced Grove and Tuolumne Grove trailheads are within a short drive. These are not the Mariposa Grove - they get far fewer visitors. The Tuolumne Grove has a 2.5-mile round-trip hike with a 500-foot elevation drop on the way in (and that steep climb back out). The Merced Grove is a similar effort. Both reward you with giant sequoias and very few people.
Yosemite Valley access
The 45-minute drive to the Valley puts you within reach of the usual attractions. The Cook's Meadow Loop trailhead is an easy flat walk with views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, and Sentinel Rock. The bike paths in Yosemite Valley offer over 12 miles of paved riding. You can rent bikes in the Valley if you did not bring your own.
From this overlook near the Valley floor you can see El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall from angles that the main viewing areas offer, but the trade-off is time spent driving. Some visitors find that staying at Hodgdon and making one Valley day trip works better than fighting for a valley campsite.
Badger Pass Ski Area
In winter, Badger Pass is five miles east of the junction with Glacier Point Road. Downhill skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country trails are available. The ski area has been operating since 1935 and draws fewer crowds than Tahoe resorts.
Ranger programs and activities
Rangers will tell you that the "Spirit of Yosemite" film plays daily in the theater behind the Yosemite Exploration Center. The Yosemite Museum in Yosemite Village is open year-round and interprets the cultural history of the Miwok and Paiute people. The Junior Ranger program operates year-round as well - pick up a handbook at any visitor center.
What to Know Before You Go
Cell service
Cell service drops out at the Big Oak Flat Entrance and does not reliably return until you are well into the Valley. Do not count on your phone for navigation or communication at the campground itself. Download maps ahead of time.
Water and amenities
The campground has drinking water and flush toilets during the reservation season. In the first-come, first-served period, water availability may be reduced. Check the status before you go.
Wildlife
Yosemite supports over 400 species of vertebrates. Black bears are active here - all food, coolers, and scented items must be stored in bear-proof lockers. Rangers will tell you that a cooler left on a picnic table at night is an invitation you do not want to extend. Keep an eye out for mule deer, which move through the campground regularly, and the occasional coyote at dawn.
Parking situation
Each site has space for one or two vehicles. Overflow parking is limited. If you are arriving with multiple cars, sort that out before you get there.
Practical Takeaways
- Book early - reservations open six months out on Recreation.gov. Set a calendar reminder.
- Arrive with a full tank - the Crane Flat gas station is your last option before the Valley, and prices are higher than outside the park.
- Pack layers - the 4,900-foot elevation means nights are cold even in summer. A puffy jacket and a warm sleeping bag are not optional.
- Bring all food on arrival - the convenience store at Crane Flat has limited selection and higher prices. Stock up before you enter the park.
- Plan your Valley day - leave the campground by 7 AM if you want a parking spot in Yosemite Valley during peak season. Later than 8 AM and you are competing with thousands of other people.
- Know the road status - call 209/372-0200 (then 1, 1) before you leave home. Tioga Road closures affect access even if you are not driving that route - they tell you the overall conditions.
For a broader overview of everything this location offers, check the complete visitor guide. If you are comparing campgrounds across the park, the all campgrounds page gives you the full picture.
Final Thoughts
Hodgdon Meadow Campground at Yosemite National Park is not the most famous campground in the park. It does not have the name recognition of Upper Pines or the history of Camp 4. What it has is space, quiet, and proximity to the less-crowded corners of the park - the Tuolumne Grove of giant sequoias, the Crane Flat area, and a direct shot to the Big Oak Flat Entrance that bypasses the worst of the Arch Rock traffic.
The 45-minute drive to the Valley is the trade-off. Some visitors find that distance unacceptable. Others find it is the only way to sleep through the night without hearing someone else's campfire stories. That is the choice you make when you book here.
Most people who stay at Hodgdon Meadow come back. That is worth considering when you make your reservation.