Book your site the day reservations open. North Pines Campground fills within minutes of the six-month booking window, and for good reason - it sits on the Merced River in the heart of Yosemite Valley with direct access to the free shuttle route. At 4,000 feet elevation, this 80-site campground opens seasonally from mid-April through mid-October and puts you within walking distance of the valley's best trailheads, food services, and viewpoints. If you want to wake up under Yosemite's granite walls without staying in a hotel, this is the site to target. For a broader look at your options, check the complete visitor guide for planning your trip.
For more, see Camp 4 Campground at Camp 4 Campground Yosemite National Park (2026 Guide), Campsites at Wawona Horse Camp (2026 Guide), Tamarack Flat Campground at Tamarack Flat Campground Yosemite National Park (2026 Guide), Tuolumne Meadows Campground at Tuolumne Meadows Campground Yosemite National Park (2026 Guide), and Wawona Horse Camp at Wawona Horse Camp Yosemite National Park (2026 Guide). For more, see Bridalveil Creek Campground at Bridalveil Creek Campground Yosemite National Park (2026 Guide), Crane Flat Campground at Crane Flat Campground Yosemite National Park (2026 Guide), and White Wolf Campground at White Wolf Campground Yosemite National Park (2026 Guide). For more, see Yosemite National Park Scenic Drives: Yosemite Jeep Trails (2026) and Yosemite National Park: Yosemite Hiking Socks (2026 Guide). For more, see Best Wildlife Viewing in Yosemite and Yosemite Guided Tours: Valley, Half Dome & Photography Tours (2026). For more, see Yosemite National Park Weather: Weather Tomorrow Near Curry Village Yosemite Valley (2026 Guide) and Yosemite Entrances: Which One to Use Based on Where You're Going (2026). For more, see complete visitor guide, all campgrounds, hiking trails, lodging and accommodations, and Tuolumne Horse Campsites at Tuolumne Horse Campsites Yosemite National Park (2026 Guide).Location and Layout
North Pines sits on the valley's south side along Southside Drive, directly across the Merced River from Curry Village. The campground is compact compared to Upper Pines next door - 80 sites total, with 13 designated for RVs up to 40 feet and trailers up to 35 feet. Every site requires a reservation; there are no first-come, first-served spots here.
The loop layout is straightforward. Sites closest to the river tend to go first for obvious reasons - you can hear the water from your tent, and some have partial views through the trees. Sites farther from the river sit deeper in the pine and oak cover, which offers more privacy but less air movement in summer. There is no bad site in this campground, but if river noise matters to you, target the outer edge of the loop.
What the reservation system won't tell you: The sites near the restroom buildings get foot traffic and light throughout the night. If you are a light sleeper, book a site away from the bathhouses. Also, the campground has no dump station. RVs need to use the dump station at Upper Pines Campground or Curry Village.Getting There
From Highway 140 (Arch Rock Entrance): drive 8 miles west on El Portal Road into Yosemite Valley. From Highway 41 (South Entrance): drive 33 miles north on Wawona Road, roughly one hour. From Highway 120 (Big Oak Flat Entrance): drive east into the valley. As of 2026, the Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road remain closed for the season - call 209/372-0200 (then 1, 1) for current conditions.
Once you reach Yosemite Valley, follow signs for Southside Drive. North Pines is about a mile east of the Yosemite Village junction. The road through the campground is paved and well-maintained, but parking pads are gravel. Check in at the entrance station - rangers will confirm your site number and give you a vehicle display tag.
Reservations and Fees
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Fee per night | $36.00 (as of 2026) |
| Reservation window | Opens 6 months ahead on a rolling calendar |
| Maximum vehicle length | RV: 40 ft, Trailer: 35 ft |
| Season | Mid-April to mid-October |
| Cancellation policy | Check Recreation.gov for current terms |
Reservations go through Recreation.gov, and the system releases sites at 7 AM Pacific time on a set schedule. If your dates are flexible, try midweek bookings - Tuesday through Thursday availability lasts about 15 minutes longer than weekend slots. The park service recommends creating a Recreation.gov account and saving your payment information before your target booking day.
What You Need to Know About Amenities
Restrooms and Water: North Pines has flush toilets and running water during the operating season. Not all Yosemite campgrounds have flush toilets - Camp 4 and some of the higher-elevation sites rely on vault toilets. The restrooms here are cleaned daily and stay in reasonable shape through the season. Drinking water spigots are scattered through the campground. Bring a container to fill up - the spigots are not at every site. Food Storage: Bear-proof food lockers are provided at every site. Use them for all food, scented items, and trash. Rangers patrol the campground at night and will issue citations for food left out. The bear population in Yosemite Valley is active and habituated. Do not leave anything in your vehicle overnight - bears have learned to open car doors and will break windows for a bag of chips. Showers and Laundry: There are no showers or laundry facilities in North Pines. The closest are at Curry Village, about a 10-minute walk across the river. The showers cost $5 per use (as of 2026) and take quarters or credit cards. Bring your own towel and toiletries. Campfires: Fire rings are provided at each site during the operating season. Firewood is available for purchase at the campground entrance station and at Curry Village. Do not bring firewood from outside the park - Yosemite enforces strict firewood restrictions to prevent the spread of pests like the goldspotted oak borer.
Activities Within Walking Distance
The biggest advantage of North Pines is what you can walk to. You do not need a car once you are set up.
Ride a Bike in Yosemite Valley
Over 12 miles of paved bike paths connect the valley. Rentals are available at Curry Village and Yosemite Village. The path from North Pines runs east toward Mirror Lake and west toward the Yosemite Falls trailhead. Speed limit is 15 mph. Bike is the fastest way to cover ground when the valley is crowded - and it will be crowded.
Hiking from the Campground
The Mirror Lake Trailhead is about half a mile east of North Pines. That short trail leads to a 2-mile loop around the lake. Better option: walk past Mirror Lake and take the Snow Creek Trail for elevation gain and views of Half Dome from the opposite side.
The Yosemite Falls Trail is 1.5 miles west on the bike path. The lower falls are an easy walk. The full climb to the top is 7.2 miles round trip with 2,700 feet of elevation gain. Rangers will tell you to start before 7 AM in summer - the exposed sections get brutal by 10 AM.
The Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall trailhead is at Happy Isles, about a mile east of North Pines. The Mist Trail to Vernal Fall is 3 miles round trip with 1,000 feet of gain. Keep an eye out for rainbows in the spray on sunny afternoons.
Free Shuttle
North Pines has its own shuttle stop. The Yosemite Valley Shuttle runs every 10-15 minutes during peak season and connects to Yosemite Village, Curry Village, the Visitor Center, and major trailheads. Cell service drops out in parts of the valley - the shuttle schedule is posted at the stop, and a paper copy is available at the entrance station.
Nearby Services
Curry Village has a general store, pizza deck, and cafeteria. Yosemite Village has a larger grocery store, post office, museum, and the Yosemite Exploration Center. Both are a 10-minute walk or a 3-minute shuttle ride. The grocery prices are what you expect at a park concession - bring your own staple items if you want to save money.
The Yosemite Museum (open year-round) and Yosemite Cemetery are both in Yosemite Village. The museum takes about 30 minutes and includes artifacts from Yosemite's native Miwok and Paiute communities. The cemetery is a quiet spot worth 10-60 minutes - some of the people buried there were early park caretakers and guides.
What to Expect in Each Season
Late April to May: The campground opens. Nights are cold - expect lows in the 30s. Snow may still be present on the valley rim. Waterfalls are at peak flow. Fewer people, but bring warm sleeping bags. June to August: Peak season. Daytime temps reach 85-95°F in the valley. The campground is full every night. Mosquitoes are active near the river after dusk. Reservations required three to four months out. The shuttle runs at maximum frequency. September to mid-October: The best window. Crowds thin after Labor Day. Lows drop to the 40s at night. The Merced River is low enough to wade in spots. The campground closes in mid-October, exact date depending on weather.Common Mistakes First-Time Visitors Make
Underestimating the walk to the restrooms. The bathhouse is centrally located, but some sites are a 2-3 minute walk. Not a big deal during the day. At 2 AM in a rainstorm, it matters. Scout the restroom location when you arrive. Not bringing a headlamp. The campground is dark after sunset - intentionally. Streetlights do not exist. A headlamp is essential for navigating to the restroom, cooking, or reading at your site. Leaving food in the car. Already mentioned, but worth repeating. The bear lockers are roomy enough for a family's worth of food and a cooler. Use them. Assuming the Tioga Road is open. As of 2026, the Tioga Road remains closed for the season. It typically opens in June or July, but snowpack determines timing. Check conditions before planning a trip through the high country.
How North Pines Compares to Other Valley Campgrounds
North Pines has 80 sites. Upper Pines has 235 sites and is the largest valley campground. Lower Pines has 73 sites and is directly adjacent to North Pines. All three pines campgrounds are similar - same fee ($36/night), same flush toilets, same bear lockers, same river proximity.
Camp 4 is the budget option at $10/night with walk-in tent sites and no reservations - first-come, first-served only. It attracts climbers and hardcore budget travelers. No reservations means no guarantee you get a spot.If you are comparing campgrounds in Yosemite Valley, North Pines has the best balance of size and location - smaller than Upper Pines, quieter than Camp 4, and directly on the shuttle route. The tradeoff is that it fills faster than Lower Pines in our experience. For a full breakdown of your options, the all campgrounds page covers every site in the park.
Outside the valley, Hodgdon Meadow Campground (105 sites, $36/night) sits at 4,900 feet near the Big Oak Flat Entrance - cooler in summer and closer to the Tuolumne Grove of giant sequoias. Wawona Campground (99 sites, $36/night) is along the South Fork Merced River near the park's south entrance. Both are good alternatives if valley campgrounds are full, but you will drive 45-60 minutes to reach Yosemite Valley attractions.
Practical Takeaways
- Book exactly 6 months ahead at 7 AM Pacific on Recreation.gov. Have your account and payment ready before that morning.
- Bring a headlamp or flashlight. The campground has no ambient lighting. You will need it every night.
- Pack for temperature swings. Summer days hit 95°F. Summer nights drop to 50°F. Bring layers and a sleeping bag rated to at least 40°F.
- Walk or bike everywhere. The shuttle stop is at the campground entrance. Curry Village and Yosemite Village are a 10-minute walk. Leave your car parked and avoid the valley's notorious traffic jams.
- Store everything edible in the bear locker. That includes toothpaste, sunscreen, gum, and empty coolers. Rangers check, and bears do not care about your excuses.
- Bring cash for showers ($5 at Curry Village, quarters or credit cards accepted).
- Check road conditions before you leave. Call 209/372-0200 (then 1, 1) or visit the NPS website for current closures. As of 2026, both the Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road are closed for the season.
Final Thoughts
North Pines Campground is the best basecamp in Yosemite Valley for one simple reason: it puts everything within reach without the noise and traffic of the larger campgrounds. You walk out your tent door and the valley unfolds in both directions - Half Dome to the east, El Capitan to the west, the Merced River running past your site. The campground is not luxurious. You are paying $36 a night for a gravel pad, a fire ring, and access to one of the most dramatic landscapes on the continent. That is a fair trade. Book your site early, pack smart, and spend your days on the trails rather than in the car. The park rangers will tell you the same thing.