Reserve Your Spot for National Park Campsites in 2025: Ahead of the Rush
Plan ahead if you're eyeing a summer camping trip in Yosemite National Park next year! Unlike most other national parks where bookings open six months in advance, Yosemite has a different game plan. Here's what you need to know about reserving your campsite for the summer of 2025.
Timing is Key
For Yosemite, the booking timeline is unique, with reservations available in blocks of one month at a time, up to five months in advance. Be aware that popular campsites fill up almost instantaneously on the 15th of each month at 7 am Pacific time!
Campground reservations will be required for Camp 4, Hodgdon Meadow, and Wawona Campgrounds beginning February 8-23, 2024. All February reservations for the aforementioned campgrounds will be released on Recreation.gov on December 15 at 7 am. Upper Pines Campground reservations are always available up to five months in advance[1].
Remember, reservations are required almost year-round in Yosemite, but only for specific months (May through September and some weekends). For the remaining period, you may opt for first-come, first-served campsites, though they usually fill up early morning[2].
Exceptions to the Rule
Yellowstone National Park is an exception to the rule, requiring bookings through two different websites and up to 13 months in advance, depending on the campground[3]. Arches National Park, on the other hand, only offers one campground, increasing your chances for a spot.
Last-Minute Options
Don't fret if you can't plan early. If the park is fully booked or you're looking for a more spontaneous adventure, there's always dispersed camping available nearby[4]. Resources like Hipcamp, The Dyrt, Campendium, and Reserve America are great for finding last-minute camping options and reviews.
Arrival Date
Pro Tip
It's worth checking into the parks every now and then to see if there have been any cancellations. You might just score a campsite! And don't forget to book your camper van in time for the busy season[5].
First Day to make a reservation (7 am PT)
Happy camping!
[1] National Park Service. (2023). Yosemite National Park Visitor Guide. [online] Available at: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/upload/YosemiteVisitorGuide_Digital_A5_en.pdf
[2] National Park Service. (2023). Yosemite National Park: Group Camping. [online] Available at: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/group-camping.htm
[3] National Park Service. (2023). Yellowstone National Park 2025 Camping Guide. [online] Available at: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/camping.htm
January 15 through February 14
February 15 through March 14
March 15 through April 14
April 15 through May 14
May 15 through June 14
June 15 through July 14
July 15 through August 14
August 15 through September 14
September 15 through October 14
October 15 through November 14
November 15 through December 14
December 15 through January 14
[4] National Park Service. (2023). Yosemite National Park Wilderness Permits. [online] Available at: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wilderness-plus-permits.htm
[5] ReserveCalifornia. (2023). Entrance Requirements for Yosemite. [online] Available at: https://www.reservecalifornia.com/visitYosemite/index.html
September 15
October 15
November 15
December 15
January 15
February 15
March 15
April 15
May 15
June 15
July 15
August 15
- Plan your summer camping trip in Yosemite National Park next year, and make sure to book your campsite in advance, as reservations are required for popular campgrounds like Camp 4, Hodgdon Meadow, and Wawona Campgrounds, starting February 8-23, 2024.
- Yosemite National Park's booking timeline is unique, with reservations available in blocks of one month at a time, up to five months in advance, and popular campsites fill up almost instantaneously on the 15th of each month at 7 am Pacific time.
- If the park is fully booked or you're looking for a more spontaneous adventure, consider dispersed camping nearby, and resources like Hipcamp, The Dyrt, Campendium, and Reserve America can help you find last-minute camping options and reviews.
- For a different travel experience, you might also want to explore Arches National Park, where only one campground is available, increasing your chances for a spot, unlike Yellowstone National Park, which requires bookings through two different websites and up to 13 months in advance, depending on the campground.
