Lower Pines Campground campground
Yosemite National Park, California

Lower Pines Campground

Mostly first-come
75 campsites
Open in maps

75

Total Campsites

Campground

Reservable Sites

Mostly first-come

Accessible

ADA-compliant sites

Organization

Managing agency

Overview

About Lower Pines Campground

Overview Lower Pines campsites are available to reserve up to five months in advance on the 15th of each month at 7:00 a.m. PST. For example, on January 15, arrival dates for the period May 15 to June 14 become available to reserve, and therefore, the full arrival date window would be from the campground open date to June 14. Reservation tips! Campsites in Yosemite are extremely popular and typically sell out in minutes. Login to your account or create a new account before the 7:00 a.m. PST release time. You may only add reservations to your cart and proceed with your reservation if you are logged into your account. The recreation.gov call center does NOT have access to additional sites or additional information beyond what is published on recreation.gov. Lower Pines Campground is located in breathtaking Yosemite National Park in Central California's rugged Sierra Nevada Mountain Range at an elevation of 4,000 feet. The site is situated in the heart of Yosemite Valley, an awe-inspiring landscape containing many of the famous features for which Yosemite National Park is known. Within Yosemite, visitors gaze upon waterfalls, sheer granite cliffs, deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, vast wilderness areas and much more. Yosemite National Park Campground Reservation Dates For additional park information, call (209) 372-0200 or visit www.nps.gov/yose Recreation Yosemite's trails, cliffs, roads and rivers provide endless recreational activities for any kind of visitor. Hiking, biking, rock climbing, fishing, horseback riding, rafting, auto touring and photography are all very popular activities within the park. Hiking trails range from the easy, paved, two-mile round-trip walk to Mirror Lake/Meadow, to the grueling but rewarding 14- to 16-mile trek to Half Dome (advanced permit required). Both of these trails begin near the Pines Campgrounds, and there are many additional trailheads within Yosemite Valley. Rafting the Merced River is a fun way to cool down on a summer day when water levels are sufficient. Yosemite Valley also offers numerous guided bus tours, educational programs, museums, ranger-led activities,and an art center with workshops. Facilities Yosemite's trails, cliffs, roads and rivers provide endless recreational activities for any kind of visitor. Hiking, biking, rock climbing, fishing, horseback riding, rafting, auto touring and photography are all very popular activities within the park. Hiking trails range from the easy, paved, two-mile round-trip walk to Mirror Lake/Meadow, to the grueling but rewarding 14- to 16-mile trek to Half Dome (advanced permit required). Both of these trails begin near the Pines Campgrounds, and there are many additional trailheads within Yosemite Valley. Rafting the Merced River is a fun way to cool down on a summer day when water levels are sufficient. Yosemite Valley also offers numerous guided bus tours, educational programs, museums, ranger-led activities,and an art center with workshops. Natural Features Yosemite Valley is forested with a diverse mix of California black oak, ponderosa pine, incense-cedar, white fir and whiteleaf manzanita, which offers a pleasant combination of sun and shade. Through the trees, Yosemite's telltale granite cliffs peek through, and the gentle, refreshing Merced River flows nearby. Nearby Attractions Glacier Point offers sweeping views of Yosemite Valley, Little Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Vernal and Nevada Falls, and Clouds Rest, among other notable landmarks and a visit to Wawona and the Pioneer Yosemite History Center is like stepping back in time. The Tioga Road offers a 39-mile scenic drive past forests, meadows, lakes, and granite domes. Tuolumne Meadows embodies the high-country of the Sierra Nevada, with its broad sub-alpine meadows and granite domes and peaks and the beautiful Hetch Hetchy Reservoir is home to spectacular scenery and numerous wilderness trailheads. Charges & Cancellations Cancellations more than 48 hours in advance of arrival date only incur a $10 transaction fee. Within 48 hours, $10 and the first night's fee are charged (Exception: 1 night reservations do not incur an additional $10 fee, but do not receive a refund). No-shows will be assessed a $20 service fee along with the loss of the first night's fee.

  • 75 total campsites listed.
  • Primarily first-come camping based on current listing data.
  • Most common site type: unknown (75).
  • Map coordinates are available for trip planning.
Lower Pines Campground photo 2
Lower Pines Campground photo 3

Our Take

What makes Lower Pines Campground special

Lower Pines Campground is one of the jewels of Yosemite Valley, set along the banks of the Merced River with direct sightlines to Half Dome that will stop you in your tracks every time you glance upward. Located at the eastern end of the Valley near Happy Isles and the Mist Trail trailhead, it puts you at the doorstep of some of the most celebrated hikes in the national park system — the routes to Vernal Fall, Nevada Fall, and Half Dome all begin just a short walk away. The campground contains roughly 60 sites spread beneath a canopy of pine and cedar, with the river running alongside several of the loops. Sites accommodate tents and RVs, and the proximity to Half Dome Village means showers, a store, and dining options are within easy reach. Reservations open five months in advance on a rolling basis, and competition is fierce. Setting a reminder and being logged in the moment bookings go live is not overkill — it is practically a requirement. Mid-week stays and shoulder-season visits in April, May, or October give you the best chance at securing a spot and the bonus of somewhat lighter crowds. Spring brings the waterfalls to life, summer delivers warm swimming weather along the Merced, and fall paints the Valley in warm tones of gold and russet. Bear activity is common, so all food and scented items must be stored in the provided bear-proof lockers at all times.

Campsite Inventory

75 sites to choose from

Unknown

75total sites

0

Reservable

0

Accessible

Amenities & Details

Everything you need to know

Accessibility

Yes

Campfire Allowed

Yes

Site capacity

Single

Check-in time

12:00 PM

Check-out time

12:00 PM

Double Driveway

No, Yes

Driveway entry

Back-In

Driveway Grade

N/A, Slight

Driveway surface

Gravel, Paved

Max guests

12, 6

Max vehicle length (ft)

18, 24, 27, 30

Minimum guests

Yes, 7

Pets allowed

Yes

Proximity to Water

Riverfront

Shade

Yes

Reservations & Contact

Plan your stay

Mostly first-come

Phone

(209) 372-8502

Getting There

Take Highway 41 north from Fresno, Highway 140 east from Merced, or Highway 120 east from Manteca into Yosemite National Park. Follow signs to Yosemite Valley and the campgrounds.

FAQ

Common questions

Everything you need to know before your trip to Lower Pines Campground.

How do reservations work for Lower Pines Campground?

Reservation availability for Lower Pines Campground can vary by season and campsite type. Check the contact and access section before booking.

What campsite types are available at Lower Pines Campground?

Lower Pines Campground currently lists Unknown (75).

Where is Lower Pines Campground located?

Lower Pines Campground is in California near Yosemite National Park. Coordinates: 37.7408, -119.5667.

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