Yosemite National Park, CA

Tuolumne Meadows Campground

Mountain viewsRiverside / CreeksideAlpineHikingFishingRock climbingBackpackingHorse-friendly (overnight stock)Flush toiletsFire pitDrinkable waterPicnic tableBear box / lockerAmphitheater

Availability

Each day shows how many of this campground’s sites are open.

About this spot

Overview

Tuolumne Meadows Campground recently had a complete overhaul and rehabilitation of the campsites. Please be mindful of young plants and shrubs by keeping all wheels on parking pads and camping equipment within established campsites. Thank you! Tuolumne Meadows Campground is located in breathtaking Yosemite National Park in Central California's rugged Sierra Nevada Mountain Range at an elevation of 8,600 feet. The site is situated along the scenic Tioga Road just five miles from the Tioga Pass Entrance Station. Within Yosemite, visitors can gaze upon waterfalls, sheer granite cliffs, deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, vast wilderness areas, and so much more. 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.

Recreation

Popular activities in the area include hiking, rock climbing, backpacking and fishing. The 4.8-mile roundtrip trail to Elizabeth Lake begins in the campground and climbs to a glacier-carved lake at the base of Unicorn Peak. Other trails in Tuolumne Meadows include Soda Springs and Parsons Lodge, Lyell Canyon via the John Muir Trail, Cathedral Lakes, Mono Pass, and Glen Aulin. Nearby Tenaya Lake is a magnificent spot for picnicking, swimming and canoeing.

Facilities

This large, popular campground contains family, horse and group camp sites with picnic tables, fire rings, and a food storage lockers. Flush toilets, drinking water, and an amphitheater are provided. Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center is within walking distance, as is a general store.

Natural Features

Tuolumne Meadows embodies the high-country of the Sierra Nevada, with its broad sub-alpine meadows and granite domes and peaks. The gentle Tuolumne River, Lyell Fork, and Dana Fork flow through the vast, colorful meadows bursting with seasonal wildflowers. The meadows are surrounded by stands of Western White pine, Mountain hemlock, and Lodgepole pine.

Nearby Attractions

Yosemite Valley, an awe-inspiring landscape containing many of the famous features for which Yosemite National Park is known, is 55 miles and two hours from Tuolumne Meadows. Hiking trails and bike paths are abundant in the 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. Glacier Point is an hour from Yosemite Valley, with sweeping views of both Yosemite and Little Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Vernal and Nevada Falls, and Clouds Rest, among other notable landmarks. A visit to Wawona and the Pioneer Yosemite History Center is like stepping back in time.

Charges & Cancellations

Cancellation of individual or equestrian site reservations will be charged a $10 service fee. If the cancellation is within 48 hours of the arrival date, the first night's fee will also be charged. Cancellation of a group site reservation will incur a $10.00 service fee plus the first night’s use fee when the reservation is cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date. Cancellations for a single night’s use will not be assessed a service fee. No-shows for any type of reservation will be charged a $20 service fee and the first night's fee.

Typical weather

Tuolumne River

Estimated
Average water temperature
Average water temperature for Tuolumne River, January through DecemberEach point shows the monthly average water temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.34°JJanuary: average water temperature 34°F35°FFebruary: average water temperature 35°F38°MMarch: average water temperature 38°F42°AApril: average water temperature 42°F48°MMay: average water temperature 48°F55°JJune: average water temperature 55°F60°JJuly: average water temperature 60°F59°AAugust: average water temperature 59°F54°SSeptember: average water temperature 54°F46°OOctober: average water temperature 46°F38°NNovember: average water temperature 38°F35°DDecember: average water temperature 35°F

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