Upper Pines Campground
Located in Yosemite Valley near Curry Village. Year-round icon for Half Dome and Yosemite Falls views.
Set Up SMS Alerts for Upper Pines Campground
Scans Recreation.gov every 30 seconds. Flat $10 fee with 100% money-back guarantee.
Booking Difficulty & Cancellation Patterns
Releases in monthly blocks on the 15th of each month at 7:00 AM PT, exactly 5 months in advance.
Peak cancellations occur 48–72 hours before arrival, right before Recreation.gov forfeits the first night's fee.
Loops B and C are closest to the Merced River with unobstructed views of Half Dome. Bears actively patrol this campground nightly—zero scented items allowed in vehicles.
Plan B Strategy: Nearby Legal Backup Spots
If all Recreation.gov sites are booked and your sniper alert hasn't caught an opening yet, here are verified legal alternatives nearby:
Camp 4 Lottery
Enter the 1-day advance lottery on Recreation.gov at 7:00 AM PT for same-week walk-in spots.
Stanislaus National Forest (Hwy 120)
Free legal dispersed camping along Evergreen Road and Hardin Flat Road, 25 mins outside the Big Oak Flat gate.
Sierra National Forest (Hwy 41)
Dispersed camping on Forest Road 7S08 near Fish Camp, 20 mins south of the Wawona entrance.
Campground Regulations & Rules
Permitted, provided your vehicle fits entirely within your designated paved parking spur without wheels on vegetation.
Mandatory. Each site includes a heavy-duty metal locker (45"W x 33"D x 18"H). Fines up to $5,000 for food left in cars.
Strictly limited to 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM, and 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you sleep in your car at Upper Pines Campground? ▾
Yes. Sleeping inside your vehicle is fully permitted as long as all wheels remain on the paved parking pad and you do not exceed the vehicle limit.
How fast does Upper Pines sell out on Recreation.gov? ▾
During peak season (May to October), all 238 sites typically sell out within 3 to 5 seconds of the 7:00 AM PT release on the 15th of the month.
What happens if I cancel within 48 hours? ▾
Recreation.gov charges a $10 cancellation fee and you forfeit the first night's camping fee. That is why most cancellations surge between 48 and 72 hours before check-in.