Four million people visit Yosemite National Park each year. Most come for the granite cliffs and thundering waterfalls. RV travelers face a different challenge: actually getting in.

Reservations vanish in seconds. Tunnels block tall rigs. No campground offers hookups anywhere in the park. Yet experienced RVers consistently score sites and enjoy Yosemite from their rigs.

The secret? Knowing exactly how the system works.

Why Yosemite Is Tough for RVers (and Worth It)

Reservations Sell Out Fast

Peak season runs April through October. In-park campgrounds disappear within minutes of their Recreation.gov release. Walk-up RV sites? They don't exist. You need an account, a plan and lightning reflexes.

Tunnels and Roads Limit Vehicle Size

Yosemite's roads came long before modern RVs. Highway 41 and Highway 120 tunnels restrict height to 10 feet 2 inches at the curb. Longer rigs get detoured. Some roads ban vehicles over 25 feet completely.

Seasonal Closures Reshape the Park

Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road close each winter. They often stay closed until late June or July. Spring trips? Large chunks of the park remain off-limits.

Gateway Towns Fill the Gap

Private RV parks in Groveland, Mariposa, Oakhurst and Lee Vining offer full hookups and dump stations. They're essential for longer stays or when in-park sites are impossible to book.

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How to Book an RV Campsite in Yosemite

Getting an RV campsite in Yosemite ranks among the hardest bookings in the federal recreation system. Here's the playbook that works.

Use Recreation.gov (It's the Only Option)

All Yosemite campground reservations flow through Recreation.gov. The NPS doesn't take phone bookings for campgrounds. Create your account weeks before your target date. Stay logged in on multiple devices.

Search by filtering for "RV/Motorhome" or "Trailer." Enter your vehicle's exact length. Many sites are tent-only or have length caps that will block booking if your rig doesn't fit.

Understand the 5-Month Rolling Window

Sites release on the 15th of each month at 7:00 a.m. Pacific Time. Exactly five months before each reservation block starts.

You can book stays extending into the next block up to the 7-night maximum in Yosemite Valley during peak season. On January 15, you could book June 14 through June 20, even though June 15 technically falls into the next cycle.

North Pines Lottery

North Pines Campground uses a separate lottery system. Applications typically open in late November and close in mid-December. Winners get early booking access in January before remaining inventory joins the standard rolling release on February 15.

Booking Strategy That Works

1. Sync your clock to time.gov. Milliseconds matter
2. Log in by 6:45 a.m. PT with your campground page loaded
3. Know your target sites Have first, second and third choices ready
4. Click at 7:00:00 exactly Refresh and add to cart immediately
5. Have a backup plan If Valley sites (Upper Pines, Lower Pines, North Pines) are gone, pivot to Wawona, Hodgdon Meadow or Crane Flat

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In-Park RV Campgrounds

Yosemite has 13 campgrounds. Only a handful take RVs. Valley-floor sites offer closest access to El Capitan and Half Dome but book instantly. High-country campgrounds provide more solitude but require longer drives and open later in the season.

Campground Specifications

What You Need to Know

No hookups anywhere. Every campsite in Yosemite is dry camping. Zero electric, water or sewer connections exist in the entire park. Plan for complete self-sufficiency: battery power, fresh water reserves and wastewater capacity. Upper Pines and Tuolumne Meadows have on-site dump stations. Lower Pines, North Pines and Wawona offer nearby dump access in summer.

RV length varies by campground. Valley sites accommodate Class A motorhomes up to 40 feet at Lower and North Pines. High-country sites like White Wolf and Yosemite Creek max out at 27 feet, better for Class B motorhomes or shorter Class C motorhomes. Trailer length limits for travel trailers and fifth wheels range from 24 to 35 feet.

Generator hours are strict. All campgrounds enforce identical schedules: 7–9 a.m., 12–2 p.m. and 5–7 p.m. No exceptions.

Tuolumne Meadows update: The campground completed a $26 million rehabilitation (2022–2024) and is expected to reopen for the 2026 season, depending on snowpack conditions. It will restore 304 campsites for high-country camping.

First-Come, First-Served Options

Most sites now require reservations, but limited FCFS availability exists:

• Camp 4: Tent-only (no RVs). Reservations mid-April through October; FCFS in winter.
• Wawona and Hodgdon Meadow: Reservations required in peak season. Some FCFS sites may open in winter (October through March). Check the park website before planning.
• White Wolf and Yosemite Creek: Shorter reservation windows, sometimes released two weeks in advance. Occasional FCFS availability in shoulder seasons.

For RV travelers, relying on FCFS isn't a reliable strategy, especially with larger rigs.

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RV Size Restrictions and Road Access

Yosemite's roads were carved before modern RVs existed. Knowing your vehicle's exact length, height and width (including mirrors) isn't optional. It's a safety requirement.

For towed vehicles, all "max length" restrictions refer to the combined length of the tow vehicle and trailer.

Tunnel and Road Restrictions

Route Recommendations by RV Type

Large Class A motorhomes or long fifth wheels: Take El Portal Road (Highway 140). It allows up to 60 feet combined length and 12 feet 10 inches of height clearance, the most forgiving route in the park.

Mid-size motorhomes and travel trailers: Highway 41 and Highway 120 work if your rig clears the tunnel height restrictions (10'2" and 10'3" at the curb). Measure carefully and be prepared to straddle the center line through tunnels.

Compact Class B motorhomes: You have the most flexibility. Most park roads are accessible, though Hetch Hetchy Road's 8-foot width limit may still exclude wider models.

Seasonal Road Openings

For reliable high-country access, plan your trip for late June or later. Heavy snow years (2017, 2019, 2023) pushed openings well into July. Always check the Yosemite road conditions page before departing.

Tire Chain Requirements

Carrying tire chains is federally mandated in Yosemite during fall, winter and spring — regardless of current conditions or vehicle type.

• R1: Chains required on vehicles over 6,000 lbs without snow tires. Most RVs must chain up.
• R2: Chains required on all vehicles except 4WD/AWD with snow tires on all four wheels. All RVs must chain up.
• R3: Chains required on all vehicles. Roads typically close before this level takes full effect.

Not carrying chains can result in denied park entry or a citation, even on dry pavement. Practice installing them before your trip.

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Gateway Towns: Full-Hookup Camping Near Yosemite

Given the difficulty of booking in-park sites and the complete absence of hookups inside Yosemite, gateway towns are a critical part of any RV strategy. They offer full-hookup sites, dump stations, fuel, groceries and a comfortable base for daily park excursions.

Groveland (Highway 120 West, Big Oak Flat Entrance)

The closest gateway to Yosemite Valley via Highway 120.

RV Parks:

• Yosemite Lakes RV Resort (Thousand Trails): 5 miles from the Big Oak Flat entrance. Big-rig friendly with 254 full-hookup sites. Open year-round.
• Yosemite Pines RV Resort: 22 miles from the entrance. Full hookups, pull-through sites and a dump station. Family-friendly with a petting zoo. Year-round.

Services:

• Dump station: Yosemite Pines (fee for non-guests) or Groveland Transfer Station (verify hours)
• Propane: Suburban Propane in Groveland or on-site at Yosemite Pines
• Groceries: Mar Val Food Stores on Main Street

Mariposa (Highway 140, Arch Rock Entrance)

The year-round access route, less prone to seasonal closures.

RV Parks:

• Mariposa Fairgrounds RV Park: Electric and water hookups with on-site dump station. Year-round, practical option during peak overflow.
• Yosemite/Mariposa KOA: Full hookups and family amenities in Midpines, closer to the park entrance.

Services:

• Dump station: Mariposa Fairgrounds (confirm Mariposa Rest Area status before relying on it)
• Propane: Suburban Propane or AmeriGas in Mariposa
• Groceries: Pioneer Market on Coakley Circle (large supermarket). High Country Health Foods for organic options.

Oakhurst (Highway 41, South Entrance)

The largest gateway town with the most services. Direct access to Mariposa Grove.

RV Parks:

• High Sierra RV & Mobile Park: In-town, full hookups with 30/50 amp service. Year-round.
• Yosemite RV Resort (RVC): Slightly south in Coarsegold. Full-amenity resort with extensive facilities.

Services:

• Dump station: High Sierra RV Park (guests) and other area parks
• Propane: Suburban Propane or Ferrellgas in Oakhurst
• Groceries: Vons and Raley's on Highway 41, both with RV-friendly parking

Lee Vining (Highway 120 East, Tioga Pass Entrance)

Eastern Sierra gateway for Tuolumne Meadows and the high country. Seasonal access only.

RV Parks:

• Mono Vista RV Park: Full hookups, pull-through sites. Open approximately April 1 through November 1. Confirm dates. Variable snow conditions affect opening.

Services:

• Dump station: Mono Vista RV Park (fee for non-guests). Additional facilities in the June Lake area.
• Propane: On-site at Mono Vista
• Groceries: Mono Market on Highway 395, smaller but well-stocked with fresh and organic options

Distance Comparison

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Choosing the Right RV for Yosemite

Yosemite's constraints make RV selection a real consideration. Here's what works best:

• Class B motorhomes offer the most flexibility for tight roads and smaller campsites
• Class C motorhomes in the 25–32 foot range fit most campgrounds and clear the tunnels
• Class A motorhomes up to 40 feet work at Lower and North Pines but require the El Portal Road route for safe tunnel clearance
• Travel trailers and fifth wheels should stay within the 24–35 foot range depending on the campground

Whatever you drive, dry camping capability is non-negotiable. Make sure your rig can handle multiple days without hookups — adequate battery bank, fresh water capacity and holding tank size are essential.

Considering a new rig for your next national park adventure? Find your local dealer to explore models built for off-grid comfort.