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 Walk-in Tuolumne Meadows Campsite Labor Day Weekend
Author: sierranomad 
Date:   08-23-08 08:55

Hi:

My wife and I are going to TM this weekend. We will get there around 8 pm Friday and plan on staying that night at one of the campgrounds on Tioga Road, then getting up early Saturday to try to get a campsite for Sat & Sun night.

This is my first time trying this on such a popular weekend. Just looking for thoughts on 1) Which campground to try on Tioga Rd? (We would like Porcupine Flat because it is closest to TM - but wonder if it'll likely be filled) 2) How early should we get in line Saturday for good chance to get a campsite at TM?

Again, never been there on a busy weekend.

Thanks for any input.

Jon
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 Re: Walk-in Tuolumne Meadows Campsite Labor Day Weekend
Author: y_p_w 
Date:   08-23-08 14:41

I've heard that Yosemite Creek may fill up later because of the location that's inaccessible to most RVs. They've got no potable water and only pit toilets though.
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 Re: Walk-in Tuolumne Meadows Campsite Labor Day Weekend
Author: eeek 
Date:   08-24-08 04:58

y_p_w wrote:

> I've heard that Yosemite Creek may fill up later because of the
> location that's inaccessible to most RVs. They've got no
> potable water and only pit toilets though.

It often doesn't fill up at all.
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 Re: Walk-in Tuolumne Meadows Campsite Labor Day Weekend
Author: sierranomad 
Date:   08-24-08 10:31

Thanks guys.

Any thought on what time I should get in line at TM on Saturday? I'm planning on around 7:30 a.m.; does that sound about right for Labor Day Weekend or should I bump it earlier?

Jon
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 Re: Walk-in Tuolumne Meadows Campsite Labor Day Weekend
Author: tothetrail 
Date:   08-24-08 13:36

It couldn't hurt to arrive as early as possible. If there's a waiting line, it will be first come, first served.

Jennifer
http://www.sponsorhouse.com/Members/JenniferWilliams/Default.aspx
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 Re: Walk-in Tuolumne Meadows Campsite Labor Day Weekend
Author: sierranomad 
Date:   08-25-08 14:57

Thanks Jennifer. Guess I'll try to get there as reasonable as possible.

Jon
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 Re: Walk-in Tuolumne Meadows Campsite Labor Day Weekend
Author: tmcamper 
Date:   08-26-08 02:12

We always get there at 7:30am. Usually about 10 people in line. Some are
adding days to their existing site. I would go for 7am on labor day weekend.
The earlier the better. When we were there late July they didn't open up
the office untill 8:30am. By 8:30 the line was up to about 25 people.

Be sure to have one of your party check out sites while waiting. Check the posted list at the kiosk to see if it's held for reservations. That way you can
ask for the site as you enter.

Dress warm it's always cold that early. Good luck.
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 Re: Walk-in Tuolumne Meadows Campsite Labor Day Weekend
Author: sierranomad 
Date:   08-26-08 02:55

Thanks tmcamper, sounds like some good advice.

Jon
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 Re: Walk-in Tuolumne Meadows Campsite Labor Day Weekend
Author: jcmc 
Date:   08-26-08 09:00

My friends and I are also planning on camping in Yosemite during Labor Day weekend. We're leaving Thursday night and getting there sometime in the wee hours of the morning on Friday. I have a couple questions.

1) Will park entrances (particularly, the southern entrance) be open at such an early time? I'm guessing we'll arrive somewhere around 3-4am.

2) What do you think about camping in Bridalveil Creek? Someone mentioned that Yosemite Creek hardly ever fills up at all, so I was wondering how Bridalveil Creek compares to that (or any other campsites, for that matter). Bridalveil is also first come first serve; what's the best time to show up in line?
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 Re: Walk-in Tuolumne Meadows Campsite Labor Day Weekend
Author: eeek 
Date:   08-26-08 09:13

jcmc wrote:

> 1) Will park entrances (particularly, the southern entrance) be
> open at such an early time? I'm guessing we'll arrive somewhere
> around 3-4am.

They'll be open. Nobody will be there to take your money.

> 2) What do you think about camping in Bridalveil Creek? Someone
> mentioned that Yosemite Creek hardly ever fills up at all, so I
> was wondering how Bridalveil Creek compares to that (or any
> other campsites, for that matter). Bridalveil is also first
> come first serve; what's the best time to show up in line?

I've always found it best to be at self-registration campgrounds around 9 to 10 AM. That's when some of the people will be leaving.
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 Re: Walk-in Tuolumne Meadows Campsite Labor Day Weekend
Author: jcmc 
Date:   08-27-08 04:41

Thanks for the info.

One more thing: I also heard every campsite has a fire ring. Are they suitable for cooking/grilling food?
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 Re: Walk-in Tuolumne Meadows Campsite Labor Day Weekend
Author: mark2 
Date:   08-27-08 06:44

The sites at Tioga Lake will most likely be full Friday night when you arrive at 8pm. There are only about 15 or less.

Saddlebag Lake has a some sites that are first come first serve, which would put you close to the park entrance for Saturday morning.

There may be a site left in Lee Vining Canyon by that time on Friday night, but they fill up too.

There are motels in Lee Vining if you call now for Friday night.
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