Tuolumne Meadows Campground closed for the season at noon on Sunday, September 28.

Nooooo!

Does that include the backpacker's campground? I've been trying to get in touch with the wilderness permit office, but my timing seems to be very poor...

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vitaminC
Does that include the backpacker's campground? I've been trying to get in touch with the wilderness permit office, but my timing seems to be very poor...

It's implied to be closed:

Tuolumne Meadows: These sites are inside the Tuolumne Meadows Campground, behind the A loop. Open July through late September (approximately).

When the campground is closed, so is the backpackers. Had the same question a few years ago and that is what I got. Same with early season too.

I wonder if I could just go up there now and pitch a tent. Park at the Dog Lake trailhead or something.

There is no overnight parking allowed on Tioga Road after October 15. So, unless someone drops you off; the backpacking season in the high country is essentially over.

I thought that meant on the road road. It includes the parking lots also?

As per the NPS website....

"Overnight parking on the Tioga Road (and associated PARKING LOTS) and Glacier Point Road beyond Badger Pass is prohibited beginning October 15 each year until the roads reopen the following spring. No shuttle service is available (except for the Glacier Point Tour, which stops only at Glacier Point). On the Tioga Road, parking is available at Tuolumne Grove or east of Tioga Pass (outside the park), until the road closes."

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Paris92

I thought that meant on the road road. It includes the parking lots also?

Really? Why do you think the Park Service has that restriction in place?

The reason: so they can shutdown and close the road for the winter anytime AFTER October 15th, usually after (or right before) the first significant snowfall of the season. They want no visitors' vehicles parked anywhere on Tioga Road or any of the spur roads or parking areas that are accessed via Tioga Road when they decide to close Tioga Road for the winter season.

.

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Paris92
I thought that meant on the road road. It includes the parking lots also?

Shame on you for thinking such a thing.

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Old Dude

I know...