Valley Campground Reservation Tips?

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balzaccom
The valley is tough. Best advice is to get on-line a few minutes BEFORE those dates become available, and try to time it just right. They get reserved very quickly, especially for the weekends.

But we prefer NOT to camp in the Valley (it's way too crowded for us) so we start at Crane Flat and Hodgdon Meadow, then work through the campsites along Tioga Road. Even in the middle of the summer, we find campsites available in the middle of the week in late morning...and sometimes even in the afternoon.

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JohnC

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balzaccom
The valley is tough. Best advice is to get on-line a few minutes BEFORE those dates become available, and try to time it just right. They get reserved very quickly, especially for the weekends.

But we prefer NOT to camp in the Valley (it's way too crowded for us) so we start at Crane Flat and Hodgdon Meadow, then work through the campsites along Tioga Road. Even in the middle of the summer, we find campsites available in the middle of the week in late morning...and sometimes even in the afternoon.

Thanks. I'll be prepared online ahead of time. I just wondered if there was an advantage to trying one campground over the other. Having been in the valley the 2nd week of May this year, I found the valley very empty and nice although the campsites were all sold out. How much of that was due to the rain that was forecast and did fall, I don't know. My main purpose for going is to photograph in the valley in spring so staying in the valley is very helpful relative to saving time for sunrise shooting. Time is of the essence when trying to capture morning fog or even mist.

Here's one from this past May...

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parklover

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JohnC

Quote
balzaccom
The valley is tough. Best advice is to get on-line a few minutes BEFORE those dates become available, and try to time it just right. They get reserved very quickly, especially for the weekends.

But we prefer NOT to camp in the Valley (it's way too crowded for us) so we start at Crane Flat and Hodgdon Meadow, then work through the campsites along Tioga Road. Even in the middle of the summer, we find campsites available in the middle of the week in late morning...and sometimes even in the afternoon.

Thanks. I'll be prepared online ahead of time. I just wondered if there was an advantage to trying one campground over the other. Having been in the valley the 2nd week of May this year, I found the valley very empty and nice although the campsites were all sold out. How much of that was due to the rain that was forecast and did fall, I don't know. My main purpose for going is to photograph in the valley in spring so staying in the valley is very helpful relative to saving time for sunrise shooting. Time is of the essence when trying to capture morning fog or even mist.

Here's one from this past May...

Just be aware that in May, North Pines and Lower Pines have a tendency to flood: From Yosemite's Website section - camping FAQ's: "Spring floods are common in Yosemite Valley in May and June, with portions of Lower Pines, and, especially, North Pines Campgrounds becoming inundated. As a result, we don't make the affected campsites available for reservation until we are sure the river will be at a safe level. Depending on conditions, these campsites may be available for reservation a few weeks (less likely) or just a few days (more likely) in advance via recreation.gov. If water levels are high, these sites may only be available in the park on a first-come, first-served, daily basis." As for not a lot of people in the Valley when you were there last May, it most likely had less to do with the rain and more to do that California kids are still in school then.

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JohnC
Thanks. That's good to know. I guess that means I might want to stick to shooting for upper. Although, given how the winter is starting off, flooding might not be the problem this year it was last year.

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parklover

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JohnC
Hard to predict how it is going to be for the rest of the year. I just hope we get some snow. Son already bought his season Badger Ski pass and it looks like he will not be able to use it during his winter break. Hoping for his spring break.

Quote
balzaccom
The valley is tough. Best advice is to get on-line a few minutes BEFORE those dates become available, and try to time it just right. They get reserved very quickly, especially for the weekends.

But we prefer NOT to camp in the Valley (it's way too crowded for us) so we start at Crane Flat and Hodgdon Meadow, then work through the campsites along Tioga Road. Even in the middle of the summer, we find campsites available in the middle of the week in late morning...and sometimes even in the afternoon.

Thanks. I'll be prepared online ahead of time. I just wondered if there was an advantage to trying one campground over the other. Having been in the valley the 2nd week of May this year, I found the valley very empty and nice although the campsites were all sold out. How much of that was due to the rain that was forecast and did fall, I don't know. My main purpose for going is to photograph in the valley in spring so staying in the valley is very helpful relative to saving time for sunrise shooting. Time is of the essence when trying to capture morning fog or even mist.

Here's one from this past May...

Just be aware that in May, North Pines and Lower Pines have a tendency to flood: From Yosemite's Website section - camping FAQ's: "Spring floods are common in Yosemite Valley in May and June, with portions of Lower Pines, and, especially, North Pines Campgrounds becoming inundated. As a result, we don't make the affected campsites available for reservation until we are sure the river will be at a safe level. Depending on conditions, these campsites may be available for reservation a few weeks (less likely) or just a few days (more likely) in advance via recreation.gov. If water levels are high, these sites may only be available in the park on a first-come, first-served, daily basis." As for not a lot of people in the Valley when you were there last May, it most likely had less to do with the rain and more to do that California kids are still in school then.

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JohnC
Thanks to those who offered suggestions and PMs. I managed to get 5 nites in Upper Pines (site 31). The site looks land locked, but I'm sure there's an easement somewhere. :-)

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parklover

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JohnC
Thanks to those who offered suggestions and PMs. I managed to get 5 nites in Upper Pines (site 31). The site looks land locked, but I'm sure there's an easement somewhere. :-)

Congrats on getting a site. I have only had sites on the upper loop so I can't say what 31 is like.

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JohnC

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parklover

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JohnC
Thanks to those who offered suggestions and PMs. I managed to get 5 nites in Upper Pines (site 31). The site looks land locked, but I'm sure there's an easement somewhere. :-)

Congrats on getting a site. I have only had sites on the upper loop so I can't say what 31 is like.

Thanks. I'm sure it will be fine. This year I had 165. I think the only real difference between a good and bad site is the quality of neighbors, which you can't control anyhow.