Re: Tuolumne Meadows tips for non-reserved camping

I found out from the wife that I (maybe we) can take the boys (7 and 11) camping in August. We love Tuolumne Meadows; camped there with reservations 2 years ago, and a few times many years before that.
My questions are:
What is the best day of the week to show up without reservations?
If I wait around the morning that I show up and don't get in, what are options for camping nearby?
I prefer that part of Yosemite. The valley is too crowded that time of year.
Porcupine Flat?
White Wolf?
Other?

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snorkus
What is the best day of the week to show up without reservations?

Sunday through Wednesday.

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Porcupine Flat?

Porcupine flat doesn't usually fill up during the week. Yosemite Creek would be another option.

Eeek,
Do you have an idea about when Yosemite Creek will be opening?

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Old Dude

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mrcondron
Eeek,
Do you have an idea about when Yosemite Creek will be opening?

You were there. How did it look?

Ready to go. No snow, didn't see any deadfall, the creek is a bit of a threat. Maybe the creek is part of the opening criteria.

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Old Dude

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mrcondron
Ready to go. No snow, didn't see any deadfall, the creek is a bit of a threat. Maybe the creek is part of the opening criteria.

More likely it's the "road" that matters most. Probably needs some cleanup before it can be used.

I would guess then that White Wolf and TM get the resource priority. YC, PF, TF, ...bottom feeders, although I think TC and TF are a much more true car camping experience than anything on the valley floor and I would include Hodgdon Meadow with the valley floor.

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Old Dude

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mrcondron
Do you have an idea about when Yosemite Creek will be opening?

Looks like early July. But it could be sooner.

I've only driven past Porcupine Flat going from TM to theYosemite Valley, but never stopped in the campground.
I've never seen Yosemite Creek, but looking at my Yosemite map, I see that an unpaved road leads to it. How is that road?

Very drivable by car. Great campground set way back from 120 and right on Yosemite Creek. Tons o' hiking right out of the campground.

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Old Dude

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snorkus
I've never seen Yosemite Creek, but looking at my Yosemite map, I see that an unpaved road leads to it. How is that road?

It's single lane with potholes. Easy for a car; bad for a big RV.

I enjoyed my stay at Porcupine Flat. Much less chaotic than in the valley and people actually respected the quiet hours.

Porcupine Flat, Tamarack Flat, and Yosemite Creek campgrounds are not The places to go so you don't get the yahoos.

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Old Dude

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mrcondron
Porcupine Flat, Tamarack Flat, and Yosemite Creek campgrounds are not The places to go so you don't get the yahoos.

I've had a few noisy weekends at Porcupine Flat. But most of my stays have been the picture of peace.

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eeek

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mrcondron
Porcupine Flat, Tamarack Flat, and Yosemite Creek campgrounds are not The places to go so you don't get the yahoos.

I've had a few noisy weekends at Porcupine Flat. But most of my stays have been the picture of peace.

I understand that this year may be different. Apparently the number of campers is expected to be very high and the FCFS campgrounds will be more likely to fill up. With the economy in poor condition, more people are going camping to cut down on vacation costs. It's not that the majority of people are yahoos, but there can be more people (especially those who don't camp much) who don't understand common courtesy.

One yahoo per acre is more than enough.

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Old Dude

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mscondron
One yahoo per acre is more than enough.

Get Serious Mike,
You don't need to camp THAT far away!

(I'd put the chick-oniton here but it's not available yet)

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bill-e-g
(I'd put the chick-oniton here but it's not available yet)

Have you even looked?

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TheMostAwesomenessOneMasterEEEK

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bill-e-g
(I'd put the chick-oniton here but it's not available yet)

Have you even looked?

I was checking hourly...

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y_p_w
I understand that this year may be different. Apparently the number of campers is expected to be very high and the FCFS campgrounds will be more likely to fill up.

We won't know until it happens. Gas prices are going up. That might make people camp closer to home.

I was there mid-week in late July when I had my good experience. Very peaceful.