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1st time at Yosemite, 1st time planning a camping trip HELP

PostPosted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 11:10 pm
by shanleymcd
I'm really big on hiking and so I would like to take on Half Dome and visit Yosemite for the first time! I've never planned a camping trip before and I just really want a veteran's opinion on what to do here.

I would like to camp in Yosemite Valley near Half Dome. 14 miles is enough I don't want to be very far away! So which sites are actually nearby and in this area? I would like to have a reservation but what tips are there for the walk-in, first come, first serve sites? I was going to call the reservations number but I would like to know what I'm talking about a little bit more before I do.

Thank you for any help you could give me everyone!

Re: 1st time at Yosemite, 1st time planning a camping trip H

PostPosted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 10:10 am
by dan
The closest campsites are the Upper Pines Campground. The best are at the south end of Upper Pines (the higher the campsite number the better). Second best is Lower Pines.

Here's a map showing the trailhead (Happy Isles) and the campgrounds:
http://www.yosemite.ca.us/maps/yosemite_valley_map.png

Here's some more Valley maps (print out the "Yosemite Valley Hiking Map" and the Upper Pines Campground map):
http://www.yosemite.ca.us/maps/yosemite ... _maps.html

The website www.yosemitesites.com shows what campground reservations are still available:
http://www.yosemitesites.com/camping/re ... Yosemite/9

Reservations are more easily available after Labor Day. The Valley campgrounds are very popular in summer and you need a reservation. Camp 4 Walk in Campground does not need a reservation, but it's very popular too.