Yosemite Forum

we're going to yosemite for the first time this september.we are camping at wawona the first two nights(we won't arrive till the middle of the first day).we figured we'd check out the mariposa grove that day.on the second day dayhike up to chilnualna falls.then we figured we'd do hikes in and above the valley.i know it's gonna be full of crowds.but i want to see the valley and do hikes such as tunnel view to dewey point.happy isles to top of nevada falls.anyhow,we figure on four to five days to hike in and around the valley?i mean it's our first time even though its gonna be crowded we want to see these spots right?is it worth the conveinence of being close to the trailheads to stay in the valley or should we try to to score at a walk-in like tamarack flat.what are the chances of getting walk-ins at tamarack flat,crane flat,or porcupine flat the middle to end of september.

You should not have a problem scoring walk-ins at those campgrounds from mid September on. It may be possible to score one on the valley floor then also but that takes time and work that might be better spent out in nature.

By "walk-in" you mean drive-in without a reservation? All of these campgrounds are drive-in, with no reservation. End of September is no problem--you may even get a campsite in the Valley if it's not the weekend.

thanks gwegan and dan.i've found differant answers as to closing dates for tamarack and porcupine.since its our first time is it worth the crowds to stay in the valley to be close to trailheads or should we stay at tamarack(if we can)to have some peace even though we would have to drive into the valley 3 or 4 mornings to hit the dayhikes out of the valley?we're backpacking our last week(already reserved)from/to tuolumne meadows.we just want to hit the must see valley stuff beforehand.thanks again folks.

Staying in the Valley Campgrounds is always a risk because you do not know who your neighbors are.

Another suggestion would be to stay in Sunnyside (Camp 4) by Yosemite Lodge. That will have spots open in September. You can't take an RV there and have to park in a parking lot. It is the Climber's campground. It can be interesting at night. But you won't have to listen to the generator of the guy next door.

Tamarack is close but you are still talking about a 30 to 45 munite drive each way. That is on the Old Big Oak Flat Road, so if you want one hike can be down the trail into the valley.

Staying in the Valley Campgrounds is always a risk because you do not know who your neighbors are.

Another suggestion would be to stay in Sunnyside (Camp 4) by Yosemite Lodge. That will have spots open in September. You can't take an RV there and have to park in a parking lot. It is the Climber's campground. It can be interesting at night. But you won't have to listen to the generator of the guy next door.

Tamarack is close but you are still talking about a 30 to 45 minute drive each way. That is on the Old Big Oak Flat Road, so if you want one hike can be down the trail into the valley.