Yosemite Forum

I am planning a 3-day trip of car camping and day hiking around TM. Some of the other people in our group are coming in at scattered times. It would be helpful to have cell service. Does anyone know if there is cell service in TM or along Tioga Rd? (I know there are a few payphones along 120.)

I get pretty good service in the valley and on most day hikes from the valley but never in TM or on the way up their, my provider is At&t

I have seen people with cell phone service in TM, but my T-Mobile Blackberry couldn't connect...

No luck for me in the valley or TM with NexTel. I hate Nextel!

AT&T here, got some spotty contact along Tioga Road and ended up talking with two bars in a pullout. Lots of folks get a little service on high points, which is how people email pics from Half Dome.

http://www.yosemite.ca.us/forum/viewtop ... cell+phone
(2004) Says TDMA digital or AMPS analog works in Tuolumne Meadows.
GSM and CDMA does not work in TM (or Yosemite Valley).

http://www.yosemite.ca.us/forum/viewtop ... cell+phone
(2006) Says ATT/Verizon works on day hike to Half Dome

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technol ... our-i.html
(2008) LA Times article says T-Mobile has no coverage. Verizon, ATT, & Sprint has roaming coverage in YV.

See also this earlier thread on the same topic (cell phone coverage in Yosemite):
http://www.yosemite.ca.us/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1384

You guys are a great resource. Thanks.

I have Verizon and it works good around TM campground, pretty good on the road in the area. I was just up there with someone who has AT&T and they also had good reception in the area.

Here's a summary of comments above, along with information from the Park Service FAQ and another website.
- Dan

Yosemite Valley
ATT: pretty good in Yosemite Valley, and to Half Dome (2009)
Verizon: Yes (2009)
Sprint: Roaming (2008)

Tuolumne Meadows
Verizon: Yes in TM campground and area (2009)
ATT: spotty along Tioga Road (2 bars) (2009)
ATT: never (2009)
ATT: good reception (2009)
T-Mobile: No
NexTel: No
Sprint: (my guess is they use Verizon to roam here)?

National Park Service FAQ at http://www.nps.gov/yose/faqs.htm (2010)
ATT & Verizon: "Will my cell phone work in Yosemite?
"Digital cell service is available in and near Yosemite Village and Tuolumne Meadows to AT&T and Verizon customers (you may get a weak signal elsewhere in Yosemite Valley, as well). Verizon customers may receive service near Wawona and Crane Flat"

From cellreception.com (2005-2010)
http://www.cellreception.com/coverage/c ... page1.html

Code: Select all

Carrier         Avg Rating Comments   Towers       
AT&T            2.67       3          AT&T Towers
Verizon         2.5        4          Verizon Towers
Sprint          2          2          Sprint Towers + Verizon roaming
T-Mobile        0          1          T-Mobile Towers
Virgin Mobile   0          1          Sprint Towers

Note: Sprint uses Verizon to Roam.
Note2: Virgin Mobile uses Sprint Towers, but unlike Sprint, does NOT roam.

Yes. I got cell service just fine near the road in front of the store in TM. Depending on where you're at, it's spotty, but it worked just fine there. Have Verizon.

Couple weeks ago sleeping in a TM campsite I got a phone call at 2 am.

Was a little surprised.

For AT&T 3G service, the TM Wilderness Center is money.

i like to yak on my bluetooth or just get some business done when hiking up there in the mountain tops. service is great but sometimes i act like it's spotty so i can hang up and get nature time. next time text me.

but my truly favorite thing to do is ask the wilderness permit ranger twenty questions about cell bars and wifi hotspots for my two hour drive through.