The Backpacking

[abouttandoutt]

When we go backpacking do we get to park our tent anywhere or do we have to settle in to one of those designated tents for the night.

[balzaccom]

If you are backpacking (carrying your own tent and food) you can camp anywhere in the wilderness as long as you are far enough away from the developed roads and park facilities (2-4 miles, depending on where you are)

The High Sierra Camps are for people who want to do the hikes without carrying either tents or food--these camps provide tents and meals for their guests, at a price.

[dan]

You can also sleep 1 night before and 1 night after in one of the two backpacker campgrounds for a small fee, no reservation. There is one at Tuolumne Meadows (east end of Tuolumne Campground) and another just north of North Pines Campground (across the Merced River). No automobiles allowed in backpacker campgrounds

[Wickett]

There are rules for the backcountry also. If you want to have a fire you must find an established fire ring. You should also find a place that does not impact the vegitation.

If you are referring to the Valley, then yes everything is designated. You have to have a campsite to pitch your own tent. If you do not have reservations check out camp 4 also known as the rock climbers camp, it is first come first serve.

[King Of Yosemite]

This is the phrase used if you are not camping in a designated camping site. It is a ticketable offense. You Can Not Just Camp Anywhere!
This is to protect you and the park! The Rangers will take this very seriously and if there is one thing that can ruin a camping trip here is it getting a ticket in the middle of the night and being told you need to move!

[abouttandoutt]

So even if we get a permit we can't backpack in the park?
Where can we and where can't we if we could..

[bill-e-g]

Look here:

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/backpacking.htm

[AlmostThere]

The King is correct and incorrect. The Yosemite website is more specific and helpful, as Bill pointed out.

You can get a permit just fine - you don't say when you are going, but winter is self registration time, and starting in spring you will need to negotiate the registration system again. (Actually reservable permits start to be available on January 2.)

[dan]

So even if we get a permit we can't backpack in the park?
Where can we and where can't we if we could..

You can backpack in wilderness areas. You can't backpack in a parking lot or on the side of the road. Different rules apply for front country (non-wilderness).

In the wilderness you can camp anywhere except where it's prohibited (if there's a sign or if you're next to a trail, water, or road).

[AlmostThere]

Further:

There are specific trails that receive such a high volume of hikers that there are strict rules about backpacking and camping.

The Pohono trail, for example - you cannot camp in the stretch of trail between Bridalveil creek and Glacier Point.

On the Panorama trail, you can only camp by hiking off trail up the Ilillouette drainage along the creek - you cannot camp between Glacier Point and Little Yosemite Valley otherwise.

On the Happy Isles/Mist Trail/JMT, there is no camping until you reach Little Yosemite Valley, and in that location you may ONLY camp within the designated campground. Two miles up the trail (any trail) from Little Yosemite Valley you are once again in unrestricted camping territory, though they do want you to use existing fire rings if you build a campfire.

In Lyell Canyon, you must be four miles up the canyon to camp - no camping from Tuolumne Meadows to four miles out. There is an avalanche chute that approximately marks four miles, beyond that you can practice dispersed camping.

Many other trails, the no camping zone is anywhere within two miles from the road/trailhead. The exceptions are established campgrounds.

It's always best to review the official park website or talk to rangers about the specifics of the trail you want to take.