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So on my way back to Oregon I'm swinging by Yosemite to spend a day (or two?) poking around. I'm looking for somewhere (hopefully free - all the paid camp grounds look full, anyway) to either car camp or pitch a small tent, two nights. There looks to be a lot of info on goggle, but I want to distill down my options. East or west side of the park? Would pulling off on any random dirt road do? Or should I look in a specific area. Or could I just drive into a camp ground, pretend like I'm suppose to be there, and park off to the side and sleep in the car - and hope no one notices/cares? Any info/ideas would be great.
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In the park it's pretty difficult unless you're among the inducted few true dirtbags. Outside it's not hard, but you're a decent ways away to get to anywhere that won't be completely obvious and likely on private land. Best luck Ive had is on the east side. It's easy near mammoth, and gets harder the closer you get to the park. A better option is to go backpacking for a night or two. Figure out where the openings are, get a permit and a bear canister and leave all the cheeto crunching motor home land whales to their own devices. The park road is cool to drive, but not nearly as cool as everything else in the BC. -
I used to camp just outside the park on the West side off hwy 140, just outside of El Portal. There are a few state forest campgrounds (or national forest? Not sure which) a few miles shy of the park boundary, right on the Merced River. It's been a few years, but I was always able to find a spot there. I think there were first come first serve. You can see the on the linked map, just West of El Portal on Hwy 140.
http://www.nps.gov/common/commonspot...kname=Yosemite
Edited to add that I can't find either on the National Forest campground list, maybe there were private campgrounds, I can't remember. Just tent type sites though, right on the river.Comment
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If you are going to sleep in your car,and can be completely stealth,its better not to be in the campgrounds inside the park unless you arrive really late and leave early.Rangers in yosemite are basically just cops now.picadorComment
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there is a place just outside the westside of the park on 120 but the name escapes me right now since i have been inhaling anesthesia all week.Comment
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When are you planning this? Which direction are you coming from?
If this weekend, camping outside the gate on 140 will suck. Like 105 degrees suck. The valley will be close to 100. Staying on the T Meadows side of the park will be best.
If you're coming from the east side, camp on Lee Vining creek. There are 3-5 campgrounds there and there's always space. Beautiful spots too. You could then head up the pass and be in the park in 20 minutes.Comment
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^^What he said^^
there's a spot just before Saddlebag Lake Road you can crash at
Junction, Ellery, and Saddlebag Lake CG's are all good - better than those further down the hillI didn't believe in reincarnation when I was your age either.Comment
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Or if you're going later in the year (cooler temps), and want to stay in the valley, I think Sunnyside (Camp 4) is still walk-in, first-come, first-serve. It's the climbers' campground.
You really can't get away with sleeping in your car in Yosemite, without being in/at a campground.Originally posted by powder11Comment
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I guess I should have specified dates and such. I'm coming in this Sunday night, poking around Monday, then heading out early Tuesday morning (or possibly heading up to shasta Monday night). Coming in from the east side.
These are great suggestions, I'll start looking into them, maybe I'll just list them out in the order that I'll pass them coming in and try my luck when I get there? Unless I can figure some online reservations out for whatever sites. Keep em' coming!Comment
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you can usually get sites at the places I mentioned on Sunday/Monday w/o reservations
also, June Lake area
free camping along 395 between Mammoth and Tioga Pass
eat at the Mobile Mart (Whoa Nellie Deli) on 120 just east of Lee Vining
you can usually bivy in the trailhead parking lots along Saddlebag Lake Road w/o any worriesI didn't believe in reincarnation when I was your age either.Comment
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you can also stay at my house in Twain Harte - about 1.5 hours from Yosemite ValleyI didn't believe in reincarnation when I was your age either.Comment
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Saddlebag lake camp is about 10000 ft so lots cooler,and used to no reservations,so FCFSpicadorComment
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I didn't believe in reincarnation when I was your age either.Comment
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