Tuolumne Meadows Campground
Inside the park · 55 miles from Yosemite Valley
Yosemite's largest high-country campground. Sub-alpine meadows, granite domes and access to the Tioga backcountry. Opens late June.
Price
$36
per night
Booking
Seasonal
Type
Campground
You'll book on Recreation.gov. We don't handle reservations.
Score breakdown
Weighted from seven categories.
Why it scores this way
Tuolumne trades comfort and RV access for silence, altitude and clean night skies. It scores well on remote and view, weak on RV (sites are small and rustic) and only average on booking — sites open on a rolling window and turn over more than the valley.
See methodology →Best for
- Backpackers starting from Tioga Pass
- Escaping valley crowds
- Cool summer nights
- Dark sky viewing
Good to know before booking
- Opens late June, closes with the first heavy snow (usually October)
- Tioga Road (SR-120) is the only way in — check status before you drive
- Sub-alpine nights drop into the 30s even in July
- Small store and grill on-site, but limited hours
Best time to camp here
- Best months
- Mid-July through August
- Higher demand
- August weekends
- Weather note
- Only accessible when Tioga Pass is open. Bring warm layers.
Amenities
Essentials
- Toilets
Site features
- Firepits
- Picnic tables
Access & activities
- Trailhead access
Rules & extras
- Dark sky area
Tags
Location
Tuolumne, Yosemite, CA
Inside the park · 55 miles from Yosemite Valley
37.872° N, 119.349° W
Open in Google MapsNearby alternatives
Three campgrounds close by, each with a different trade-off.
Data note. Scores are editorial estimates from published park data, amenity lists and seasonal booking patterns — not live availability. Booking availability shown on partner sites is authoritative.
Disclosure. CampingPoints may earn a commission when you book through some partner links. This never affects a campground's score or ranking.
Last reviewed: January 2026
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