Yosemite National Park will begin reopening all of its campgrounds this month, marking the first time since 2019 that every site will be available to the public. Park officials announced the move in a Wednesday news release, bringing relief to campers and visitors after years of uncertainty and limited access.
The park contains 13 campgrounds in total, all of which require reservations between April and October. Once every campground is operational, an estimated 500 additional campsites will become available. This expansion is expected to significantly ease the strain on accommodations during the park’s busiest months.
Among the upcoming openings, White Wolf Campground is scheduled to welcome visitors beginning June 20, followed by Tamarack Flat Campground on June 23. Yosemite Creek Campground is set to open on July 1. These three campgrounds, all located along Tioga Road, require advance reservations. Booking for White Wolf and Tamarack Flat opens June 15 at 7 a.m. and will continue with daily releases. Yosemite Creek reservations will begin on June 17. Visitors should note that none of these campgrounds provide drinking water.
The park has not yet released opening dates for Bridalveil Creek, Porcupine Flat, and Tuolumne Meadows campgrounds, but an announcement is expected soon. These final openings are part of Yosemite’s broader effort to fully accommodate guests during the 2024 summer season.
The decision to reopen all campgrounds aligns with an order from Interior Secretary Doug Burgum directing national parks to remain “open and accessible,” despite ongoing challenges. Yosemite, like many national parks, has faced a severe staffing shortage and is operating under what officials have described as the lowest proposed National Park Service budget in history.
In recent years, staffing delays under President Donald Trump’s administration forced Yosemite employees—including scientists, IT staff, and even top leadership—to take on cleaning duties for campground bathrooms. These efforts were necessary to maintain operations during peak visitor periods. Although a reservation system was eventually approved to control summer crowding, it remains more limited in scope compared to past systems.
Acting Yosemite National Park Superintendent Ray McPadden emphasized the importance of the campground reopenings as the park prepares for increased summer traffic. He expressed enthusiasm about the expanded access, stating that the move will help accommodate “as many visitors as possible.” As summer approaches, Yosemite looks forward to welcoming more campers back to its iconic landscapes.
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