Camp 4

$10.00/person

PO BOX 577
YOSEMITE, CA 95389

Notice

Due to utilities construction, the west-side of Camp 4 (sites 1-36) will close at noon on Sunday, October 25 until further notice.

Oct 8, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027

Overview

Camp 4 has returned to reservations. Arrival dates are released one week in advance at 7AM PDT.

Camp 4 is a shared site campground, which means six individuals (including children 3 and older) are assigned to each site and all site amenities are shared. As such, this campground is challenging for large groups who all want to camp together.

Camp 4 is located in breathtaking Yosemite National Park in Central California's rugged Sierra Nevada Mountain Range at an elevation of 4,000 feet. The site is situated in the heart of Yosemite Valley, an awe-inspiring landscape containing many of the famous features for which Yosemite National Park is known.

Recreation

Yosemite's trails, cliffs, roads and rivers provide endless recreational activities. Hiking, biking, rock climbing, fishing, horseback riding, rafting, auto touring, cross-country skiing and photography are all very popular activities within the park. Hiking trails range from the easy paved, two-mile roundtrip walk to Mirror Lake/Meadow, to the grueling but rewarding 14 to 16 mile trek to Half Dome (permit required). Rafting the Merced River is a fun way to cool down on a summer day when water levels are sufficient. Yosemite Valley also offers numerous guided bus tours, educational programs, museums, ranger-led activities and an art center with workshops.

Facilities

Camp 4 is a shared site campground, which means six individuals (including children 3 and older) are assigned to each site. The campground has a total of 61 sites (only 25 open in winter) which accommodate tents only. Since Camp 4 is a walk-in campground, no vehicles are allowed to enter the campground. You may not sleep in any type of vehicle in the Camp 4 parking lot, including vans.

Each site has picnic tables, food storage lockers and fire rings that are shared by all occupants of that site. Restrooms and drinking water are located in the center of the campground. Tent areas are mostly level and most sites have shade. Due to the close proximity of sites and its shared nature, Camp 4 is not considered a quiet campground. Other than Service Animals, pets are not allowed at Camp 4.

Parking is available adjacent to the campground (approximately 100-300 yards away). A parking permit is required from spring through fall. You will receive a free parking permit upon check-in.

Natural Features

Yosemite Valley is forested with a diverse mix of California black oak, ponderosa pine, incense-cedar, white fir, and white-leaf manzanita, which offers a pleasant combination of sun and shade. Through the trees, Yosemite's telltale granite cliffs peek through, and the gentle, refreshing Merced River flows nearby.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (209) 372-8502.

Charges & Cancellations

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations made 48 hours or more in advance of arrival date will incur a $10 cancellation fee. Cancellations made within 48 hours of arrival date will also lose the first night's camping fee.

Change Policy: Only two changes may be made to each reservation.

No Show Policy: Reservation holders have until 8:30 a.m. the day following their arrival date to check-in or their camping reservation will become void. Campers should call (209) 372-8502 if they know they will be late. The maximum fee for no shows is $20 and loss of the first night’s camping fee.

Camp site features

Across 61 camp sites:

Fire pit: all 61 sites
Largest party: 6 people
Equipment: Tent

Services within 25 miles · OpenStreetMap

Nearest dump station: 1.9 mi · Lower Pines Campground

Nearest water fill: 20.6 mi · Water source (river)

Fees

Recreation Fee: $10.00 per person, per night. No Show Policy: Reservation holders have until 8:30 a.m. the day following their arrival date to check-in or their camping reservation will become void. Campers should call (209) 372-8502 if they know they will be late. The maximum fee for no shows is $20 and loss of the first night’s camping fee. Discounts: Individual campers who are eligible for either the America the Beautiful Senior or Access passes are entitled to a 50% discount for the cardholder only. Discount pass must be presented at check-in or discount will be revoked and you will be required to pay the difference.

Directions

Upon entering Yosemite Valley, turn left onto Sentinel Drive, then left onto Northside Drive. Camp 4 will be on your right after approximately 1.25 miles.

Stay Limit

Check in from 12 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

Camp 4 in Yosemite Valley is a historically significant and centrally located tent-only campground favored by climbers and hikers. It offers a unique communal camping experience with friendly staff, social atmosphere, and proximity to major trailheads like Yosemite Falls. The campground provides clean restrooms, bear-proof food storage, and new shower facilities, though shower availability and cleanliness are sometimes inconsistent. Noise from other campers and nearby traffic, crowded sites with limited privacy, and occasional parking challenges are frequent concerns. The reservation and lottery system is competitive and can be confusing. Overall, Camp 4 delivers a classic Yosemite camping vibe valued for its location and community, despite some maintenance and amenity issues.

Excellent central location near major trails and Yosemite Falls

Friendly and helpful rangers and staff

Clean restrooms and bear-proof food storage lockers

Communal and social atmosphere favored by climbers and solo travelers

Availability of showers, though sometimes limited or inconsistent

Noisy environment from other campers and nearby roads

Shared campsites with limited privacy and close proximity

Occasional overcrowding and maintenance issues in bathrooms and showers

Competitive and sometimes confusing reservation and lottery system

Parking is separate from campsites requiring carrying gear

1,247 reviews

5 stars

782

4 stars

238

3 stars

112

2 stars

1 stars

Aaron M

Site:

Reviewed 8 days ago

Recreation.gov is an abomination. Ripping money off of every visitor straight into the pockets of Booz Allen Hamilton.

John M

Site:

Reviewed 9 days ago

Camp 4 remains a climber’s paradise. Amazing location, great vibes, and good facilities. No showers at Camp 4 but Curry Village is not far to go for a shower on a rest day. I found a climbing partner within 10 minutes at Camp 4 by walking to the bulletin board on the check-in kiosk; Huey and I had a grand time climbing the whole week.

Sophie T

Site:

Reviewed 9 days ago

Staff was amazing! They are so kind and helpful

Linh N

Site:

Reviewed 10 days ago

This is a communal campground, so be prepared to share bear lockers, fire ring, and picnic tables with others.

Andrew O

Site:

Reviewed 12 days ago

Always good vibes at camp 4! Stayed at the new side this time around. Easy to meet new people and make friends! To be improved: It would be cool to see some kind of covered picnic area go up somewhere. Showers should be open with limited hours. Maybe 6am-8pm, I don’t think they should be open 24/7 but they’re there and it would be nice to use them. Pros of new side: Better cooking grates and fire pits Better picnic tables Nicer bathroom Fun climbing on swan slab Close to lower fall’s amphitheater Cons: Bad road noise Highly recommend bringing a bike.

Monica M

Site:

Reviewed 13 days ago

Staff were friendly and helpful. Campsite was clean. The staff didn't arrive until 12pm so I couldn't check in. Bathrooms could use a deep clean.

Availability

Availability is shared across the campground. Numbered sites cannot be reserved individually.

Shared availability