Wawona Horse Campsites

Overview

Wawona Campground standard and Group site reservations are located here: Wawona Campground 

Wawona Horse Campsites are available to reserve up to five months in advance on the 15th of each month at 7:00 a.m. PST. For example, on January 15, arrival dates for the period May 15 to June 14 become available to reserve, and therefore, the full arrival date window would be from the campground open date to June 14. 

Yosemite National Park Campground Reservation Dates 

Reservation Tips! Campsites in Yosemite are extremely popular and typically sell out in minutes. Login to your account or create a new account before the 7:00 a.m. (PST) release time. You may only add reservations to your cart and proceed with your reservation if you are logged into your account. The recreation.gov call center does NOT have access to additional sites or additional information beyond what is published on recreation.gov. 

Wawona Horse Campsites are located in breathtaking Yosemite National Park in Central California's rugged Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. The site is situated at the southern end of the park, 27 miles and approximately 45 minutes from Yosemite Valley, at an elevation of 4000 feet. 

Wawona was home to the park's headquarters in 1904 and historic structures still stand today. The majestic Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is just a short drive away. Within Yosemite, visitors gaze upon waterfalls, sheer granite cliffs, deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area and much more.

Recreation

Yosemite's trails, cliffs, roads, and rivers provide endless recreational activities for any kind of visitor. Hiking, biking, rock climbing, fishing, horseback riding, rafting, auto touring, and photography are all very popular activities within the park.

The Pioneer Yosemite History Center is like stepping back in time. A visit to the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, just four miles away, is a must-do. A network of hiking trails within the grove leads to stately trees with names like Grizzly Giant, Faithful Couple, and California Tunnel Tree.

Wawona offers several additional hiking trails, including the Wawona Meadow Loop, Swinging Bridge Loop, Alder Creek and Chilnualna Falls.

Facilities

Wawona Horse Campsites accommodate only those with horses or other stock animals. Reservations are required. 

High lines, flush toilets and drinking water are provided. Each campsite contains a picnic table, fire ring, and food storage locker. A general store and gas station are less than a mile away.

Natural Features

The area is forested with a diverse mix of ponderosa pine, incense-cedar, white fir, and whiteleaf manzanita, which offers a pleasant combination of sun and shade. The gentle South Fork of the Merced River flows alongside the campground.

Nearby Attractions

Just 45 minutes away is Yosemite Valley, an awe-inspiring landscape containing many of the famous features for which Yosemite National Park is known. Hiking trails and bike paths are abundant in the valley. 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. 

Another scenic 45-minute drive leads to Glacier Point, with its sweeping views of Yosemite Valley, Little Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Vernal and Nevada Falls, and Clouds Rest, among other notable landmarks. 

The Tioga Road, in the central region of the park, offers a 39-mile scenic drive past forests, meadows, lakes, and granite domes. Tuolumne Meadows embodies the high-country of the Sierra Nevada, with its broad sub-alpine meadows and granite domes and peaks. Beautiful Hetch Hetchy Reservoir is home to spectacular scenery and numerous wilderness trailheads.

Camp site features

Across 2 camp sites:

  • Fire pit: all 2 sites
  • Pets allowed: all 2 sites
  • Longest RV: 35 ft
  • Largest party: 6 people

Services within 25 miles · OpenStreetMap

Nearest dump station: 0.1 mi

Nearest water fill: 23.3 mi · Water source (river)

Directions

Take Highway 41 north from Fresno, Highway 140 east from Merced, or Highway 120 east from Manteca into Yosemite National Park. Follow signs to Wawona. The campground is located 7 miles north of the South Entrance station on Highway 41, and 28 miles south of Yosemite Valley.

Stay Limit

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

Reviews

7 reviews
5 stars
6
3 stars
1
Pat A
Loop:Horse
Site:
Reviewed 4 months ago
The campsites are large, private and located on the beautiful Merced River with opportunities to soak in one of it’s many pools. Several beautiful trails are accessed right from camp and offer stunning views.
Vickie T
Loop:Horse
Site:
Reviewed 5 months ago
Horse camping at Wawona is wonderful. The campsites are very well maintained and love camping by the river. The trails to ride on were in much needed maintenance due to fallen trees blocking at least 10 to 12 spots along the Mariposa trail. The trees were so large that the horses could not step over them!! We did fill out a form at the Ranger's station near the Wawona Hotel in hopes that the trails will be better maintained.
Lisa C
Loop:Horse
Site:
Reviewed a year ago
Site 1 was easy to pull in and only needed slight tire blocking to achieve level for trailer. Beautiful site right on the river and with easy access to restroom with sink and flushing toilet. Site has picnic table, fire ring, bear boxes, and high lines set up for horses. We love it!
Dana F
Loop:Horse
Site:
Reviewed a year ago
Manure dump to far from camp. Water spigot to far from site 1. Truck traffic all day long noisy.
Chestine A
Loop:Horse
Site:
Reviewed a year ago
Yosemite is an incredible place for riding. So many wonderful places to see from horseback. Chilnualna Falls was a bit of a nail biter up at the top with the steep granite steps. i was glad our horses were booted rather than shod. The valley floor ride was spectacular and we had the good luck to see 2 bear cubs and their mother.
Serena S
Loop:Horse
Site:
Reviewed a year ago
My family has been coming to this horse camp for the past 20 years. We started when I was in high school and now I get to bring my kids along as well. We love it and look forward to it every year ❤️❤️❤️. I hope it never changes
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