Backpacker's Campground

Elizabeth Rogers

Easy to find using Google Maps. Plop your tent down anywhere there’s room and only use half of the bear lockers (please!) as there’s a good chance you’ll be sharing it with another party! Used it the first night before heading up Snow Creek to Yosemite Falls, left the car in the Curry Village parking lot without any issues. Quiet by 10 and everyone is up by 7 ready to hit the trails! Never had anyone verify our payment or permit but we did on the way out at Tuolumne Meadows.

Lauren Yang

Gets the job done in an efficient and well-run manner. Not fancy, perfect for backpackers. Water source (requires filter or iodine) is nearby. Composting toilets are good. Ranger came.by to check tag and wilderness permits; they were friendly with great advice and clearly love the park. No complaints.

Tim Hassler

Stayed a night before and after our backpacking trip. Closest parking is at half dome village (about .5 to .75 mile walk of I remember correctly). We didn't have a problem finding the campground but others did. Out of the parking lot stay right and follow the road. At the first intersection turn left and go over the bridge. Walk into the campground that is on the left. Walk past the ticket booth to get in and stay to the right and follow that road. You'll pass bathrooms which is also your closest water source. Stay even further to the right into a dirt path. There will be a small bridge over the river. The backpackers campground is right on the other side. Our first night we were the only ones there. When we got back from our trip around 8PM the place was pretty full but did find an open spot. Only things they have are pit toilets and bear boxes which is more than what you need if you're going backpacking. $6 per person and you pay at the big sign near the bathrooms.

Lenka Weingartová

There are no signs to lead you to the campsite. We arrived late at night and had trouble finding it. There is only a 15min unloading parking and you have to drive your car elsewhere and then walk back. I'm not sure how this would work for a lone hiker, but we were a couple and managed it in the end, even though it caused us considerable delays. We spent there two nights before and after our three-day hike (August) and both of the nights the camp was full and we had some trouble finding a place to pitch our tent. One of the nights we had to sleep near the toilets which stank to high heaven due to the extremely hot weather. The bear boxes were full as well, we had to share one with someone who was storing his smelly gear there during his hike and wasn't even there at the campground. (It's possible to store your stuff for several nights in the big bear boxes near Half Dome Village Parking.) There is no running water, the nearest is in the North Pines campground. For showering you need to go to the Half Dome Village - fortunately they have free showers there. The price is 6$ per person per night and can be paid even at night into an envelope. A ranger comes every day to check if everyone has paid and is storing their food properly in the bear boxes.