yosemite dirtbag camping

I am heading to yosemite for the first time to climb and am trying to figure out a good place to camp in the park. Does anyone have any recamendations of campgrounds that are not overflowing with tourists and rvs. Im looking for the dirtbag campspots. in the valley and toualeme

In the valley there is no such thing as a campground that is not overflowing with tourists and/or RVs. I am not a Tuolumne expert, but I'm not sure you can find one there. Besides Camp 4 (which is in the valley- famous for climbers), which is cheaper than the rest, I'm not familiar with a campsite that costs less than $20 per night, though I defer to the rest of the gang.

The only dirtbag spots for climbing in the park are outside the park. Some not-to-bad pullouts on the road out toward Oakhurst, and likewise right outside the park's eastern Tuolomne entrance. These are all obviously just for sleeping in your car, and then commuting into the park each morning.

Best bet for camping in the park on the cheap is to find some kids who want to share a site. I know you're allowed 6 campers to a site in Tuolumne, but the rangers really only enforce the two car maximum.

Here's the camping scene in the park: Yosemite Camping

The only first-come in the Valley is Camp 4, which only has 35 sites and limited/competitive parking. Thats probably your only option down low. Get there early in the morning and wait for a site to open up, or see if you can hook up with someone.

Tuolumne has 4 first-come campgrounds. There are also camping options at Tioga Pass just outside the park, i.e real campgrounds.

Don't expect to be able to pull over somewhere and scam camp beside the road or in the woods. They don't let that stuff go on.

ddriver wrote:Here's the camping scene in the park: Yosemite Camping The only first-come in the Valley is Camp 4, which only has 35 sites and limited/competitive parking. Thats probably your only option down low. Get there early in the morning and wait for a site to open up, or see if you can hook up with someone. Tuolumne has 4 first-come campgrounds. There are also camping options at Tioga Pass just outside the park, i.e real campgrounds. Don't expect to be able to pull over somewhere and scam camp beside the road or in the woods. They don't let that stuff go on.

Well that's not entirely true. I happen to know you can camp in a lot of places, it's just about finding a place to park your car, and then not get eaten by a bear or ticketed by a ranger.

Best thing to do is get to the park around 5 and sit in line for a camp 4 spot. (Technically the line isn't allowed to start until 6 but people are always there beforehand anyway) Bring a camp chair. Then you can get a spot for $5 a day for up to a week.

Apparently there is a backpackers camp somewhere off in the woods there, but we couldn't find it or find good information on it.

Brannen wrote: Well that's not entirely true. I happen to know you can camp in a lot of places, it's just about finding a place to park your car, and then not get eaten by a bear or ticketed by a ranger. Best thing to do is get to the park around 5 and sit in line for a camp 4 spot. (Technically the line isn't allowed to start until 6 but people are always there beforehand anyway) Bring a camp chair. Then you can get a spot for $5 a day for up to a week. Apparently there is a backpackers camp somewhere off in the woods there, but we couldn't find it or find good information on it.

I thought it was past the bridge past upper Pines campground. Then again, I've never seen it either.

Shelton Hatfield wrote:Best bet for camping in the park on the cheap is to find some kids who want to share a site. I know you're allowed 6 campers to a site in Tuolumne, but the rangers really only enforce the two car maximum.

Shelton is an advanced site sharer.

Aren't you allowed to bivy on route? Can you climb up to a nice big ledge somewhere, haul your stuff up and post up for the night?

Yep as long as you have your backcountry permit.

First off you have to experience Camp 4. Then you get a permit for something backpacker style or you just move to the base of El Cap and start fixing pitches on something. Camp 4 is well worth the 5 $pot per day, at least for a week while you figure things out. Then you'll either get the permit for Half Dome etc or just move onto El Cap-Base Camp, your allowed to park at the base while on the wall. At the very most you'll spend 2 weeks doing shorter routes. After that it's big walls or new digs.

My .02

Canmp 4 can be a great experience and one of the best climbing values out there. Then you are in the center of everything. You just need to be friendly and not an elitist and you will have a great time.

Get in line, pay the small fee, have that time of your life!

Find your self a nice big cave and hope the bears don't eat your shit