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Camp 4 with a camper van...?

Original Post
Owen Taylor · · Melbourne, Australia · Joined May 2014 · Points: 10

Hi there,

I am currently on a road trip across the states climbing and gene really having a good look around the place with my girlfriend, and was hoping someone could give me a bit of help on staying at camp 4.

I am from the uk and really want to stay in the valley on this trip, I knew I would be travelling in a van so tried to get into an Rv spot months ago as they were released but missed out by moments as all the spots fill up in seconds !

We have a tent and are happy to camp but I was wondering if the rangers in Yosemite would let us park our camper van ( fits nicely into a car space but looks like a camper van so no disguising it) in the camp 4 car park while we camp there and obviously do not sleep In our van. Our other option would be to ditch the van outside the valley somewhere ???? And get a bus into the campsite which all sounds pretty boring to me.

Any one have any experience with this or insight would be really helpful.

Cheers,

Ryan Nevius · · Perchtoldsdorf, AT · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 1,832

As long as it fits nicely into a regular parking spot, you won't have a problem.

Steve Williams · · The state of confusion · Joined Jul 2005 · Points: 235

Whatever you do, make sure you DON'T leave food in
your van. Bears will smell it and break into it like
nothing. Use the bear boxes in the campground for your food!

Salamanizer Ski · · Off the Grid… · Joined Sep 2005 · Points: 18,914

Yeah, you can park your RV in the C4 parking lot while you stay in the campground. You just can't sleep in it.

You can also go in early (like 7:00am) to the Ranger Kiosk in the Curry Village overflow parking lot to put your name on a waiting list for a campsite in one of the Pines campgrounds. They usually have 15 to 20 open campgrounds a day due to no shows and last minute cancellations. Basically, put your name on the list in the morning, then return in the afternoon (usually around 3:00pm) to find out if there is a space available. As long as you're one of the first on the list, it's almost a guaranteed spot. Kinda ruins your day what with obligations and all though.

Alternately, you can check at the Ranger station if coming in on Hwy 120 at the entrance, or go to the Curry Village Kiosk to see if there are sites available outside the Valley proper but still in the Park. They usually have some openings on the weekdays.

Or head down HWY 140 past Arch Rock and all that, leave the park and continue down the road for about 10 minutes past the gate and camp in the large (sand lot) pullout alongside the road. You'll know it when you see it. It's huge! It's popular among whitewater kayakers and climbers alike as it's hassle free, legal and free camping. No accommodations (bathrooms, fires, tables etc...)
Just pull up, camp for the night and leave in the morning. No drama... keep it low key ;)

Owen Taylor · · Melbourne, Australia · Joined May 2014 · Points: 10

Thank all.

Really great info.

Any more angles on the situation greatly received.

One question, we have had food etc in the van for the three months as we have been living in it full time. How thoroughly would we need to clean it out ? Also if we are not in camp 4, say at the free spot mentioned above, same deal, no food in van ? What to people do about perishables ?

Thanks

Salamanizer Ski · · Off the Grid… · Joined Sep 2005 · Points: 18,914

Bears have been known to break into really clean vehicles with no trace of food or scents in them. So sometimes it doesn't matter what you do. Luck of the draw I guess. However, the Yosemite bears aren't your typical bear. They're more like fuzzy cattle really. Totally used to people, not afraid of you and just looking for an easy target. Doesn't really matter if you've been living in your car or not. People leave all sorts of things in their vehicles from fast food wrappers, ice chests, scented car fresheners etc... You're gonna have competition for sure. Unless you're a total complacent idiot, you'll probably be fine. You just want all your food out and in a bear box and everything neat and orderly in the car. If a bear walks by and sees a paper bag in the back seat, even though it's empty, he may want to take a closer look. Cover everything up with towels or a blanket or something so when a bear looks in, he just sees one solid object and not a bunch of jackets, bags, climbing gear etc... Bears are curious creatures, Yosemite bears more so than normal. It's not as big of a deal as people make it out to be really.

In the day while cragging. Leave your food in a bear box if you have one, if you don't, make sure you cover it up with something and you're parked somewhere with a lot of people around all day. You're taking a risk, but it's a small one.

At the free (sand lot) area, it's not a problem. Even though I've seen bears there, you'll be with your vehicle the whole time. Just don't leave it out overnight.

Enjoy Yosemite, it's a bit of a hassle, but it's very popular and difficult to shuffle that many people around in there and still keep some sense of wilderness about it. Be sure and check out Tuolumne too. The campsites there are first come, first serve. Get there early and on a weekday. I would suggest going somewhere like Shuteye or on the East Side for the weekends. If you do get shut out of a campsite there. Drive outside the park on the East entrance and just beyond the gate there are several different campsites that are much nicer than the one in Tuolumne in my opinion. Cheaper too. Reserve your spot before 9:00 or 10:00 ish. They are usually full by noon.

Oh, and you might as well get a year pass if you'll be staying there and traveling in and out of the park for more than a week. I think your 20 dollar pass is good for a week but don't quote me on that. Best to ask when entering the gate. If it's not, get the year pass (40 dollars) and good all year. If anything, it's a good excuse to come back next year a little earlier before it expires.

Oh, and welcome to California, it's a big state with climbing almost everywhere. Be sure and drive around a bit. You'll be blown away by the variety and abundance of rock everywhere. Enjoy!!!

***This beta will self destruct in a couple days, least undesirable eyes fall upon it***

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Northern California
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