First-come, first-served campgrounds along Tioga Pass?

I’ll be visiting Tuolumne on 9/11 to 9/13 (pending the smoke and fire situation), and am curious to know people’s recent experiences with FCFS campgrounds along the east side of Tioga Pass. This includes campgrounds like Lower Lee Vining, Moraine and Big Bend.

On Fridays and Thursdays, what time do you recommend arriving by to have the best chance of securing a site at these places for the weekend? How busy have you found them to be, and have other campers generally been respectful in terms of noise and cleaning up after themselves? I’d also be interested to hear which east-side FCFS campground(s) people prefer and why.

Any insight would be much appreciated!

I was up that way last Tuesday, before the fire situation blew up. I arrived around noon and easily found a site at the Junction campgroun. Amazing place to camp by the way, I was right along the creek in a shaded quiet site, absolutely loved it there. The host told me he had one site left the night before, seemed like most people were moving out mid morning. The Ellery campground was full of firefighters so no sites there, Saddle Bag lake had sites but some sketchy people who had been there a while, I didn’t check Tioga. All of those campgrounds are high up on the 120, I didn’t check the lower ones.

One thing to note is there was no fresh water at Ellery or Junction, the pump at Ellery was out. I was happy I threw in a steripen.

Hope that helps.

I never check the lower spots, but it's been really busy on weekends.  On one Saturday every possible pullout along Saddlebag Lake Road was occupied.  With the fires and the end of summer, maybe it's getting less crowded now.

Hi Carolyn,

Have been camping at the Lower Lee Vining Campground last 2 recent trips during weekdays.  Both times arrived on a Sunday (once after 5pm, other time around 10am respectively).   Doesn't have water.  Weekday trips so I don't know what situation is during weekend but likely busier.   No issues during either stays, have camped there for years.  Upper campgrounds are hit and miss unless midweek so we typically camp at LV campground because its first campground on your way up Hwy 120.  If you can arrive Thursday or mid morning Friday (checkout is 11am??), that is your best bet.  I believe all sites have camp hosts so they are reasonable maintained.  

All of these campgrounds are now closed due to Forest Service closures.

You can park outside of the park but off of the Tioga road.  You'll likely see others doing the same.

EDIT:  With the National Forest being closed...  my comment is likely wrong at the moment.

Park still open?

Gumby King wrote:

You can park outside of the park but off of the Tioga road.  You'll likely see others doing the same.

You sure about that? If it's national forest there is no dispersed camping and all sources of ignition (i.e. stoves) are banned

Cory B wrote:

You sure about that? If it's national forest there is no dispersed camping and all sources of ignition (i.e. stoves) are banned

Oh crap.  I forgot about that recent development.  Thanks for having my 6.

Thank you, everyone, for all of the insights. I'm 90% sure I'll cancel this weekend's trip to the Valley -- it's the practical and respectful thing to do in light of fire hazard and mitigation factors, closures, and potential burden on first responders should the situation become even worse. Besides, my lungs are more important than one day of climbing.

It's nice to have all this info for future trips though.