Sierra Nevada
How to Book Yosemite Camping and Curry Village Cabins
How to book Yosemite campsites on Recreation.gov and Curry Village tent cabins on Travel Yosemite, with release dates, Camp 4 tips and backup plans.
By Alex Khachigian · Updated September 2026 · 3 min read
Yosemite Valley campsites often sell out in minutes. This guide covers Recreation.gov campsites, Curry Village cabins, Camp 4 and backup plans.
Rules change often; confirm on NPS.gov and Recreation.gov.
In This Guide
Yosemite Campgrounds vs. Curry Village
Campgrounds are booked on Recreation.gov; Curry Village and the lodges on Travel Yosemite, on a separate calendar. In-park overnight reservations have generally counted as entry during reservation periods.
- Valley campgrounds: Upper Pines, Lower Pines, North Pines and Camp 4
- Outside the Valley: Wawona, Hodgdon Meadow, Crane Flat, White Wolf, Tuolumne Meadows, several seasonal
- Curry Village: tent cabins, wood cabins and Stoneman Cottage rooms
- Housekeeping Camp: canvas-roofed units on the Merced River, seasonal
How Yosemite Campground Reservations Work
Many campgrounds release sites five months ahead, in one-month blocks, on the 15th at 7 am Pacific. On January 15, for example, mid-May to mid-June opens.
Some campgrounds use other windows. Summer weekends at Upper and North Pines sell out in seconds to minutes.
- Verify your Recreation.gov account days ahead
- Save payment and camper details
- Pick three or four target sites
- Be on the page a few minutes before 7 am
- Add to cart immediately; carts hold briefly
Camp 4 Walk-In Campground
Camp 4, near Yosemite Valley Lodge, is a shared, tent-only walk-in campground and the historic center of Yosemite climbing. In peak season it has used a day-before lottery on Recreation.gov.
How to Book Curry Village Cabins
Book through Travel Yosemite, generally 366 days ahead. Cancellations peak around 30 and 7 days out; search one night at a time.
Curry Village Room Types
Tent cabins are cheapest and share bathhouses; get a heated one in spring and fall. Wood cabins have solid walls, some with private baths, and Stoneman Cottage has hotel rooms.
Other Lodging In and Near the Park
Yosemite Valley Lodge and The Ahwahnee are the other Valley options, both in my Yosemite reel. Evergreen Lodge at Yosemite and Tenaya Lodge, just outside, are easier to book.
My where to stay near Yosemite guide compares El Portal, Mariposa and Oakhurst.
Backup Plans When Yosemite Is Full
Check for cancellations a week out, two days out and the morning of. Sierra National Forest near Fish Camp and Stanislaus National Forest on Highway 120 have campgrounds, and dispersed camping needs a campfire permit (see my car camping guide).
- Try Hodgdon Meadow and Crane Flat
- Book a hotel in El Portal, Groveland, Mariposa or Oakhurst
Yosemite Campground Rules to Know
All scented items go in the food locker; fines apply. Check-in times, quiet hours and campfire hours are enforced. See my Yosemite packing list.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do Yosemite campground reservations open?
Many release five months ahead on the 15th at 7 am Pacific. Check each campground on Recreation.gov.
How far in advance can I book Curry Village?
About 366 days ahead through Travel Yosemite.
Does a campground or Curry Village reservation count as Yosemite entry?
Generally yes during entry reservation periods. You still pay the entrance fee.
Are Curry Village tent cabins worth it?
Yes, for a Valley stay without camping gear. They are basic, with shared bathhouses, but close to the Mist Trail.
How does the Camp 4 lottery work?
In peak season, apply the day before on Recreation.gov; results come that evening.
Destination guide
My Yosemite hotel, Airbnb and tour picks
