Upper Pines Campground (California)
Upper Pines Overview
Upper Pines Campground is open year-round and has 238 campsites set in a beautiful Ponderosa pine forest and is the largest of three campgrounds in the Yosemite Valley. The other two campgrounds are Lower Pines and North Pines. The campground has a dump station, flush toilets and drinking water. There is a maximum of 2 vehicles and 6 people per site. Click on the ‘Make A Reservation’ button to access the Rec.gov site to check specific sizes for each campsite and make reservations. Also, tent (only) camping is not allowed in campsites designated as an ‘RV site’.
North Pines campsites are good for tents, trailers and RVs (up to 30 feet). Each campsite has a table, fire ring/grill and food storage locker. Upper Pines is quite popular and is a short walk to Curry Village where you can get a hot shower and some eats at restaurants. Curry Village also has Wifi access, a grocery store, laundromat and cross-country ski rentals.
Upper Pines – Yosemite National Park Area Recreation
World famous Yosemite National Park offers spectacular scenery and amazing wonders that boggle the imagination. Outdoor recreation includes hiking, backpacking, biking, kayaking, photography, climbing, rock climbing, fishing, nature exhibits, museums, camping and wildlife viewing. There are also many historic sits to visit throughout the Park. Horse stables are also located near Upper Pines campground with trail rides available to the public. You can also rent a raft and float the Merced River.
Other campgrounds in Yosemite National Park include Crane Flat, Wawona, Hodgdon Meadow and Tuolumne Meadows.
Make a Reservation for Upper Pines
Amenities
- Campground Host
- Campsite Tables
- Drinking Water
- Dump Station
- Equestrian trail
- Fire Pit
- Fire Rings
- Firewood Available
- Food Storage Locker
- Grills
- Pets OK
- Picnic Tables
- Restrooms (Flush Toilets)
Activities
- Archeological Sites
- Backpacking
- Biking
- Bird Watching
- Boating (non motorized)
- Canoeing
- Climbing
- Creek
- Cross Country Skiing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Historic Sites
- Horseback riding
- Kayaking
- Mountain Biking
- Nature Programs
- Nature Trails
- Photography
- Picnicking
- Rafting
- River
- Rock Climbing
- Snowshoeing
- Stargazing
- Tubing
- Visitor Center
- Walking Trails
- Wilderness Area
- Wildlife Viewing
Best Campsites
8, 9, 10, 21, 46, 62, 69, 99, 108, 137, 156, 172, 179, 182, 197, 202, 204, 206, 207, 208, 210, 211, 216, 220, 222, 226, 228, 230, 238, 239, 240
Regions
- National Forest
- National Forest Campgrounds
- Northern California
- River
- Rocky Mountains
- Sierra Nevada
- Yosemite National Park
Campsite Types
- RV
- Tent
- Trailer
Season:
Year Round
Elevation:
4,000
# of Campsites:
238
Upper Pines Photos
Upper Pines Comments & Reviews
Visted Upper Pines Campground lately? We'd love to hear about your adventure. Did you find us useful? Did we forget something? Anything our community should know before heading out to Upper Pines?
Officially, one of my California favorites. Very few are on a slope, and of those the slope is very mild. Fires in the rings are limited to between 5pm and 10pm, May through September. Definitely the cooler of the campgrounds in September as the cliffs put the campsites in shadow after 2-3pm; while the North and Lower pines campsites are in the sun until 5:30-6:30. Makes a big difference on the 90+ degree days. 2 shuttle stops are close by, #19 at front and #16 at back. Even got to meet Greg while walking the campgrounds, too!
Site 500 is amazing and off to the side. I highly recommend this site. It is large and fit our 31 foot travel trailer easily!
Upper Pines #s only go up to 240 – did you mean to review North Pines?
Hi David Blue, Are you saying site 500 in Yosemite Upper Pines campground was great for your 31 foot trailer?
Hi Ginny Murray, are you asking whether site 500 in Yosemite Upper Pines was great for David Blue’s 31 foot trailer?
Hi Peter Seesall, are you asking Ginny Murray is she is asking whether site 500 in Yosemite Upper Pines was great for David Blue’s 31 foot trailer?
Hi Ceara Wilford, are you asking Peter Seesall if he is asking Ginny Murray if she is asking whether site 500 in Yosemite Upper Pines was great for David Blue’s 31 foot trailer?
Booked upper pines site 112 for June. Our rv is 27 foot but it says max vehicle length 24 foot. Does anyone know of site 112 will fit a 27 foot rv?
Those sites are tight. When the say 24′ max, it is.
Keep your generators at home!
I got site 220 but don’t have an RV. Will I be OK with just tents?
Hi Hailey,
Yes – just tents in Upper Pines #220 is fine/allowed.
Thanks! Do you know approximately how many tents I can pitch at that site?
Per Yosemite website:
“People per site: A maximum of six people (including children) are allowed per campsite. There is no limit on the number of tents (as long as they all fit into the campsite).”
Do all Upper Pines sites accommodate RVs? Ours is 28′.
Hi Joan,
Yes all Upper Pines campsites will accommodate RVS at least 30 feet. Some campsites are larger.
Hello, when I booked my sites, it said the max length was 27 ft for an RV. Mine is 29.5, will it fit? When I applied the filters in my search, there was only one site that would accommodate anything larger than 30 ft. Will my 29.5 fit in site 194 and 192?
Hi Emily,
The final call will be up to the camp host. If your vehicles/trailer/RV is extended into the road, the camp host may not allow it and ask you to vacate.
Is there some information available to find out which campsites accommodate RVS that are larger than 30 feet? Ours is 32 feet and we have site 187. Thank you.
Hi Patty,
Click on the ‘Make A Reservation’ button to access the Rec.gov. Once on Rec.gov, click on ‘Show Sites’ and then the specific campsite number to see details (including maximum vehicle length, etc.). For Upper Pines campsite 187, it shows that the maximum vehicle length is 24 feet (RV) and the maximum trailer length is 12 feet.
I have a campsite reserved in Upper Pines at site 022. I am going to be renting a motor home. The problem i have is that the site says RV24 maximum. The company I am renting from can not promise me an exact size of motor home. They have listed that you will get a 25 or 27 foot. If it was a 25 foot it probably will fit, but not sure if it will fit on the site if it is a 27 foot. Can anyone tell me if a 25-27 foot motor home will fit on site 022. Thanks Rick
Hi Rick,
According to the Rec.gov, Upper Pines campsite 22 has a maximum RV length of 27 feet, and a maximum trailer length of 18 feet, and/or a total maximum length (two vehicles) of 27 feet. With that said, site 22 will fit a 27 foot motorhome/RV. If you’re renting a trailer of around 25-27 feet, that too should fit, but might be a bit snug up against the fire grate. We’ve seen people fit larger trailers in smaller sites by also parking their truck/vehicle diagonal (or at a bit of an angle) across the front of the parking pad. You should be good to go – have a great trip and enjoy all the big water this year!
I have stayed in Upper Pines a few times and today I got a reservation for Labor Day, site 216. I didn’t want to cancel this site and missing out on getting a space but I realize this site is for RVs/Trailers. Will I be ok tent camping at this spot? I really do not like the new recreation.gov website. Before the filters were easier to use.
Hi Leslie,
Yes, you can tent camp in campsite 216 at Upper Pines. Have a great time!
Leslie from April 15, 2019. Correction, Site 216 is a “RV” site only. I had the same problem after booking site and called to ask same question. Click on #216 link and scroll down to information where it clearly states RV only. You will not be able to stay there without RV. Camp ranger will turn you away no questions asked
Thanks for the clarification James! We made a note of it in our overview – no tent camping allowed in campsites designated for ‘RVs’.
which is the prettiest site – Upper Or Lower Pines?
Hi Joan,
A good question! Upper Pines is the largest campground in Yosemite Valley and most campsites are fairly small and close together. All are situated in a beautiful Ponderosa forest. Lower Pines campground has few campsites that are larger in size and there’s more room in between campsites. It is also closer to the Merced River. We’d say (on average) that Lower Pines has prettier campsites compared to Upper Pines campground.
I get the #238 but it says rv nonelectric. Can i use tent at this campsite?
Hi Oyundari,
Yes, you can use a tent at Upper Pines campsite #238. Have fun!
I have site #179 reserved. Will two or three small tents fit in this site?
Hi Linda,
You’ll be able to find room for 3 small tents at Upper Pines campsite #179.
Have fun!
I’ve heard that Upper Pines campsite 8 is a great spot and would like to book, but our RV is a bit longer than the listed max. Any input on parking at an angell? It seems as though the only limiting factor is the tree just behind the barrier.
Hi Sanford,
Upper Pines campsite #8 does have quite a bit of room beyond the paved parking pad area. It should be able to fit an RV larger than the indicated 18′ maximum, but the Camp Host will make the final call. Remember all wheels must be on the paved parking surface.
Hello! We booked site #8 @ Upper Pines based on the general campground length restrictions that said RVs up to 35’. We have an RV that is 24’ and not until we were checking final details did we see that its one of the few (10 or so out of 240) that have limits that are quite a bit shorter, 18’. I know the final call is the hosts, but the site seems to be on a flat area not need turnaround capacity, so the one limiting factor is likely the tree just beyond the parking barrier. Does anyone have personal knowledge of this site and the likelihood we could fit by parking at an angle.
Hi Andrea,
I would venture to guess that your 24′ RV will fit in Upper Pines campsite #8. The wheels must remain on the paved parking pad though. Anyone else have any thoughts?
Hello, we booked 127 and 128, I noticed that the maximum trailer length is 14′ but RV is 24′. Can I park my 21′ travel trailer in 127 and my truck in 128? Any information is appreciated.
Hi Chris,
You are correct – your truck and trailer (21 feet) are longer than the allowed limit (combined) in Upper Pines campsites 127 and 128. However, you can park your truck in one site and your trailer in another.
Hello, campsite #079 says RV nonelectric. Can i use tent at this campsite?
Hi Dovydas,
Some campsites at Yosemite National Park campgrounds (like Upper Pines) are listed on recreation.gov as “RV nonelectric.” This means the campsite is best suited for RVs and trailers. While you aren’t required to use an RV in one of these campsites, they are listed as RV only because they generally do not have adequate or level space to pitch a tent. If you arrive and find that the campsite doesn’t work for you and/or your tent, the camp host / rangers will not be able to move you to another campsite. With that said, the photo of Upper Pines campsite #79 does show that there would be room for a small tent.
Hello, we have booked Upper Pines site 147 and 166 (they are adjacent sites). Both sites have max RV non electric length of 27’. We are wondering, if we rent one RV of 29’6”, would it fit into any one site? If not, is it possible to park one 29’6” vehicle across these two sites? Thanks
Hi George,
It’s our experience that the final call is up to the campground host at Upper Pines campground. We have seen where people have parked their vehicles across the opening of one site, but not sure if we can recall someone doing it on two adjacent sites. That may not be allowed. Chances are, one of the sites will have enough overhang/room to accommodate a few extra feet.
Hello, we have booked Upper Pines site #137 and will have a tent plus two vehicles, one of which is a 20′ camper van (the other is a minivan). Is this OK for a “tent only” site?
Hi Cathy,
On a rare occasion the camp host/manager may allow a ‘camper van’ in a ‘tent only’ campsite at Upper Pines. This is the policy for Upper Pines tent only campsites:
“RVs are not allowed in tent-only campsites. These sites only have space for tents and, in many cases, the parking is a short distance away from the campsite (and you’re required to camp in the campsite). You should always read the site alerts and book a site that is appropriate for the equipment you will be camping in. If you arrive with different equipment than allowed in the site you reserved, we will not be able to accommodate you.”
Thank you!