After three years of waiting, campers can finally roll out their sleeping bags at Yosemite National Park’s Tuolumne Meadows Campground once again. This massive site, which covers about 140 acres in the Sierra Nevada high country, is the park’s largest campground and one of the biggest in the entire National Park System.
On August 1, 2025, it reopened with new features, fresh upgrades, and even more ways to enjoy Yosemite’s quieter side. The reopening is a milestone for Yosemite, as it is the first time in six years that all 13 of the park’s campgrounds are open at once. Before its closure in 2022, Tuolumne Meadows typically hosted over 140,000 overnight visitors each year and served as a hub for hikers, climbers, and backpackers heading into the backcountry.
Now, thanks to a $26-million renovation funded by the Great American Outdoors Act, the campground is back in action with modern conveniences, ecological protections, and new opportunities for adventure.
A Makeover Worth the Wait
Image via iStockphoto/Salil Bhatt
The Tuolumne Meadows Campground has been completely reimagined. Ten restrooms were built or renovated to meet accessibility standards, and a winter camping vault toilet was added for use outside the regular summer season.
Visitors will find sturdier picnic tables, upgraded fire rings, and redesigned food lockers to keep bears at a safe distance. Even the Dana Campfire Circle, a beloved spot for ranger talks and evening gatherings, now has accessible pathways and seating for everyone.
Upgrades were not limited to camper comfort. The project tackled long-standing environmental concerns by moving Loop A’s road 150 feet away from the Tuolumne River to protect its sensitive habitat.
Twenty-one campsites too close to the river were relocated, and significant updates were made to the water and sewer systems, some of which had been in place for nearly a century.
New Campsites With a Wild Twist
One of the biggest draws of the renovation is the addition of 29 hike-in sites. Unlike drive-up sites, these require a short walk and offer more privacy for campers looking for peace and quiet. Combined with 304 standard and hike-in sites, 21 backpacker spots, seven group sites, and four horse camps, the campground now has room for up to 2,200 visitors each night. This makes it one of the most versatile campgrounds in the national park system, with options for everyone from equestrians to minimalist backpackers.
Tuolumne Meadows's location makes it a perfect base camp for classic Yosemite activities. Hikes to alpine lakes, challenging climbs on granite domes, and backcountry treks all start nearby. Its high elevation also keeps temperatures cooler than the valley floor, which makes it a comfortable summer retreat for families and adventurers alike.
Reservation Frenzy
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Getting a spot at Tuolumne Meadows is almost as challenging as hiking Half Dome. Reservations are handled through Recreation.gov, and they sell out in minutes. Half of the sites open two months ahead on a monthly schedule, while the other half are released daily two weeks in advance. Standard sites cost $36 per night, group sites are $75, and horse camps run $50. Each standard site allows up to six people and two vehicles, though trailers are not permitted.
For those who do land a spot, basic services are nearby. A small store, grill, and post office operate in Tuolumne Meadows, but showers are still located in Curry Village down in Yosemite Valley. There is also a summer dump station for RVs, though utility connections are unavailable. With no Wi-Fi, limited cell service, and no ice for sale, campers are advised to come prepared and maybe enjoy the break from screens.