Tuolumne Meadows campground will be reopened to visitors on August 1. The famous campsite was closed due to a three-year, $26 million renovation.
After three years of renovation, one of the largest campgrounds in the national park system will reopen next month.
Yosemite National Park's famous Tuolumne Meadows campground can accommodate up to 2,200 visitors, which will reopen on August 1, according to the National Park Service (NPS). The opening ceremony is the $26 million renovation that began for the first time in 2022.
Visitors to the California Park Campground will enjoy brand new and upgraded restrooms (including new winter camping vaulted toilets), new picnic tables, fire pits, and even food storage cabinets to safely keep wildlife away. In addition, there are 29 new hiking campgrounds and upgrades to infrastructure, including replacement of water distribution systems.
The campground is also home to the Dana Campfire Circle amphitheater, which is used for Ranger-led evening programs and has been renovated with new accessible routes and companion seats.
“Tuolumne Meadows is a precious destination for families, backpackers, equestrians and nature lovers,” Yosemite Acting Principal Ray McPadden said in a statement.
Campsite reservations are required and can be done on reseation.gov. Basic bookings are $36 per night. By the time of publication, the booking was completely sold out by August 5.
Camping sites are popular among outdoor enthusiasts and can access hiking, rock climbing, backpacking and fishing. Due to the existence of bears, travelers should exercise caution and remember that the campground does not have electric connections. The campsite is still at higher altitudes, which can cause breathing difficulties.
Officials added travelers planning to visit the campsite, “should” pay attention to young plants and shrubs by placing all wheels on parking mats and camping equipment and inside established campgrounds. ”
The Tuolumne Meadows campground covers an area of about 140 acres and is the largest in Yosemite. The campground is 90 minutes from Yosemite Valley, but it has a small shop, barbecue and post office nearby.
In addition to the Tuolumne Meadows campground, NPS also opened two locations in Yosemite earlier this month: Porcupine Flat and Bridalveil Creek Campgrounds. The former is a “more original” option near Porcupine Creek, the only available water source, while the latter is 7 miles west of Glacier Point and offers several hiking trails along Glacier Point Road.