EPenney
Galt, Ca
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Have never RV camped at Yosemite, so we're going on a day trip tomorrow to check out CG's in the park. It's about a 2-hr drive from home to get there via Hwy 120. Our 4-family group wants to see if we can get reservations for July or August this summer, so I want to scope out the CG's for sites that could work for a 35' 5er, a 28' 5er, and two 26' TT's. We will look at the "Pines" CG's in the Valley, and Hodgdon & Crane Flat CG's along Big Oak Flat Road. We also plan on checking out some of the RV parks along 120 outside the park.
Anybody have tips for things we should look for while up there? Or is there anything you might want me to check out and report back later?
Weather will be great, so it should be a fun day trip.
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agesilaus
North Florida
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You know about the reservation lottery system at Yosemite, I assume. If you want to get 4 campsites in Yosemite for the same time period using the lottery I'd say your chances are very close to zero.
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bikendan
Napa, Cal.
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i would say that you're already too late for Valley campsites there, except maybe for late August.
i just made reservations at New Brighton for mid-August and all but 4 sites were already gone. and Yosemite will be worse.
have checked for availability first?
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newlee
Ca USA
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From Galt to Yosemite Valley will be closer to 3 hours. Unless you fly.
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Fresno Tundra Driver
Fresno,Ca. USA
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It's not too late. Goodluck getting four sites though and don't expect to get four sites next to each other. Upper pines might be the best bet if your group wants to all be in the same campground. Lower pines and North pines have fewer camesites.
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rd1806
Gilroy
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It is not too late to make reservations for July/August. However, it will be damn near impossible to get sites together. I just made reservations at Wawona in May with one other couple and we were not able to get sites near each other. The entire month of May was reserved within three minutes. Expect a lot more folks to be on the reservation system for July and August with the kids on summer vacation.
We camped for the first time at Wawona last year. Took a drive into the valley to check out the campgrounds. They looked really tight. Did some research this year to try and get a site within the valley and found that there were very few sites that would accomadate my 26'
May be possible to get into a site that lists shorter maximums, however I prefer not to camp on top of my neighbor. Did find the following website useful in scouting out potential sites.
http://www.tinkhamroad.com/
Also made reservations at New Brighton in August. Was not able to get our selected dates. The first three weekends were reserved within two minutes.
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GPs
Pittsboro, NC
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I expect to be one of your competitors for an August spot when the right "minute" arrives but any information about the Pines areas will be appreciated. We are small--25'--so less problem than you bigger guys but ..... Nice that you can scout it out in advance. We'll not be there more than 2 nights (I know,deserves more but...) so we'll not be stealing too much time for others IF we get in.
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othertonka
Stockton, CA
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Good luck on that, but here is a web site that you can look at a picture of each site at upper pines camp. Make a list of those that will accomdate your size RV and then check them out so you can select the one you want right when they become available. I don't think one person can reserve 4 sites at a time but don't know the rules on that. A lot of people stay in Groveland area and commute to the valley floor.
Here is the upper pines sit that shows pictures of each site.
Upper Pines
By the way it will take more then 2 hrs from Galt. Also they had a road closure on Big oak flat that is now open but subject to be closed again off and on for paving. I would call yosemite and ask which day they are planning on traffic controls. Just a heads up
Yosemite number is 209-372-0200
* This post was
edited 02/03/12 10:39am by othertonka *
Othertonka
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agesilaus
North Florida
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bikendan wrote:i would say that you're already too late for Valley campsites there, except maybe for late August.
i just made reservations at New Brighton for mid-August and all but 4 sites were already gone. and Yosemite will be worse.
have checked for availability first?
You can reserve June 16th to July 15th on Feb 15th at 7 AM (on the dot) PST. July 16th to Aug 15th on Mar 15th @7AM. And when I say on the dot I mean the instant the clock ticks 0700.
All four families better be on the internet with a site selected on reservation website and their finger on the reserve button. I still think your chances of getting even all on the Valley floor is about zero. Those are the peak periods.
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othertonka
Stockton, CA
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agesilaus wrote:bikendan wrote:i would say that you're already too late for Valley campsites there, except maybe for late August.
i just made reservations at New Brighton for mid-August and all but 4 sites were already gone. and Yosemite will be worse.
have checked for availability first?
You can reserve June 16th to July 15th on Feb 15th at 7 AM (on the dot) PST. July 16th to Aug 15th on Mar 15th @7AM. And when I say on the dot I mean the instant the clock ticks 0700.
All four families better be on the internet with a site selected on reservation website and their finger on the reserve button. I still think your chances of getting even all on the Valley floor is about zero. Those are the peak periods.
Just to add to this, what if only one or two get a reservation? Will they go without you or the other one? Or if they don't want to go without the others, there is a cancellation fee. So just be aware of what can happen and familiarize your self with Reservation.gov and set up an account now if you don't have one and give it a dry run a few times so you know how the system works. 7 oclock in the morning on the 15th is not the time to learn how the system works. Good luck
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