We are going to attempt to obtain a reservation for 7 days for camping this summer in Yosemite NP. From what I've read on the forum, most sites usually are snatched up within 30 seconds or so at 7:00 AM on the 15th of the month for all days within the 30 day period desired. We plan on trying for reservations for the period between July 15th & August 14th.
Would any fellow forum members who are experienced Yosemite campers care to share some strategy for getting reservations?
I am registered at recreation.gov, and am experienced making reservations at NFS campgrounds. I plan on having DW & DD each register, so they can also be on-line & logged-in at 7:00 AM on 15th of March, to improve our chance at getting a campsite. is there anything else we can do to improve our odds?
Thanks.
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Well it was my first time, but I got the time and site we wanted. I checked out the sites the day before and found a couple that would work with our 35 foot 5ver. On the 15th, I logged into Recreation.gov and tried to reserve one of the sites on the list (before 7 PST). It refused to do the reservation but I had the site on the screen with the reserve now button ready to click. I opened a couple more windows and repeated the process with other acceptable sites. I think I had three tabs loaded on FF.
Then I watched the computer clock, which should be synced to the exact time, and the instant it turned 7:00 (10:00 in my case EST) I hit the reserve now button and got my site. I didn't need the other two but they were there just in case. You have a short window to complete the reservation, only a couple of minutes IIRC or you lose it. That's to prevent people from using multiple windows for multiple sites I assume.
Good Luck
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agesilaus wrote: That's to prevent people from using multiple windows for multiple sites I assume.
Wasnt that what you were prepared to do?
Well no I had them open in case someone beat me to the first site and then I could just click on the second tab and try that one. I have the impression that some people were reserving a number of blocks and then selling the reservations. That's why you have to show an ID when you show up now.
Just out of curiosity I did click reserve now after I completed the first reservation and it was already taken, probably at 7:02 or so. Have your Credit Card (and Access pass if you have one) ready by the way.
Excellent advice, and right on - you need a trigger finger on your mouse!!! the nps site has all the campsites, length, and a campground map for location of each site. Make a short list of acceptable sites, cc in hand - and good luck.
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We are planning a trip to Yosemite in May. I just made my reservations for High Sierra RV Park. It is only 16 miles from the NP. I wanted to stay for 3 nights and there is two tours one is free and the other is $20.
Bill - Sheila wrote: We are planning a trip to Yosemite in May. I just made my reservations for High Sierra RV Park. It is only 16 miles from the NP. I wanted to stay for 3 nights and there is two tours one is free and the other is $20.
I don't know if this will help with your dilemma.
Sheila
i think you'll find out that you're not that close to the Valley floor.
that 16 miles is to the Entrance to the Park, not to the floor.
that will be a long drive from where you plan to stay.
about 90 minutes by car and if there's no traffic.
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agesilaus wrote: Well it was my first time, but I got the time and site we wanted. I checked out the sites the day before and found a couple that would work with our 35 foot 5ver. On the 15th, I logged into Recreation.gov and tried to reserve one of the sites on the list (before 7 PST). It refused to do the reservation but I had the site on the screen with the reserve now button ready to click. I opened a couple more windows and repeated the process with other acceptable sites. I think I had three tabs loaded on FF.
Then I watched the computer clock, which should be synced to the exact time, and the instant it turned 7:00 (10:00 in my case EST) I hit the reserve now button and got my site. I didn't need the other two but they were there just in case. You have a short window to complete the reservation, only a couple of minutes IIRC or you lose it. That's to prevent people from using multiple windows for multiple sites I assume.
Good Luck
This is a good an ethical strategy.
I never thought of the multiple tabs addition.
Will have to try that. I've been shut out for decades. Used to camp after Labor Day, but all of a sudden my wife decided the kids had to stay in school. Yeah yeah yeah, she's right I'm wrong ...
Good luck to the OP, it's a beautiful place to spend a few days if you can get a site. And don't let the bears get you. Oh my!
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, Shawn- Musician/Entrepreneur
, Zoe- Faithful Golden Retriever
, 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche LS, 2007 Rockwood Roo 23SS w/Equalizer and Prodigy, and 5 Mtn. bikes and 2 Road bikes
Yeah yeah yeah, she's right I'm wrong ... 
