Where Do You Park for Backpacking in Yosemite?

By Michael Ferguson

Backpacking in Yosemite National Park is a unique experience. With its towering granite walls, thunderous waterfalls, and lush meadows, Yosemite is an outdoor paradise for backpacking enthusiasts. To ensure a safe and enjoyable backpacking experience, it’s important to plan ahead for where you will park your vehicle.

In Yosemite Valley, there are several parking areas available for backpacking. The most popular is the Lower Yosemite Falls parking lot.

This lot provides direct access to the trails that lead to Half Dome, Clouds Rest, and other popular backcountry destinations. It also has plenty of space for cars and RVs. The Upper Pines Campground parking area is also a great spot for backpacking vehicles as it provides access to trails leading to North Dome and other high country areas.

If you’re planning on heading out of the valley on a multi-day trip, there are several options available for where you can park your car or RV during your trip. The Tuolumne Meadows area has a large parking lot with easy access to many trails that lead into the high country. There are also additional parking lots along Tioga Road, including the White Wolf Lodge area and the Porcupine Flat Campground area.

For those who prefer not to leave their vehicle unattended overnight, there are several campgrounds throughout Yosemite National Park that offer overnight parking services. These campgrounds include Bridalveil Creek Campground in Wawona, Crane Flat Campground near Tuolumne Meadows, Wawona Campground near Yosemite Valley, and White Wolf Campground near Tuolumne Meadows. All of these campgrounds provide secure overnight parking at an additional cost per night.

Conclusion: With so many options available for where you can park when backpacking in Yosemite National Park, it’s easy to find a spot that works best for your needs. Whether you choose one of the valley parking lots or opt for an overnight stay in one of the campgrounds with secure parking services, you’ll be able to have a safe and enjoyable backpacking trip in this beautiful outdoor paradise.