Upgraded Campgrounds and Hiking Sites at Yosemite National Park's Spacious Campgrounds Offer Remarkable Improvements
Tuolumne Meadows Campground Reopens in Yosemite National Park
After a three-year closure, Tuolumne Meadows Campground in Yosemite National Park reopened on August 1, 2025. The reopening is a result of a $26 million renovation project funded by the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), which aims to improve national park infrastructure nationwide.
The renovations addressed over $11 million in deferred maintenance and updated infrastructure. The campground, known as the largest camping destination in Yosemite and one of the most expansive in the National Park System, now boasts modern facilities. Upgrades include ten new and renovated restrooms that are compliant with the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standards, improved roads, and updated sewer and water systems.
The campground, located along Tioga Road, offers 336 sites supporting up to 2,200 visitors per night. These include 304 standard and hike-in sites, 21 backpacker sites, seven group sites, and four horse sites. Additionally, 29 new hike-in campsites have been added, and existing campsites have been revitalized with new picnic tables, fire rings, and food lockers. A new winter vault toilet has also been installed.
The campground's high elevation brings cool nights, often ten degrees cooler than Yosemite Valley. It is located about an hour and a half's drive from the Yosemite Valley floor and closer to the town of Lee Vining than the bustling Yosemite Valley. The Dana Campfire Circle, a well-known spot for ranger-led programs, now offers accessible routes to its location and companion seating, offering inclusivity and accessibility for all visitors.
Tuolumne Meadows Campground is bear country, and visitors are required to use provided lockers for food storage. Nearby amenities include a small grocery store, a grill/restaurant, and a post office in Tuolumne Meadows.
The reopening of Tuolumne Meadows Campground coincides with the historic opening of all 13 Yosemite campgrounds for the first time in six years. Fees for the campground are $36 per night for standard sites, $75 for group sites (13-30 people), and $50 for horse/stock sites.
Visitors should plan ahead as the campground has limited cell service, no internet, and no ice for sale. Showers are available in Yosemite Valley at Curry Village, and a dump station operates in the summer in Tuolumne Meadows. Reservations for the campground are available through Recreation.gov and are highly competitive.
While the sources do not explicitly mention the term "sleeper national park" status for Tuolumne Meadows Campground, the extensive renovation and modernization, combined with its strategic location as a basecamp for exploring Yosemite's high-country wilderness, suggest it is a rising and significant destination within the park. It caters to a wide range of users including families, backpackers, equestrians, and nature lovers, reinforcing its importance in the Yosemite visitor landscape.
[1] National Park Service: Tuolumne Meadows Campground [2] Great American Outdoors Act Funds Tuolumne Meadows Campground Upgrades [3] Tuolumne Meadows Campground Reopens After Three-Year Closure [4] Yosemite Campgrounds Reopen for the First Time in Six Years
The renovated Tuolumne Meadows Campground, now a modern facility with improved infrastructure, offers visitors an enhanced home-and-garden experience in Yosemite National Park. As a popular travel destination within Yosemite, the campground's strategic location and comprehensive offerings make it a rising sleeper national park, catering to a wide range of lifestyles.
